ROOKIE 12V MISTAKES that are KILLING your offgrid system SILENTLY! 3 easy cheap DIY tips Caravan 4x4

#offgrid #12volt #diy
The rookie 12v mistakes everyone makes and 3 easy, cheap, DIY tips to get 50% more out of your 12v system in your 4x4, caravan or boat to keep you offgrid and powered up for longer! don't destroy your 12v system silently!

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[lainleyh]

I don’t watch a lot of YouTube but I have been living off grid for 6 years and this guy knows what he’s talking about it’s probably because he’s not wearing shoes.

[lukekowald]

Main takeaways are at 16:33
- Use appropriately thick cable
- Use MPPT controller if you have a large solar panel bank (otherwise PWM controller fine for smaller panels) and keep controller as close to battery as possible
- Keep your solar panels clean

[blakefekkaz]

and just like that ! my solar charge is back to normal. i seriously dont know what i'd do without your helpful 12v episodes .

[AndrewSmith-ppir]

I'm up on most things electrical, and as a 4WD and Van owner I commend you on your video explaining this to people who don't understand. I have seen some shocking installations over the years and what is surprising is that a lot of Caravan manufacturers are using the wrong size cable. Remember most Caravan manufacturers are like used car salesmen and will cut every corner they can. They don't even balance the wheels on your van from new.

[traceycrawford]

I really appreciate these videos where you try to simplify electrical systems for those of us who know absolutely nothing about electricity. I’m so confused, but your videos help! Voltage, watts, current, amps, DC, Inverters, regulators, resistance, 12 volt… does my head in lol 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

[scubajunkie]

Have learnt more in your last two videos about solar, setting it, how it works and what to use than the research and watching other vids over past two months 😂. Again thanks mate !! When you finish being a sparky you need to teach it to people ! Doing a bloody awesome job 🙏☝️🍺

[everybody]

Thanks Keelan
I'm 65 female and just starting out on the road. Your knowledge is easy to digest. Learn something everyday. Safe, travels to you and your family.

[georgetehaara]

I've watched a number of videos, on YouTube trying to find information for off grid solar set-ups. The knowledge you've shared has brought everything I've seen into perspective and instead of being 45% confident and informed, just like the bigger cables' I've been boosted to 93% 💯🤙🏽👍🏽😅

[Tony-vgwg]

Glad to see you taken your own time to explain this to users. Its so common that as you state you get suggested the correct amp cable but incorrect gauge of cable you need to use on distance and draw. Thanks great video mate cheers...

[petertoohey]

Awesome Vid Keenan, I have just finished my sons Canopy fitout with 12volt system and explained the importance of heavy cable to him! I did mine 3 years back and it works a treat. Thanks for sharing, we love your channel, cheers Pete

[sharynallott]

Keelan, this is the best video to help me understand further the use of solar panel in a 12volt system. Thanks heaps!

[BJKAUS]

Great vid mate, I love learning about this. The difference the thicker cable makes is insane and something I’ll be taking into account on our next build.

[geoffroberts]

Thanks Keelan - I know very little about this stuff - I'm one of the dangerous ones - so I learnt a lot - had no idea the thicker cables made such a difference. Excellent video. Liked the chilled presentation style too and the upfront acknowledgement of the iTechworld affiliation.

[leithmurray]

One thing a lot of people don’t realise regarding the length of the cable is that with DC the run is both ways, so this has to be allowed for in your calculation regarding cable size

[MrDyhard]

There are squillions of off grid videos, but this one is, in my view, one of the best I have seen. Explaining 12V systems is a blind spot in the other videos. Well done.👍

[KADSL]

I use a DC amp clamp and a thermal image camera for my installation. I use a DC-DC
converter to charge and compensate for voltage drop, you need to current limit the charge.
Using a 62V solar panel setup (560watt) with a MPPT, works great! Hello from the States!

[kellymcdonald]

Really helpful and informative for those of us that don’t understand anything about electrical information and off grid living

[terrymorse]

Nicely done. Good demo to show the effect of wire resistance on voltage drop.

For the math, I just did a little calculation for 50 Amps across 20 meters of copper wire. For 6mm diameter wire, voltage drop is 3.3V, power loss is 165W. For 16mm wire, voltage drop (V = IR) is 1.21V, power loss (I^2R) is 60W. So, if you're running high current on a long wire run, and you want it to be efficient, fat is where it's at. Fat wire, that is.

[mikejung]

What amazing people you two are, a genuine credit to the 4wdrive public, and your episodes are amazing.

[larrysalaz]

Great video Keelan! I'd add that most wire manufacturers specify Ohms/foot. From that you can calculate total resistance for a run of cable and if you know source voltage and load resistance, you can calculate total current draw and voltage drop to the load.