Camper electrics

TheGrapeEscape said:
Thanks for the reply both, even though I'm an Electrician, I'm clueless on this as it was In when I bought the van. Ideally I just want to be able to run the 12v system (fridge/diesel heater and lughts) on EHU and leisure battery/solar.

I'd also like a solar panel, but again, clueless although I know I could install it with the right stuff ordered. My current ctek da250sa I've heard is the older version, so I'm thinking rip out and start again
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Nothing wrong with that DC-DC charger for lead acid batteries, the newer version also has a profile for lithium.

Unless you are wanting to move to lithium right now no real point in changing. In the future the newer SE version is physically the same so an easy swap if you wanted.

For solar you'll want an MPPT charger, again make sure it's lithium aware for the future - Victron again is a popular choice.
 
roadtripper said:
Nothing wrong with that DC-DC charger for lead acid batteries, the newer version also has a profile for lithium.

Unless you are wanting to move to lithium right now no real point in changing. In the future the newer SE version is physically the same so an easy swap if you wanted.

For solar you'll want an MPPT charger, again make sure it's lithium aware for the future - Victron again is a popular choice.
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Thank you, appreciate this. I'm going to look into it. The idea is when I get a new kitchen unit, I'll be doing electrics at same stage to hide it all in
 
In the immediate future what I'd consider doing is getting a 15A Victron IP65 charger and wiring that into your 240v EHU and to your leisure battery (via a suitable fuse)

That will support your leisure system while on EHU.
 
Hi All,

I've found this company, who sell the kits. I'm tempted by this, but also want my 13v electrics (lights and fridge) to be able to work off the EHU.

Would I need anything else?

Screenshot_20240614_180329_Chrome.jpg
 
The mains charger I mentioned in the post immediately before?

I'm not entirely sure why that kit includes a very bulky DC isolator - they are not normally needed unless your panel voltage is likely to go over the 50V SELV limit or very high current.
 
That kit also doesn't seem to include any panels or battery so I assume those will be additional cost?

With recent advances I'd favour the newer smaller cooler running Orion XS over the TriSmart
 
roadtripper said:
The mains charger I mentioned in the post immediately before?

I'm not entirely sure why that kit includes a very bulky DC isolator - they are not normally needed unless your panel voltage is likely to go over the 50V SELV limit or very high current.
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Cheers Dave. Apologies, didn't see your post above
 
roadtripper said:
That kit also doesn't seem to include any panels or battery so I assume those will be additional cost?

With recent advances I'd favour the newer smaller cooler running Orion XS over the TriSmart
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Yeah, no batteries or panels.

My current set up just needs updating a lot as it has lead acid battery, ctek d250sa.

I just want my 12v system to be able to work off grid, and then off the EHU
 
Salty Spuds said:
When you say you want the “13V(sic) electrics to run off the EHU”, can you elaborate
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Yeah, sorry, I'm probably making no sense.

I've only used the van for one night away.

I currently have 1 leisure battery which everything runs off (fridge, lights, night heater and usb sockets) etc.

If I park up in a lay by, I'll be using the lights etc off the leisure battery. But, when I get to a site with EHU, I'd like the lights/fridge/night heater to use the power off the hook up rather than battery power.

I installed the hook up myself with a mini 2 way board (only using 1 at min) . I have 1 x 2g 13a socket with 2 usb sockets on. But, no lights.
 
Salty Spuds said:
Just wire all your 12V to the leisure battery & fit a decent mains charger. That setup will automatically do what you want without any complications.
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Thank you, will research them now. Sorry for all confusion. Still a vw newbie
 
TheGrapeEscape said:
Yeah, sorry, I'm probably making no sense.

I've only used the van for one night away.

I currently have 1 leisure battery which everything runs off (fridge, lights, night heater and usb sockets) etc.

If I park up in a lay by, I'll be using the lights etc off the leisure battery. But, when I get to a site with EHU, I'd like the lights/fridge/night heater to use the power off the hook up rather than battery power.

I installed the hook up myself with a mini 2 way board (only using 1 at min) . I have 1 x 2g 13a socket with 2 usb sockets on. But, no lights.
Click to expand...
All that will happen with a normal EHU set up is that the hook up charges the battery, and the battery supplies the fridge, lights etc as normal. So when you're on hookup, you will technically be running everything off the hookup even though it it's all running via the battery.

If you've got a 15a EHU charger, you'd need to be using a lot of power to use more than it'll be putting in. So once the battery is at 100% from the EHU charger it'll stay there.
 
TallPaul_S said:
All that will happen with a normal EHU set up is that the hook up charges the battery, and the battery supplies the fridge, lights etc as normal. So when you're on hookup, you will technically be running everything off the hookup even though it it's all running via the battery.

If you've got a 15a EHU charger, you'd need to be using a lot of power to use more than it'll be putting in. So once the battery is at 100% from the EHU charger it'll stay there.
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^this :thumbsup:
 
TallPaul_S said:
All that will happen with a normal EHU set up is that the hook up charges the battery, and the battery supplies the fridge, lights etc as normal. So when you're on hookup, you will technically be running everything off the hookup even though it it's all running via the battery.

If you've got a 15a EHU charger, you'd need to be using a lot of power to use more than it'll be putting in. So once the battery is at 100% from the EHU charger it'll stay there.
Click to expand...
Am I going to have to change my current battery with that? Currently have lead acid, but that victron charger has lithium capabilities.

Is it best to go lithium at this stage?
 
TheGrapeEscape said:
Am I going to have to change my current battery with that? Currently have lead acid, but that victron charger has lithium capabilities.

Is it best to go lithium at this stage?
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You can set the charger to any battery profile you require. But yes, lithium is the way to go if funds permit. Buy a decent quality one though, or it’s false economy.
 
TheGrapeEscape said:
Am I going to have to change my current battery with that? Currently have lead acid, but that victron charger has lithium capabilities.

Is it best to go lithium at this stage?
Click to expand...
Depends entirely on what your usage will be.

If you only ever stay on campsites with hookup, then you won't see the benefit of LiFePO4. But if you want to do any camping where there's no hookup, and potentially no or little solar, then even a basic set up with a fridge and some lights will hammer a small AGM battery in a day or so.

LiFePO4 gives you double the usable capacity of AGM instantly, and allows bigger capacity in the same space. And would give the option of running inverter.
 
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