Portable battery packs

[kcsun]

Thinking about the electric for my day van and am now leaning to get a portable power pack rather than installing a fixed system in the van. It seems Bluetti, Jackory or Ecoflow are the main suppliers of this kit. I am looking at a 2kw unit as we will only be using our van for 1-2 days/nights at a time.
Any thoughts on which system is better/worse, or any other info that I need to know before parting with £12-1500?
kc

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

Depending on what you are running I think 2000w for 1 or 2 nights is overkill. A 1000w would probably be enough.
EcoFlow seem to be really good units and you can buy an 800w alternator charger for them which will charge your power pack from flat to full in an hour and 20mins of driving.
You can pick up an EcoFlow delta 2 for £600 from Amazon just now.

 

[Sackmycook]

I should think 1000w would suffice to run a compressor fridge, a light and charge devices for 2-3 days of static camping.

 

[kcsun]

Thanks for replying, I will also need to boil a small kettle and make coffee, (will use a BBQ for food prep or just eat out )
Also thinking of it being used in the garden instead of trailing extn leads so will probably stick with the 2000w version but thanks for confirming 1000w would be adequate.

Flying Scotsman, if I got a more powerful alternator would the power pack still connect to the vans ciggie lighter socket?

kc

 

[Dellmassive]

Ecoflow delta2 max

 

[Sackmycook]

I'd use gas to boil your water for a brew......

 

[whodat]

Got to make sure your kettle and electrical supply match. For instance, the Ecoflow is happy with 800w (1600w peak). I got a cheapie small kettle that runs 600w and does 2 cups.
It takes about 22wh each boil. (3% of my 768W/h). I also got a 10l fridge which I had to lend out to someone before getting a chance to test it but when I got it, the paperwork said it would run at between 35w and 45w. The person who I leant it to reckons it is on constantly so that would be about 24hours + another few hours as a coolbox. Got a 100w solar panel to trickle charge it, but it only takes about half hour to recharge using mains.

 

[icn05]

Prob a bit late but we went for the Bluetti AC180 which along with the LifePo leisure battery I reckon will suit our needs for a couple of nights off grid.

Only went for the Bluetti because of cost - it’s back on offer for £549, down from £899 which is a fair bit cheaper than the other equivalents.

 

[The Flying Scotsman]

Flying Scotsman, if I got a more powerful alternator would the power pack still connect to the vans ciggie lighter socket?

kc

Yes but the fag lighter will only trickle charge the power pack very slowly. I don’t think upgrading the alternator will make any difference.
The 800w fast charger is a box that’s needs wired in. I’ve only seen EcoFlow sell these 800w fast chargers.

 

[icn05]

Yes but the fag lighter will only trickle charge the power pack very slowly. I don’t think upgrading the alternator will make any difference.
The 800w fast charger is a box that’s needs wired in. I’ve only seen EcoFlow sell these 800w fast chargers.

Think I saw one on Bluetti’s website but only for certain models

 

[longtimecoming]

I have the Anker Solix C1000, it was part of a deal on their site with a fold-away solar panel that I intend to just pop up in the windscreen when I park. DJI have a similar sized unit that was on a good deal for Black Friday but is back at inflated prices again.

The reason I went for Anker is after speaking to heavy-users who had the Ecoflow and something else, they had settled on the Anker primarily due to them being the only one with UK support.... I haven't verified this but the Anker seems to do what it says on the tim so far. Of course I know that you want to a 2000 unit and they make these too.

 

[hciR]

Could you run a night heater (all night, for 2 nights) off a portable battery pack?

 

[longtimecoming]

Sorry for the not very useful answer but it depends on the size of power pack, the heater and how high you have to turned on. Generally, if you want atmospheric heat you are better off using a diesel heater though.

There are a number of other threads where people suggest electric blankets etc if you are restricted to electric heat.

 

[hciR]

Sorry for the not very useful answer but it depends on the size of power pack, the heater and how high you have to turned on. Generally, if you want atmospheric heat you are better off using a diesel heater though.

There are a number of other threads where people suggest electric blankets etc if you are restricted to electric heat.

I think that was my fault for a very poorly phrased question sorry!

I meant could you run a diesel heater off of a portable power pack? (in place of leisure battery)

 

[longtimecoming]

Oh in that case. Yes, I haven't done it but that's my intention.

There are lots of youtube vids of people doing this, and when I had my day-van fit out the ply guys they said that's what they do too. The diesel heaters draw a bit more current on start up and shut down so just take this into account when choosing your power station and heater combo.

On the other hand, there are people on here who have combo's that don't work together, so it would be a good idea to see what they tried to avoid ending up there.

 

[RP1]

I have the Anker Solix C1000, it was part of a deal on their site with a fold-away solar panel that I intend to just pop up in the windscreen when I park. DJI have a similar sized unit that was on a good deal for Black Friday but is back at inflated prices again.

The reason I went for Anker is after speaking to heavy-users who had the Ecoflow and something else, they had settled on the Anker primarily due to them being the only one with UK support.... I haven't verified this but the Anker seems to do what it says on the tim so far. Of course I know that you want to a 2000 unit and they make these too.

Quick question - is it noisy when the fans come on?