How Custom Solar Changed My Expedition to Argentina

Posted by everydaysandro@reddit | overlanding | View on Reddit | 40 comments

In December 2024, I installed 300-watts of Custom Solar on the hood Beluga, my Model X. Since then, I have used it daily across 14 countries. Right now, I am overlanding in remote Chile, with a view like this!

The panels serve a few purposes. A game changer:

Allow me harness instant juice to power my Starlink, Fridge, Airfryer, and other electronics.
When I was stranded in the Atacama Desert in Chile about a month ago, I was able to keep the HV alive by trickle charging, and use my Starlink to call a tow truck.
There is NO setup, as it’s wired directly into my EcoFlow, meaning, whether I am driving, parked, or in a windy place, it doesn’t matter as long as I have direct sunlight I am always harnessing sun.

I thought about adding more but didn’t want to complicate the system. For other continents, I might a few additional panels. I am super lazy, and most places I wild camp in tend to be super windy…that’s why for this trip driving to the end of the world in Argentina, this is my setup!

I am Sandro, Comments, questions, concerns, I am here!

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Schnitzhole@reddit

Haha I feel like this is a jab at me for doubting the range gain usefulness in your other post 🤣

The install looks great though!

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everydaysandro@reddit (OP)

It’s carried us across the Americas

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PIXLL316@reddit

I’ve been watching your videos for about a year now, since the arctic circle trip. Very entertaining/slightly frightening to see what almost no one else is trying to attempt, especially solo. Keep up the awesome content and stay safe out there!

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everydaysandro@reddit (OP)

Thank you! I couldn’t be more content doing this trip! But it wouldn’t be possible with people like yourself rooting us on

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joshuaherman@reddit

Love the post. Keep them coming!

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everydaysandro@reddit (OP)

Will do!

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Bombshelter777@reddit

I got it!!!! You said super windy? Me living in MN, where we have these giant wind turbines generating electricity, how about a fold up small windmill generator that you can pull out to trickle charge at night when there is no sun?

So, I looked it up and not sure it's worth it. Those solar panels produce a lot more at a given time than a small wind powered generator. Although at night it would still produce some, but maybe not enough to be worth it? That would be something you could research. It would be cool though, huh?

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everydaysandro@reddit (OP)

Would be cool, I saw a Toyota hybrid do a trip with a small wind turbine

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blindao_blindado@reddit

How do you charge an electric vehicle in remote patagonia?

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everydaysandro@reddit (OP)

Haven’t been that far down yet, but once we do, I will post about

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Oak510land@reddit

You need to work on your reading comprehension. You use the solar to charge your cellphone to call a tow truck.

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HeleWale@reddit

I think you are the one who needs to check your reading and writing skills lol. Delete your comment before anyone else sees it.

OP specifically said he was charging the HV

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Oak510land@reddit

What's that like a hair dryer?

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HeleWale@reddit

You guessed a hair dryer from the abbreviation HV?

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Oak510land@reddit

Are you just going to grill me here or tell me the answer?

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HeleWale@reddit

For someone who was finger pointing someone else's reading comprehension skills, I had to make sure you are being serious.

HV is High Voltage, which is the main battery on a Tesla vehicle.

I was able to keep the HV alive by trickle charging, and use my Starlink to call a tow truck.

He used the solar panels to charge the main battery just enough so it doesn’t die.

⁠Allow me harness instant juice to power my Starlink, Fridge, Airfryer, and other electronics.

⁠There is NO setup, as it’s wired directly into my EcoFlow,

Assuming he charged his EcoFlow connected to the solar panels, the EcoFlow is used to power Starlink and trickle charge the vehicle.

So based on this information. How do you charge an electric vehicle in remote Patagonia?

I don't know the exact details because there is nothing in this post about charging the vehicle other than trickle charging. But trickle charging the HV is still charging the vehicle, it’s just not for driving range.

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Oak510land@reddit

I'm sorry you had to type that all out, I thought it was clear my hair dryer and cell phone comments were in jest. Feel free to shoot me an invoice for your time and attention to this very serious matter.

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overlanding-ModTeam@reddit

Be Kind, Be Respectful

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HeleWale@reddit

AI is a thing you know. But nice try, your first comment was pretty clear that it wasn’t just “jest”.

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Oak510land@reddit

Well I thought it was pretty funny...

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HeleWale@reddit

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Shmokesshweed@reddit

High Voltage (battery) in his Tesla.

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anthonyroch@reddit

If you watch his videos you will get the answer. In short he has a power bank that he powers a lot of stuff like a fridge and kitchen items in his Tesla from the battery. He can charge off the power bank but it it super slow and not time effective. He called a tow truck due to this in one episode.

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overlanding-ModTeam@reddit

Be Kind, Be Respectful

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throwaway20202525@reddit

It didn't charge the car itself, right? How were you able to charge in remote locations?

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aarondavidson@reddit

Used the infrastructure that Ewan McGregor installed? And diesel generators?

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everydaysandro@reddit (OP)

Actually no, I choose a very different route from theirs. They were on a time crunch, I like to wonder to the most random places and stay put for days at a time. I used a diesel generator once

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BananaUpYourAss@reddit

Sounds like he called a tow truck for that.

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everydaysandro@reddit (OP)

For the last 20km, yes!

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everydaysandro@reddit (OP)

I have a few adapters with me, so I can always plug into any outlet. It’s not that difficult really, and I get pretty creative when I go remote

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Infamous_Charge2666@reddit

Can it be done? Heck ya. Is it risky? Heck ya. Is gas or diesel a better choice ? You bet OP I applaud you for being a truly unique individual but you started only a month ago. Happy travels. Ill read your updates but ill stick to ICE

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Gendreau113@reddit

We need more diesel/gas-eletric hybrids.

Fueled motors turning a generator that runs electric Axel's. Now THATS the future.

You get the long range of a fuel engine, with the better economy (Engine sits at one efficient RPM), and the power/torque of a electric motor.

Some cars are starting to incorporate a "backup" engine. Or like the plugin-hybrids.

But Eddision Motors is a Canadian company that's gaining traction. They do just that. And are making conversion kits for any solid axel 1 vehicle as small as a for ranger/explorer up to a full size semi

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ForbiddenAlias@reddit

That’s what has me excited about the new scout harvester pickup.

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Gendreau113@reddit

That does make me a little excited, however I can't stand all these pop up or old companies suddenly making electric vehicles....

Take rivian for example, they're probably the biggest pop-up car manufacturer we have.

And even then, if you own one you're going to struggle to find the service center, I know they do offer like a on the road service thing... But that's not going to work for everyone... Even trying to buy parts for them.. you don't have a local dealer in every city

I'm waiting for one of the big three American manufacturers to do one. I know Ford has now patents and stuff for a diesel electric hybrid super duty. Which I think would be the best thing since sliced bread.... Imagine having the diesel electric hybrid we want, inside a great pickup truck body, with service centers across all of North america?....

Now that's what I want.

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everydaysandro@reddit (OP)

I do have a full tour video including these panels here! The Ultimate Off-Grid Tesla

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