I have a couple of power banks that I use for charging small devices overnight and they work a treat. I then ensure I plug those in to charge while I’m driving, as my house battery (a 100AH Lithium Iron LiFePO4) charges via the alternator while I drive.
It is much cheaper to do it your self system, but you also then need to understand basic electronics, so you don't burn your van up. Like I've seen people use 240V 10A extension lead wire for their battery connections. It will work for just LED lighting, but those people risk going up in flames. Also the wire being too thin acts as a heater, and you'll loose energy as it travels between batteries or out to your appliance.
Hey Brenna, I have a power station with an expansion battery that attaches to it 2048wh x2, I'm fully electric. In case you are interested, I found an easy way to charge when not using solar, I had an auto electrician connect the car battery through a relay and then through the firewall of my van using cables, attached to a separate 1,000-1,500 Watt inverter, this will only turn on when the ignition is on and the battery is at the right voltage for power to be drawn from it, due to the relay and again when the ignition is turned off it automatically shuts off so it won't drain your car battery. I then attach the 240 volt power adaptor into the outlet on the inverter and the other end is attached to my power station, it usually only takes 1-2 hrs of driving and my 2048wh x2 powerstations are charged up. It didn't cost much to have an auto electrician do that for me and less than an hour, I think it was approximately under $200 all up. My trip to Tassy for 5 months, it was used a lot, and so handy, I would highly recommend this set up if anyone has a power station and if you have your solar panel on the roof, like my set up, you get both powering your system at the same time while driving. If you only have your solar panel, my powerstation and expansion battery used to be charged up fully by lunch time and that was when I was using my laptop and starlink for 4 hrs in the morning, in WA.
Thanks for sharing Vicki, EcoFlow have a similar system where you can hook up the power station directly to the battery. I am going to see if I can get them to send me one for review.
@@BrennaLivingJoyfully you are very welcome, thank you also, I would definitely do that if I was you, it's so handy, you can even just run your engine while you're stationery/parked, I've done that a lot too. That ecoflow version they have I think it's 800W, mine is only 500W, so you'd be charged up in no time at all...lol
Thanks again for another great video Brenna. Love watching them. You are very informative in the most simplest way .. never pushy on any product that you are doing the research on, you tell it like it is. Thanks again .. Terri from Tas..
Regarding fridges, it also helps to ensure they're not in direct sunlight. I've seen some folks running a teardrop arrangement with their fridge in the open and when the sun was shining on the fridge the compressor was constantly running and struggling to maintain their set temperature. We run an Alpicool C50 off of our Jackery Explorer 1000 (1002 watt hours) and we could run the fridge for roughly three days (it draws up to 45w when the compressor is on) without charging if we use it for nothing else. That never happens though, as we charge when we drive.
Thank Brenna, appreciate All your information sharing ( and other commenters ) Adding to my list of needs. Hugs to Abby; what a beautiful warmer you have in her 🥰
Get yourself the EcoFlow 800w Alternator Charger - absolute game changer! Connect to your van battery, plug into your Delta 2 and will charge from 0%-100% in just over an hour of driving. So much better than messing around with solar panels.
If you've got the money, buy a 12v LiFePO 200AH with good specs, other words constant output of 100Amps or higher. 200Amp output is considered good. That's enough for most uses, but unlike a electrical grid based house, you can only have one big draw at a time. Like kettle and toaster, at once, will trip your inverter or breakers (depending on specs). Then you'll need to wire it all up, with the proper width wire, with fuses and switches. Alternatively buy a high-end power-bank solution like Brenda has that will save you the wiring, fuses, and compatibility expectations. You want around 300watts or more of solar. You will get overcast days, and if you're using energy to cook, then you'll want every bit of sun energy as possible. This also means targetting low consumption gear, like a laptop, vs a desktop computer. A induction cooker, rather than a hot plate. In my next build I'll be going straight to 48V system. Currently I have 12volt base.
@@BrennaLivingJoyfully I basically don’t even need to ask - you are so well researched..I can trust you totally!! I’ve been recommended dometic by a boating too.
@@BrennaLivingJoyfully what brand are solar panels? The portable power Banks ( brand and capacity plse) are a great idea! charge them while at the local library!
@@KiwiwandererI have a Dometic CFX. It’s a 35L fridge freezer (I can move it with stuff inside it) but I only use as a fridge. I tested a little 30ah lithium lifepo4 battery in cool weather indoors exclusively for the fridge and it ran the fridge for 2 1/2 days with everyday use. It would use more power if it was in my camper trailer because it gets warmer outside during the day especially in summer.
I have a couple of power banks that I use for charging small devices overnight and they work a treat. I then ensure I plug those in to charge while I’m driving, as my house battery (a 100AH Lithium Iron LiFePO4) charges via the alternator while I drive.
Yes a couple of power banks would be very useful, also a battery charger which you probably already have
It is much cheaper to do it your self system, but you also then need to understand basic electronics, so you don't burn your van up. Like I've seen people use 240V 10A extension lead wire for their battery connections. It will work for just LED lighting, but those people risk going up in flames. Also the wire being too thin acts as a heater, and you'll loose energy as it travels between batteries or out to your appliance.
Hey Brenna, I have a power station with an expansion battery that attaches to it 2048wh x2, I'm fully electric.
In case you are interested, I found an easy way to charge when not using solar, I had an auto electrician connect the car battery through a relay and then through the firewall of my van using cables, attached to a separate 1,000-1,500 Watt inverter, this will only turn on when the ignition is on and the battery is at the right voltage for power to be drawn from it, due to the relay and again when the ignition is turned off it automatically shuts off so it won't drain your car battery.
I then attach the 240 volt power adaptor into the outlet on the inverter and the other end is attached to my power station, it usually only takes 1-2 hrs of driving and my 2048wh x2 powerstations are charged up.
It didn't cost much to have an auto electrician do that for me and less than an hour, I think it was approximately under $200 all up.
My trip to Tassy for 5 months, it was used a lot, and so handy, I would highly recommend this set up if anyone has a power station and if you have your solar panel on the roof, like my set up, you get both powering your system at the same time while driving.
If you only have your solar panel, my powerstation and expansion battery used to be charged up fully by lunch time and that was when I was using my laptop and starlink for 4 hrs in the morning, in WA.
Thanks for sharing Vicki, EcoFlow have a similar system where you can hook up the power station directly to the battery. I am going to see if I can get them to send me one for review.
@@BrennaLivingJoyfully you are very welcome, thank you also, I would definitely do that if I was you, it's so handy, you can even just run your engine while you're stationery/parked, I've done that a lot too. That ecoflow version they have I think it's 800W, mine is only 500W, so you'd be charged up in no time at all...lol
Thanks again for another great video Brenna. Love watching them. You are very informative in the most simplest way .. never pushy on any product that you are doing the research on, you tell it like it is. Thanks again .. Terri from Tas..
You are so welcome!
Hi Brenna, great idea about the smaller power banks. Doggie looks cosy.
Regarding fridges, it also helps to ensure they're not in direct sunlight. I've seen some folks running a teardrop arrangement with their fridge in the open and when the sun was shining on the fridge the compressor was constantly running and struggling to maintain their set temperature.
We run an Alpicool C50 off of our Jackery Explorer 1000 (1002 watt hours) and we could run the fridge for roughly three days (it draws up to 45w when the compressor is on) without charging if we use it for nothing else. That never happens though, as we charge when we drive.
That is very helpful, thank you Brenna!
Always like seeing some options! Thanks for sharing! ~Karen & Shannon WOY
Thanks for watching!
Thank Brenna, appreciate All your information sharing ( and other commenters )
Adding to my list of needs.
Hugs to Abby; what a beautiful warmer you have in her 🥰
You are so welcome!
Get yourself the EcoFlow 800w Alternator Charger - absolute game changer! Connect to your van battery, plug into your Delta 2 and will charge from 0%-100% in just over an hour of driving. So much better than messing around with solar panels.
Cool! Didn't know these existed.
THANK Brena , love how you share and seek input from other Travellers. Great advice . travel Safe 👍🏻🙏🏻🙋🏻♀️🇦🇺
Thanks so much!
thanks brenna. good stuff
No worries!
If you've got the money, buy a 12v LiFePO 200AH with good specs, other words constant output of 100Amps or higher. 200Amp output is considered good. That's enough for most uses, but unlike a electrical grid based house, you can only have one big draw at a time. Like kettle and toaster, at once, will trip your inverter or breakers (depending on specs). Then you'll need to wire it all up, with the proper width wire, with fuses and switches. Alternatively buy a high-end power-bank solution like Brenda has that will save you the wiring, fuses, and compatibility expectations. You want around 300watts or more of solar. You will get overcast days, and if you're using energy to cook, then you'll want every bit of sun energy as possible. This also means targetting low consumption gear, like a laptop, vs a desktop computer. A induction cooker, rather than a hot plate.
In my next build I'll be going straight to 48V system. Currently I have 12volt base.
Thanks for the information 😊
Great article about electric power consumption.
With this cold weather, do you use an electric blanket or electric heater at all?
Love to dear Abby.
I use the dog, she is the best foot warmer!
Very informative. Very practical. Thank you!! How big is your fridge? Make and model plse. I’ve heard chest freezer much more efficient. Great tips.
My fridge is a Dometic 28 litre, model cfx28
@@BrennaLivingJoyfully I basically don’t even need to ask - you are so well researched..I can trust you totally!! I’ve been recommended dometic by a boating too.
@@BrennaLivingJoyfully what brand are solar panels? The portable power Banks ( brand and capacity plse) are a great idea! charge them while at the local library!
@@KiwiwandererI have a Dometic CFX. It’s a 35L fridge freezer (I can move it with stuff inside it) but I only use as a fridge. I tested a little 30ah lithium lifepo4 battery in cool weather indoors exclusively for the fridge and it ran the fridge for 2 1/2 days with everyday use. It would use more power if it was in my camper trailer because it gets warmer outside during the day especially in summer.
@@jazzycool2950 thank you - the comments are so informative
Hi Brenna, I'm also in Australia just wondering what provider you use with your star link please?
Starlink is the provider
What are those power banks you have? They look super chonky! I think I need to upgrade mine soon perhaps.
I was wondering this also @BrennaLivingJoyfully
It is a Cygnett 20,000 mAh - I got it free with my telstra points.
@@BrennaLivingJoyfully score!!