A Four-Season Solar-Powered Motorhome
Off-road trails — searching and occasionally finding. Six months of traveling exclusively on solar power through 15 states: snow, rain, clouds, and open routes.
Meet RamblinChet — the man who proved it's possible
🚗 Vehicle
AEV Prospector + Four Wheel Camper. Ordered in December 2020, received in September 2021, first full trips — October 2022.
🗺️ Routes
Almost all 48 contiguous US states. A particular passion — Backcountry Discovery Routes (BDR) ranging from 150 to 1500 miles.
👨💼 Who he is
Chet Shimecki — posts as RamblinChet. Former technical project manager in robotics and automation.
«I ordered my AEV Prospector and Four Wheel Camper in December 2020, received it in September 2021, and began full overland travel in October 2022. My journey has taken me through nearly all 48 contiguous states of the United States. I particularly enjoy traveling Backcountry Discovery Routes, exploring vast national and state forests, grasslands, and other remote wild places.»
— Chet Shimecki, RamblinChetA fully solar system: what's inside?
On the roof of the motorhome are two solar panels with a capacity of 250 W each. Chet's travels take him through forests and mountains, so the panels are often in partially shaded areas.
SmartSolar MPPT 100/30
Charge controller from Victron Energy. Optimizes solar energy harvesting even in shaded environments.
ііііііііі
Lithium iron phosphate technology for a long lifespan.
BlueSmart IP22 12V-30A
Smart charger. Was not used during the 182-day test period.
Orion XS 12/12-50A
DC-DC charger. Also not used during the test period — there was enough sun!
National Luna 80L
Fridge is on constantly. The largest consumer in the system, but there was enough sun.
Wallas Nordic DT
Diesel stove on the top surface of the enclosure. The exhaust is routed so that the electronics remain within a safe temperature range.
«The key question I had was whether a properly designed solar power system could provide for daily needs without relying on a generator, shore power, or frequent intervention. The data shows it can — and it does so reliably.»
— RamblinChet182 days, 15 states, 4752 miles — the numbers speak for themselves
«To the best of my knowledge, no other full-time overland traveler has publicly documented a continuous six-month period of using exclusively solar power in such diverse conditions: snow in the northeast, heavy rain, prolonged overcast, breaks in the clouds, full sun, dense tree canopies, shaded backroads, and open routes.»
— RamblinChetAverage over 182 days: 0.560 kWh/day (102 kWh total)
Maximum SOC (February, 28 days)
Readings from 81% to 100%. For 24 out of 28 days — from 90% to 100%. Full charge (100%) was reached regularly even in February — one of the least sunny months.
Minimum SOC
Histogram of minimum daily charge: from 70% to 92%. For 18 days — from 80% to 90%. Minimums are usually just before sunrise.
Design Goal vs. Reality
The goal is to keep the SOC above 25% under normal use. The lowest recorded value was 70%. All other values were higher. The safety margin turned out to be quite significant. The system achieved and exceeded the design goal, providing at least 7 days of autonomy on solar power alone for the full 182 days.
🗺️ 15 states without any major issues
Temperature range: from −10°C to +31°C
📱 Data from VRM Portal
In the screenshot of the Victron solar charge controller — energy harvesting over the last 28 days. The white part is bulk charge, light blue is absorption, and medium blue is float charge.
✅ Conclusion
The system reached the float charge phase on most days. The batteries were fully charged 80% of the time.
How a person changes on the road
«At first, this adventure was something for me — a lifelong dream to retire early, explore mountains, forests, deserts, swamps, islands, small towns, and country roads. Over time, it subtly changed. While I still deeply enjoy the beauty of nature, my journey has become more about putting the needs of others before my own.»
— RamblinChetThe best part of this life
Quiet mornings in wild places, ever-changing landscapes, and unexpected human connections. Nature reveals what you miss in ordinary life.
The hardest part
The loneliness that sometimes creeps in, and not being able to share these adventures with a wife. With long hair, a beard, and so much time alone — the chances are slim.
Changing the rhythm
At first, almost every night a new place. Then — self-discipline and the ability to slow down, stay longer, truly enjoy local history, culture, and cuisine. The last month — Everglades and Florida Keys, often two to three days on a single island.
«The best parts of this life are the quiet mornings in wild places, the ever-changing landscapes, and those unexpected human connections. I feel truly blessed to sometimes be able to help others in small but meaningful ways — often just by listening without judgment, really seeing them for who they are.»
— RamblinChetZarges K470 Electronic Enclosure — An Engineering Masterpiece
Cockpit Concept
RamblinChet's electrical system is housed in a $900 Zarges K470 aluminum enclosure.
Chet drew up and rejected roughly twenty layout variations before finding the optimal arrangement.
Information displays and power switches — on the front panel following the same logic as a cockpit: six primary indicators in the center, controls grouped by function, importance, and frequency of use.
Design Principles
Fire safety — the top priority of the entire installation. All fuses are premium quality.
Wiring gauges calculated using Victron's Wiring Unlimited.
Detailed work with Victron Energy manuals and datasheets.
Wallas Nordic DT diesel stove placed on the top surface — the exhaust is designed so that the electronics do not come into contact.
Approached as an engineering proof of concept — several contacts advised against it, but the design proved successful.
🛠️ Chet's Experience
A long career in mechanical and electrical systems. Technical Lead at Lord Corporation, Siemens VDO, Swisslog, NASA Langley Research Center.
🚀 NASA Projects
Mars Science Laboratory (MEDLI) Entry, Descent, and Landing Instrumentation, PAIDAE program, ALHAT system — Autonomous Landing Hazard Avoidance Technology.
«After a long career working primarily in mechanical and electrical systems, I spent most of my professional life as a technical project lead, focusing on robotics and automation. I've had the privilege of working at companies like Lord Corporation, Siemens VDO, Swisslog, and NASA Langley Research Center on projects including the Mars Science Laboratory Entry, Descent, and Landing Instrumentation (MEDLI).»
— Chet Shimecki, RamblinChet
🧭 Conclusion: the system proved its reliability
After six months and 4752 miles — through snow, clouds, rain, and bright sun — a properly designed Victron Energy solar system provided 100% energy autonomy. No generator, no shore power, no major failures across 15 states.
The batteries were fully charged 80% of the time. The minimum SOC never dropped below 70%, against a design goal of 25%.
Get the motorhome of your dreams
Contact the managers at Total-Energo LLC — we'll take into account all the details and your wishes. Fill out the questionnaire and get a professional power system calculation for your motorhome.
