Portable solar panels and running a cable into a locked vehicle to charge a Bluetti?

Sim667

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T6 Pro
So I’ve been thinking about electrics so we can get camping…… I really struggled getting insurance to crack on with the conversion I want to do (insurance companies said the value of my van + conversion plans are too high value for keeping it on the street), so my plan for a leisure battery and split charge is on a back burner for the moment.

We want to get a Bluetti elite 300 and then use the portable solar panels we already own to keep that topped up, but obviously I don’t want to leave the bluetti sitting outside the van when we’re at festivals and off and about. So I’m wondering anyone has got suggestions on getting the cables into the van to leave it on charge.

Obviously I realise the obvious answers are slightly open window, or a tailgate vent latch, but I’m also wary of people being able to open the van from the inside through those gaps (like we did with my FIL’s Saab when he locked his keys in it today with the window cracked.

So does anyone have any suggestions? I considered the gromit in the bonnet, and I think there’s a gromit under the seat? But I’m worried about water proofing and getting through the carpet in the van itself.

Also as an aside, does anyone know how much it would actually be to get a lifepo4 battery, split charge and solar mppt that I could hook to the portable panels fitted? I don’t have the confidence to do that myself. I’m guessing about £1700 but I don’t really know what to go off when asking about insurance, and I don’t want to ask companies for quotes when I know full well I probably won’t be getting the work done anytime soon.
 
So I’ve been thinking about electrics so we can get camping…… I really struggled getting insurance to crack on with the conversion I want to do (insurance companies said the value of my van + conversion plans are too high value for keeping it on the street), so my plan for a leisure battery and split charge is on a back burner for the moment.

We want to get a Bluetti elite 300 and then use the portable solar panels we already own to keep that topped up, but obviously I don’t want to leave the bluetti sitting outside the van when we’re at festivals and off and about. So I’m wondering anyone has got suggestions on getting the cables into the van to leave it on charge.

Obviously I realise the obvious answers are slightly open window, or a tailgate vent latch, but I’m also wary of people being able to open the van from the inside through those gaps (like we did with my FIL’s Saab when he locked his keys in it today with the window cracked.

So does anyone have any suggestions? I considered the gromit in the bonnet, and I think there’s a gromit under the seat? But I’m TV worried about water proofing and getting through the carpet in the van itself.

Also as an aside, does anyone know how much it would actually be to get a lifepo4 battery, split charge and solar mppt that I could hook to the portable panels fitted? I don’t have the confidence to do that myself. I’m guessing about £1700 but I don’t really know what to go off when asking about insurance, and I don’t want to ask companies for quotes when I know full well I probably won’t be getting the work done anytime soon.
My setup for using 120w portable solar panel...no problem locking up..Cheers

IMG_20260612_094338255_HDR.webp

IMG_20260612_094331242_HDR.webp
 
I must be honest to being far too trusting when it comes to leaving my Bluetti AC180 outside in the awning coupled up to the Renogy portable suitcase panels.
It's in a waterproof padded bag, hidden behind stuff in the vanside corner of the little awning we take to forum and festival.
Sometimes there's a jormax in front for a little more privacy/security, been lucky so far, but the do's we go to are usually surrounded by forum friends.
Wifey wasn't happy about getting up the steps for this photo! This is our normal setup.

Screenshot_20260612_081400_Gallery.webp
 
Mine goes through the grommet in the plenum chamber behind the battery with Anderson connectors, then panel wires up the front of the van (outside) to the panel which sits on the roof (sometimes).
 
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