DC-DC or Solar as a starting point.

[Littleblackflash]

SWMBO has agreed to buy me a nice Christmas present; some power in the van I use my van mainly when racing my car, and I sleep in it overnight in the paddock somewhere. I only really need power for interior lights, phone charging, heater and a TV/laptop. I rarely stay in the van for more than 1 night so I use a cool box, therefore my power requirements are quite low.

Would it be best to have a DC-DC charger to charge a leisure battery or an independent solar system? I normally drive for 3-4hrs to each race so I'm sure the battery would be full using a DC-DC, but the solar would give me power if I stay longer.

Is there anything reason to get one over the other?

 

[Skyliner33]

SWMBO has agreed to buy me a nice Christmas present; some power in the van I use my van mainly when racing my car, and I sleep in it overnight in the paddock somewhere. I only really need power for interior lights, phone charging, heater and a TV/laptop. I rarely stay in the van for more than 1 night so I use a cool box, therefore my power requirements are quite low.

Would it be best to have a DC-DC charger to charge a leisure battery or an independent solar system? I normally drive for 3-4hrs to each race so I'm sure the battery would be full using a DC-DC, but the solar would give me power if I stay longer.

Is there anything reason to get one over the other?

What solar setup would you be using? Mobile panels plugged in when needed, or panels bonded to the roof?

 

[Dellmassive]

Imho

Fit DC-DC first,

Then add solar after...

 

[Littleblackflash]

If I was to go for solar, I would have a panel bonded to the roof.

I'm thinking of a Victron Orion Smart 30A 12v DC-DC and a normal 110h leisure battery. I'm thinking the extra cost over a 18A charger is worth it for the quicker charging.

​

 

[Qnapper]

I second - Fit DC-DC first. If battery is low start engine let DC-DC do the work. Solar in UK not the best idea.

 

[Salty Spuds]

For your needs, fit DC-DC & a lithium battery. Job done.

 

[Dellmassive]

have a look over here for some extra info:

*****************************************************

POWER:

• [Guide] Victronenergy.com - Wiring-Unlimited PDF
• Diagrams, Schematics & Wires -- How I Done It --
• 
  
• Charging:
• Battery Chargers - How I Did It -
• Battery Charging - Main Battery Earth Point -
• Battery Monitoring -- How I Done It --
• [Guide] Battery Maintainer (for Starter battery) -- How I Done It --
• Which Jump Starter?
• Seat Base Electrics, EHU+Charger+solar+install - How We Done It -
• Noco Genius 10 not working correctly
• 
  
• DC-DC:
• Dc-dc Charger (for Leisure Battery) -- How I Done It --
• Charging Starter and Leisure batteries with same charger - Victron
• Stop/start...regen...smart Alternator... Dc-dc Charger For Leisure Battery Or Not?
• 
  
• 12v Feeds:
• Ignition Live Under Passenger Seat -- How It's Done --
• Installing 12v Sockets -- How It's Done --
• 12v Ignition Feed + 5xusb Charging From Ign Feed -- How I Done It --
• 12v Aux Feed + 5xusb Charging From Aux Battery -- How I Done It --
• 
  
• LIFPEO4:
• Lithium Lifepo4 12v Batteries -- Time For An Upgrade ? --
• Valence U27-12XP Lifepo4 Lithium Battery -- How We Done It --
• SUBZERO - low temperature lithium battery -- How We Done It --
• 12v Lithium Leisure Battery Box 138Ah 1766Wh -- How I Done It --
• Awesome-3-in-1-battery-bank -how-i-done-it.
• Solar-Generators - How i Done it -
• 
  
• Other:
• Full Van Ecu Reset (capacitive Discharge) -- How I Done It --
• [Guide] 12v/240v Power Inverters -- How I Done It --
• [Guide] Fridges & Cold Beer -- How I Done It --
• [Guide] Flag Poles and Fairy lights -- How I Done It --
• Clamp Meters -- Which One & How? --
• Battery Cable Crimping Tool -- How We Done It --

******************************************************

******************************************************************

SOLAR:

• Solar Pwm & Mppt Controllers - How I Done It -
• Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It -
• What Solar Panel & Controller? - How We Done It -
• Solar Panel Cutting Hole In Roof !!! - How We Done It -
• 300w Plus Solar Club -- How I Done It --
• Solar Sheds & Other Non-t6 Solar Projects - How We Done It -
• [Guide] Solar Cables? . . . - How I Did It -

*****************************************************

 

[dErZ]

What about something like this Yeti 1500X Portable Power Station | Goal Zero ?? you could run your tyre warmers off of it

 

[Dellmassive]

have a look at this kit . .

based around the CTEK D250se

its Lithium suitable and can take solar as well.

CTEK 5mtr D250SE 12V 20AMp Dual DC-DC Battery to Battery Charger Kit with 70amp 10mm² Cable D250SA/K5 : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

CTEK 5mtr D250SE 12V 20AMp Dual DC-DC Battery to Battery Charger Kit with 70amp 10mm² Cable D250SA/K5 : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

amzn.to

add a battery . . . either AGM or Lithium.


add solar at a later date when its sunny. mobile or fixed.


++++++++++++


But as you say . . . Victron is awesome, so have a look at the Orion dc-dc.

.

 

[Littleblackflash]

I've ended up getting a Renogy 110 Ah lithium battery in their sale. I think this would be a great place to start my system

 

[t0mb0]

I've ended up getting a Renogy 110 Ah lithium battery in their sale. I think this would be a great place to start my system

How are you going to charge it, DC-DC?

 

[Littleblackflash]

With a renogy DCC50S Dc-Dc.

 

[Phil_G]

Which first? I'd say it depends how you use your van. If you drive a lot the a B2B makes sense, but if like me you tend to park up and stay a while on a campsite, and explore by bike, then a B2B wont keep your battery up and solar is better. If like mine your van is often stood on the drive for a while (lockdowns etc) again a B2B isnt helping whereas solar keeps things topped up. Daylight is enough to maintain an unloaded battery, you dont need sun unless theres anything more than a light load on the battery. I'm a 'light user' (fridge & LEDs, but no coffee machines or 3kw inverters) and the 100w panel has been perfectly adequate for me without a B2B.
All depends on how you use your van

This is all bye-the bye though, the real question is what can you buy for her thats equally thoughtful?