Escapees September-October 2024

• Live or travel in a region (or season) with low sun availability, so taking advantage of an extra boost in charging current from your alternator would facilitate longer boondocking opportunities, without having to add more solar panels. Where and How to

Dual Input DC to DC Charger with MPPT A dual input DC to DC battery charger with MPPT takes the standard DC to DC charger up a few notches. It accepts and regulates a charge from either (or both) your starting battery/alternator and solar panels, acting as both battery isolator/charger and charge controller. The MPPT technology turns any extra voltage into more amperage, thus charging the battery bank faster. For a fi nal trick, when your RV battery bank is full from a solar charge, it sends a trickle charge back to your starting battery, so you are never left with a dead starting battery while you are boondocking! In some dual input models, the max amperage is split equally between the two charging sources. For example, if you have a 50A dual input charger and you are driving down the road while your panels are illumi nated, the charger allows up to 25A from each source: engine and panel array. But, if you are driving at night (when your array is not illuminated), it allows up to 50A to be sent to your RV battery bank. While parked without your engine running, the device allows up to 50A from your solar panels to charge your battery bank. Note: Always check the specs of the component you plan to purchase as some are designed differently. A dual input DC to DC charger is perfect, if you: • already have (or plan to install) solar panels on your RV or van roof and want to boost the charging current coming from the alternator to charge your battery bank while driving. • have limited space in your solar component cabinet. This device replaces your solar charge controller serving as both battery isolator/charger and charge controller for your system. • want to charge an auxiliary battery in your van or truck that runs a speci fi c piece of equipment, such as a fridge, tools, etc. and use a portable solar panel to charge this same battery when you are not driving.

Install a Dual Input DC to DC Charger This charger is typically installed in the RV’s solar component cabi net (or battery storage

SHARI GALIARDI & DAVID HUTCHISON In 2012, Shari and David left behind careers and a home in North Carolina to travel with a vintage camper trailer they lovingly restored and out fi tted with solar and named “Hamlet.” What began as a short break from careers and responsibility quickly turned into a love a ff air with road life. They have parlayed their higher education backgrounds, desire for life-long learning and thirst for adventure travel into writing, photography, video production and public speaking gigs from coast to coast. Known to their friends as simply Shari & Hutch, you can learn about their full-time, solar-powered adventures at freedominacan.com. Or, follow them on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube as “Freedom in a Can, LLC.” through every step of the process. And, as always, feel free to reach out via our website or social media at freedominacan.com! space), rather than in the towing vehicle itself. However, it can be installed in either place as shown in this video where it’s to be used for two different purposes. A quick connect and disconnect can be established between the vehicle and the trailer through appropriately gauged wires (see our July/Aug 2023 article for various wire sizing charts) and Anderson connectors. Self-contained vehicles such as motorhomes or vans can install these in an appropriate place using a hardwire connection. While there are many things to consider when deciding which DC to DC to invest in, we hope this guide helps narrow it down. If you are ready to dive into a DIY build of a complete solar power system, our Solar System Sizing Worksheet will walk you

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ESCAPEES Magazine September/October 2024