How smart is your van?

[soldas]

I like tech and shiny things.

I've recently upgraded and rewired my van and in doing so have introduced some tech bits to allow to remote monitoring and control.

Interested in what others have in place.

Currently I have.

Renogy shunt 300 and One core system for battery, solar and overall power management. WiFI connect.

Fogstar 230ah seat base battery with Bluetooth connection.

Jackery 1000v2 and 300 plus. These can be controlled via their app and WiFi.

I have a smart WiFi switch which allows me to charge my Jackery from my Fogstar if I need a little top up (think solar to fogstar to Jackery).

4 Way smart WiFi extention lead plugged into the Jackery 1000 which lets me remotely turn on a Fogstar 20a charger for a quick fast charge to my leisure battery.

The Jackery 300 is also plugged into this so I can top thay up from the 1000 when needed. I use the 300 as a bit of a portable/beach power device.

My Jackery is plugged into my van 240v hook up so charges on grid pretty quickly.

I have Kuma 4g WiFi running in the van at all times and a starlink mini for off grid working.

A ring camera, not the biggest fan of the platform but it's what we have thoughtout the house so makes sense to keep on the same platform.

I'd like to get a van tracker but I might just go for an air tag or something along those lines.

I've got a pretty unique setup and as I say I like gadgets. We do go off grid and I do use the van as a remote/beach office so everything gets used.

What else can I add, what do others have?

 

[Sasquatch]

I pay to subscribe to the app so I can lock/unlock, monitor the alarm, etc, from my phone.

And I've a pooptooth batter monitor.

So not as much smart as mildly retarded by today's standards.

 

[ginkster]

I'd like to get a van tracker but I might just go for an air tag or something along those lines.

I used an AirTag initially but they are pretty limited. I’ve now gone for a TruTrak tracker which is excellent for a couple of £2 a month. Proper tracking app with configurable geofences, notifications etc. some of the trackers are free with the initial subscription. Make sure it has an inbuilt battery and is 4g at least.

 

[soldas]

I've also got a firestick attached to a little external travel screen for the terrors to watch a bit of YouTube on longer journeys.

 

[Drive Wayne]

I like tech and shiny things.

I've recently upgraded and rewired my van and in doing so have introduced some tech bits to allow to remote monitoring and control.

Interested in what others have in place.

Currently I have.

Renogy shunt 300 and One core system for battery, solar and overall power management. WiFI connect.

Fogstar 230ah seat base battery with Bluetooth connection.

Jackery 1000v2 and 300 plus. These can be controlled via their app and WiFi.

I have a smart WiFi switch which allows me to charge my Jackery from my Fogstar if I need a little top up (think solar to fogstar to Jackery).

4 Way smart WiFi extention lead plugged into the Jackery 1000 which lets me remotely turn on a Fogstar 20a charger for a quick fast charge to my leisure battery.

The Jackery 300 is also plugged into this so I can top thay up from the 1000 when needed. I use the 300 as a bit of a portable/beach power device.

My Jackery is plugged into my van 240v hook up so charges on grid pretty quickly.

I have Kuma 4g WiFi running in the van at all times and a starlink mini for off grid working.

A ring camera, not the biggest fan of the platform but it's what we have thoughtout the house so makes sense to keep on the same platform.

I'd like to get a van tracker but I might just go for an air tag or something along those lines.

I've got a pretty unique setup and as I say I like gadgets. We do go off grid and I do use the van as a remote/beach office so everything gets used.

What else can I add, what do others have?

Must say I enjoy the tech side too!
Because of all the 'blue' stuff I have in the van, it made sense to go with the Cerbo GX gear. In addition, Ruuvi tags are great to see temperature data internal, external, fridge and even a water level sensor all coupled to the Cerbo. Completely unnecessary, but nice to have!
Works well with the Roamer 230 (non seatbase) battery, great to be able to see what is going on with the vans solar/electrics at any time, remotely from the van.
A little Tenda 4g router permanently on keeps communications happy 24/7. Biggish solar on the poptop keeps everything juiced up!
Starlink is something I am looking into, but with new products (hopefully) on the horizon(!), I'm happy to wait until next year to make a choice, be interesting if with gaining popularity it will make the major festivals more interweb friendly.
This years upgrade was a Bluetti AC180, gives an extra useful 90Ah in the awning, useful for occasional airfrying, coffee machine, toaster and other essentials! I do have a Renogy 220watt solar suitcase keeping the Bluetti topped up.
The S5 Global Telemetrics tracker system is great for peace of mind (and insurance costs) with a good app, although if I was to change that it would be for the Metatrak system, but currently the system is happy.
I reckon I'm sorted now, until Starlink alternative is available...

 

[DXX]

Has anybody got enough room in their van cupboards for more than a tin of beans and a spare T shirt?

 

[Sasquatch]

Has anybody got enough room in their van cupboards for more than a tin of beans and a spare T shirt?

Managed to fit a condom in one of the drawers. Im XXXXXXL so couldn't fit the whole pack.

 

[Drive Wayne]

Has anybody got enough room in their van cupboards for more than a tin of beans and a spare T shirt?

Fortunately, having a Tetris champion wife (who also regularly won the girl guides 'how many things can you get in a matchbox' competition) has paid dividends, and even in a SWB we still have space to store luxuries like a tube of Pringles.

 

[DXX]

Managed to fit a condom in one of the drawers. Im XXXXXXL so couldn't fit the whole pack.

Nobody uses them anymore, it’s all free range like the swing ‘60’s

 

[DXX]

Fortunately, having a Tetris champion wife (who also regularly won the girl guides 'how many things can you get in a matchbox' competition) has paid dividends, and even in a SWB we still have space to store luxuries like a tube of Pringles.

Do the 10 bed cushions get packed first and then whatever else fits?

 

[Sasquatch]

Nobody uses them anymore, it’s all free range like the swing ‘60’s

I never go dogging without them!

 

[Drive Wayne]

Do the 10 bed cushions get packed first and then whatever else fits?

She has a system that I have been taught/told to adopt. It works, Tetris rules.

 

[DXX]

She has a system that I have been taught/told to adopt. It works, Tetris rules.

Wives take up valuable beer space

 

[soldas]

My old man has a 6m motorhome and he's always amazed at what we've managed to tuck away in the van. All space used. The key thing for us was being in a place where with 2 small kids we can just throw a bit of food in and we can go for the day knowing everything is already in the van. Weekend away, food, clothes and bed stuff and off we go.

 

[Drive Wayne]

My old man has a 6m motorhome and he's always amazed at what we've managed to tuck away in the van. All space used. The key thing for us was being in a place where with 2 small kids we can just throw a bit of food in and we can go for the day knowing everything is already in the van. Weekend away, food, clothes and bed stuff and off we go.

Must admit it's much easier without a full-size Labrador and no kids! Sad though, about the dog that is!

 

[soldas]

I love the wife and kids but the real weekends are the ones just me and the dog

 

[Bertrum]

Air tags and tracker along with dash cam that’s geo fencing and 24hr monitoring for impacts and movement radar all round the van’s perimeter. Gets a bit annoying when your van sends you an alert about a hedgehog having a poop at 04.00hrs. Not going to lie.

 

[Sasquatch]

I love the wife and kids but the real weekends are the ones just me and the dog

Just me and my dawg away in the van in the Peak District next month. The puppy wont be old enough to go out so Mrs S is having to stay home.

 

[badmorale]

I like tech and shiny things.

I've recently upgraded and rewired my van and in doing so have introduced some tech bits to allow to remote monitoring and control.

Interested in what others have in place.

Currently I have.

Renogy shunt 300 and One core system for battery, solar and overall power management. WiFI connect.

Fogstar 230ah seat base battery with Bluetooth connection.

Jackery 1000v2 and 300 plus. These can be controlled via their app and WiFi.

I have a smart WiFi switch which allows me to charge my Jackery from my Fogstar if I need a little top up (think solar to fogstar to Jackery).

4 Way smart WiFi extention lead plugged into the Jackery 1000 which lets me remotely turn on a Fogstar 20a charger for a quick fast charge to my leisure battery.

The Jackery 300 is also plugged into this so I can top thay up from the 1000 when needed. I use the 300 as a bit of a portable/beach power device.

My Jackery is plugged into my van 240v hook up so charges on grid pretty quickly.

I have Kuma 4g WiFi running in the van at all times and a starlink mini for off grid working.

A ring camera, not the biggest fan of the platform but it's what we have thoughtout the house so makes sense to keep on the same platform.

I'd like to get a van tracker but I might just go for an air tag or something along those lines.

I've got a pretty unique setup and as I say I like gadgets. We do go off grid and I do use the van as a remote/beach office so everything gets used.

What else can I add, what do others have?

With the seat base battery, do you have the DC-DC charger somewhere else in the van?

 

[soldas]

I've got my whole setup on a board attached to the side or my fridge behind my drivers seat. With the seat forward and angled down you have pretty good access.

You can get a bunch of stuff around the battery in the seat base but no way would mine all fit and I tinker to much to have it all tucked away.

Need to do a bit of a cable tidy, it was nice and neat when I put it in. Honest!

Inverter
Dc-dc/mppt
Shunt
Bus bars
12v fuse panel
Isolators