Thanks for all the detailed responses—this is super helpful. I like the idea of using a separate solar + battery system as a way to extend off-grid time rather than trying to rely on the trailer alone. Has anyone else tried a setup like that in practice? Specifically: Using portable solar panels feeding into something like an EcoFlow/Bluetti Then plugging that into the Pebble via the 120V adapter to supplement the onboard battery Curious how well that works in the real world—does it meaningfull…

Question

Does portable solar through a 120V adapter extend off-grid time?

5 months ago

Thanks for all the detailed responses—this is super helpful.

I like the idea of using a separate solar + battery system as a way to extend off-grid time rather than trying to rely on the trailer alone.

Has anyone else tried a setup like that in practice? Specifically:

Using portable solar panels feeding into something like an EcoFlow/Bluetti
Then plugging that into the Pebble via the 120V adapter to supplement the onboard battery

Curious how well that works in the real world—does it meaningfully extend your stay, or is it more of a small boost?

Appreciate any real-world experiences people can share.

off-grid solar portable-solar battery boondocking

7 answers

5mo ago

There is only one tow vehicle that fully supports V2V in motion at nearly full Level 2 capacity: the F-150 PowerBoost with the 7.2 kW inverter generator. But the Pebble is handicapped for V2V in motion by a rear charge port.

5mo ago

Your Tundra can charge the Pebble under tow. Just tow with the Pebble in regen mode. Of course, your mpg will decrease. I’ve seen 6 kW of Pebble regen on long downgrades with both Pebble and my EV pickup regenerating. Haven’t actually towed in regen with my EV pickup, as I’d just be trading watts for watts, but with an ICE vehicle, it could make sense.

5mo ago

Have there been any reports of Pebble owners operating continuously in regen mode while towing? This has not been implemented in another electric trailer because the motor temperatures get too high. That trailer will regen off and on while towing in Road Mode, but it limits operations on grades above 6% lasting more than 10 miles for thermal reasons.

4mo ago

We towed our Pebble for about 100+ miles in regen with an EV pickup. We added about 10% to the Pebble SOC. It went from about 88% SOC to 97%. Of course, the solar helped a bit, and the fridge was running. It was a fun experiment, but we likely won't do it again as we were just trading truck SOC for Pebble SOC.

5mo ago

That I don’t know. Discussions with Pebble engineering did not raise any limitations on towing in Recharge mode; it is featured as a method of charging. I would assume thermal management in both Easy Tow and Recharge modes. Performance reports from owners are scarce at this stage.

5mo ago

Post if you have any reports. I was really hoping for continuous regen in another electric trailer as another option to transfer energy from the tow vehicle to an electric trailer. I wonder why continuous regen could not be possible if it just varied output depending on drive motor temperatures. As I learned recently while doing V2V in-motion testing in ambient temperatures up to 108°F, there are several points in charging equipment that limit charging based on ambient temperature. It is even more sensitive when you have batteries and a motor moving over pavement a foot below that can reach 150°F or more during the summer.

5mo ago

This is indeed a point on which it would be good to have some real-world testing feedback: towing in regen. I’d hope the thermal management would fully support that. But I suppose “fully” might not be 100% of the time for thermal reasons.

Does portable solar through a 120V adapter extend off-grid time?

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7 answers

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