Generally, an off grid system is main up of 3 major systems: Energy storage, energy production and energy conversion.
Storage generally refers to batteries, and you can think of batteries just like your water tanks. How many batteries you have, and what size they are, is going to determine how much of this precious resource you can carry with you. And just like your water tanks, when your batteries run out, you need to go searching for ways to fill them up or live without that resource.
Charging sources are anything that can fill your batteries up. Charging sources can be things such as a solar system, a generator, an alternator, wind/water turbine, or plug-in style chargers. Without charging sources you can take with you on your adventures, your time off grid is going to be entirely determined by your storage/batteries.
Conversion is the final part of this recipe. There are two types of electricity we deal with in most RV's, vans, camper trailers, boats, etc. The two types of electricity are Alternating Current (AC), and Direct Current (DC). Batteries only can store DC, but any electronics you have that can only be plugged into a household 3 prong receptacle require AC electricity. So an inverter must be used. An inverter is able to take the DC power that's stored in you batteries and convert it into an AC power source that your household electronics can use.
When you're ready to start prepping to get your rig ready to leave the plug in campsites behind, the first step is to find if we'll be crossing paths. I've always got a fresh travel map on my website with my availability in each area. So check the map and see if I'll be in your area! If I'm not stopping directly in your area, but am going to be passing nearby, shoot me a message to inquire about special detours to your location. Either way, the map and contact form on my website is always the first step to planning your off grid adventures.
Well what if you want to travel to me? Traveling to me requires a bit more coordination because I'm a full time RV'er. So coordinating getting the parts we needed shipped, and a rendezvous at a project friendly campsite are a pretty standard affair. No matter what, the first thing we need to do is figure out the right system for you, then the rest will fall into place.
You tell me! Literally! From campgrounds, storage facilities, the middle of the desert, to your own driveway, I come fully equipped in a mobile workstation that has its own solar and lithium battery system to run all my tools. With a special 49 state insurance policy (sorry Hawaii, can't do installs there), you can rest assured that your system will be done right, that campgrounds will have no problem accepting my services, and I'll be there for the long haul to make sure your adventures stay trouble free.
No, unfortunately, I can't. Due to high demand in the install world, I simply don't have the additional bandwidth for the time and detail that would be required to guide a DIY'er through these systems. But, luckily, I'm teamed up with AMsolar who are champions in offering just that. From detailed wiring diagrams, complete kits with every inch of wiring and connector you need, as well as a large staff ready to answer the phones, AMsolar has the resources to help you DIY straight to off grid adventures.
I don't know! Electronics, especially batteries, are expensive and ever changing in costs. Supply chain issues have caused raw materials like copper to change in cost several times in short periods of time, and...I don't know what you want done yet! Your unique project on your unique adventure rig is going to require a unique amount of work (Have I overused unique yet?)
Due to this, total cost can very wildly depending on your needs. That being said, a complete off grid system is going to be in the thousands, not hundreds, of dollars. If you fill out the contact form I can evaluate you rig and even provide some generic system estimates to give you some cost ideas. Or, I can do what I absolutely prefer, make you a unique estimate (oops, did it again ;).
Yes it is! Off The Grid Camper, LLC is insured to perform installs in 49 states! (Sorry Hawaii) Get your new off grid system installed with confidence.
Generally, no. Accuracy and compatibility is paramount in not only putting your system together, but making sure it works without a hiccup. If you're going to turn to a professional to do the installation, why not also have them ensure everything is ordered correctly for said install?
That being said, I definitely make exceptions! If you've done your homework and managed to order quality components, I will try to use them. I know how hard it can be to find an installer willing to work with customer supplied parts, and so I definitely want to make sure you didn't get yourself in a bind with a bunch of expensive electronics nobody is willing to touch.
That being said, I will NOT compromise on quality. If any of the parts you purchased aren't professional grade or perfectly compatible with your system, prepare for me to ask you to return them and substitute with the correct parts for the job.
I want you to have happy adventures, and I'm sending you into the wilderness with complex electronics. We have got to make absolutely sure your systems performs without hiccups, and using the right parts the first time is the best way to make sure that happens.
Sure do! There's not many installers in the country at this time, but the list is ever growing. Here's a few of the folks out there that I trust to do good work.
- Amsolar located in Springfield, OR redefines what a quality install can be. Find their website at www.amsolar.com
- Inverter Service Center in Nashville, TN are a Victron Certified repair center that know what it means to work with quality parts. Find them at www.inverterservicecenter.com
- Just Roaming Design in Portland, OR have an unbelievable eye for detail, and being a Victron Ambassador doesn't hurt at all. From ground up builds to RV upfits, they have you covered. Find them at www.justroamingdesign.com
- Ray Outfitted is my one good recommendation for those of you north of the border. Located up in Canada, Ray can build you a van from scratch, or upfit your RV for off grid adventures. They are definitely the cold weather adventure specialists so contact them to make sure you can camp in any conditions. Find them at www.rayoutfitted.com
That's the end of my personal recommendations for installers. But the folks over at Amsolar actually have their own list of recommendations, and I trust their opinion. Check out their list of qualified dealers and installers at www.amsolar.com/rv-solar-installers
Hope this list helps you get out on your adventures soon!
This totally depends, I've done finished vans to blank canvases, so really all are possible!
If you plan on building the whole van interior before having an off grid system installed, pull all your accessory wires, with plenty of slack, to your intended electrical locations so we can easily connect everything to the fuse and breaker panels.
If your van is naked, we can install the electrical base system with breaker and fuse panels first, then you can connect your own accessory wires at your leisure.
If you're looking for more than a powerplant to connect your own accessories too, send me an email. Planning out all the individual wire runs for you lights, fridge, fans, and other accessories can be quite time consuming. But with some good planning that's certainly something we can offer.
Due to the fact most people are using their off-grid systems to get out and away from the hustle and bustle of humanity, having a qualified repair technician nearby is highly unlikely. Even if you go to a large stick and brick facility to have your install done, their warranty might not amount to much if your system has an issue when you're thousands of miles away, or outside of standard business hours.
So, from the moment we start an install, simplicity and serviceability is always in mind. Making sure that you know how your system works is step two, and having the ability to contact the very person that designed and installed your system, 7 days a week, is the icing on the cake.
Most system installs will have phone connectivity or even remote monitoring. So sharing live system data with us is a breeze. No more trying to find the words to explain what's wrong, just send a picture! Let the data speak for itself! If you want, we can even install remote monitoring systems so a technician can log on to your system remotely, to perform diagnostics and updates.
On top of that, after an install all systems will have detailed photography taken, and a customer file with all your system photos will be created so that we can direct you, or a qualified technician, on exactly what to do, with visual aids.
Don't get sucked into places that offer long warranty's but never answer their phone. Or simply tell you, "sure it's under warranty, bring it in and we'll take care of you.'' How helpful is that if you're thousands of miles away?!
You need your system fixed wherever you are, not to make huge detours to find somebody to look at it, and you don't want just any phone support tech answering the phone. You want the person that knows your system inside and out to be there to help.
Roll with confidence that you can contact the brains behind your system, and a fellow full time RV'er that's used to living with these systems every single day.
That's why Off The Grid Camper knows you'll have no issues Getting Lost and Staying Charged with us!
Off The Grid Camper, LLC accepts cash and all major credit cards. Even on a remote job site we can swipe your card, get your signature, and send you a receipt in seconds, with an itemized invoice to follow. Got a points card, go ahead take advantage of it. Visa, Mastercard, Discover and AMEX accepted.