Off Road Podcast 307 – Solar Power PT 2

THIS EPISODE OF THE OFF ROAD PODCAST IS SPONSORED BY WARN, POWER TANK AND MEDICAL GEAR OUTFITTERS.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=L8CwFn52pSc%3Fwmode%3Dopaque%26enablejsapi%3D1

Tonight, Aaron spends more money, Jeremy gets an unexpected surprise, & Ben gets no surprises

Welcome to the off-road podcast. A podcast about everything off-road. We cover the news, review products, and interview people in the off road industry.  I’m your host Ben and I’m here with my co-hosts Aaron & Jeremy. 

THE WEEK IN REVIEW IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY MEDICAL GEAR OUTFITTERS

What are you waiting for? Are you waiting to have a casualty on the trail? Check out Medical Gear Outfitters dot com to get straightened out.  Medical Gear Outfitters has everything you need whether you are going out for the day or traveling on a year long expedition.  Head over there to get offroad specific kits that meet all your needs.  While you’re there use the code “Offroadpodcast” for 10% off.

Jeremy – installed new ported steering box.  New line contacts the engine, got some 45 degree fitting ordered to fix.  Got the tire carrier from my new bumper.  New bumper likely this week.  Removed my old bumper.  Removed my rear antirock.  Modified the brackets to work with the new bumper.

Aaron – Bought all the exhaust from the headers to the tips. Paid for the tune.  Going to see if I can use it to get the Titan running before we pull the engine this weekend.

Ben – getting my wheels just don’t know when 

Hey guys, we are looking to reach more listeners.  We are going to start reading Apple iTunes reviews on air.  If you hear yours, send us a message with your address and we’ll send you an Off Road Podcast sticker.  You can find all of our social media by just searching our name.  Now go hit that subscribe button! 

LISTENER FEEDBACK

Chris Arnesen  via ORP Fans FB group

Just listened to the latest podcast and wanted to add some info about figuring out capacities and capabilities of these battery-inverter systems.

The easiest way to calculate power usage for a device or capability of a battery is to convert all figures into watt-hours (Wh). Watt-hours are the combination of the voltage of a device (V) and its amperage (A).

For example, a 12 volt device that draws 1 amp creates a draw of 12 watt-hours (12V * 1A = 12Wh). A 120 volt device drawing 0.8 amps creates a draw of 96 watt-hours (120V * 0.8A = 96Wh).

Lithium batteries can be calculated the same way. If it is a 12 volt nominal battery and it is rated for 10 amp-hours, it has a capacity of around 120 watt-hours (12V * 10Ah = 120Wh).

Watt-hours ends up being the universal language as it isn’t dependent on the voltage of the device.

As a bonus bit of information, inverters are usually only about 80% efficient — so when you have that blender plugged in drawing 1000Wh, the inverter is pulling roughly 1250Wh from the battery. If the battery only ends up being 1002Wh (like the Jackery 1000), you’ll use that blender for less than an hour (about 45 minutes) before the battery is completely flat.

PATRIOTPATCH.CO

We also want to thank our sponsor Patriot Patch. Head over to Patriotpatch.co and check out their selection of great patches, shirts, cleaning mats, signs , and stickers.  You can also join the patch of the month club for 15 bucks and receive a patch, matching sticker, and artist proof each month.

NEWS BROUGHT TO YOU BY POWER TANK

https://youtube.com/watch?v=q1DYP4M6Ejo%3Fwmode%3Dopaque%26enablejsapi%3D1

• 2021 BRONCO ACCESSORIES LEAKED
  • Leak shared on Bronco6G forum shows official looking documents supposedly shared with dealers
  • About 80 accessories so far
  • Yakima builds the racks and they hold, bicycle, kayaks, cargo platform, and fishing pole holders amongst other things
  • Tube doors
    • $1,350: 4 door
    • $840: 2 Door
  • Skid Plates: $695
  • Rock Rails: $595
  • Ecoboost calibration kit has a tuner & intake $TBD
• F150 LIGHTNING
  • 7,700-10,000 towing capacity
  • 1,800-2,000 payload 
  • The “mega power” frunk with up to has a 400lb or 400 liter capacity
    • It is called the mega power because it has a 2.4 kW through four 110v receptacles 
  • 426-563hp & 775tq
  • Introduces hitch assist
  • 0-60 4.4seconds
  • 230-300 mile range
    • Guesstimate is that it will have a 100 mile range when towing at capacity
  • Charging:
    • At 110 3/MPH
    • At 240 21-30/MPH
    • Fast Charger 54 miles in 10 minutes or 15%-80% in 41 minutes
  • The truck will have 9.6kW of available power through it 11 outlets (21 if you include the USB ports)
    • One of the outlets is even 240v!
  • The truck can power a home for 3-10 days depending on power rationing
  • Metal skid plates to protect the batteries and motors
  • All will be 4wd & have dedicated off road modes
  • No off road package mentioned yet
  • Starts at 40k and will go over 90k!!!

GIVEAWAY:

We have an exciting announcement to make.  In celebration of our 300th episode, we are doing a massive giveaway. In this one giveaway we will be giving away:

• WARN VR EVO 10S Winch
• 10# package A Powertank
• Medicals a good Gear Outfitters 1st aid kit (Overlander)
• WARN Bluetooth Hub 
• $250 Tread lightly subscription

MAIN TOPICPOWERED BYWARN  

CONNECTORS

• Powerpole
• MC4

WIRING

again complex depends on the size and draw of power you plan on using

 Figure out how much power you plan on drawing to figure out wire and fuse sizes

DIFFERENT SOLAR PANELS

• Monocrystalline
  • High efficiency/performance
  • Aesthetics
  • Higher costs
• Polycrystalline
  • Low cost
  • Lower efficiency/performance
• Thin-film
  • Portable and flexible
  • Lightweight
  • Aesthetics
  • Lowest efficiency/performance

RIDGID

• Study mounting
• Bulky

FLEXIBLE

• Name kinda says it all
• Slightly more durable
• Not as good for mounting and airflow and lead to shortened life span

FOLDING

• Storable 
• Easy to steal

BLANKET

• Expensive
• Small
• Lightweight

CHARGE CONTROLLERS

charge controllers / solar regulators have additional features, such as a low voltage disconnect

Simple charge controllers stop charging a battery when they exceed a set high voltage level, and re-enable charging when battery voltage drops back below that level. Pulse width modulation (PWM) and maximum power point tracker (MPPT) technologies are more electronically sophisticated, adjusting charging rates depending on the battery’s level, to allow charging closer to its maximum capacity.

Charge controllers may also monitor battery temperature to prevent overheating. Some charge controller systems also display data, transmit data to remote displays, and data logging to track electric flow over time.

INVERTERS

• Pure Sine vs modified wave
  • Old tube tvs, water pumps, and phone chargers usually operate ok with a modified sine wave inverter. Appliances like refrigerators, microwaves, and compressors that use AC motors won’t run as efficiently on a modified sine wave inverter.

CLOSING STATEMENTS

Thanks to everyone who listens to us weekly and also to those who watch us live on YouTube.  We really appreciate you.  Please share us with your friends and help us grow.  God bless America! Don’t Forget to visit Patriot Patch and join the patch of the month club. Check out our Gaia affiliate link for up to 40% off. Also, don’t forget to head over to Warn and Powertank to see all their great gear. We are a proud part of the firearms radio network. Got a question or comment? Send it to us through our webpage at firearmsradio.tv or through our social media channels by searching for Off Road Podcast. Also, you can listen to us live at overlandradio.com Mondays at 7pm Pacific. When offroad please remember to have fun, tread lightly, be safe and courteous. Thanks for listening.