Portable Power System - Tandem

Can 2 portable power systems be used in conjunction together, linked together? Newbie here, watched a lot of videos just trying to figure out how I want to set up my solar system. I thought if I got a 500w and a 250w portable systems it might be cheaper than buying individual components with all the wiring and stuff??
Hope this makes sense, I'm new don't judge me and I'm just learning trying to figure out which way to go... portable systems or build my own?

Welcome to the forum! What are you looking to power, and for how long? You’ll want to figure out how much power you require for your use cases in order to start sizing either a build or an off the shelf portable unit.

Bob142 said:

Welcome to the forum! What are you looking to power, and for how long? You’ll want to figure out how much power you require for your use cases in order to start sizing either a build or an off the shelf portable unit.

Click to expand...

Hello, I'm going to be living in my van for 3-4 every summer (escaping the AZ heat, going north). I want to power; laptop, dc frig, ipad, phone, possibly a water pump, ebike (haven't gotten this yet) vitamix blender, possibly a induction cooktop (haven't decided). I've already purchased some solar components but I wasn't sure I wanted to continue doing all this wiring stuff myself and thought it might be better to get portable power systems. I purchased: 2500w 12v inverter, 3 - 100 watt panels, 40amp charge controller. But all this wiring stuff has me so confused (even though the website makes it look so easy, I'm intimidated) not sure if I want to continue with the DIY route?? I was even looking at his ALL-IN-ONE system as maybe something easier to setup myself.

I'm sure we've got some very qualified and experienced people on here that can help you out with your specific situation. @Ped comes to mind as they are full-time van dwelling I think. Also a lot of RV'rs here like, perhaps @SCClockDr. Let's see what they have to say regarding your situation.

Bob142 said:

I'm sure we've got some very qualified and experienced people on here that can help you out with your specific situation. @Ped comes to mind as they are full-time van dwelling I think. Also a lot of RV'rs here like, perhaps @SCClockDr. Let's see what they have to say regarding your situation.

Click to expand...

Thank you Bob!

Let's explore the concept of together:

1. The solar systems could charge/maintain a battery bank together
2. Each portable could supply discrete DC & AC circuits @ the same time. Not really together.
3. The inverter AC can't be used together unless they can be phased.

Forever12Fan said:

...Can 2 portable power systems be used in conjunction together, linked together? ...

Click to expand...

No.

AC (alternating current) has a voltage "wave" that travels the wires very rapidly. If you tried to hook two regular systems together the "waves" would not be synchronized; which would probably damage the equipment if not you and those around you.

That said, there are specialized inverters that have a featured called "paralleling" which does allow them to be hooked up.

I'm gonna guess that the intimidation factor comes cuz you have an overwhelming pile of stuff that you are staring at. You gotta break the job up into manageable chunks. I'd say, puteverything away except your panels for now. Focus on getting them mounted with the cable into the van. Once that's done, you can pick something else to tackle. Btw... TONS of youtube videos on this.

Brett.

Ok, I showed you mine, now show us yours....