OffGridFoodForestCreators
Arthur & Fiona Cristian
We joined this forum seeking guidance/advice on buying the correct 12v gear to go with what we have already purchased
We are a family of 6 in Australia with many supporters involved in co-creating food forests. Go here to learn about our backgrounds and why food forests, etc: http://loveforlife.com.au
Our current 100% offgrid requirements to create food forests from scratch, 100% offgrid for at least 6 months at a time, is 70% fire and LPG and 30% 12v Solar and Petrol or Lithium generators.
Our camper trailer is a Black Patron purchased new March 2019:
Patron Overview: https://www.blackseriescamper.com/pop-up-campers/patron.html
Patron Specs: https://www.blackseriescamper.com/pop-up-campers/patron-tech-specs.html
Until infrastructures are in place, we use the camper trailer as a hub for kitchen, showers, food storage, 12v and 240v energy, office, studio, sleeping (which also involves numerous other tents, swags, etc).
We are now working on replacing all the 12v cabling and low end products that came as bells, streamers and whistles when we purchased the trailer.
We can't afford all the high end 12v system brand names (Redarc/Enerdrive/etc) but there is an Australian Perth based family company that offers excellent quality gear and service called iTech World https://itechworld.com.au and bar cables, meter systems, battery boxes and fuse protection, we are buying gear from iTech.
Early December 2019 we purchased 4 x iTech 120ah lithium batteries for $679.20 each inc free delivery from Perth to Moss Vale NSW:
For 12v, the 4 x iTECH120 batteries will need to be hooked together in parallel with each battery running at 120amps. Each battery weighs 13kg and is the equivalent of 200ah agm/gell batteries, a total of 800ah AGM or 480ah lithium. Some say per battery that it actually is 240ah AGM = 960AH
From iTech we also purchased a 3000 Watt 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter ITECH3000W with remote control for $471.20 inc free delivery.
We also purchased the iTECH2000A Portable Jump Starter Backup Wireless Power Bank that they claim is the safest in the World.
We got it delivered for $201.00. It was a 20% off Black Friday deal. We keep this in the car.
The rest of the gear we require including wiring, fuse protection, etc, is what we need advice on. We don't know the extremes of wat/amp usage going on per day because we don't know at any given time who will be there on site from one week to the next - many supporters will be coming and going. So we are sort of planning for the worst while living for the best.
We will definitely not be running air conditioning or micro waves but we will be running at least 2 x 12v refrigerators/freezers, numerous 12v led string lights with dimmers, using Ryobi 12v or 240v ONE+ battery rechargers (have numerous Ryobi tools and batteries) 2 x water pumps, 2 x mini tower computers with 22" monitors, one running audio and video production (includes speakers, external audio device) . a printer come scanner and copier, a 25kg washing machine, usb charging many mobile phones, ipods/ipads, led lithium torches, etc. When we can't have fire, its raining and we are too busy with no one free to look over an indoor fire (inside an enclosed awning coming off the camper trailer), we will use lpg or 240v for toaster, water jug, blender, food mixer, coffee machine, etc.
We also plan to install a DC to DC battery charger inside the engine bay (done by an auto electrician when we also install a Redarc V3 Elite Electrical Brake Controller) with large copper cabling running into the boot and underneath the back of the car, with high quality Anderson Plugs for charging the portable battery box when required and for charging the 4 x iTech 120 batteries located in the camper trailer when required.
When stationary, the camper trailer will have at least 4 x iTech 280w solar mats/blankets https://itechworld.com.au/collectio...panel-for-caravan-camping-boats-4wd-motorhome
and one or two MPPT solar controllers.
The portable battery box will be used for running 12v water pumps, 12v led string lights with dimmers, 12v fridge, usb charging mobiles, led torches, ipods/ipads, a notebook, etc. We will also have, when required, 2 x iTech 80w solar mats/blankets and a MPPT solar controller to charge the battery box located in the boot of the car.
We will be buying another iItech120 lithium battery for this portable battery box.
To Will or whoever,
iTech only has a 25amp Solar Controller Dual input 25A In-Vehicle DC Battery Charger iTECHBCDC25 DCDC - https://itechworld.com.au/collectio...25a-in-vehicle-dc-battery-charger-itechbcdc25
and a 30 Amp MPPT solar regulator charge controller https://itechworld.com.au/collectio...techworld-30-amp-mppt-solar-charge-controller
Considering heavy usage periods can we go up to a Renogy 50amp DC to DC with solar input https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Renogy-...293168747418?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10
and a
Renogy Rover 100Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Renogy-...a=0&pg=2386202&_trksid=p2386202.c100677.m4598
The faster the input charging the batteries better to counter the 12v output being used?
Is this correct?
If not, are the itech DC and iTech MPPT listed above, good enough to use or should we use a not so powerful Renogy DC to DC and Renogy MPPT controller???
And how many 280w iTech solar mats/blankets can we run to speed up feeding the batteries?
And how many MPPT solar controllers and at what amps?
Renogy Rover Li 60Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller Regulator w/ Bluetooth Module https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Renogy-...293254322415?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10
What kind of cabling do we require? Something like 6B&S or something even better than that?
What about fuses?
Renogy : https://www.ebay.com.au/i/293254322...H9yZxvXFCqtGA7QiTAF31z4myjnzGhaEaAiTPEALw_wcB
What about 2 x iTech 30 Amp MPPT solar regulator charge controllers. Can they deliver the full power of all the solar panels to charge the 4 iTech120 batteries? . Each controller handles 4 solar panels
Is this correct? 4 x iTech 280w mat solar panels - two running into each mppt controller and the solar panels are wired both in parallel and series with 50amp or 100amp Anderson plugs coming off each one and depending on the weather we plug into whichever one is required.
We are also buying the iTech petrol generator 5KVA Pure Sine Wave Inverter| Redback RB4, Remote Start, LCD, Trolley
As for a battery box, we are looking at something like this one from Kick Ass (Australian Direct): https://www.australiandirect.com.au/Battery-Systems/Boxes-Trays/KABB-G
There are other options out there.
We would also like to replace all the much thinner wiring in the camper trailer, with 6B&S cables or whatever is best, while also upgrading the batteries, inverter, battery charger, etc, and installing the two MPPT solar controllers.
We also want to improve the current 12v connectors inside and outside the camper trailer while also installing a few more 12v female connections and a few 240v connections coming off the 3000w inverter, while also running the cable for the 3000w inverters remote control and setting up where the remote control can be kept and used.
iTech says all their gear is heavily protected from power surges and spikes, etc, but we wonder if we include a few quality fuse breakers here and there where required.
The number one, high end, Australian made off grid, etc, Lithium system is Enerdrive. https://enerdrive.com.au
Enerdrive have great products, systems and support in every way imaginable and like Redarc they are just too expensive for non profits like us
All the best to you and your families
Arthur & Fiona Cristian
0418 203204 (Int: 61 418 203 204)
action@loveforlife.com.au
http://loveforlife.com.au
http://facebook.com/arthurcristian
We are a family of 6 in Australia with many supporters involved in co-creating food forests. Go here to learn about our backgrounds and why food forests, etc: http://loveforlife.com.au
Our current 100% offgrid requirements to create food forests from scratch, 100% offgrid for at least 6 months at a time, is 70% fire and LPG and 30% 12v Solar and Petrol or Lithium generators.
Our camper trailer is a Black Patron purchased new March 2019:
Patron Off-Road Pop Up Camper | Black Series Campers
It has an impressive carrying capacity and is suitable for family or long-haul travel. The trailer is tough and practical, ready for your journey at all times. The Black Series’ specially designed independent suspension and galvanized towbar can cope with the most rugged terrain.• SOLAR PANEL• EN
www.blackseriescamper.com
Patron Overview: https://www.blackseriescamper.com/pop-up-campers/patron.html
Patron Specs: https://www.blackseriescamper.com/pop-up-campers/patron-tech-specs.html
Until infrastructures are in place, we use the camper trailer as a hub for kitchen, showers, food storage, 12v and 240v energy, office, studio, sleeping (which also involves numerous other tents, swags, etc).
We are now working on replacing all the 12v cabling and low end products that came as bells, streamers and whistles when we purchased the trailer.
We can't afford all the high end 12v system brand names (Redarc/Enerdrive/etc) but there is an Australian Perth based family company that offers excellent quality gear and service called iTech World https://itechworld.com.au and bar cables, meter systems, battery boxes and fuse protection, we are buying gear from iTech.
Early December 2019 we purchased 4 x iTech 120ah lithium batteries for $679.20 each inc free delivery from Perth to Moss Vale NSW:
iTECH120X 12v Lithium Deep Cycle Battery LiFePO4
Upgrade your power source with the iTECH120X Lithium Battery - designed and developed in Australia with over a decade of expertise. This 10kg powerhouse offers 100% usable capacity, IP67 Waterproof rating, and a 5-year Australian warranty. Say goodbye to heavy AGM batteries and hello to a true...
itechworld.com.au
For 12v, the 4 x iTECH120 batteries will need to be hooked together in parallel with each battery running at 120amps. Each battery weighs 13kg and is the equivalent of 200ah agm/gell batteries, a total of 800ah AGM or 480ah lithium. Some say per battery that it actually is 240ah AGM = 960AH
From iTech we also purchased a 3000 Watt 12V Pure Sine Wave Inverter ITECH3000W with remote control for $471.20 inc free delivery.
Pure Sine Wave Inverters » 12v Power Inverters
Power your sensitive electronic devices without fear. Our 12v pure sine waver inverters range from 400w with car adapter to 3000w with remote control.
itechworld.com.au
We also purchased the iTECH2000A Portable Jump Starter Backup Wireless Power Bank that they claim is the safest in the World.
We got it delivered for $201.00. It was a 20% off Black Friday deal. We keep this in the car.
iTECH2000A 2000 Amp Portable Lithium Jump Starter
The iTECH2000A jump starter produces enough Cold Cranking Amps to start a flat battery of any petrol & most diesel vehicles. Free Accessories & Carry Case.
itechworld.com.au
The rest of the gear we require including wiring, fuse protection, etc, is what we need advice on. We don't know the extremes of wat/amp usage going on per day because we don't know at any given time who will be there on site from one week to the next - many supporters will be coming and going. So we are sort of planning for the worst while living for the best.
We will definitely not be running air conditioning or micro waves but we will be running at least 2 x 12v refrigerators/freezers, numerous 12v led string lights with dimmers, using Ryobi 12v or 240v ONE+ battery rechargers (have numerous Ryobi tools and batteries) 2 x water pumps, 2 x mini tower computers with 22" monitors, one running audio and video production (includes speakers, external audio device) . a printer come scanner and copier, a 25kg washing machine, usb charging many mobile phones, ipods/ipads, led lithium torches, etc. When we can't have fire, its raining and we are too busy with no one free to look over an indoor fire (inside an enclosed awning coming off the camper trailer), we will use lpg or 240v for toaster, water jug, blender, food mixer, coffee machine, etc.
We also plan to install a DC to DC battery charger inside the engine bay (done by an auto electrician when we also install a Redarc V3 Elite Electrical Brake Controller) with large copper cabling running into the boot and underneath the back of the car, with high quality Anderson Plugs for charging the portable battery box when required and for charging the 4 x iTech 120 batteries located in the camper trailer when required.
When stationary, the camper trailer will have at least 4 x iTech 280w solar mats/blankets https://itechworld.com.au/collectio...panel-for-caravan-camping-boats-4wd-motorhome
and one or two MPPT solar controllers.
The portable battery box will be used for running 12v water pumps, 12v led string lights with dimmers, 12v fridge, usb charging mobiles, led torches, ipods/ipads, a notebook, etc. We will also have, when required, 2 x iTech 80w solar mats/blankets and a MPPT solar controller to charge the battery box located in the boot of the car.
We will be buying another iItech120 lithium battery for this portable battery box.
To Will or whoever,
iTech only has a 25amp Solar Controller Dual input 25A In-Vehicle DC Battery Charger iTECHBCDC25 DCDC - https://itechworld.com.au/collectio...25a-in-vehicle-dc-battery-charger-itechbcdc25
and a 30 Amp MPPT solar regulator charge controller https://itechworld.com.au/collectio...techworld-30-amp-mppt-solar-charge-controller
Considering heavy usage periods can we go up to a Renogy 50amp DC to DC with solar input https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Renogy-...293168747418?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10
and a
Renogy Rover 100Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Renogy-...a=0&pg=2386202&_trksid=p2386202.c100677.m4598
The faster the input charging the batteries better to counter the 12v output being used?
Is this correct?
If not, are the itech DC and iTech MPPT listed above, good enough to use or should we use a not so powerful Renogy DC to DC and Renogy MPPT controller???
And how many 280w iTech solar mats/blankets can we run to speed up feeding the batteries?
And how many MPPT solar controllers and at what amps?
Renogy Rover Li 60Amp MPPT Solar Charge Controller Regulator w/ Bluetooth Module https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Renogy-...293254322415?_trksid=p2385738.m4383.l4275.c10
What kind of cabling do we require? Something like 6B&S or something even better than that?
What about fuses?
Renogy : https://www.ebay.com.au/i/293254322...H9yZxvXFCqtGA7QiTAF31z4myjnzGhaEaAiTPEALw_wcB
What about 2 x iTech 30 Amp MPPT solar regulator charge controllers. Can they deliver the full power of all the solar panels to charge the 4 iTech120 batteries? . Each controller handles 4 solar panels
Lithium Battery, Solar & Power Generation Experts - iTechworld
Power your next adventure with our lithium batteries, jump starters, power stations & more. Buy online for fast delivery or visit our Perth store in Burswood.
itechworld.com.au
Is this correct? 4 x iTech 280w mat solar panels - two running into each mppt controller and the solar panels are wired both in parallel and series with 50amp or 100amp Anderson plugs coming off each one and depending on the weather we plug into whichever one is required.
Lithium Battery, Solar & Power Generation Experts - iTechworld
Power your next adventure with our lithium batteries, jump starters, power stations & more. Buy online for fast delivery or visit our Perth store in Burswood.
itechworld.com.au
We are also buying the iTech petrol generator 5KVA Pure Sine Wave Inverter| Redback RB4, Remote Start, LCD, Trolley
Inverter Generators - Portable Generators - Camping Generators
Our Australian-designed portable petrol inverter generators are ideal for camping, caravanning and worksites. Buy online or visit our Perth store today.
itechworld.com.au
As for a battery box, we are looking at something like this one from Kick Ass (Australian Direct): https://www.australiandirect.com.au/Battery-Systems/Boxes-Trays/KABB-G
There are other options out there.
We would also like to replace all the much thinner wiring in the camper trailer, with 6B&S cables or whatever is best, while also upgrading the batteries, inverter, battery charger, etc, and installing the two MPPT solar controllers.
We also want to improve the current 12v connectors inside and outside the camper trailer while also installing a few more 12v female connections and a few 240v connections coming off the 3000w inverter, while also running the cable for the 3000w inverters remote control and setting up where the remote control can be kept and used.
iTech says all their gear is heavily protected from power surges and spikes, etc, but we wonder if we include a few quality fuse breakers here and there where required.
The number one, high end, Australian made off grid, etc, Lithium system is Enerdrive. https://enerdrive.com.au
Enerdrive have great products, systems and support in every way imaginable and like Redarc they are just too expensive for non profits like us
All the best to you and your families
Arthur & Fiona Cristian
0418 203204 (Int: 61 418 203 204)
action@loveforlife.com.au
http://loveforlife.com.au
http://facebook.com/arthurcristian
ArthurLoveForLife
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