Hi - I'm thinking about installation a simple 12 v system in my van, that would be independent of the van battery i.e. a stand alone lithium battery under the driver's seat supplying power to two USB sockets, two switchable lights and a maybe an LED display showing voltage (battery charge) with a fuse box type protection. Has anyone done this and has a schematic showing the set up please? I want to avoid solar panels and split charging as I'm happy to just recharge the battery as and when needed and just want a simple system to provide device charging and a reading light or two. Thanks
12v Independent system
- Thread starter AshleyP
- Start date
Hi Ashley, welcome to the forum.
What you are better getting is a decent power pack like an EcoFlow Delta 2.
You can charge that before you leave and it will power lights and charge phones etc for days.
They are not particularly cheap but compared to a full 12v system they are decent value for money.
Here’s a link to one.
This is actually the cheapest I’ve ever seen them.
You could also get a portable suitcase solar panel that you could sit on the ground to recharge it when you are away.
Hi - thanks for this. I was looking at getting something a bit more discrete and running it to something like this
and a couple of spot lights with switches so we can charge phones overnight, or a cool box whilst driving and have a light on for a couple of hours.
What you are talking about is a 12v install.
If you are planning on fitting all that to the van you would be daft not paying the wee bit extra to put in a charger attached to your existing battery. So it charges as you drive.
If you are planning on fitting all that to the van you would be daft not paying the wee bit extra to put in a charger attached to your existing battery. So it charges as you drive.
yes but I'm told that requires quite a lot of work i.e. taking the dash board off etc, and I'm looking for a quicker, cheaper and easier option. Maybe the power pack option you mentioned is a decent fall back position
You don’t to need to remove the dash to fit a split charge relay or DC-DC charger.
It would just be one additional fused wire from your existing battery to the leisure battery that would need to be installed.
This can be ran through your dash.
There would still be a fair bit of wiring required for the leisure battery and fuse box and to the 12v sockets etc.
The power pack is by far your most simple and cheapest option.
For lights we use these rechargeable lights you can dim when we are off grid and trying to use as little power as possible.
These
It would just be one additional fused wire from your existing battery to the leisure battery that would need to be installed.
This can be ran through your dash.
There would still be a fair bit of wiring required for the leisure battery and fuse box and to the 12v sockets etc.
The power pack is by far your most simple and cheapest option.
For lights we use these rechargeable lights you can dim when we are off grid and trying to use as little power as possible.
These
I second the suggestions of a PowerStation, been a complete game changer for me and I have now based my entire conversion around one (Bluetti AC70)
Compact, versatile, portable, lightweight, 12v Dc, USB A & C & 240v in something the size of a big shoe box that you can use anywhere you can think of and you don't have to run a single cable or butcher your van ! (unless you want to)
Compact, versatile, portable, lightweight, 12v Dc, USB A & C & 240v in something the size of a big shoe box that you can use anywhere you can think of and you don't have to run a single cable or butcher your van ! (unless you want to)
looks a decent bit of kitI second the suggestions of a PowerStation, been a complete game changer for me and I have now based my entire conversion around one (Bluetti AC70)
Compact, versatile, portable, lightweight, 12v Dc, USB A & C & 240v in something the size of a big shoe box that you can use anywhere you can think of and you don't have to run a single cable or butcher your van ! (unless you want to)
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