In this video, I demo and review a compact and lightweight complete solar system from Lensun Solar Energy. The kit includes a 200-watt semiflexible solar panel array that folds up into a super portable 16″x16″ square. It also consists of a waterproof EPever 15A MPPT controller, various hookup cables, a canvas carrying bag, and an … Read more
This video demonstrates and reviews the newly released Jackery 1000 portable power station and the companion SolarSaga folding 100W solar panel. This Jackery box comes with a built-in 1000 watt pure sine wave AC inverter powered by a 1002 watt-hour lithium battery pack. There is also a selection of DC outputs to choose from, maxing … Read more
In this video, I review a 170-watt solar panel from a company called BougeRV. First, I check over the build quality and inform you of the dimensions, weight, and rated output voltage and amperage. We also have a quick look at the shipping packaging. Next, I set up a testbed using one of my Lion … Read more
In my latest RV mod, I install a high amperage 30A 12VDC port into the bed of my 2018 Ram 3500 pickup truck. I also test out using an old Bogart SC2030 solar charge controller I have laying around for alternator charging. Disclaimer: Working with electricity can be dangerous. The following is for entertainment purposes … Read more
In this video, I install and tell you a bit about my latest RV gadget, the new WF-2030 WiFi add-on module for my Bogart Trimetric Battery Monitor System. The WiFi module installs easily beside the battery monitor via a data cable and a pair of power wires. Once installed it allows me to access performance … Read more
Recently while camped near Quartzsite, AZ my good friend Eddie from Mobile Homestead Solar Services was kind enough to walk us through his massive boondocking power system. On the roof is 1800 watts of solar powering 900 amp hours of battery bank capacity. His beautifully laid out and wired off-grid power system is installed in … Read more
In this video, I add two more Renogy 100-watt solar panels to go with my existing 5 for a total now of 700 watts. I explain how I mounted and wired them from the rooftop all the way down to my battery bank, located in the fifth-wheel trailer from the storage compartment. I also show … Read more
In this video, I conclude my initial review of my new Lion Energy Safari UT 1200 lithium batteries. I have 3 of their 12V 90Ah batteries wired in parallel to produce a 270Ah bank. They are replacing 4 Interstate 6V golf cart batteries we have used for the last 3-4 years. So far, I’ve published … Read more
In this video, I install a remote disconnect switch for my 500-watt solar panel array. I wanted a solar disconnect switch so I can manually disconnect the charging current to my new Lion Energy lithium battery bank before they come to a 100% state of charge. I’ve read if the lithium bank is only charged … Read more
In the following two videos I put my new Lion Energy Safari UT 12V 90Ah lithium batteries through multiple real-world RVing test situations. For more information about the Safari UT check out my previous blog posts and videos – Upgrading Lead Acid RV Batteries to Lithium and Lion Energy Safari UT Lithium Battery Q & … Read more
Recently I was offered for review one of Jackery’s newest off-grid products. The Explorer 500 portable power station. The product looked pretty sweet and boasted decent power capacity via a 518 watt-hour lithium battery and a 500-watt pure sine inverter plus 120 watts max DC power output ports. I decided to take Jackery up on … Read more
Now that I have installed and begun my review of the Lion Energy Safari UT lithium iron phosphate (LIFePO4) battery, there have been quite a few questions popping up from my LYRV readers and viewers. Rather than continue to answer the common questions over and over, I’ve decided to publish Q & A type post … Read more
In this first video, I introduce you to Lion Energy’s Safari UT battery that I will be installing in our Cougar fifth-wheel trailer. The Safari UT is a 12V 90AH Lithium Iron Phosphate battery designed as a drop-in replacement for typical lead-acid type batteries found in RVs. I’ll be removing my current battery bank consisting … Read more
In this video, I give a quick overview of our 500 watts RV solar power system. You can see the full detail explanation and diagrams in the past post and video – Detailed Look at Our DIY RV Boondocking Power System I go through all the things it powers in the rig. From devices, we plug … Read more
Last year I reviewed a flexible type solar panel for a company called Lensun. In exchange for the review, I received the 100-watt panel and controller free of charge. But, what to do with it? I could have mounted it on the roof with my four Renogy panels but decided instead to make myself a … Read more