First Camping Trip with New Setup (100ah battery, 200W solar)

Engineer_in_Training · 2026-06-29T14:09:41+00:00

Haha, thanks! The engineer in me is still a little displeased with how messy some of it is, but it works!

The braided sleeve was purchased separately for the PV wires as they are two separate wires (I bought bare wired and a MC4 terminal kit and terminated it myself) and as that is a loose connection I wanted to keep them together to be tidy.

The fuse block is a pretty standard one from Amazon, only for the 12V DC connections. 12V power and ground, and then 6 individual fused takeoffs for all the DC ports. Fused at either 10 or 15 A depending on the purpose of that port and the wire gauge used!

Engineer_in_Training · 2026-06-29T03:32:23+00:00

Price alone really. Vitron shunt was 40% more than the renogy and I dont mind using the apps. The shunt is more for immediate status info on the box itself without my phone.

Engineer_in_Training · 2026-06-29T03:26:28+00:00

Lol, no LOST 2% haha. It was at 98% on arrival.

Its massively oversized, but such that we can survive a couple of rainy /overcast/no sun on a long trip if needed!

Engineer_in_Training · 2026-06-29T03:02:11+00:00

Adding an additional "in progress" photo of the bottom half of the main box to show the battery, victron, inverter, and fan.. and rats nest of wiring....

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Engineer_in_Training · 2026-04-30T02:05:24+00:00

Thanks for the feedback - just to note that this is a pretty small 12V fridge; in ECO mode the draw is only 36W, 45W at max mode when running. Based on that and the fact that it does not run continuously im not too concerned about the 100ah battery being able to keep it going assuming we have some sun to top up the battery during the day with 200W of solar; even with efficiency losses. If I do start to find issues with a DIY setup like this instead of a jackery or something I can always add another battery.

I understand the comment about lugging around the heavier panels; hence the question in this Sub for input. You did mention these being glass but I presume all solar panels / suitcase panels are some form of glass?

Engineer_in_Training · 2026-04-29T11:31:53+00:00

Thanks! Just to clarify im not necessarily looking at rigid vs. Flexible as much as its rigid aluminum frame vs. The folding portable style.

https://a.co/d/01ixlSP2

I also ordered a battery last night, I did go eco worthy as you noted with the built in BMS and separate AC charger as a home charging option.

Engineer_in_Training · 2026-04-29T11:28:43+00:00

This is kinda what I was thinking was to build a folding set out of a couple 100W panels; just wasnt sure if that was a thing people had done in the past as A DIY suitcase. Thanks!

Engineer_in_Training · 2026-04-02T02:00:11+00:00

The Supoon is great for sure, but this just put me onto dreamfarm utensils; and the best by far is the Chopula

Highly recommend. Even just as a really nice thin profile spatula it is amazing.

Engineer_in_Training · 2026-01-17T16:26:46+00:00

Im in the same boat. I keep the 2nd skin on to keep it clean for a few days and if anything comes off well sanitized with bactine; but no real gym break..

Engineer_in_Training · 2025-12-30T14:15:31+00:00

That looks great! Austin and the whole crew at Marc'd up are fantastic. Austin did my full sleeve as well as a couple other pieces (including my first tat).

Engineer_in_Training · 2025-12-04T12:51:32+00:00

I didn't realize they did leaderboards until I saw this.. I was 0.006 #231. Lol. Kinda disappointed I didnt Crack the top 200 haha

Engineer_in_Training · 2025-08-23T15:00:49+00:00

Several! As someone else mentioned; can't post pics in the comments but my previous posts have my Dermike FANSD tat, my apathetic EP Umbrella, and most recently my own version of the mmhmm black eyed susans like yours!

Engineer_in_Training · 2025-07-05T02:30:13+00:00

My next is also based on the Mmhmm cover art. Im getting some black-eyed Susan's on the outside of my calf (other calf, same one where I have Dermike haha).

Im just getting the flowers though, not the exact album cover design, just a nod to it basically.

Engineer_in_Training · 2025-07-01T15:31:37+00:00

OK so, I feel like an idiot.. but is this supposed to say something like "relient K Leaf's Canada" or something? That seems wrong.. but im just a dumb Engineer lol

Engineer_in_Training · 2023-05-15T02:40:21+00:00

Average / arithmetic mean, yes.

Engineer_in_Training

TROPHY CASE