Just a simple tip: anything that provides heat from electricity uses a lot of power (kettle, hair drier, fan heater, electric radiator, iron, washing machine, tumble drier, water heater, etc.) Usually electronic goods use little power (phones, laptop, TV, LED lights). This is true in a motorhome or a house. It is also true at 12volts or mains voltage. I hope that is helpful in understanding some basic principles.
We use our 3 pin plugs from our battery solar set up - you just have to feed it with a 3 kw full sine wave inverter and have substantial solar and battery capacity - we have 300w solar and 310a/h lithium - thats almost 4 kw stored - I guess it depends what you want to power - ours does a compressor fridge ,toaster, 900w kettle. microwave, TV lights, water pump - and e bike chargers - the battery is usually full by lunch time and then we switch on the 4 gallon water heater for 20 min (600w)
i also upgraded to 2 leisure batteries, no more power but more amp hours so you get power for longer, coupled this with changing all my light bulbs for LED and its easily enough for 5 days at a festival running lights at night and charging phones every day. Of course if you have a solar panel thats not a problem anyway but i haven't put one on my current motorhome. I did have one on my campervan so used to be able to run a 12v fridge for 5 days constantly at festivals, it would run of the panel during the day, switch to battery at night and by the time we woke up the next day the solar panel had charged the leisure battery back to full power, and so the cycle repeats!!
Hi Kat thanks for great video, that was easier to understand thank you, look forward to the next one, love the colour scheme in your motorhome and the cushion behind you! Ha ha take care both xx
Woo hoo!This is literally the best explanation I've ever come across of camper vehicle electrics! Thanks so much. I've been trying to wrap my head around this stuff for a year, watching videos etc but they always assume a certain level of understanding to begin with, or do the opposite and over simplify it. I love this video! Happy birthday Kat for later. Are you doing a second van tour at any point? Looks like some stuff has changed which is exciting. X
yay! I'm so pleased to hear that- that was completely our intention. :) And sure- we can do a 'review' tour or something. We've done a few mods so can show them if you're interested.
I fitted a dedicated fused 20Amp heavy duty cigarette socket directly to the leisure battery behind the drivers seat which also allowed for the heat to dissipate through the socket body and wooden plinth, i needed it for my Macbook laptop charger. I have also fitted a Victron 120W solar panel which is fantastic and gives me 85AH per day, and a Victron battery monitor, this is because the PMS3 management is great for what it does but is no help for usage and current remaining and cannot be configured for the 3 leisure battery types. I am in a VW T5.1 conversion. The other thing to note is cable size when fitting these bits of kit. I believe with the fridge at 50% I am getting 7+ days off grid with careful use.
Just a simple tip: anything that provides heat from electricity uses a lot of power (kettle, hair drier, fan heater, electric radiator, iron, washing machine, tumble drier, water heater, etc.) Usually electronic goods use little power (phones, laptop, TV, LED lights). This is true in a motorhome or a house. It is also true at 12volts or mains voltage. I hope that is helpful in understanding some basic principles.
We use our 3 pin plugs from our battery solar set up - you just have to feed it with a 3 kw full sine wave inverter and have substantial solar and battery capacity - we have 300w solar and 310a/h lithium - thats almost 4 kw stored - I guess it depends what you want to power - ours does a compressor fridge ,toaster, 900w kettle. microwave, TV lights, water pump - and e bike chargers - the battery is usually full by lunch time and then we switch on the 4 gallon water heater for 20 min (600w)
i also upgraded to 2 leisure batteries, no more power but more amp hours so you get power for longer, coupled this with changing all my light bulbs for LED and its easily enough for 5 days at a festival running lights at night and charging phones every day. Of course if you have a solar panel thats not a problem anyway but i haven't put one on my current motorhome. I did have one on my campervan so used to be able to run a 12v fridge for 5 days constantly at festivals, it would run of the panel during the day, switch to battery at night and by the time we woke up the next day the solar panel had charged the leisure battery back to full power, and so the cycle repeats!!
Can you mix leisure batteries, as in add a lithium as 2nd battery if other is still a lead acid, or would they both need be same???
Simon - Staffs
Omg! We have just got a Swift Escape 674 2017! This was so helpful! Can't wait to see the second half!
Hi Kat thanks for great video, that was easier to understand thank you, look forward to the next one, love the colour scheme in your motorhome and the cushion behind you! Ha ha take care both xx
What do people that live in Motorhomes permanently do for an address for the DVLA, bank and passport office?
Woo hoo!This is literally the best explanation I've ever come across of camper vehicle electrics! Thanks so much. I've been trying to wrap my head around this stuff for a year, watching videos etc but they always assume a certain level of understanding to begin with, or do the opposite and over simplify it. I love this video! Happy birthday Kat for later. Are you doing a second van tour at any point? Looks like some stuff has changed which is exciting. X
yay! I'm so pleased to hear that- that was completely our intention. :) And sure- we can do a 'review' tour or something. We've done a few mods so can show them if you're interested.
@@WanderingBird That would be great 😊
I fitted a dedicated fused 20Amp heavy duty cigarette socket directly to the leisure battery behind the drivers seat which also allowed for the heat to dissipate through the socket body and wooden plinth, i needed it for my Macbook laptop charger. I have also fitted a Victron 120W solar panel which is fantastic and gives me 85AH per day, and a Victron battery monitor, this is because the PMS3 management is great for what it does but is no help for usage and current remaining and cannot be configured for the 3 leisure battery types. I am in a VW T5.1 conversion. The other thing to note is cable size when fitting these bits of kit. I believe with the fridge at 50% I am getting 7+ days off grid with careful use.
Great informative video👍 just curious why you both aren't in it?
Glad you enjoyed it. Mr WB decided a long time ago not to be in the videos, and I respect his decision.
Kat
Super super useful, really well explained, thank you and Mr WB x
You're very welcome Helen! Glad it was useful :)
Hi guys can I ask what you use to purefie water I reamber you doing so.ethi g on this but can't find it thanks Craig
Happy birthday, Kat!
Thank you. It's in 9 days but getting there!! :)
I’ve got it! Heat and power - a steam powered hairdryer!... oh - wait a minute...
Hey, what happened to the little intros to your videos?
Awww- I miss them too! Sadly it was on my last laptop and didn't transfer over. I need to do another one but haven't had time yet! :)