Notes on our simple electric camping life

The truck camper with the two solar panels on the roof - Photo: Still Gravity.
Nowadays we keep one solar panel on the roof plus a portable set of 350W combined with a power station. Note that this photo still shows the old roof panels. It was taken in Colorado - License our images here.         


We don't need much electricity because we don't have many things to power. We run under the mantra of KISS, less stuff, less things that can fail. 

All our 12 volts equipment - without counting the fridge - draws 56 watts if everything is on - with the lamps and all the fans running at maximum. Adding ~60 watts of the fridge, we can round our total draw to around 120 watts at maximum. 

The Bluetti EB-240 packs batteries, charge controller, and inverter in a unit under 50 pounds. In a perfect world, it holds 2400 Wh - but worlds are never perfect. The power inverter can run up to 1000 watts AC - our Magic Bullet draws around 300 watts, so we got smoothies to beat the heat.

We charge the power station through the solar panels or the AC charger - a pure sine inverter of +300 watts allows to charge from the vehicle 12 volts system. 

Collage of photos of the old solar suitcase to charge the Bluetti Power Station - Photos: Still Gravity.
This was our old 200W DIY solar panel suitcase before having the portable set. One of these panels is now installed on the roof to recharge the Bluetti while on the road or parked in a trailhead, street, or parking lot.  


Some data and number from our power station. 

  • Model: Bluetti EB240.
  • Capacity: 2400Wh - 14.4V - 162Ah.
  • Input: 42Vdc - 200 Watts. 
  • From solar: 16 to 60Vdc - 10A - 500 Watts (maximum). 
  • AC output = 110 V~ (1,000 Watts).
    USB = 5V - 3A - 15 Watts (maximum).
    Type-C PD: (5 - 9 - 12 - 15 Volts) 3A - 20V/2.25A.
    Cigarette lighter socket: 12V - 9A.
  • Working temp for unit: 0-40℃.
  • Working humidness: 10-90%. 
  • Panels can be installed in series or parallel (in parallel avoid fading issues). 
  • Solar to charging port connector MC4 to DC 7909 plug. 
  • Theoretical recharge time with 200 watts panels under full sun = ~15 hours.
  • Calculate working time = 2400 Wh * 0.85 / Wattage of the connected equipment.

Notes and references. 
  1. This video shows the inside of the model EB150 which should be similar to our EB240. Good reference for a potential DIY battery replacement in the future - if needed. 
  2. Reference page for wire size 12, 24, and 48-volts circuits here.
  3. Panel connector: Female = positive-red; Male = negative-black. Use polarity invertor.

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