12 replies to this topic

[smlobx]

Very thorough explanation of your progress. Thanks for sharing!

 

Other developments in this field include the “connecting” of cell phones with near earth orbiting satellites. This is in the early stages and so far only available in the US but there are plans to roll this out worldwide in the near future. Currently T Mobile and Starlink are working out the issues..

 

https://www.pocket-l...obile-coverage/

Edited by smlobx, 14 January 2024 - 02:02 PM.

[Jack]

Vic, what does your energy budget look like, especially with your induction stove?

 

We are on day five in Saline Valley and are at about 130 Ah down on our 280 Ah battery. 400 W solar, with winter sun and some overcast, does not replenish at the rate we are using power. Generating about 40 Ah to 60 Ah / day.

 

Starlink is about 7 Ah for about 2 hours a day (15 Ah)  We run the heater at 70 F. This also means the fridge runs more than it would if the inside temperature was the same as the outside, with nights around 36 F and days at 55 F. The night time numbers on the heater, 2.0 A, and fridge, 3.0 A, are about 20 Ah.Two laptops and two cell phones chew up about 15 Ah a day. Probably 60 Ah to 75 Ah / day

 

We plan to drive up the Steel pass road today, at least to check out the third spring. With the DC-DC plus some solar, we charge at about 35 Ah. More typically, we travel between two and six hours each day, so driving usually recharges the battery. Saline is one of a few places we sit for a while.

 

Jac

[Vic Harder]

Wintertime does make solar charging a challenge.  We use about 40-60AH a day without the induction stove.  That's:

- Fridge - 20AH

- Furnace - 15AH

- CELL booster and StarLink - 20AH

- LED lights, laptops, cameras, usb fan - 5-10AH

 

We have 200AH of lithium.  

 

If we are driving, then charging is not an issue.  330W of solar plus 30A of DCDC means we see up to 60A going into the batteries.