The Harbor Freight knock-off will be fine if you follow the instructions on lubrication and oil changes. Pay close attention to this. Most splash-lubricated portable generators have 40-50 hours runtime before an oil change is required. You may need to handle that on-Playa so bring the oil trays, pa...

btw- just talked to the guy at Harbor Freight. He said the ambient heat threshold is around 110 degrees (for propane) and elevation matters too (for propane). Makes less of a difference with gasoline. Claimed that he has folks in AZ right now using the 5000 inverter while it's 115 plus degrees out. ...

looking at the predator 5000 generator and love that it's remote start and duel fuel but also want a quiet(er) running genny. I feel like the casing of this generator would cause it to overheat out on the playa (likely when I need it most- peak sun+running AC). Anyone have experience using quieter g...

This might be the problem: Your panel likely has too high voltage for this controller. You sure? These are the specs from the manual. It just seems like it should handle it. Worst comes to worse, will this low charging voltage damage my battery, or just charge it too slowly? I found some helpful in...

Working towards that myself one day. Nice work

The quote I posted was from a user review, so take it for what it is. Similar to what you posted from the user forum. Could just be pseudo-science. On the charge controller, toggle the display and report back the current it is reporting when the voltage shown is 13.8 - for Li batteries, charging is...

This might be the problem: Be careful of the your application. The listing has the DC input voltage is 15-55 volts. That is not accurate. When charging a 12 volt battery, the DC input rating is only 15-20 VDC. So match the solar array carefully. If you want to use a pair of panel to increase the ch...

The voyager is a PWM controller. In actual operation, it will pull the Vmp of the panel down to the voltage of the battery charging side on a small wattage panel arrangement like that. You are sort of using it all like a trickle charger and that is ok as long as it can keep up with your loads. In o...

This might be the problem: Be careful of the your application. The listing has the DC input voltage is 15-55 volts. That is not accurate. When charging a 12 volt battery, the DC input rating is only 15-20 VDC. So match the solar array carefully. If you want to use a pair of panel to increase the ch...

OK, your LiFePO4 battery is a 4-cell type with: Nominal Voltage: 12.8V Charging Voltage: 14.4V Cell Nominal Voltage: 3.2V Cell charging voltage: 3.6V Please double-check the controller again and select the Lithium battery option (this sets the charging method) and set the correct voltage to 14.4. W...

OK, your LiFePO4 battery is a 4-cell type with: Nominal Voltage: 12.8V Charging Voltage: 14.4V Cell Nominal Voltage: 3.2V Cell charging voltage: 3.6V Please double-check the controller again and select the Lithium battery option (this sets the charging method) and set the correct voltage to 14.4. W...

Look at the battery specifications. It will tell you the voltage needed to charge it correctly. Usually it’s higher than Lead-Acid batteries by a few Volts plus a different charge cycle. Then download the user manual for the charge controller you’re considering and see if they have a setting for th...

I’ve read that A 120W solar panel can supply between 6 and 7.5 Amps on a sunny day, for most of the sunlight hours of the day. It’s possible you won’t need a 20 amp controller. The wanderer ten amp has 2 usb 5v 2A charge outlets built in which are kind of a neat thing (and can also work with a lith...

Help please! I just bought a new Lithium ion battery Ampere Time 12V 200Ah Lithium Iron LiFePO4 Deep Cycle Battery, Built-in 100A BMS but realized that my charge controller that came with this solar panel setup is only fitted for AMG/lead acid batteries. So, I have two questions: 1. Can I use the sa...

I saw a good talk or two last year-- which ones are you most excited for in '18?

beautiful. thanks guys.

I'm trying to extend my solar panel and need a couple of MC4 cables to do it. The cord running from the panel to the charge controller reads "14 AWG," but the closest I can find online for extension cables is 12AWG. (My charge controller's specs: 10A Current + 12/24v Voltage) I doubt I'd do any dama...

Hook it up, secure it, point it the right direction, let it charge all day. Thanks again for all the help, dude. If you swing by the Roller Disco and ask for Jas (zz) - I've got a beer with your name on it (that goes for you as well Cap G) (we're on Esplanade & 5:00 this year) Last question: I beli...

I've got a 10x14 kodiak. I love it. It's great for the playa. The problem is, it fuggin SUCKs to clean out. Here's how I do it. Any suggestions to help me up my game? 1. Set it back up once off-playa 2. Spray the whole damn thing down with a goddamn hose 3. Spray down exterior with white vinegar + w...

Welcome aboard, bring a notebook and gear down for some learning. You spent some $$ on this already, got some good gear and need to guard against failure and disappointment. First, tell us about this “folding solar panel” and what kind of charge controller you got. Hook that up to the battery right...

I got one of these bad boys . Think it'll get me to a 1000W? Not like I need to get it there for this burn, but I will for next. My goal is mini fridge for next year, and I already realize I'll need at least 2 deep cycles plus the ability to charge mid-week (which I already have via fold-up solar). ...

Yes, remote switch. That’s exactly what I use. On the playa, if you want your electronics (or anything) to not get playa-dusted you’ve gotta keep them sealed tight. Think similarly to making it waterproof. Otherwise the dust is gonna get in. As for changing what’s connected, all you need is an exte...

Token wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 28, 2018 11:01 pm

Captain Goddammit wrote: ↑

Sat Jul 28, 2018 9:50 pm

This totally works, It’s completely dustproof.

But how do you turn it on?

I'm guessing he's got something like I got. Remote switch:

The cables go through holes drilled in the appropriate places, and sealed with a bunch of silicone sealer. This totally works, It’s completely dustproof. Thanks Cap G. I envisioned something like that for the cables that stretch from inverter to power source. Silicon sealer is a nice touch. But, I ...

Just got my pure sine inverter today and boy am I Jazzed to pump some juice through this bad boy.

How do you keep yours covered on the playa to minimize dustiness? Send pics?

worldjoe how do you like your engel? Was thinking of getting one, but to use in more of a fridge capacity... I'd rather not jerry rig the thermostat like I've heard can be done (I've read through how to do so, seems complicated), but rather keep my perishable foods at the top of the freezer in hopes...

I'm about 95% certain that I'm going for a mini-fridge this year. My plan would be to run one off of a deep cycle battery or two, or four, and swap them out while recharging via solar (well, ideally). From what I've read, mini-fridges are totally inefficient for a number of reasons (thin insulation ...

I currently have two 12V 65AH deep cycle batteries. And two 100W panels each with their own charge controller. I'm trying to upgrade my setup to achieve Solar without buying more stuff. Side question: I'm thinking of establishing a similar setup-- what are you running off of it currently? My goal i...

Sweet. Needed that bump to throw down an extra hundo. x14 it is...Thanks everyone!

oh hey there, you saucy dust lovers. I'm down to the wire and need guidance on which Kodiak I should go for. It's me and my lady, might bring two cots or lay some sort of bedding on the ground, though it would be nice to have a little breathing room in the tent. We'll keep our fold-out table outside...