Our Setup
Installed in our Grand Design Reflection 312 BHTS
3 - Lion Energy UT-1300 Lithium Batteries
4- 200 watt panels
1- Victron 12v Multiplus 3000
1- Victron 150/70 MPPTS Solar Charge Controller
1- Victron Battery Monitor
1- Victron Lynx Distribution box
multiple other miscellaneous parts
Batteries
There is a lot of battery manufacturers to choose from and this took me a little bit of research to figure out what was the best for our needs. I had gone back and forth between Lion Energy and Battle Born and ultimately decided to go with Lion Energy. We opted for the Lion Energy UT-1300 Lithium Batteries for a few reasons. With us being in a travel trailer, weight is one of the most important factors considering we only have around 1500 lbs cargo carrying capacity. The Lion Energy UT-1300 Lithium Batteries only weigh 23 lbs vs the Battle Born 31 lbs. I could put close to 4 Lion Energy UT-1300 Lithium Batteries to only 3 Battle Born batteries, so the weight savings does add up the more you add to your system. We only have 3 for now, and after a year of using them, our average discharge rate is around 147 amp hours of our 315 amp hours we have to use. That is with every outlet in the RV inverted for a family of 4 who stays up and watched tv, charges computers, tablets, cooks dinner and whatever else we feel like.
The second main reason is that the hold more power compared to the battle borns. With 105 amp hours per battery vs just 100 amp hours. 5 extra amp hours may not seem like a lot, but when you add multiple batteries together it starts adding up. We do run our microwave / convection oven when unplugged. We also have 1 AC inverted as well. That AC has a Micro Air Easy Start installed to help with the power load when it kicks on. We can't run the AC long on just 3 batteries, but it does help when we just want to cool down real quick. We have kicked it on at rest stops along our travels when we stopped to eat lunch.
The second main reason is that the hold more power compared to the battle borns. With 105 amp hours per battery vs just 100 amp hours. 5 extra amp hours may not seem like a lot, but when you add multiple batteries together it starts adding up. We do run our microwave / convection oven when unplugged. We also have 1 AC inverted as well. That AC has a Micro Air Easy Start installed to help with the power load when it kicks on. We can't run the AC long on just 3 batteries, but it does help when we just want to cool down real quick. We have kicked it on at rest stops along our travels when we stopped to eat lunch.
Solar Panels
When it comes to solar panels, we opted for 4 200 watt panels on tilting brackets. When I was researching cost, everything I read said your really want to stay around $1 per watt for the panel (give or take a little). The Mobile RV tech had prices in that range, so we went with them. The tilting brackets are another key feature to this panel setup. Something I did not realize before leanring about all this, is that in the winter months, the sun actually takes a different pattern compared to the summer months. So, with the winter months I would either need to be willing to get on my roof and tilt, or pay for more panels if I wanted to get charged back up. In a recent test between me and my friend out in Quartzsite, we compared numbers one afternoon. We have 800 watts of solar panels and he had 1200 watts. I was pulling in around 650-700 watts of my 800 tilted while he was pulling in between 500 -600 watts of his 1200 watts in winter sun. Now in the summer months, he will be brining in a lot more than us.
We have our panels sending power down into a Victron 150/70 MPPTS Solar Charge Controller . We could have gone with less, but I wanted this in case we wanted to grow our system in the future.
We have our panels sending power down into a Victron 150/70 MPPTS Solar Charge Controller . We could have gone with less, but I wanted this in case we wanted to grow our system in the future.
Victron Multiplus 3000 Inverter Charger
The simplest reason I went with the Victron 12v Multiplus 3000 was that it was an all in one system. Not only does it charge my batteries, it also send power (inverts) our RV. This component is the heart of our RV Power. Almost all power runs through it in our RV. It has so many really cool features that make it more then just an inverter or charger, but the simply way to put it is that it is a smart inverter charger. A couple examples of why we like it
1 - When we are plugged into 30 amp, it take power from our batteries if needed during those power spikes and then smartly recharge the batteries as our power needs go back down. Since having this installed, at the parks we dog bone down from 50 amp to 30 amp, we are no longer tripping breakers.
2- The smart charger is the other main reason why we like this Victron 12v Multiplus 3000 . When we are on our generator, I can lower our input amps on the victron app from 30 down to 7.7 amps via bluetooth and the multiplus will take that 7.7 amps and boost it to around 45 amps (with no major power needed) going back to the batteries per hour. Or I can boost up the input power (depending on generator needs) and get my batteries topped off fairly quick. This is a nice feature also if you plan on plugging into a house via extension cord.
1 - When we are plugged into 30 amp, it take power from our batteries if needed during those power spikes and then smartly recharge the batteries as our power needs go back down. Since having this installed, at the parks we dog bone down from 50 amp to 30 amp, we are no longer tripping breakers.
2- The smart charger is the other main reason why we like this Victron 12v Multiplus 3000 . When we are on our generator, I can lower our input amps on the victron app from 30 down to 7.7 amps via bluetooth and the multiplus will take that 7.7 amps and boost it to around 45 amps (with no major power needed) going back to the batteries per hour. Or I can boost up the input power (depending on generator needs) and get my batteries topped off fairly quick. This is a nice feature also if you plan on plugging into a house via extension cord.
Why we wanted Victron components
When we shopped around and got quotes, we had multiple shops return quotes that had systems that would meet our needs, but with multiple different brands pieced together. I did not want that for our setup mainly because I wanted to be able to see what was happening throughout the system in 1 app! I wanted to be able to check batteries, see what the solar did and adjust our inverter input quickly from one convenient place. Victron was the only company that I know of that offers that.
How much does it cost?
We get this question often and I am always hesitant on giving out our price. The main reason is, everyone's system will be different and I would always recommend getting multiple quotes. One of the first quotes we had received for our system was almost double what we actually paid. We had our system installed by Aaron from The Mobile RV Tech and we are absolutely pleased. Through talking with him, we put together a system that meets our families needs and came within our budget. Since the install, The Mobile RV Tech launched an online store for you DIY type. If you shop around, you will see the prices are very competitive.
If you decide to get a quote from Aaron for your RV Solar install, tell him his friends at Road Ventures sent you! He really has been awesome to work with for us. Also, one thing to note with Aaron, is he is mobile and travels the US doing installs.
If you decide to get a quote from Aaron for your RV Solar install, tell him his friends at Road Ventures sent you! He really has been awesome to work with for us. Also, one thing to note with Aaron, is he is mobile and travels the US doing installs.