New electric set up

M4rc

M4rc

Member
T6 Pro
Good Morning

I’m ready to start converting my van to a camper. It’s my second one but things have come a long way since my first one 8 years ago.
I’m looking for advice for electric set up. Before I just had EHU, leisure battery with split charger.
Most of the time I’ll be on hook up but want to cover for when it’s not available.
So, do I go for solar & power banks ( Clayton /bluetti?
Split charge with lithium battery?
I’m considering fitting an induction hop to eliminate the need for gas.

I’d appreciate any help or advice to help me decide
 
What's your likely off grid usage?

Days? Time of year?

Would you usefully use a power bank elsewhere?
 
I would say I’ll be on EHU 80% of the time, I’ll use the van all year round, average of 2 nights at a time.
My old pleasure battery & 240 hook up worked fine for me however some of the Powerbank and solar system seam to do a good job and I could probably fit it myself
 
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Tony Abbott said:
What did you go for in the end @M4rc as I need a new leisure battery as this one is dying.
Click to expand...
Upgrading your LB to lithium is a big improvement but it’s not straightforward as just swapping the batteries.
You need to upgrade the split charger to a DC-DC charger and change the EHU to charge the lithium battery
 
M4rc said:
What is the real advantage of lithium? Quite a lot more expensive.
Click to expand...
More capacity in the same size, lighter weight, 100% usable capacity Vs 50% of AGM, higher charge/discharge rates.

Basically, everything. The one downside, being cost. But... Over a long term period, they're not any more expensive because of how often you have to replace AGM batteries.
 
You can only use 50% of your lead acid batteries power so say 50A from 100A battery.
You can use 80% of a lithium battery.
If you fit a big lithium battery say 200A and can use 80% of it then the usable power is a load more at 160A.
 
M4rc said:
What is the real advantage of lithium? Quite a lot more expensive.
Click to expand...
The price of Lithium batteries has tumbled in the past year. They are now a viable choice over AGM, to the point where you'd be mad to fit an AGM in a new installation. The only reason to fit a new AGM is if the rest of the setup isn't geared towards charging Lithium.
Just my 2 penneth
 
Tony Abbott said:
What did you go for in the end @M4rc as I need a new leisure battery as this one is dyingIv
Click to expand...

Tony Abbott said:
What did you go for in the end @M4rc as I need a new leisure battery as this one is dying.
Click to expand...
I've not started been busy with other things lately :rolleyes: I started sound deadening last week so back to looking for electrics options. Lithium seams like the best option but to be fair I'm most likely to be on Hook up most of the time. so not spending the extra may not be justified.
I'm thinking a standard leisure battery with a split relay charger may be sufficient. If I did decide to go off grid for any longer than a couple of days, I could possibly use a power bank option with the money saved from not buying lithium. This would also give me portability if needed.
 
Salty Spuds said:
The price of Lithium batteries has tumbled in the past year. They are now a viable choice over AGM, to the point where you'd be mad to fit an AGM in a new installation. The only reason to fit a new AGM is if the rest of the setup isn't geared towards charging Lithium.
Just my 2 penneth
Click to expand...
can you recommend any good Lithium options I could check them out?
 
M4rc said:
can you recommend any good Lithium options I could check them out?
Click to expand...
Not really, I’ve had mine for 5 years & things have changed dramatically in that time. There’s a constant stream of new products & prices, so you need to be up to speed with what’s available & at what price, and I’m not. Best do some searching of the forum & see what’s hot & what’s not. Just bear in mind re. Your previous post, if you opt for a Lead Acid battery & a SCR, you’re only going to get 40% of the stated capacity of the battery, compared to 100% of the capacity of a lithium with DC-DC charger. So 60% of your lead acid money & weight is sat doing nothing.

Ps. This has to be a contender
www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Fogstar Drift 12V 105Ah Lithium Leisure Battery

Fogstar Drift LiFePO4 lithium leisure batteries with Grade A prismatic cells are the perfect partner for your leisure, marine, off-grid, or home energy system.
www.12voltplanet.co.uk
 
Last edited:
I’ve fitted a Fogstar drift quite recently. Nice compact and light. App looks very good.
A split charge solution isn’t recommended for a smart alternator as it only charges the battery to 80%.
Surely buying a power bank as a solution for off grid with the money you save by having an inferior set up in the first place makes absolutely no sense. You’re essentially saving money on a 105ah LiFePo battery so that you can buy a smaller LiFePo battery that you have to carry around with you in the van seperately so that it can give you the advantages of a lithium battery that you could have as a permanent fixture.
 
Bigsidavies said:
I’ve fitted a Fogstar drift quite recently. Nice compact and light. App looks very good.
A split charge solution isn’t recommended for a smart alternator as it only charges the battery to 80%.
Surely buying a power bank as a solution for off grid with the money you save by having an inferior set up in the first place makes absolutely no sense. You’re essentially saving money on a 105ah LiFePo battery so that you can buy a smaller LiFePo battery that you have to carry around with you in the van seperately so that it can give you the advantages of a lithium battery that you could have as a permanent fixture.
Click to expand...
So do lithium batters charge well off the engine when running?
 
Salty Spuds said:
Not really, I’ve had mine for 5 years & things have changed dramatically in that time. There’s a constant stream of new products & prices, so you need to be up to speed with what’s available & at what price, and I’m not. Best do some searching of the forum & see what’s hot & what’s not. Just bear in mind re. Your previous post, if you opt for a Lead Acid battery & a SCR, you’re only going to get 40% of the stated capacity of the battery, compared to 100% of the capacity of a lithium with DC-DC charger. So 60% of your lead acid money & weight is sat doing nothing.

Ps. This has to be a contender
www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Fogstar Drift 12V 105Ah Lithium Leisure Battery

Fogstar Drift LiFePO4 lithium leisure batteries with Grade A prismatic cells are the perfect partner for your leisure, marine, off-grid, or home energy system.
www.12voltplanet.co.uk
Click to expand...

price isn't too bad! I was told lithium batteries we £700 plus.
 
They charge great off a dc-dc charger. I've got the 100ah renogy but after fitting the fogstar in a friend's van I'd choose the Fogstar given the choice again.
You can save some money on the dc-dc charger by buying the non-smart renogy 40 amp for about £120 and running it at 20A (fogstar don't recommend 40a for the 105)
You'll get sufficient charging info from the fogstar app.
Although most people on here seem to be using the new Victron XS 50a which you can run at 30A. A pricier but no doubt better option.
There are other things to consider with the battery pack option you mention. They do of course have a built in inverter so you have 240v without the need to buy and wire in an inverter into your van. However, the cheaper power packs wont be able to power things such as coffee machines or other power hungry items.
 
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