Will Prowse has been spot on for what little products I've used because of his recommendations. I even bought his solar book. He definitely likes SOK products but he has also recommended similar products that were even cheaper. Oddly enough I trust Will 100 percent.
SOK all day! 206 Ah for $1,029 US. We have 8 of them that we are using to power a mobile television studio with an 18,000 btu mini split. They are performing magnificently.
Really enjoyed watching the combine video from beginning to now and find it funny that you was talking about not needing a extra battery in that vid to now talking about upgrading lol idk why but just comical in a way. I get it thou as in you where saying you didn’t have to have all that to enjoy van life and you got to upgrade as you make changes that’s just how it goes and enjoy all the content and regular uploads
I just installed my full solar by myself based on Will's schematics and products he has tested. He tested Weize 100Ah that I went with, he was happy about the BMS in that brand and they are $350 each, can put four in series if need that much storage, and way less expensive. Working beautifully! 100% trust Will's word!
Chrome, like you've mentioned before. This is something you want to last you the long term. Don't go cheaper now, save until you afford the best. The charging updates you're making might just be enough for now.
Again I will recommend for heat on those super cold BC nights....a minisplit roof mount!! Runs on only 400 watts, you could plug it into the Jackary to save your other power.
Duct tape, bungee cords, & ziplock bags are a nomad’s happy supplies. I’m freaked out over the price of a battery for my jeep. I can only imagine what you’re dealing with Chrome. Things will figure themselves out. Hugs and love to you & Cruzie ❤️❤️
I went with Victron components and SOK batteries-3 100AH. They have worked perfectly. I'm glad I don't have the heated/bluetooth ones also. The simpler the better, imo. The bms's in the SOK's have great protection. And a killer price. The warranty is also excellent. As well as being able to replace an individual cell if one goes south. I literally bought my first two batteries before I had my van-after listening to Will Prouse and reading whatever I could find about them. I'd buy them again.
All batteries won't work when it's so cold. All must be kept warm when the weather forecast says the temperature will drop below freezing point. Only difference is that some batteries can start themselves after shut down of the bms, and others like the canbat don't. So do your research, or keep the batteries warm enough.
You have saved me from suicide believe it or not by giving me faith to someday start vanlife after 15 years homeless and now in an apartment wayvtoo big and expensive for my life. Also want an electronic drum set in my van.
A key thing I feel is important is that Canbat took care of you. Yes it was an inconvenience, but service after the sale is sooo important. Battle borne is known for that as well.
The Can Batts didn't fail. Their voltage dropped to low (because you were not charging them fast enough with solar or DC>DC) the internal heaters were drawing power further lowering the charge..This caused the heaters to put out less heat. The BMS shut the Batts down protecting them from damage. It was the severe cold, not enough insulation in your van or battery box that caused the issue.
For what it's worth, I just bought and installed 2 SOK 206 amp hour heated batteries for $1,200 each Canadian. I recommend the heated version to deal with our Canadian winter. Lithium doesn't charge well below 0 degrees Celius. I also have 400 watts of solar on my roof and I run a full 110 volt system for all appliances etc. You could just replace your 2 100 amp hour batteries with 206 amp hour batteries and upgrade your solar panels.
I have 2 of the 206ah SOK batteries in my Transit and love them. Used one in my sprinter before that, never had an issue. Will 2 of the 206ah SOK batteries fit in your current compartment behind your driver seat? If so, that would give you 412ah without having to split your battery locations up
As soon as he said we're gonna go get some pizza, I had to thumbs up. Also I enjoy looking at how the battery system works and what is involved. Super important for vanlife.
you might want to consider a back up heater, idependant of your house power, don't be at a single point of failure with critical systems. you may also consider having the power tie in for your heater accessaable so you could jump it out to say your Jackery battery in an emerrgency.
Look at cycle life as well, with that sort of outlay you will be wanting to bring the batteries and charge controllers over to the next van if you have to make a change.
Yours and Mr Cruzie comfort and safty is numer one. Don't get cheap but buy what you know will do the job. Put in the two -Two hundred Amp hour batteries in the front and place the two - 100 CanBbats in back as a backup or give them to Ms Emi.😎
Chrome, I had a similar problem, and I just added a separate solar system with an independent reserve battery. 100 watt panel and Ampere 100ah lithium battery. When my house batteries get low, I know that I have a backup. It's a cheap option with pwm and cheap battery. 750 USD total.
Could you not put the huge jackery inline saving buying more battery's and it's already using space in your home plus with that then being plugged in inline you could pull it out at any time? I'm no electrician so don't know if this would be possible but would save cash and the space of adding more battery's?
Your batteries did what they were supposed to do at extremely low temps which you will probably hear others say the same thing… that being said, cost wise go with two more Canadian bat and hook a heating pad up to them to prevent the cold temp shut offs. I did a winter campout last year in temperatures around -14F had my two battle borns heated with the pad and it worked great.
But what if the "best" is just marketing and greed??? What if one can get the same quality an components in a different brand for less than half??? Only way to know is to research and awesome people like Will that actually tear things apart to tell us what's in there and show us paying more does NOT mean getting more.
Ready to upgrade myself again shorty LOL from 200 Ah and go too 🚀1kw no more playing 🏴☠️I’m not leaving van life anytime soon seen this . EcoFlow DELTA Pro too able to pull up to one of them charge stations and just plug-in if needed.
don't forget that to charge a lithium battery you must also have a lithium charger! The charging cycle is completely different from a gel or acid battery!
Sooner or later you will need a van you can stand up in even if the headroom is only by the entrance door and you will need more battery capacity. Also aluminum weighs less and is easier to clean than your wood fixtures.
Chrome, Battleborn has a partner program. They will definitely be interested in working with you. I can email you the PDF of their partner agreement if you like. I bet they match the SOK price.
Hey, Chrome, have you considered talking to Will Prowse directly? He might have better insights than any of us. Just sayin’… email him. Maybe he’d be interested in helping out.
Seems to make sense to run the fridge/freezer from the rear batteries, and take that load off the front mounted batteries. Distribute your electrical draws evenly, so you aren’t ever overburdening either with too many big draw pieces of equipment.
I have 3 100ah Zooms lithium batts… 1 year with them has been awesome! Coldest temp thus far in vanlife has been -14f and the batts worked flawless… diesel heater kept the temp inside around 80f (I had to pop open a window 😂🤣)
Hello mr Crome. Since you want battery why don't you put 2 between the front seat. You can make a step looking box for cruz to get up front. So you don't have to put them in the back of the van. Please let me know what your thoughts on this.
Watching this closely as whatever you decide I can get here in Australia. Get them done while you are there Chrome. Then not a power issue from then on. My priority will be ample power, the heat needs cooling and the cold means heating is my priority xxxoo
Have u considered trading in or part exchanging the current batteries for two 200A with canbat. I understand your reluctance however they did honor their product and looked after you
I've been using a 100AH Ampere Time battery for the past two months without issue, who knows what long term reliability will be or how it will handle winter in Canada. Their customer service has been overly helpful and amazing (to an annoying degree). I had to build a manual charging shut off into my electrical system because the battery isn't self-heating and doesn't have a low temp cut-off, but I knew this before buying. Ampere Time now has self-heating batteries, which I may upgrade to in the future. You may want to check out Lycan batteries, they're made in Canada and used by Foresty Forest.
Hey chrome larry and I put in 3 100amp hour Renergy batteries. We only went with them for price point too and they have the warming one for Canada winters. We haven’t yet put them through the test as we haven’t been in winter with them yet but if they withstand in our this winter they will in yours as our are mounted under the van not inside so they will really be put through the test.
Just an all in one...makes mounting in a van more difficult due to size. Then what happens when one function breaks??? send the whole thing off for $100 shipping to be repaired??? Or order a new part swap it out in a basic component based system
My Battle Born 100 Amp Hour was purchased 6 years ago, $999.99. Full time van lifer recharging off solar atop my minivan. Operates my 12v cooler 24/7. Never one issue.
What if you relocate your existing batteries from the front behind the drivers seat to the cubbie where you have your emergency items. Put the new batteries next to it where you were measuring the open space holding the chain saw. Just a thought since you mentioned keeping together. 👍👍 love watching your adventures!
Just keep looking for the batteries and if you find some and the price is a little bit to high bought it because those batteries are better so you can be sure that you and Cruz can stay warm in the winter
You probably need a battery with an internal heater. The SOK 206AH battery with heater (SK12V206H) is $1200 US, so a pair will give you 412AH for $2400 and the internal heater will help keep the batteries warm. That is less than 4 100AH batteries.
Regardless of brands, pros and cons... (for lack of experience) Maybe consider keeping the current setup and beef up the system in the ambo build? The back of my head remembers that that thing should become a back country beast and thus would really benefit from an abundance of power storage.
I have been using Renogy batteries for a while with no problems ! I run a pair of 100AH in parallel for everything for two years . You can get 200AH from them as well ! Renogy has a BC outlet too !
Looks like it’s the SOK for the win, I mean according to everyone in the comments, better bang for the buck sounds like those are the ones to beat. Stay safe Chrome and you’ll figure it out, it’s not like you have to do it like yesterday, certainly won’t see -30 on the island, but, having said that, if you wait, what are the prices going to be like next year even. It’s a tough call and I can relate to your stress about it.
Well at least you have options. As far as I can see none of those options are available in NZ. One problem living at the ends of the world.hahaha. And sometimes it just comes down to cost and can you get your hands on something.
On the channel "Living the van life" he has Battleborn batteries. He went to the Arctic circle in winter where land ends and the Arctic ocean begins. Massive cold temps and never had a problem with his batteries. This is one of those things where you cant go cheap. Sometimes you just have to swallow and pay for the best.
I love how he rips everything apart and shows the guts
Will Prowse has been spot on for what little products I've used because of his recommendations. I even bought his solar book. He definitely likes SOK products but he has also recommended similar products that were even cheaper. Oddly enough I trust Will 100 percent.
SOK all day! 206 Ah for $1,029 US. We have 8 of them that we are using to power a mobile television studio with an 18,000 btu mini split. They are performing magnificently.
Cruzie’s face when there was a missing shoe 👟 _It Wasn’t Me Dad!_
Great idea to make more improvements before winter comes 🔋☃️❄️
Ah, I see what you may be trying to accomplish.
Freebies 😉😉
Really enjoyed watching the combine video from beginning to now and find it funny that you was talking about not needing a extra battery in that vid to now talking about upgrading lol idk why but just comical in a way. I get it thou as in you where saying you didn’t have to have all that to enjoy van life and you got to upgrade as you make changes that’s just how it goes and enjoy all the content and regular uploads
I just installed my full solar by myself based on Will's schematics and products he has tested. He tested Weize 100Ah that I went with, he was happy about the BMS in that brand and they are $350 each, can put four in series if need that much storage, and way less expensive. Working beautifully! 100% trust Will's word!
Chrome, like you've mentioned before. This is something you want to last you the long term. Don't go cheaper now, save until you afford the best. The charging updates you're making might just be enough for now.
Facts
Again I will recommend for heat on those super cold BC nights....a minisplit roof mount!! Runs on only 400 watts, you could plug it into the Jackary to save your other power.
I don’t ☕️☕️☕️drive & I will Pray you find something now before 🥶 Winter🥶anyway!!🌨❄️
Sok 206ah really does seem like the best value for quality and ah...
I have the Renorgy self heating 100ah batteries for 2 years now and they work well in our Canadian winters in my car set up
Duct tape, bungee cords, & ziplock bags are a nomad’s happy supplies. I’m freaked out over the price of a battery for my jeep. I can only imagine what you’re dealing with Chrome. Things will figure themselves out. Hugs and love to you & Cruzie ❤️❤️
I went with Victron components and SOK batteries-3 100AH. They have worked perfectly. I'm glad I don't have the heated/bluetooth ones also. The simpler the better, imo. The bms's in the SOK's have great protection. And a killer price. The warranty is also excellent. As well as being able to replace an individual cell if one goes south. I literally bought my first two batteries before I had my van-after listening to Will Prouse and reading whatever I could find about them. I'd buy them again.
All batteries won't work when it's so cold. All must be kept warm when the weather forecast says the temperature will drop below freezing point.
Only difference is that some batteries can start themselves after shut down of the bms, and others like the canbat don't. So do your research, or keep the batteries warm enough.
Will Prowse is the man!
Loving the upgrade content!! Keep it coming!
You have saved me from suicide believe it or not by giving me faith to someday start vanlife after 15 years homeless and now in an apartment wayvtoo big and expensive for my life. Also want an electronic drum set in my van.
Go with what Will Prowse recommends he tests everything and you won't go wrong.
Tak!
Thanks Diana this was very nice of you
Not much, but should get you a cup of Coffee.
A key thing I feel is important is that Canbat took care of you. Yes it was an inconvenience, but service after the sale is sooo important. Battle borne is known for that as well.
When my son was little, I kept his toys organized With I ziplocks ; worked great!
Pretty installation around the batteries can help with extreme cold weather
Build your own, I did my 280ah for less than $900 US complete, just a thought. We Enjoy your videos
The Can Batts didn't fail. Their voltage dropped to low (because you were not charging them fast enough with solar or DC>DC) the internal heaters were drawing power further lowering the charge..This caused the heaters to put out less heat. The BMS shut the Batts down protecting them from damage. It was the severe cold, not enough insulation in your van or battery box that caused the issue.
Make a strap handle for getting those battery boxes in and out (zip ties)👍
For what it's worth, I just bought and installed 2 SOK 206 amp hour heated batteries for $1,200 each Canadian. I recommend the heated version to deal with our Canadian winter. Lithium doesn't charge well below 0 degrees Celius. I also have 400 watts of solar on my roof and I run a full 110 volt system for all appliances etc. You could just replace your 2 100 amp hour batteries with 206 amp hour batteries and upgrade your solar panels.
Chrome!
It's 1:15am here in the Philippines.... yet I'm awake, waiting for your new video.
I have 2 of the 206ah SOK batteries in my Transit and love them. Used one in my sprinter before that, never had an issue. Will 2 of the 206ah SOK batteries fit in your current compartment behind your driver seat? If so, that would give you 412ah without having to split your battery locations up
As soon as he said we're gonna go get some pizza, I had to thumbs up. Also I enjoy looking at how the battery system works and what is involved. Super important for vanlife.
🍁🇨🇦Love that saying “Normal life Sucks”😎😎
Hey Crome and Cruz. I hear Cruz snoring while your talking, Soo adorable 🥰. Thanks again for making my day!!! Always Love NewJersey ❤❤❤
AFAIK the Victron ones don’t include a BMS so you’d need to modify more of your electrical system to make them work
you. will figure what's best for you much love
I don't do well thinking about winter. But here it comes. The 5 the year!
Look at Renogy batteries Chrome. Great quality reasonable price.
you might want to consider a back up heater, idependant of your house power, don't be at a single point of failure with critical systems. you may also consider having the power tie in for your heater accessaable so you could jump it out to say your Jackery battery in an emerrgency.
I have (2) 206 ah SOKs also having watched Wills videos. Love them so far. Small footprint, big power.
Look at cycle life as well, with that sort of outlay you will be wanting to bring the batteries and charge controllers over to the next van if you have to make a change.
loving all the answers on the electrical system. what a cool crowd.
I binge watch your videos and learn new things every video.
Funny part is I don’t even can life
Yours and Mr Cruzie comfort and safty is numer one. Don't get cheap but buy what you know will do the job. Put in the two -Two hundred Amp hour batteries in the front and place the two - 100 CanBbats in back as a backup or give them to Ms Emi.😎
SOK batteries are the best imo. I've never had a problem. Don't even think about them.
Very well established company encourage you to research them👍
Chrome, I had a similar problem, and I just added a separate solar system with an independent reserve battery. 100 watt panel and Ampere 100ah lithium battery. When my house batteries get low, I know that I have a backup. It's a cheap option with pwm and cheap battery. 750 USD total.
PWM should not be used with Lithium batteries
I have 2- 12v 100ah Chins.... ambulance build w/400w solar. Because I'm poor.... 319.00 each
Call Joey, he's a genius at this stuff!
I love the whole time you hear Cruz snoring! 🥰🤩
Could you not put the huge jackery inline saving buying more battery's and it's already using space in your home plus with that then being plugged in inline you could pull it out at any time? I'm no electrician so don't know if this would be possible but would save cash and the space of adding more battery's?
Love when you are with the professionals 🤣 Pizza delivery. Hey Cruzie
Your batteries did what they were supposed to do at extremely low temps which you will probably hear others say the same thing… that being said, cost wise go with two more Canadian bat and hook a heating pad up to them to prevent the cold temp shut offs.
I did a winter campout last year in temperatures around -14F had my two battle borns heated with the pad and it worked great.
Hey what a change of heart from your first year...not needing power! 🤣
Thanks again Chrome! 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
Keep thinking!
I know absolutely nothing about batteries! But in general I believe in waiting and saving until I can afford the best!
But what if the "best" is just marketing and greed??? What if one can get the same quality an components in a different brand for less than half??? Only way to know is to research and awesome people like Will that actually tear things apart to tell us what's in there and show us paying more does NOT mean getting more.
@@mrmotofy I never said the best was the most expensive.
Chrome I think you answered your own question looks and sounds like you want rock the SOK batteries
Tu the best of my knowledge any battery will fail if too cold or too hot
Ready to upgrade myself again shorty LOL from 200 Ah and go too 🚀1kw no more playing 🏴☠️I’m not leaving van life anytime soon seen this .
EcoFlow DELTA Pro too able to pull up to one of them charge stations and just plug-in if needed.
Any decision come from the head , heart and cost matters but is it for you what matters
don't forget that to charge a lithium battery you must also have a lithium charger! The charging cycle is completely different from a gel or acid battery!
We run our entire off grid home on battleborn - we wanted a USA based company. No problems for the 5 years.
Sooner or later you will need a van you can stand up in even if the headroom is only by the entrance door and you will need more battery capacity. Also aluminum weighs less and is easier to clean than your wood fixtures.
Chrome, Battleborn has a partner program. They will definitely be interested in working with you. I can email you the PDF of their partner agreement if you like. I bet they match the SOK price.
I've had 2 206ah SOK's in my van for almost a year and they have performed flawlessly!!! I highly recommend them, especially for the price.
3 - 206ah is what I want to use for a roof a/c, fridge and induction cook top
Hey, Chrome, have you considered talking to Will Prowse directly? He might have better insights than any of us. Just sayin’… email him. Maybe he’d be interested in helping out.
Seems to make sense to run the fridge/freezer from the rear batteries, and take that load off the front mounted batteries. Distribute your electrical draws evenly, so you aren’t ever overburdening either with too many big draw pieces of equipment.
SOK all the way! I trust Wills opinion.
I had a small space heater on to charge in winter.but now batteries have heaters too.
Cruzie jumping off the bed when Chrome sat down "Really?" 🤣
I have 3 100ah Zooms lithium batts… 1 year with them has been awesome! Coldest temp thus far in vanlife has been -14f and the batts worked flawless… diesel heater kept the temp inside around 80f (I had to pop open a window 😂🤣)
Thanks!
Thanks for the love Matt
@@VANCITYVANLIFE Welcome Bro ! Have an epic day !
Whoop whoop upgrade !! Always enjoy watching ur journey, thanks for sharing 😊
Will is the guru. go with Will. Slava Will.👍
Sounds like it’s time for live stream and some super chats to fund your new batteries 🔋
Battleborn is also a well respected brand in the US
Hello mr Crome. Since you want battery why don't you put 2 between the front seat. You can make a step looking box for cruz to get up front. So you don't have to put them in the back of the van. Please let me know what your thoughts on this.
Watching this closely as whatever you decide I can get here in Australia. Get them done while you are there Chrome. Then not a power issue from then on. My priority will be ample power, the heat needs cooling and the cold means heating is my priority xxxoo
Anyone else keep looking around thinking there’s a monster behind them, then realize it’s just Cruze snoring in the background?! Just me? 😂🐶🥰
Have u considered trading in or part exchanging the current batteries for two 200A with canbat. I understand your reluctance however they did honor their product and looked after you
I've been using a 100AH Ampere Time battery for the past two months without issue, who knows what long term reliability will be or how it will handle winter in Canada. Their customer service has been overly helpful and amazing (to an annoying degree). I had to build a manual charging shut off into my electrical system because the battery isn't self-heating and doesn't have a low temp cut-off, but I knew this before buying. Ampere Time now has self-heating batteries, which I may upgrade to in the future.
You may want to check out Lycan batteries, they're made in Canada and used by Foresty Forest.
Me too, but have their 200 low one ... not the pro.. trying a Weize coming next day or so.
Hey chrome larry and I put in 3 100amp hour Renergy batteries. We only went with them for price point too and they have the warming one for Canada winters. We haven’t yet put them through the test as we haven’t been in winter with them yet but if they withstand in our this winter they will in yours as our are mounted under the van not inside so they will really be put through the test.
Chrome we did the Chinese 280 amp hr lifepo4 batteries and love them !! Less than $400 so if I double well you know !!
Ecoflow power generators. It’s an interesting next step. Expensive. Don’t have it, just intrigued.
Multiple ways to recharge including EV stations.
Just an all in one...makes mounting in a van more difficult due to size. Then what happens when one function breaks??? send the whole thing off for $100 shipping to be repaired??? Or order a new part swap it out in a basic component based system
My Battle Born 100 Amp Hour was purchased 6 years ago, $999.99. Full time van lifer recharging off solar atop my minivan. Operates my 12v cooler 24/7. Never one issue.
Just check to verify that the bms has low temp sensor. And ask Raynor about a heated battery box for the cold weather
I love my SOK batteries they are the 206 AH, I have 2 of them running in a 24 V system.
Check our Ampere time, they have the LiFePO4 cells as well. It’s about 379 US dollars for their 100AH battery.
What if you relocate your existing batteries from the front behind the drivers seat to the cubbie where you have your emergency items. Put the new batteries next to it where you were measuring the open space holding the chain saw. Just a thought since you mentioned keeping together. 👍👍 love watching your adventures!
Got some delicious Turtle pie and now I'm ready for some Chrome.
Just keep looking for the batteries and if you find some and the price is a little bit to high bought it because those batteries are better so you can be sure that you and Cruz can stay warm in the winter
You probably need a battery with an internal heater. The SOK 206AH battery with heater (SK12V206H) is $1200 US, so a pair will give you 412AH for $2400 and the internal heater will help keep the batteries warm. That is less than 4 100AH batteries.
Regardless of brands, pros and cons... (for lack of experience)
Maybe consider keeping the current setup and beef up the system in the ambo build? The back of my head remembers that that thing should become a back country beast and thus would really benefit from an abundance of power storage.
I have been using Renogy batteries for a while with no problems ! I run a pair of 100AH in parallel for everything for two years . You can get 200AH from them as well ! Renogy has a BC outlet too !
Looks like it’s the SOK for the win, I mean according to everyone in the comments, better bang for the buck sounds like those are the ones to beat. Stay safe Chrome and you’ll figure it out, it’s not like you have to do it like yesterday, certainly won’t see -30 on the island, but, having said that, if you wait, what are the prices going to be like next year even. It’s a tough call and I can relate to your stress about it.
Hey Chrome!!!
Well at least you have options. As far as I can see none of those options are available in NZ. One problem living at the ends of the world.hahaha. And sometimes it just comes down to cost and can you get your hands on something.
What Mr. Bodara said as well. The lithium battery cannot operate below 0, you have to keep them warm and insulated from the extreme cold.
Sorry that was Mr Botari.
On the channel "Living the van life" he has Battleborn batteries. He went to the Arctic circle in winter where land ends and the Arctic ocean begins. Massive cold temps and never had a problem with his batteries. This is one of those things where you cant go cheap. Sometimes you just have to swallow and pay for the best.
Today SOK are the second best to battleborn. They will be for my vanbuild.
Try Renogy, that’s what I have in mine here in NS.
You can sell the Can Bat's to offset the cost of your upgrade. Just a thought. Prowse rocks!