Re: Charging from tow vehicle

Carol wrote:

Ted Heise wrote:
 

Looks like it's a Go Power set up, here is the brochure that came
with the trailer.  The connector on the trailer matches what's
shown in the illustration...
 
 

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https://panix.com/~theise/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Go-Power-solar.pdf

 
Other info is here...
 
 

>

https://panix.com/~theise/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Progressive-Dynamics-Power-Converter-Model-PD4000-Series-Operation-Guide.pdf

 
 

>

https://panix.com/~theise/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Lance-schematic.jpg

 
 

>

https://panix.com/~theise/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/power-distr-center.jpg

 
 
Looks pricey, with the 200 W kit running over $600.  I'm not even
sure if that much wattage would meet my needs or even how to go
about calculating it.

 
Ok, been fuzziling at this one.  For the record, I know very little on
electronics.  I found some cute calculators to turn appliances into
wayts used per hour.
 
I'm old school.  I'm going to plug in a powered up battery with
internal DC<->AC 'circuitry' (has DC plugs and AC plugs', can be
charged via either).  I have a 'Jackery Explorer 500' and 2 Echflow
River 2' units.
- The Jackery holds it's charge well.  The echoflow's don't but I
suspect it's not properly shut off though I see nothing.
 
I have some errands to run but when I get back, I'll charge one of the
echoflow units then detach and plug in my radio and run off battery
until it stops or if as I suspect, I hit bedtime where I'll note
amount power remaining and turn it all off.  The ecoflow river 2
units are not 'big' ones.  They are typical 250$ or so ones if you
price shop.
 
 

 How flat looking is the roof?  Could it be wired already for a
 basic install (with/without inverter). Look for a sort of boxy
 mounting bracket near where cables come out and that may be an
 empty inverter mount spot?

 
Roof seems pretty flat, though I don't recall having seen anything
like mounting or wiring that could be relevant.

 
As best I can tell, solar is an option and they didn't add it.  You'd
have the spot on the side to plug in the solar panels bit but no
panels or the rest of the interior that you need.

I'll add to this one then get back to the other message.

Testing with echoflow river 2 battery unit.

<https://www.amazon.com/EF-ECOFLOW-Portable-RIVER-Generator/dp/B0B8MXPRD
B/>  This is the unit I have 2 of.  Intended use were spot provision
power with small loads or short usage.  (Hubbies Mancave/shed as an
example.  A light and a fan.  Next trial will be  Black&Decker 1.1cuft
cooler.

First trial proceeding well.  Unit charged from 1% to 100% in 55
minutes, using wall outlet.  (I do not have any solar screens for the
yard to make a test of charging via solar and no, it's can't be
attached to my whole-house solar paenls for a trial).

Unplugged the stereo from wall and unplugged ecoflow from wall then
plugged them together.  A few moments later the screen on the battery
estimated a 14hour runtime.

5:16pm: now says 15 hours remain, 93%.  Not sure which to trust
(estimate or %).  I'm letting it run.

Next, look to the EFR link above and beside it is one that adds the
panels.  *HANGING* panels!  Now this is all bottom of the ladder gear
so it's not high powered, but you can see there are options.  You won't
get much with that system but it says the battery will charge in 7
hours (trust me, that's perfect clear weather and angle).  What you do
is get several solar panels and run them in series.

The Go Power actually sounds pretty cheap now that I look at it.  I
think the only way you will get cheaper, is by having significantly
more limits than you want.