Need help choosing a battery bank

[mtn_matt]

Howdy all,
In a couple of months I'll be living in my Jeep full time. One of the last things I need to get done is my solar/battery setup. I have an 80w she'll solar panel going on my Garvin roof rack, but I am debating on what battery to get. I've been looking at the Jackery 440 and the Goal Zero yeti 400. Any input or reviews from people who use these systems or ones similar to it are greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Matt

 

[Road]

I'm not much of a fan of the goal zero yeti and jackery type setups. They're pretty much dolled up deep cycles in a fancy jacket with usb and outlets, marketed primarily to those who are new to setting up additional power for the road. Personally, I find them to be overpriced for what they are.

I spend 8-10 months a year on the road, adventuring, camping, and wandering. I depend on my solar and deep cycles for much of what I do around camp, from charging my bike to all my camera and torch batteries, mobile devices, powering a water pump, etc.

For the money, I much prefer mounting an Odyssey AGM deep cycle or similar, adding a charge controller for solar input, and setting up my 12v and usb outlets where I want.

.

Roaddude - On the Road In North America - ROADDUDE

Roaddude - Traveling Photographer/Writer/Artist On the Road In North America. Gear, reviews, people, places, and culture.

roaddude.com

 

[mtn_matt]

I'm not much of a fan of the goal zero yeti and jackery type setups. They're pretty much dolled up deep cycles in a fancy jacket with usb and outlets, marketed primarily to those who are new to setting up additional power for the road. Personally, I find them to be overpriced for what they are.

I spend 8-10 months a year on the road, adventuring, camping, and wandering. I depend on my solar and deep cycles for much of what I do around camp, from charging my bike to all my camera and torch batteries, mobile devices, powering a water pump, etc.

For the money, I much prefer mounting an Odyssey AGM deep cycle or similar, adding a charge controller for solar input, and setting up my 12v and usb outlets where I want.

.

Roaddude - On the Road In North America - ROADDUDE

Roaddude - Traveling Photographer/Writer/Artist On the Road In North America. Gear, reviews, people, places, and culture.

roaddude.com

Thanks for the reply. Do you have some type of inverter set up and a monitor screen to give you readings on the input/output as well as the batteries charge? I haven't dabbled into electrical too much, but I am willing to learn and try it out if I can get a better bang for my buck compared to the prebuilt (and yes overly priced) units.

 

[Road]

Thanks for the reply. Do you have some type of inverter set up and a monitor screen to give you readings on the input/output as well as the batteries charge? I haven't dabbled into electrical too much, but I am willing to learn and try it out if I can get a better bang for my buck compared to the prebuilt (and yes overly priced) units.

.

You're welcome, @mtn_matt .

I have two deep cycles set up in my trailer's nosebox, and a Zamp charge controller for solar input that provides great info on an LCD screen. Also have a 1000W inverter and a NOCO battery charger for when I'm around shore power.

Instead of writing it all over, here's a post I wrote a couple years ago explaining in depth the setup in my trailer:

Solar Power 101 Advice For Trailer

So, as I get closer to finishing my trailer, I need some help. I hope someone can show me some pictures of their solar setup. I would like to see a more detailed pictures. I could be over thinking this. Really, all I the power I'll need is to run LED rope lights.

www.overlandbound.com

It's likely a lot more info than you need for a smaller setup in your Jeep, but should provide some good info to get you going. Once you start to understand the basics of a solar system and deep cycles, it is really pretty straightforward.

Hope it helps.

.

Roaddude - On the Road In North America - ROADDUDE

Roaddude - Traveling Photographer/Writer/Artist On the Road In North America. Gear, reviews, people, places, and culture.

roaddude.com

 

[OVRLNDER]

Howdy all,
In a couple of months I'll be living in my Jeep full time. One of the last things I need to get done is my solar/battery setup. I have an 80w she'll solar panel going on my Garvin roof rack, but I am debating on what battery to get. I've been looking at the Jackery 440 and the Goal Zero yeti 400. Any input or reviews from people who use these systems or ones similar to it are greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Matt

My question to you is where do you plan on putting all this (besides solar panels)?
I have been researching all this the past months, but I'm having a hard time trying to figure out where I'm going to put the battery's.

 

[mtn_matt]

My question to you is where do you plan on putting all this (besides solar panels)?
I have been researching all this the past months, but I'm having a hard time trying to figure out where I'm going to put the battery's.

I built up a shelf in the trunk space that extends all the way across from window to window. Im planning on building a little housing for the battery as close to the window as I can.

 

[OVRLNDER]

I built up a shelf in the trunk space that extends all the way across from window to window. Im planning on building a little housing for the battery as close to the window as I can.


View attachment 138483

that works. My only problem would be is, I'm planing on put a drawer system in with a dometic drawer fridge.

 

[mtn_matt]

that works. My only problem would be is, I'm planing on put a drawer system in with a dometic drawer fridge.

I plan on doing the same, drawer on the left side under the shelf, and the fridge directly on top. I like how small the Jackery and GZ yeti are but they're so damn expensive. Gotta measure everything out and see what's gonna fit best

 

[Brewbud]

I love my Goal Zero Lithium 1000. I could have built one cheaper but it would not have been as small. It is a nice package. I also wanted it portable. I could have gotten by with the Lithium 400 but I also use it as a back up for a few items in the house. Where I live we are subject to blackouts whenever a red flag weather warning occurs. If I had a trailer or camper I would go DIY for sure.

 

[mtn_matt]

I love my Goal Zero Lithium 1000. I could have built one cheaper but it would not have been as small. It is a nice package. I also wanted it portable. I could have gotten by with the Lithium 400 but I also use it as a back up for a few items in the house. Where I live we are subject to blackouts whenever a red flag weather warning occurs. If I had a trailer or camper I would go DIY for sure.

I was considering going big with that yeti 1000, just gotta figure out my average power use and see if it's gonna be worth it or if the 400 is worth it.

 

[1Louder]

Another solution you might consider is an ArkPak. You pick what type of battery you want inside. Thus making it much more serviceable vs the other power box options. With that said I think a DIY setup like Road has is more than fine. You just have to find the space. Solar controller, BlueSea fuseblock, a couple of USB ports, change your fridge plug to an SAE or Anderson connector, add a small direct to battery inverter if you need it. You can recharge the battery in the ArkPak with 12v, 110, or solar. Less compact but not a horrible way to go. I no longer use mine because I typically travel with my trailer.

 

[mtn_matt]

Another solution you might consider is an ArkPak. You pick what type of battery you want inside. Thus making it much more serviceable vs the other power box options. With that said I think a DIY setup like Road has is more than fine. You just have to find the space. Solar controller, BlueSea fuseblock, a couple of USB ports, change your fridge plug to an SAE or Anderson connector, add a small direct to battery inverter if you need it. You can recharge the battery in the ArkPak with 12v, 110, or solar. Less compact but not a horrible way to go. I no longer use mine because I typically travel with my trailer.

Thanks, I will look into that option as well.

 

[Road]

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If you're dead set on a power pack, you might find this article/review interesting:

Is The Jackery Explorer 500 The Best Portable Power Station For The Money? - Expedition Portal

For many of us, camping is an escape from the media and technology that dominates our everyday lives. It’s a way to engage with nature and quiet our minds, but that doesn’t mean we want to shed our electronics entirely while we do so. Whether they’re for navigation, emergency communications, or...

expeditionportal.com

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Roaddude - On the Road In North America - ROADDUDE

Roaddude - Traveling Photographer/Writer/Artist On the Road In North America. Gear, reviews, people, places, and culture.

roaddude.com

 

[Brewbud]

I was considering going big with that yeti 1000, just gotta figure out my average power use and see if it's gonna be worth it or if the 400 is worth it.

When on the trails I primarily use it to run my ARB fridge. I could have gotten by with the Yeti Lithium 400 and my 100W panel. I got a really good deal on the Lithium 1000. It was only about $150 more than the 400. The cost and the fact I could use it at home (3000W surge and 1500W continuous) tipped me toward the 1000. I still may end up with a 400 too if I find a deal. Even the Lithium 1000 is about 40Lbs.

 

[RoyB]

You m might want to consider building your own portable battery. I just built this one for use with my RTT camping trailer. It will be recharged with 120W folding solar panel or a RENOGY DC to DC charger off the tow vehicles alternator while traveling.

Here is the battery article I wrote

12V AGM Portable Generator / Battery Box | RVB Precision

Here is the portable solar panel article

Adding More Solar to Existing System (Portable Panels) | RVB Precision

More here

RV Projects Archives | RVB Precision

 

[mtn_matt]

You m might want to consider building your own portable battery. I just built this one for use with my RTT camping trailer. It will be recharged with 120W folding solar panel or a RENOGY DC to DC charger off the tow vehicles alternator while traveling.

Here is the battery article I wrote

12V AGM Portable Generator / Battery Box | RVB Precision

Here is the portable solar panel article

Adding More Solar to Existing System (Portable Panels) | RVB Precision

More here

RV Projects Archives | RVB Precision

Thanks for the links, the more I'm looking into it the more I'm leaning toward building my own set up. Scored on some free 80W shell solar panels at a construction site I worked on so keeping this project cheap in cost is my goal.

 

[Munga Brown]

You m might want to consider building your own portable battery. I just built this one for use with my RTT camping trailer. It will be recharged with 120W folding solar panel or a RENOGY DC to DC charger off the tow vehicles alternator while traveling.

Here is the battery article I wrote

12V AGM Portable Generator / Battery Box | RVB Precision

Here is the portable solar panel article

Adding More Solar to Existing System (Portable Panels) | RVB Precision

More here

RV Projects Archives | RVB Precision

I'll say it again, Roy... You've got a nice web site & do some sweet work!

 

[theMightyGoose]

Might be a bit late for you. But I just ordered a Goal Zero Yeti 500x. I primarily got this to run my Dometic CFX3 55im when on the road, and at home as emergency power. The 500x has 505wh, and Dometic has the PLB40 which is approximately 40ah (different measurements I know), but it costs a whopping $850. The argument is that it has a voltage regulator to maximize the battery capacity with the Dometic fridge. Many people have successfully run Goal Zero Yeti 400's but the common complaint is that the Dometic will shut off when the Yeti gets down to around 50%. I believe Dometic introduced the PLB40 to address this issue. However, the new Yeti 500x solved this problem with an internal voltage regulator, similar to the Dometic. It's 505wh, so with a 12v fridge, I expect it to get me around the same as the PLB40. The 500x isn't cheap either, but REI currently has the coupon for %20 off, which gets the price down a bit. Also, we live in Southern California and are prone to extended blackouts several times per year. For some reason the power in our neighborhood goes out all the time for various reasons. So the Yeti will pull double duty powering lights and small appliances around the house. Something the PLB40 isn't really designed to do. Just wanted to share some of the good news regarding the new Yetis for anyone who might be in the market but shying away from the Yetis for the reasons above. I believe the coupon expires April 6th. A hearty dividend would make it even more fun to buy.

Lastly, you can get the Yeti 12v car charger and charge the Yeti from your car. Some people mistakenly believe Yeti lithiums can't be charged from your 12v car charger. But they can. You just need the adapter. At $40, bit's not a bad deal.

Although, if you'll be living in your Jeep full time, you might want a better solution.

 

[mtn_matt]

Might be a bit late for you. But I just ordered a Goal Zero Yeti 500x. I primarily got this to run my Dometic CFX3 55im when on the road, and at home as emergency power. The 500x has 505wh, and Dometic has the PLB40 which is approximately 40ah (different measurements I know), but it costs a whopping $850. The argument is that it has a voltage regulator to maximize the battery capacity with the Dometic fridge. Many people have successfully run Goal Zero Yeti 400's but the common complaint is that the Dometic will shut off when the Yeti gets down to around 50%. I believe Dometic introduced the PLB40 to address this issue. However, the new Yeti 500x solved this problem with an internal voltage regulator, similar to the Dometic. It's 505wh, so with a 12v fridge, I expect it to get me around the same as the PLB40. The 500x isn't cheap either, but REI currently has the coupon for %20 off, which gets the price down a bit. Also, we live in Southern California and are prone to extended blackouts several times per year. For some reason the power in our neighborhood goes out all the time for various reasons. So the Yeti will pull double duty powering lights and small appliances around the house. Something the PLB40 isn't really designed to do. Just wanted to share some of the good news regarding the new Yetis for anyone who might be in the market but shying away from the Yetis for the reasons above. I believe the coupon expires April 6th. A hearty dividend would make it even more fun to buy.

Lastly, you can get the Yeti 12v car charger and charge the Yeti from your car. Some people mistakenly believe Yeti lithiums can't be charged from your 12v car charger. But they can. You just need the adapter. At $40, bit's not a bad deal.

Although, if you'll be living in your Jeep full time, you might want a better solution.

So I ended up getting the yeti lithium 1000 (I had a pro deal through my work), the price was too good to resist... Gotta get my storage box for the roof rack then will mount my solar panels to that. Build a housing/mount for the battery and I'll be set!

 

[theMightyGoose]

So I ended up getting the yeti lithium 1000 (I had a pro deal through my work), the price was too good to resist... Gotta get my storage box for the roof rack then will mount my solar panels to that. Build a housing/mount for the battery and I'll be set!

Yeah, if I was going to be living in my 4Runner full-time, then I would want more than the 500x. The 1000 lithium should serve you well.