larcat

This is why I'm so flummoxed --- a separate charge controller shouldn't be necessary with the ecoflow "power hub" product that the apex has. You should be able to plug in and go. There's three dedicated photovoltaic in ports on the head unit, and they sell dedicated mc4 <==> power hub cables. The charge controller is built into the system. All oliver has to do is provide an easy way to route the cable out for really flexible supplementary solar support. On a fully optioned unit, all three of those ports are filled (roof, awning, awning.) On a not fully optioned one, one or two ports are free. I can drill the door to the battery compartment with some sort of gland or port, which will provide easy routing up to the ecoflow head unit, but shouldn't have to. Importantly, a Zamp external port would be a downgrade vs. arbitrary access, since the zamp panels are heavy and expensive for what they are. https://us.ecoflow.com/products/power-hub-solar-charge-cable-20-feet?variant=40309252390985

Thanks, appreciate it.

Nope, didn't go with the solar awning. Hoping to use a 400w folder for supplemental. The external plug isn't necessary --- just need a way to route back to the EcoFlow for a folding panel. Is there any sort of external cable routing at all? Nothing for starlink or similar? If not that seems like a pretty fundamental design flaw.

@Wayfinder Did you see any sensible way to route a pv into the ecoflow unit from outside? Thanks.

@Sentry62 @FirstApex We're picking ours up in December --- is there really no way to sensibly route the cord from a folding solar panel to the EvoFlow main unit? Feels like a bit of an oversight.

I fairness, we moved down from Chicago/NW Indiana 😉 We're picking up in Dec, coincides with an annual trip to visit family in Nashville, so works logistically 🙂

I'm jealous! Really beautiful area.

Thanks, appreciate the info and context!

Also in hill country is Guadalupe River sp. Place is an absolute little jewel. Hill country also has a LOT of Army Corps of Engineers reservoir campgrounds that often have nice views. Strongly echo all the callouts for Mustang Island. If you want to boondock, the national sea shore south/west of Mustang Island permits it and is beautiful.

Yeah, 100% on our short term radar, just not today 🙂 There's more than you would think, between National Parks (Big Bend for instance, you can't "boondock" but there are a number of park-interior primitive campsites you can bring a trailer to), state parks on the gulf shore, and National Wildlide Refuges! The difference in public lands was definelty something that took getting used to, moving down here though. Our primary immediate use is going to be gulf shore off grid camping. The awning is pretty mind-bogglingly expensive at 5k though, and the x23 has 400 on the roof. Back of napkin says a 400w folder + the roof solar should be sufficient. Per dc to dc, that's good to hear --- I like that it's off the shelf with the new trim (it's not really a new model, imho.) Long way of saying I think we're going to opt out of the awning for our build. Thank you for the info and thoughts!

So heard back from Oliver. There will be an external access port, and you'll just route your own cable back to the ecoflow itself. If you opt out of the awning, there will be one of three ports open. Maybe this is the same grommet they provide for stuff like starlink cables now? Importantly, no external charge controller is needed because that's integrated into the EcoFlow (which vibes with their published info.)

Can someone check me if I'm wrong here --- since the EcoFlow input port 1 handles both alternator in and solar in, the dc to dc port on the x23 should be able to take an incoming portable solar, and shouldn't need an external charge controller because they're integrated into the hub? You will need an adapter for whatever type of plug your solar uses to the dc plug though. Edit: I've got a call in with Oliver tech support and they're going to call back with details tomorrow.

Thanks for the context and pictures, it's appreciated!

If anyone's got any thoughts here I'd appreciate it. Right now we haven't optioned either the solar awning nor a second awning. We don't boondocks un our current trailer, so we don't have a lot of context there. My thinking is that: 1) We'll park when boondocking where the awning is going to be much more useful on one side than the other. 2) The solar awning sounds great but just sounds like something that would wear prematurely, and obviously isn't flexible. 3) A 400w foldable + the roof solar should be sufficient if there's good sun. We've got some time to nail this down and would love people's thoughts.

Thanks for the welcome all. We're really excited 🙂 Mike & Carol --- any tips vis a vis the Tacoma?