Off Grid 'Emergency' Charging setup

[Ned B]

I saw a recent out of spec Bits video the other day about charging an R1T on a portable charger and a 120V circuit. In that video Isaiah explains his logic for why he is able to 'survive' on 120V even with the big battery that the Rivian has.

This has got me thinking about a Grid down situation. I have Grid-tied solar at the house, so if the power is down, I'm still 'stuck', and Yes I know V2H is now an option for me, though with a SR, I'm not sure how long that would 'help'. I don't have a battery for the house yet, but that's in the cards eventually.
In the meantime, I've got a SR Lightning that I commute with, and Normally I can simply keep it topped off by plugging in when I get home. Always Be Charging has long been my mantra with my three PHEVs I've owned, and with a level 2 it's the rule still with Storm. However, I'm getting set up for a worst case scenario of Grid Down, and my truck needs power. I Know this won't be a perfect solution, but here's my plan given what I have already invested in.

I have an Ecoflow Delta 2 1kwh power bank, with a 220W folding solar panel, and an additional 2kwh expansion battery, which will get me Some range using a portable charger. I'm Not looking for Fast charging, nor do I expect to cover my full 50 mile round trip commute using that setup. I do Hope to be able to top off however slowly in a multi day grid down situation.

Wish me luck!

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[K6CCC]

50 mile round trip commute is going to take 20 - 25 KWH per day. A 220 W solar panel is going to give you maybe 1 KWH per day so it's going to hardly make a dent in your 20 - 25 KWH commute. And that does not count losses in the battery charging to get from the solar to the power bank battery (and it's expansion), the losses in the inverter of the Ecoflow to make 120 VAC, and the losses in the EVSE and battery charger in the truck. Wild guess number if your solar is really producing 1 KWH per day, you will be lucky to get 750 WH of that into the truck battery - or MAYBE 2 miles. Also keep in mind that one of the more likely reasons to have a multi-day power failure at home is storm related, in which case the solar may be doing almost nothing.

Even with a solid source of 120 VAC, L1 would not keep your truck charged for your daily commute. For the first few days of ownership, that was my exact situation (my commute was 52 miles). However as you said, you normally have L2 charging at home...

In other words, you better hope to be able to find charging away from home if your power is out.

 

[Ned B]

50 mile round trip commute is going to take 20 - 25 KWH per day. A 220 W solar panel is going to give you maybe 1 KWH per day so it's going to hardly make a dent in your 20 - 25 KWH commute. And that does not count losses in the battery charging to get from the solar to the power bank battery (and it's expansion), the losses in the inverter of the Ecoflow to make 120 VAC, and the losses in the EVSE and battery charger in the truck. Wild guess number if your solar is really producing 1 KWH per day, you will be lucky to get 750 WH of that into the truck battery - or MAYBE 2 miles. Also keep in mind that one of the more likely reasons to have a multi-day power failure at home is storm related, in which case the solar may be doing almost nothing.

Even with a solid source of 120 VAC, L1 would not keep your truck charged for your daily commute. For the first few days of ownership, that was my exact situation (my commute was 52 miles). However as you said, you normally have L2 charging at home...

In other words, you better hope to be able to find charging away from home if your power is out.

Worst case , it would take days to charge. If that’s the case, fine. At least I wouldn’t have a large gray brick in my driveway. Also, I’m not averse to expanding the PV side of the equation. I’m Fine with putting panels on my shed roof. The 220w came with the kit.

 

[RLXXI]

Worst case , it would take days to charge. If that’s the case, fine. At least I wouldn’t have a large gray brick in my driveway. Also, I’m not averse to expanding the PV side of the equation. I’m Fine with putting panels on my shed roof. The 220w came with the kit.

You'll probably want to invest in a whole home generator, or at the very least a large portable, 10kW at least. I have an 18kW whole home and it's enough for the home, and yet not as much as I'd like considering the ev. Didn't have an ev when I got it or I'd have gone with at least a 22kW.

 

[tearitupsports]

For just charging the truck, and because you already have a solar system, getting a home battery system with their automatic transfer switch would be your best bet. Make sure it is something that supports AC coupled solar, and a very nice to have would be a generator input as well.
Ecoflow might have something that is compatible with the battery bank you already have. You don't need a lot of battery if you have a good solar system and also can charge the truck at the same time.
There are lots of different systems that will work for what you want. How large is your solar system? What brand is your current solar inverter?

 

[Ned B]

Folks , I’ll be back… today is a put down the internet and get stuff done day.

Here are two shots of my array. One includes my GE elec-trak mower

 

[jwrezz]

That mower is awesome! I've recently seen at least 2 videos showcasing those old beasts. Was yours one of them? Best of luck with your solar and battery build!

 

[Ned B]

That mower is awesome! I've recently seen at least 2 videos showcasing those old beasts. Was yours one of them? Best of luck with your solar and battery build!

Thanks! That was my Dad's, he worked at GE, and always wanted one. He bought his when he retired and had this one restored. It needs a little work now. having trouble keeping a charge enough to finish the lawn. another project for later spring

 

[hajalie24]

I have ~7kwh of batteries in the bed, solar panels on my tonneau cover, and a cheap 240v 6000W inverter off aliexpress (the inverter was about $200)

It works great and I can recharge the truck quickly if I need to.

 

[jwrezz]

I have ~7kwh of batteries in the bed, solar panels on my tonneau cover, and a cheap 240v 6000W inverter off aliexpress (the inverter was about $200)

It works great and I can recharge the truck quickly if I need to.

That's an awesome setup! Any pics or post on the build?

 

[hajalie24]

That's an awesome setup! Any pics or post on the build?

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/i-put-solar-panels-on-my-tonneau-cover.31027/

Mods locked the post cause one guy didn't like it? (his posts are now deleted) It was weird cause a lot of people were interested.

Later post when the new batteries/inverter came https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/spare-batteries-in-bed-charging-the-truck.31177/

 

[jwrezz]

That is fantastic! I wonder if you have your LVB charging from that too? I see so much about how poorly the truck manages to keep the 12v battery well maintained.

 

[jwrezz]

https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/i-put-solar-panels-on-my-tonneau-cover.31027/

Mods locked the post cause one guy didn't like it? (his posts are now deleted) It was weird cause a lot of people were interested.

Later post when the new batteries/inverter came https://www.f150lightningforum.com/forum/threads/spare-batteries-in-bed-charging-the-truck.31177/

Thanks!

 

[hajalie24]

That is fantastic! I wonder if you have your LVB charging from that too? I see so much about how poorly the truck manages to keep the 12v battery well maintained.

I don't, so far no issues (knock on wood.)

Though running a wire from the bed to the frunk is tempting for all sorts of things tbh. Haven't gotten to it though cause it sounds somewhat inconvenient.

 

[Ned B]

For just charging the truck, and because you already have a solar system, getting a home battery system with their automatic transfer switch would be your best bet. Make sure it is something that supports AC coupled solar, and a very nice to have would be a generator input as well.
Ecoflow might have something that is compatible with the battery bank you already have. You don't need a lot of battery if you have a good solar system and also can charge the truck at the same time.
There are lots of different systems that will work for what you want. How large is your solar system? What brand is your current solar inverter?

I've got 5.6 kw of panels, ground mount with a sol-ark inverter, grid tied. I've already got a 'critical loads' panel in the house, but no batteries in the house. I'd Like some, and yes, Ecoflow has a modular system which would fit the bill.

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