Which low-mid range lithium battery?

[Phil1]

I just like the idea of being able to use the sockets for stuff. So confused, electrics are the trickiest part so far. My biggest issue is that I don’t know what I really need yet especially as I’m not going the full “traditional” camper layout. All I really need is to power my compressor coolbox, lights and phones for a long weekend. To be able to use portable grills etc and maybe a small heater would be a bonus, but either way I’m guessing that falls under EHU territory?

I’m just conscious that a full electric setup is well on the way to the £1k mark I suppose and how much of paying EHU fees will that get me in comparison.

 

[JumpShip]

Had our van 10 years , only had a leisure battery for about 4 years and relied solely on EHU before that without any issues .
Having said that our love for being abroad more and solar being more a viable source of power the need for more storage and the ability to harness 'free' power appeals lots .

 

[Drive Wayne]

It's great in the height of the season to turn up to a popular camp site and say that you don't need a hook up.
More often than not, they will find you a space. And of course the wild camping scene.
A 105Ah LB will allow you flexibility!

 

[Phil1]

Both good points! If it was just the battery then it would be an easy decision. If or when I do go that route I think I’ll go for the Drift 105ah based on the recommendations and reviews so far.

Option b would be get a Bluetti for this year, then if I need more then upgrade to a LB later and keep the power bank as “extra” power? I’ve read you can get them to work or charge each other? Or would that be a waste of £500?

 

[soldas]

Getting a portable power station is never a waste.

It's somewhat plug and play for the van, it's removable to use elsewhere, and holds a resale value.

And yeah in time can be used as a fast charge for a lithium battery (I do that with a Jackery).

Honestly if I was starting from scratch I'd go for a higher end power station (something that can output 1000w on 240v) first and then in time build in a more standard leisure battery set-up.

 

[Velosaurus]

Just bought a Fogstar drift 105 & Orion XS. Cheapest I found was 5% off 12voltplanet through taking out SBMCC forum membership for £12. They were cheapest for the battery. I could have got the XS (and the MPPT & Shunt) cheaper on Ebay, but not by much and considered better to buy from a single point if needed warranty support at some point.

 

[sgh]

Planning some upgrades to our Kombi that we will only be using as a base for days out and occasional sleeping in (Forty Winks Bed).

My dilema is do I fit a solar panel and 110ah leisure battery or go with biggest capacity Lithium battery under passenger seat. Only powering led interior lights USB socket and Dometic CFX35 compressor fridge. The most the van could be parked up with fridge in would be 3-4 days.

 

[Anakin]

Definitely go for solar, it’s the best thing I’ve done for our van. Then decide about battery size. Do some maths on your fridge, as they can pull 3-4 amps easily.

For example, I have a 150W solar panel, dometic fridge, phone charging etc but cook with gas and have a 105Ah LiFePO4 leisure battery. With that setup in summer we can stay off EHU indefinitely.

 

[Drive Wayne]

Planning some upgrades to our Kombi that we will only be using as a base for days out and occasional sleeping in (Forty Winks Bed).

My dilema is do I fit a solar panel and 110ah leisure battery or go with biggest capacity Lithium battery under passenger seat. Only powering led interior lights USB socket and Dometic CFX35 compressor fridge. The most the van could be parked up with fridge in would be 3-4 days.

Certainly go solar, but that could be a portable solar array after you have put the largest underseat lithium battery in! Renogy make a great foldable uppable 220 watt panel, easy to transport and deploy when required.
There are some good mid range 160Ah batteries which will fit under the seat easily. Overcome battery anxiety before it even starts! Nobody complains about having too much available power!

 

[sgh]

Definitely go for solar, it’s the best thing I’ve done for our van. Then decide about battery size. Do some maths on your fridge, as they can pull 3-4 amps easily.

For example, I have a 150W solar panel, dometic fridge, phone charging etc but cook with gas and have a 105Ah LiFePO4 leisure battery. With that setup in summer we can stay off EHU indefinitely.

Thank's it's the solar options as don't want to stick to the roof and don't want fugly ali framed type. Only option really is this but on top I'll need the roof rails at £360.00 makes this expensive option with battery about £1k in full.

 

[Drive Wayne]

This is a Renogy we still use in addition to the fugly poptop 270 watt!

Renogy 220W Portable Solar Panel

Document Overview of Renogy 220W Lightweight Portable Solar Suitcase

uk.renogy.com

The advantage with the portable solar is that you can 'chase the sun' so it doesn't matter how you park up.

 

[sgh]

This is a Renogy we still use in addition to the fugly poptop 270 watt!

Renogy 220W Portable Solar Panel

Document Overview of Renogy 220W Lightweight Portable Solar Suitcase

uk.renogy.com

The advantage with the portable solar is that you can 'chase the sun' so it doesn't matter how you park up.

Having had solar on my California and both panels fail, luckily not stuck down.

Removng stuck down ones on the roof would be a nighmare. Another option could be to vinyl wrap a section of roof then stick to the vinyl could make removal less messy.

 

[DXX]

Thank's it's the solar options as don't want to stick to the roof and don't want fugly ali framed type. Only option really is this but on top I'll need the roof rails at £360.00 makes this expensive option with battery about £1k in full.

View attachment 308281

It will cost you more than that long term with a raised mounting system just in added fuel consumption due to significant increase in aerodynamic drag.
If you are going to fit solar I’d go for a glued semi-flexible Photonic Universe panel.
I only have 90Ah of AGM with 150W solar and CTEK B2B which runs all the normal USB charging, lighting, CRX50, Wallas hob / heater, shower pump etc.
I don’t use EHU or camp sites.
Solar will trickle charge both batteries throughout the year and lengthen the batteries life.

 

[Salty Spuds]

Thank's it's the solar options as don't want to stick to the roof and don't want fugly ali framed type. Only option really is this but on top I'll need the roof rails at £360.00 makes this expensive option with battery about £1k in full.

View attachment 308281

I’ll see your roof bars and raise you my fugly rigid fixed frame type
Post in thread 'Another failed solar panel'
Another failed solar panel

 

[sgh]

I’ll see your roof bars and raise you my fugly rigid fixed frame type
Post in thread 'Another failed solar panel'
Another failed solar panel

That actually looks good and bonded to vinyl wrap ?

 

[Anakin]

I have the same panel as @Salty Spuds and the mountings allow you to slide the panel out if needed, for maintenance or replacement.

 

[JoshB_]

With the budget you’re quoting I’d be looking at a bigger battery and portable solar.
You seem more concerned with the solar appearance, so makes sense to me just have a brief case you can hide under the bed. But let’s be honest, who stares at their roof all the time?

Can get circa 300aH batteries for good money these days, especially around Black Friday. But you’ve got to fit it somewhere as they’re quite big.

 

[Salty Spuds]

That actually looks good and bonded to vinyl wrap ?

Nope, the brackets are bonded directly to the roof. The vinyl wrap is covering the scars from the previous 2 flexible panels that failed.

 

[Samiguel]

This is a Renogy we still use in addition to the fugly poptop 270 watt!

Renogy 220W Portable Solar Panel

Document Overview of Renogy 220W Lightweight Portable Solar Suitcase

uk.renogy.com

The advantage with the portable solar is that you can 'chase the sun' so it doesn't matter how you park up.

Second this. I have the Renogy 200w suitcase and it is brilliant. Only a very slight faff to set up, but you can deploy it anywhere and avoid shadows which is really important. I have 10m set of solar fly leads which basically means I can stick it where the sun is at its best.

 

[doncarlyon]

Planning some upgrades to our Kombi that we will only be using as a base for days out and occasional sleeping in (Forty Winks Bed).

My dilema is do I fit a solar panel and 110ah leisure battery or go with biggest capacity Lithium battery under passenger seat. Only powering led interior lights USB socket and Dometic CFX35 compressor fridge. The most the van could be parked up with fridge in would be 3-4 days.

You shouldn't need solar with a 100ah lithium over that duration.