https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/ 2026-05-15T23:45:10+00:00 https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/ https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/lib/tpl/dokuwiki/images/favicon.ico text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:52+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:adding_dc-dc_charging_to_solar&rev=1766617132&do=diff Opinion: adding DC-DC charging to solar When combined with nontrivial amounts of solar, DC-DC charging is a decreasing return expense. Normal isolator charging would do the Bulk-style heavy lifting adequately and much more cheaply. Reasoning: normal isolators raise the bank to alternator voltage (Valt, something like 13.8v, maybe higher). The primary value of DC-DC charging is that it DC-DC upconverts voltage to reach Vabs (Pb) or to induce top-balancing via overcharge (Li). Let’s loo… text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:52+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:agm2lifepo4&rev=1766617132&do=diff DRAFT Upgrading a lead-chemistry house bank to LiFePO4 The pre-made LiFePO4 batteries (LFP hereafter) you seen on Amazon and elsewhere are designed and marketed as drop-in replacements: as in “pull your lead battery and drop in the LFP”. This approach works in many cases because the size, shape, voltage range, and charging requirements are in the same ballpark as traditional lead batteries. It's not a perfect scenario, but will meet the needs of the average user. People with special requir… text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:52+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:alternatorsolarstall&rev=1766617132&do=diff Solar charging stall at alternator voltage Consider the following scenario: * 100w of panel that charges at 75W * solar charge controller Vabs set to 14.6v * alternator voltage regulated to 13.8v * isolator * chassis load on alternator = 125w (lights, radio, vent blower) * text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:52+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:assessing_solar_generators&rev=1766617132&do=diff Is this solar generator good for me? The way to find a solar generator fit for your needs is to comprehensively assess both your needs and the capabilities of the device under consideration. needs assessment * do your daily power assessment * assess what size battery you need * assess the text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:52+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes&rev=1766617132&do=diff Words of wisdom: “We have a lot of people here who get all excited, move into a van, then quit after just a couple months. The fact that they get disillusioned means they were “illusioned” to begin with. So don't be “illusioned”.” -- lennyflank Note: this area is for text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:52+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:car_micropower&rev=1766617132&do=diff Note: this is a streamlining of the shallow cycling article. Micropower for car-dwellers People with minimal power needs (a few amps a night) may be able to get by using just a bit of charge off the vehicle's starter battery. It can be done for about $25, or about $100 with 100w of solar if one shops around. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:52+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:charging_faster&rev=1766617132&do=diff charging faster isn't always better There is a common misperception that charging one's battery banks faster is better or that having more charging capacity guarantees faster charging. Here are some reasons it is not always true: lead-acid Lead batteries text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:52+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:charging_lithium_to_soc&rev=1766617132&do=diff Charging lithium to a specific State of Charge Lead batteries are healthiest when they are kept 100% State of Charge (SoC) all the time. Lithium batteries, on the other hand, suffer accelerated degradation when held at 100% SoC. So with lithium we have two competing goals: text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:52+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:cheap_build&rev=1766617132&do=diff a longer-form answer to this thread frugal camper builds Building a functional camper on a big budget is easy - pay someone to do it. Doing it on a budget requires research, patience, and work. " > Tips and tricks to being a cheap o?" tl;dr If you read nothing else: text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:52+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:cheap_offgrid_power&rev=1766617132&do=diff Words of Wisdom: “It is cheaper and easier to use less power than it is to make more power.” -- highdesertranger principles for living off the power grid cheaply FIXME reduce your power requirements Small power setups are inexpensive, simple, and forgiving. Large power setups are expensive, complex, and unforgiving. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:52+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:controllers_and_dollars_per_watt&rev=1766617132&do=diff fixme NOTE: this is a rough draft. Costs based on prices on Amazon of Renogy controllers where available. cost analysis of small controller / panel combinations " For about the same price a second solar panel can give 100% more power. Above about 300 to 400 watts MPPT is financially advantageous. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:cudy_lt500&rev=1766617134&do=diff DRAFT Cudy LT500 The Cudy LT500 is a Cat4 LTE modem and AC1200 WiFi router/repeater. There is relatively little documentation so this page attempts to collect what there is. software The LT's software is a modified OpenWRT or LEDE stack: " Fri May 20 21:41:05 2022 kern.notice kernel: [ 0.000000] Linux version 4.4.140 (jenkins@cudy_release) (gcc version 5.4.0 ( text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:dead_battery&rev=1766617134&do=diff DRAFT How to handle a dead house battery If your house bank is dead and nothing is working we have both short-term and long-term problems. Let's start with the short term issues. first things first In addition to you having no power in the van, sitting at very low states of discharge is damaging to both lead (Pb) and lithium (Li) batteries. It is important to get battery voltage off the floor text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:diy_vs_powerstation&rev=1766617134&do=diff DRAFT DIY vs Power Station Q & A " What's the difference between a portable power supply and a battery?" * a battery is... a battery * a Jackery/Anker/Bluetti is * a battery * inverter * solar charge controller * etc Folks that pay attention (read specs, understand their own use case) will have good results with both DIY and all-in-ones ( text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:efficiency&rev=1766617134&do=diff " " You keep using that word; I do not think it means what you think it means. -- Inigo Montoya in the Princess Bride" " "Efficient" The word efficienct is often mis-used in vanworld to mean something like: * better * preferable * makes more power * or, perhaps more cynically, text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:endamps&rev=1766617134&do=diff Note: Flooded, AGM and gel are all types of lead-chemistry battery. How do I know when my lead battery is fully charged? Lead batteries are killed by 'dwellers undercharging them: not fully, and/or not often enough. To reach the expected cycle lifetime a lead battery must be charged: text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:epever&rev=1766617134&do=diff EpEver MPPT controllers The EpEver line of MPPT solar charge controllers is an excellent value-for-money for some use cases. They cost about half as much as prettier, more-prestigious controlllers. * the controllers can take massive overpaneling; the smaller units (≤40A) have documentation that allows +50% overpaneling text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:faqs&rev=1766617134&do=diff this page has moved text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:fulltime_boondocking&rev=1766617134&do=diff DRAFT Full-time boondocking People who are successfully boondocking may start thinking about going full-time (FT). IMO anyone who is already making 14d outings without drama can do it FT. There are a few things that will change. but first We are not allowed to live on public lands. We are allowed to text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:healthy_agm&rev=1766617134&do=diff Keeping your AGM bank happy and healthy why does AGM exist in the first place? In The Beginning, emergency backup power for industrial purposes was done with Flooded Lead-Acid batteries (FLA) and inverters. It worked well at the time, but there are drawbacks: * FLA batteries require regular maintenance ( text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:healthy_lifepo4&rev=1766617134&do=diff Keeping your Lithium bank happy and healthy why does Lithium exist in the first place? Early lithium battery chemistries were an attempt to get much greater power-to-weight ratio than was achievable with lead, NiCad, NiMH, etc. Lightness and power are extremely useful in aviation, space launches, RC racing, etc. A side benefit is that lithium does not suffer from text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:how_much_excess_solar_power&rev=1766617134&do=diff DRAFT FIXME How much extra solar power do I have? Yes, we can use a battery monitor to see how much power is going into the battery bank. And we can look at the solar charge controller to see how much power it is making. But how can we tell how much untapped power does our solar have in reserve? text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:lfprationality&rev=1766617134&do=diff LiFePO4, alternator charging, and coffee mugs There is a lot of fear and misinformation circulated about LiFePO4 batteries in general and direct charging from the alternator in particular. The discussions get a little weird. If they were about drinking coffee instead of charging batteries they'd sound something like this: text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:lifepo4_charging_voltage&rev=1766617134&do=diff DRAFT " " ... the reactions that cause [LiFePO4] aging are strongly correlated with voltage - David Howey, Professor of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford" " Problems caused by lithium charging profiles You'd think that a “lithium profile text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:mppt_anthills&rev=1766617134&do=diff MPPT anthills - an analogy about mixing panel specs TL;DR For best results put panels of different specs on separate MPPT controllers. about these summaries the mission You are blindfolded and placed in a field that is flat except that there is an anthill somewhere in it. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:panelsizesforinsolation&rev=1766617134&do=diff Words of Wisdom: “I'm not sure people always grasp the concept of “minimum” either; they tend to think it means “all that you really need” when it fact it means “the least you can get away with provided everything else goes right”. After all, the sun does not shine brightly every day. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:pareto&rev=1766617134&do=diff Pareto summaries The Pareto Principle says " " roughly 80% of consequences come from 20% of causes (the “vital few”)." " In my experience newbies can onboard 80% of what they need to know right now by accepting a few oversimplified claims. These claims are text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:portable_panels&rev=1766617134&do=diff Portable panels and the role of the owner TLDR Portable panels can be highly-productive and useful, but good results require owner discipline. the hardware Rated watts are rated watts; a 100w portable will make the same power as 100w mounted in a lab. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:prebuilt_van&rev=1766617134&do=diff DRAFT I bought a pre-built van. How does the power system work? You already bought the van; it's a done deal. The time to beat the “understand what you're buying before you buy it” dead horse has past. Right now we need to figure out, make use of, and possibly modify the system you have. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:54+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:r_vandwellers_faq&rev=1766617134&do=diff /r/Vandwellers FAQ power How much power do I need to... Only you know can know the answer to this, by doing a daily power requirements assessment. personality I am worried about [fill in the blank]. What can I do? There are steps we can take to reduce risk about reasonable threats. If a person is a worrier the solution is personal rather than van-related. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:56+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:run_this_load&rev=1766617136&do=diff [also see How do I run a 12v compressor refrigerator?] What will it take to run this load? TL;DR There are several factors: * AC vs DC, voltage. typically 12vdc or 120vac * current (power), in Amps (A) * Watt-hours (Wh) (energy) * any charging sources that are active at the time * recharging afterward text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:56+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:running_out_of_power&rev=1766617136&do=diff words of wisdom: “It is cheaper and easier to use less power than it is to make more power.” – highdesertranger TL;DR * running out of power is most often caused by optimism about what loads one can run and how much power one can harvest offgrid * it can also be related to battery bank capacity. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:56+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:sayings&rev=1766617136&do=diff vandweller laws and corollaries * Those who tell you “want you want” don't know what you want and don't care what you want. * If your “deep cycle” battery doesn't have a published DoD vs. duty cycles data then it's not deep cycle. * If your text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:56+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:self-heated_lifepo4&rev=1766617136&do=diff DRAFT Self-heated vs DIY warming TLDR * LiFePO4 cannot be charged when the cells are below ~freezing, or discharged well below freezing * some kind of warming is required before charging * self-heated: easier * DIY: more control, more charging under certain conditions, usually cheaper text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:56+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:sizing-model&rev=1766617136&do=diff DRAFT secessus' power system model Heads up: this tool is intended to simplify my life when helping people with power setups, not to be Holy Gospel. Do your own homework. assumptions The model makes several assumptions: * Lithium can be discharged to 80% DoD, lead chemistries to 50% text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:56+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:solar_harvest&rev=1766617136&do=diff patterns in solar harvest unscientific terms * Rated = the actual panel rating in watts under lab conditions * MPPT theoretical = 82% of rated, allowing for 5% DC-DC losses and 13% temperature derating at 70deg F ambient. In my case, Rated is 570w and MPPT theoretical is 467w. text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:56+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:solar_not_charging&rev=1766617136&do=diff My solar isn't charging Reminder: a solar charge controller makes power * when power is demanded for charging or loads * up to its abilities under present conditions In most cases the system is working as designed but the owner doesn't know it. because no power is being demanded text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:56+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:stayinginoneplace&rev=1766617136&do=diff Staying for free in one place Hopefuls often ask there is somewhere out there they can stay for free indefinitely. There are problems with long-term stays in general, even if you do find a place that allows it. * can you handle the different weather seasons in the place? Most vanfolk text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:56+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:successful_boondocking&rev=1766617136&do=diff DRAFT Reminder: articles in the Opinion section are written in a more personal voice -- secessus Successful boondocking With some planning and organization boondocking can be relaxing and very cheap. If one is unprepared or inexperienced it can be expensive and text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:56+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:the_case_for_agm&rev=1766617136&do=diff the case for AGM There are situations where AGM is worth spending twice as much compared to flooded lead-acid. * the ‘dweller installs the battery bank in a location where it is not reachable for normal maintenance * the ‘dweller needs to mount the battery on its side for some esoteric reason (or is 4×4 trekking so the RV itself can end up in weird angles) text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:56+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:troubleshooting&rev=1766617136&do=diff FIRST DRAFT Troubleshooting electrical problems in the van TL;DR * troubleshooting is more about methodical thinking than specific techniques, tools, or tricks * a multimeter is extremely useful and does not have to be expensive * carrying a few inexpensive replacement parts and tools can be helpful when attempting field repairs text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:56+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:used_batteries&rev=1766617136&do=diff thoughts on used/abused batteries [based on this reddit post] Sometimes we get batteries for free or cheap. Sometimes we damage the batteries we already own. While fresh and healthy batteries are best, they are relatively $$$. Here are some thoughts on getting value out of compromised batteries: text/html 2025-12-24T22:58:56+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) https://rvwiki.mousetrap.net/doku.php?id=opinion:frater_secessus:weekender_plus&rev=1766617136&do=diff Weekender plus [based on this lemmy thread] a vanlife spectrum * dreaming <- most people are here * weekending / recreational camping * weekending in a rig that is capable of longer outings. <- what this article is about * traveling for months - practically indistinguisable from fulltiming since it presents many of the same challenges: power, water, food, etc. The only things missing are exposure to both summer and winter, and the sobering realization that this is home and there is…