In this Two-Minute Tech Tip, Todd from Big Beard Battery explains ESS (Energy Storage System) functionality in lithium batteries and how smart BMS-controlled charging improves performance in RV and off-grid solar systems.

Adjustable tiltable solar panel feet are an upgraded alternative to traditional Z brackets. They allow you to: Raise your solar panel 4 to 7 inches Clear vent stacks and rooftop obstacles Add slight tilt when necessary Maintain a strong, professional mounting setup

Choosing the right solar charge controller is key to building a powerful and efficient off-grid RV system. In this episode of Todd’s Two-Minute Tech Tip Tuesday, brought to you by BigBeardBattery.com, Todd walks you through the differences between charge controller sizes, how to avoid bottlenecks, and how system voltage impacts your setup.

In this Two-Minute Tech Tip Tuesday, Todd from Big Beard Battery breaks down DIN rail terminal blocks—a clean, safe solution for extending AC cables when your inverter isn’t close enough to your breaker panel.

In this tech tip, Todd explains how DC breakers work, the difference between polarized and non-polarized breakers, and why direction matters when interrupting DC current.

Best Way to Wire Solar Panels: Series vs Parallel Explained

Learn how to read a solar panel data plate the right way. In this video, Todd breaks down every rating you’ll see on a panel — VOC, VMPP, ISC, IMPP, wattage, temperature coefficients, and more — so you can understand exactly what your system is capable of.

Todd breaks down how to read a Victron inverter data plate — including power factor, volts amps, and the difference between peak and continuous load. Learn why a “3000VA” inverter really gives you about 2400 watts of usable power, how load type affects performance, and how to size your inverter safely and accurately for your system.

Todd breaks down the difference between volt-amps and watts, why Victron and many generators use “volts amps” on their spec sheets, and how power factor affects what your system can actually run.

When people start upgrading their RV electrical systems—especially when stepping into the world of dual inverters, full-time boondocking, or large solar arrays—there comes a moment where the equipment they’ve added still doesn’t quite deliver the seamless experience they expected. You may have the battery bank, the solar, the inverters, and the monitoring dialed in, yet a single stubborn question remains: “Why am I overloading one inverter when I have two?” This is where the

Welcome back to Todd’s Two-Minute Tech Tip Tuesday , brought to you by Big Beard Battery —your go-to source for off-grid lithium power and RV solar systems. In this session, Todd answers three of the most common questions RV owners ask about DC-to-DC charging , battery storage voltage , and solar maintenance during winter . Whether you’re driving across the country or parking your rig for the season, understanding these fundamentals can make the difference between a smooth st

Stepping Down 24V to 12V the Right Way When upgrading your RV to a 24-volt lithium battery system , one of the most common questions we get at Big Beard Battery  is: “If I switch to 24 volts, how do I still power my 12V lights, fans, and accessories?” It’s a great question—and one that comes up often as more RV owners make the jump to higher-voltage systems for efficiency, faster charging, and cleaner power management. The good news is: you can have both. With the right DC-DC

If you’ve ever installed or expanded your RV solar system, you’ve probably realized that finding the right length of solar cable  can be a challenge. Instead of buying pre-cut cables that may be too long or too short, you can easily make your own custom PV solar cables  using MC4 connectors . In this week’s Todd’s Two-Minute Tech Tip Tuesday , brought to you by Big Beard Battery , Todd Henson walks through how to build your own PV cable step-by-step — saving you time, money,

One of the biggest perks of outfitting your RV with a well-designed solar system is independence. You can stay off-grid longer, power what you need, and live on your own terms. But what about monitoring what’s happening inside  your RV when you’re not around? Whether you're leaving pets behind for a short hike or just want peace of mind while traveling, temperature monitoring inside your rig can be just as important as solar panel wattage or battery bank size. That’s where Ru

Installing solar panels on an RV can feel intimidating—especially when it comes to getting them sealed right so you don’t end up with...

If you’ve ever tried running your RV’s rooftop air conditioner using a solar-powered inverter, you may have noticed something odd: the...

How to Fully Automate Your RV’s Solar + Generator System (No More Manual Generator Pushes) If you’ve ever camped off-grid with solar...

When you’re towing a travel trailer  or fifth wheel , keeping your batteries charged while driving can be a challenge. Most RVers rely on...

When it comes to off-grid RV living, more solar power means more freedom. If you’ve already maxed out the panels on your roof, you might...

If you’re setting up a solar battery system yourself, small wiring mistakes can turn into big performance issues or safety hazards. Todd...