T6 Day Van Build – Power Bank vs Leisure Battery, EHU & Heating Advice Needed

[And Away]

Hi all,

Newbie to the forum here. I’ve done a fair bit of reading but haven’t quite found a clear answer to my situation, so I’m hoping you can help clarify a few things.

I’m currently putting together a spec sheet to send out to conversion companies for quotes, and I want to make sure I’m asking for the right setup.

The plan is to convert a T6 into a day van. It’ll mainly be used for family trips—2 adults, 2 kids, and a dog—for lots of tenting holidays. That said, we’d also like the flexibility to sleep in the van for shorter breaks or when the weather isn’t great for tents.

My main questions are around electrics and heating.

I’m aiming to keep the build as simple and flexible as possible. I really like the idea of using a portable power station instead of a fixed leisure battery system. The big advantage for me is being able to take the power out of the van and use it in a tent if needed.

Do you think a portable power station would realistically be able to handle:

• A diesel heater
• LED lighting
• Charging devices
• for 2–3 nights?

I’m also planning to have fixed solar on the roof.

At the moment we just use a cool box, but I may upgrade to a portable compressor fridge in the future—so ideally whatever system I go with needs to support that too.

I’m also debating whether to install a built-in electric hookup or just use a portable mains hookup kit. Again, portability appeals to me as it could be used away from the van as well. Does anyone know roughly what it costs to install EHU, and whether it’s worth integrating rather than keeping it modular?

Finally, if I go down the power station route—would it be practical/safe to mount it in the rear (out of reach of curious hands)? And are there any good solutions for securing something that heavy so it’s safe in transit?

Appreciate any advice or experiences—just trying to get this right before committing to a build.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Bigsidavies]

Personally that sounds like a lot of faff when you could just have a lifepo battery under the seat (out of reach of curious hands) and buy a power station for the tent/awning thus also negating the need to keep unplugging the power station from the van, dislodging it from the rear - probably under loads of 'stuff' and having to carry it outside and set it up in the awning/tent.
I have a typical 12v setup with underseat battery and a bluetti 180 power bank for the awning and the combination works just great and is hassle free.

 

[drinfinity]

What 240v kit do you want to run in a tent?
Running a mains hookup in the van is fairly straightforward, and can be tucked away in space that you don’t use under the bonnet.

 

[And Away]

Personally that sounds like a lot of faff when you could just have a lifepo battery under the seat (out of reach of curious hands) and buy a power station for the tent/awning thus also negating the need to keep unplugging the power station from the van, dislodging it from the rear - probably under loads of 'stuff' and having to carry it outside and set it up in the awning/tent.
I have a typical 12v setup with underseat battery and a bluetti 180 power bank for the awning and the combination works just great and is hassle free.

Makes sense. Just trying to find places to save £££. But, I also value reducing "faff", so that is certainly something to consider.

 

[And Away]

What 240v kit do you want to run in a tent?
Running a mains hookup in the van is fairly straightforward, and can be tucked away in space that you don’t use under the bonnet.

The only things I can really think of that might need 240V are a hair dryer and straighteners (mainly for the other half! ).

Everything else we typically use can run off USB or a 12V socket, which is why I’m leaning towards skipping an integrated EHU.

That said, I do want to keep one eye on resale value. If I decide to sell the van down the line, I imagine an integrated EHU is something a lot of buyers would expect or look for—so I’m a bit torn.

 

[Drive Wayne]

Hi all,

Newbie to the forum here. I’ve done a fair bit of reading but haven’t quite found a clear answer to my situation, so I’m hoping you can help clarify a few things.

I’m currently putting together a spec sheet to send out to conversion companies for quotes, and I want to make sure I’m asking for the right setup.

The plan is to convert a T6 into a day van. It’ll mainly be used for family trips—2 adults, 2 kids, and a dog—for lots of tenting holidays. That said, we’d also like the flexibility to sleep in the van for shorter breaks or when the weather isn’t great for tents.

My main questions are around electrics and heating.

I’m aiming to keep the build as simple and flexible as possible. I really like the idea of using a portable power station instead of a fixed leisure battery system. The big advantage for me is being able to take the power out of the van and use it in a tent if needed.

Do you think a portable power station would realistically be able to handle:

• A diesel heater
• LED lighting
• Charging devices
• for 2–3 nights?

I’m also planning to have fixed solar on the roof.

At the moment we just use a cool box, but I may upgrade to a portable compressor fridge in the future—so ideally whatever system I go with needs to support that too.

I’m also debating whether to install a built-in electric hookup or just use a portable mains hookup kit. Again, portability appeals to me as it could be used away from the van as well. Does anyone know roughly what it costs to install EHU, and whether it’s worth integrating rather than keeping it modular?

Finally, if I go down the power station route—would it be practical/safe to mount it in the rear (out of reach of curious hands)? And are there any good solutions for securing something that heavy so it’s safe in transit?

Appreciate any advice or experiences—just trying to get this right before committing to a build.

Thanks in advance!

Im with @Bigsidavies on this, a small 100Ah ish lithium set up permanently in the van, and a removable powerbank too for use in or out of the van. Solar panels will keep the LB charged which will keep all your internal power suckers happy, no anxiety that way.

 

[And Away]

Sold! Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.

Is there a preferred/better placement for connecting EHU? Connect under the bonnet or have a plug added to the side?

 

[Jonesy68]

I'm with @Bigsidavies and @Drive Wayne.
I have just upgraded my LB but even before that it was fine. I picked up a deal on an Ecoflow. Pop the solar panel on the roof and you can keep everything topped up. My original battery acid battery was only 105ah but with the solar we were fine for a weekend away.
Another way to save some cash, perhaps buy her a hat? No need for the hairdryer or straighners

 

[Bigsidavies]

Here's an idea if resale is an issue. Before conversion run some 240v mains cable from under the bonnet through bulkhead and route it to under the driver's seat and leave plenty coiled up. Then if you feel you need it at a later date you just need to buy the CU and EHU inlet and connect up. You can then add a mains charger too anytime thereafter.

 

[Drive Wayne]

Sold! Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated.

Is there a preferred/better placement for connecting EHU? Connect under the bonnet or have a plug added to the side?

Mine is in the more traditional place on the side, I see it there when I come to drive away! Very rare I use it though because of solar and a decent LB. It's also in the right place for the consumer unit etc, not much cable required.