Off Grid Power System Upgrades! - Nov 2023 Update

Here is an update on how the new off-grid power system in our Keystone Cougar fifth-wheel trailer is coming along. I've removed four batteries, an inverter, a charger, and two solar controllers and simplified things with two Xantrex 240Ah batteries, a 3000W inverter/charger, and a 60 MPPT solar controller. I've also cleaned up the wiring quite a bit using bus bars.



*Related Links*
Xantrex Online Store - https://shop.xantrex.com/discount/LYRVFAN?ref=lyrvfan 5% Discount Code LYRVFAN
More Boondocking Related Videos - https://www.loveyourrv.com/boondocking-related-post-archive/
BougeRV 60A Solar Controller Review - https://www.loveyourrv.com/bougerv-60-amp-solar-charge-controller-review/
SRNE DC-DC Charger Review - https://www.loveyourrv.com/testing-out-an-srne-50-amp-dc-dc-charger-mppt-solar-controller-combo/

With all due respect, I'm simply flabbergasted with the $$$ involved here. 2 batteries, at over $2700 CAD each and on sale, heavily discounted. Never mind the rest of the gear. Seriously, who can afford this kinda investment in any RV... I sure can't.

A system like this is aimed at off-grid RVers who want the power of being in an RV park but out without needing hookups. The savings of RV resort fees help pay for the batteries, etc. I've invested a lot of money over the years into solar, batteries, inverters, chargers, and wiring. breakers, fuses, etc., but it has paid off in very reduced camping fees. I used to spend thousands on camping hookups during a 6-month snowbird trip. Now, it's hundreds plus I get to camp in much nicer locations.

Then there are the people who can afford high-dollar trailers and motorhomes, so 5-10 thousand extra for an off-grid system isn't much to them when the RV is worth several hundred thousand.

But for people with meager power needs when camping, there isn't any reason to spend all the money. A thousand or two will do the job for a solar power system. Or there is always a 500-dollar gas generator but as more people have solar systems they are more and more frowned on.

I get - some of it - guess I'm from a different breed of RVers. One who appreciates the company of others and other social activities tied to RV parks and commercial campgrounds. I know of no one who dry camps or boondock enough to validate $10,000 in battery technology with a expected ROI, due to not paying camping fees. It boggles my mind to be honest, but like you said there is some need for some. Me thinks I'll pass on this write-up and video. Thank you, but I did and still do, appreciate your thorough reviews of products for plain people like me. ;-)

My usual summer campground on Vancouver Island is now around $1600 monthly in the high season. Most of the marinas were charging $50-80 a night when we were out boating. If you are full-time like us or go on extended trips, the savings add up.

More and more people are dry camping or anchoring out these days. You can be as social as you want to be. All alone or in small groups like we like or at, say, Quartzsite with 100,000 other dry campers. :) I often see rallies of over 100 rigs there all dry camping and man some of the systems are way more elaborate than mine is.

I also know some people who use the RV power system for home backup or feed it back into the grid to save on home power costs. Cheers, Ray

Charge/Discharge/Capacity Tests + Build Quality
In this video, I first perform a max discharge amperage test on the Xantrex 240Ah lithium battery. Then, I recharge it fully and do a capacity test using a 600-watt sustained load. Once depleted, I pop off the cover and give you a look inside at the build quality and internal components. The video finishes with a max charge amperage test using a Xantrex Freedom XC Pro 3000W Inverter/Charger.



The test results were, for the most part, excellent. The battery easily outputs 150 amps and ran the 600W load for over 5 hours. Capacity and maximum discharge rate are as advertised. The construction build quality is top-notch!

The only hiccup was with the charging. The manual states a 150 amp max charging, but when I tried at 150 and even 130, the battery went into an over-current shutdown. I'll talk to Xantrex about it and tell you what they say in a future video. Stay tuned for a deeper look at the Freedom XC Pro inverter/charger. Cheers, Ray.

Fair Disclosure: I received a review sample free of charge from Xantrex. I received no money and maintained full editorial control over the video content.

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Previous Xantrex Related Videos - https://www.loveyourrv.com/tag/xantrex/
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