Portable power station or leisure battery or both?

[dragonboatgirl]

What would you do?

I've bought a 2017 T6 kombi which already has insulation, led ceiling lights and a camp site hookup/fuses. Which is great if I'm going to camp sites with hook up, but I'm planning on going to festivals without any power with one of my children this summer and possible four of us in the future.

I'm not looking to do a full van conversion, ever, and can't afford to do anything yet but I would like to save up for a few things. However I need advice on how much to save (roughly mid range options).

In an ideal world I would love a leisure battery and solar panel, and would need to pay someone to install it safely. Roughly how much would a leisure battery (split charger setup), solar panel (150-180) and appropriately sized MPPT cost to purchase and install using an electrician/camper specialist?

In the long term I'm thinking a compressor fridge, small enough to move round the van but also hold a pack of sausages, block of cheese and some milk. Any recommendations?

I'd also like the option of a small heater, but as I only plan on camping in the UK in warmer months I may not need it with kids warming the van! I will definitely need a way to charge my phone and spare batteries for the day (now and with a leisure battery in the future).

So for now, I'm thinking a portable power station with portable solar panels, but I'm worried they'll be stolen if left out at festivals though (can they be securely attached to a van when stationary - I don't have roof bar unfortunately?)

I'm thinking of this https://amzn.eu/d/ck66L6T with mini solar panel or https://amzn.eu/d/doIizJc without a panel.

I don't know if I'm wasting money buying this as an interim option instead, or is it is sensible?!

What have others done/what would you recommend? Thanks

 

[soldas]

The first Jackery you have linked will only output a max of 300 watts so won't run a heater. The lowest heaters your find are generally 6-800 watts up. Even if it could output the wattage the battery would be dead pretty quickly.

It would be fine for phone charging and that kind of thing.

A jackery 1000 would be where you want to be looking really.

If it would me, with a lower budget I'd go for a decent midrange power station as it's all in one just plug and play. They also hold decent resale value. And then look to get solar on the roof.

 

[dragonboatgirl]

Ok thanks

The first Jackery you have linked will only output a max of 300 watts so won't run a heater. The lowest heaters your find are generally 6-800 watts up. Even if it could output the wattage the battery would be dead pretty quickly.

It would be fine for phone charging and that kind of thing.

A jackery 1000 would be where you want to be looking really.

If it would me, with a lower budget I'd go for a decent midrange power station as it's all in one just plug and play. They also hold decent resale value. And then look to get solar on the roof.

Ok thanks, maybe I'll avoid the heater option for now, hopefully it won't be too cold in the summer months.

If we changed our minds I guess there may be a way to buy a second small and hook it up to the existing to increase the capacity, maybe?!

What would you recommend as a decent midrange power station (jackery 1000 or smaller)?

 

[T6 Syd]

As above, electric heating off-grid is not really viable unless you use a petrol generator. Anyone nearby probably won't be impressed though! That said, you can get some fairly quiet ones.

A 1200 Wh battery typically cannot be used for the full 1200 Wh, you may be able to drain it to 20% capacity, so about 1kWh. In theory that could run a 1kW heater for 1 hour. Topping up with solar won't help - a 180 W panel is unlikely to give you close to 180 W for long periods, it definitely will not run a heater and it is unlikely to be that sunny when you need to use the heater anyway.

If you find you do need a heater you would be looking at running the engine - again not popular - or fitting a diesel or gas heater. I most definitely would steer clear of a flueless portable gas camping heater or hob burner. Looking longer term, if you are planning to keep the van for the long term, you may be better off saving for a diesel heater and get a mid-range all in one power unit. You'll still need some electrical power for the heater fan and don't want to drain your starter battery.

There are plenty of insulated/fleece blankets or 'coats', including changing robes, to help fight off the chill. They can be used outside and a changing robe can be useful in many situations.

Enjoy the festivals and camping.

 

[Sackmycook]

Electric blankets use little energy and can be run off smaller battery banks.....

 

[Kind of Blue]

I highly recommend Wallas Heater Hobs. They are the hobs with a lid on there pages. We used one over many years and camped out in extreme weather for hour after hour. It will do the cooking and heating. Just pull the lid down and it will blow hot air around the vehicle It is very frugal uses little battery power and runs on diesel either plumbed in or from one of there 5L or 10L fuel containers. They are not inexpensive but last for years and are exceptionally well made in SS. All the fumes are vented via a very small flue. Easy to disconnect and take away or use else where. One could build or buy a small cupboard mount hob on top fuel container below, perhaps even mount a battery in the cupboard or and a small fridge. We used one in an ex military Landrover and did not even need a leisure battery to run it. They have outlets in the UK

Boat heaters and stoves, cottage heaters and water heaters - Front page - Wallas

Environmentally friendly diesel boat heaters and stoves, camper van heaters and stoves, cottage air and water heaters for off-grid environments.

wallas.fi

Products - Heating and Cooking Solutions - Wallas

Focusing on environmentally friendly smart products, Wallas heaters, cookers, and ovens are most suitable for recreational boats, camper vans, trailers, tiny houses, and cottages in remote off-grid environments.

wallas.fi

 

[soldas]

Ok thanks

Ok thanks, maybe I'll avoid the heater option for now, hopefully it won't be too cold in the summer months.

If we changed our minds I guess there may be a way to buy a second small and hook it up to the existing to increase the capacity, maybe?!

What would you recommend as a decent midrange power station (jackery 1000 or smaller)?

There is an extendable battery for the Jackery 1000 but honestly I don't think you would need that based on your described usage. You can't extend the smaller ones.

I've got a Jackery 1000 and it's handled everything I've thrown at it. They are all very much the same tbh. Ecoflow etc. My only gripe, I like to monitor it remotely (I top up other things in the van using it) and that works great with the app but having it connected to WiFi drains more power than I like but that's probably more my use case than anything.

Honestly if I were starting again (or when I rip everything out once the kids are older) I'd go for a big portable power station that will run everything you could ever need and a diesel heater. The heater can be powered off the power station or starter battery and you can just run an extention lead for everything else.