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07-24-2022, 11:27 PM #1
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Wiring in Solar Generator To WFCO Power Center
I have a Bluetti AC200P and plug the trailer into the AC outlet to top off the house battery and run appliances. I think I could use the charge in the Bluetti more efficiently by using the 12V output to charge the battery and run the 12v systems. Has anyone tried doing this? I found a thread on a DIY solar form that sounds like I just need to pick up the Bluetti aviation plug and wire it into the WFCO 12V fuse bus. I am not sure if there is anything else I need to worry about other than letting it run too long and overload the lead acid house battery.
2020 Imagine 2400BH
2019 Ford Expedition
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07-25-2022, 07:24 AM #2
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That’s not going to be very efficient. Lead-acid charging is about 50% efficient. You’d effectively have twice the power available if you run equipment straight from the DC output and forget charging the onboard battery.
Using the AC output to charge the battery is even worse, since you still have the inherent charging inefficiency of the battery plus the inefficiencies of both the inverter and converter. You’d probably be doing well to hit 30% of the power from the Bluetti being stored in the onboard battery.John & Kathy
2014 F250 Lariat FX4 6.2L SBCC
2014 Reflection 303RLS
SW Indiana
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07-25-2022, 08:50 AM #3
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How would you run from the Bluetti and not charge the house battery? Switch the battery disconnect once at camp and turn on the Bluetti? The Bluetti has a 24V internal battery, and leaving its internal step-down convertor and screen on does add some parasitic losses. Probably not as much as charging the lead acid battery.
2020 Imagine 2400BH
2019 Ford Expedition
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07-25-2022, 08:58 AM #4
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07-26-2022, 09:58 PM #5
I fully agree with this. Your best bet is to just use your Bluetti by running individual items inside your rig. Unless it is a big battery it’s not like to have enough to run stuff like your microwave. I have a 500 watt version and in just use it in the rig while boondocking.
Good Luck
Bill2019 GMC 3500 SRW Sierra Denali Duramax
2020 Reflection 315RLTS
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07-26-2022, 10:14 PM #6
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The unit I have is pretty big, it will provide up to 2000 watts continuously. I plug the RV directly into it and can run the microwave as long as I don’t have any other large draws going like the converter in its bulk stage.
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08-03-2022, 12:04 AM #7
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08-03-2022, 03:03 AM #82021 398M Full Body Paint 8k axles. LRH tires. Disc brakes.
Two bathrooms, no waiting 155 fresh, 104 black, 104 grey 1860 watts solar.
800AH BattleBorn Batteries No campgrounds 100% boondocking
2020 Silverado High Country 3500 dually crewcab Duramax Allison
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08-03-2022, 10:00 AM #9
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Definitely, I think the Bluetti has protection from a 2nd power source being on the line, but I still don't want to waste the energy on running the converter when I flip on the 120V output of the solar generator. I am also concerned about forgetting to turn the converter back on when I am using shore power. It's just another thing to remember, and I will inevitably forget about it from time to time. I'll probably put a label on the battery switch to remind me to flip it back and forth on state changes.
2020 Imagine 2400BH
2019 Ford Expedition
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08-03-2022, 12:59 PM #10
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I think you’ll be surprised how in tune you are with power use and setup when your power doesn’t just magically come out of the wall. You think about all water, power and waste when you are off-grid, and that doesn’t stop when you have shore power again. Not a bad thing to be aware.
John & Kathy
2014 F250 Lariat FX4 6.2L SBCC
2014 Reflection 303RLS
SW Indiana
Roadmaster to Morride IS?
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