Dual Battery vs Battery Pack - Which is Better?

[@solosaga5091]

Thanks for the thoughtful comparisons. My electrical needs are minimal. My Alternator is only 60A. Given the investment required for an alternator upgrade, separate charge controller and battery, the costs, including permanent space and weight allocation, made a portable solution more sensible for my application.
Additionally, the battery "rides" on the same removable tray as the frig. This provides the flexibility to put the entire working assembly into another vehicle, and/or leave it out for base camp, home use, or general vehicle weight reduction.

[@fletcherbrown728]

Did I miss it or did you not discuss the inverter and actual access to the energy stored in a battery? You cant plug anything into a battery to utilize the stored energy. so just comparing the capacity leaves out some of the most important factors in making a decision. Power systems or (battery packs) offer an entire solution - while a dual battery only provides the starting point in actually having something that you can use.

[@jailbreakoverlander]

Thats easy both, main battery is a 100AH AGM AUX is 100 AH lithium thru red arc and I roll with ecoflow 1100

[@bullet1488666]

What’s good brother miss ya here on yt digressing and whatnot always used your knowledge as therapy knowing that at least I knew lol if that makes since have a good day bro …or don’t … lol but do actually have a good day

[@stevesidare2493]

Another consideration is breakdown. Having separate components means you can just replace/repair the component. With all-in-one systems the whole thing has to be repaired (sent back to manufacturer) or simply tossed - the whole thing - if there's something wrong.

[@shaweehillsworkshop4226]

This is a perfect video you hit all the pros and cons!

[@imagezero]

Thank you, exactly the info I needed, well done!

[@SnowIsMyTerrain]

Excellent video - I think this will be one of the videos I show folks when they ask me this question. I'm firmly into the dual battery camp since I'll want >= 5kWh (electric saws + hedge trimmers use a lot of energy clearing trail) so I sometimes get into the weeds and confuse folks.
The only caveat I'd add to look out for with the battery packs: Make sure you check the self discharge! The AC200P can lose 1% per hour just being on, while my aux battery losing a basically meaningless amount.

[@NoExpertButExperienced]

I was going the route of the battery pack but after research & my needs. I'm going with the dual battery system. Thanks for the video. I subscribe bro

[@ihatemybosses]

I run a dorm fridge 100 percent of the time in my Astro van camper. Permanent computer, 40" tv, diesel heater and evaporative cooler in the summer. I am @ 300 amp hours battery with 400 watts solar on the roof. In the summer I am closer to the limit of the battery bank than I like. Really I need 400 amp hours worth. I am doing the van life thing so my demands are definitely higher than usual.
No jeep but it did make it over Imogene so I am having a lot of fun in the summer.

[@RevereOverland]

That's good to know. What sort of amp draw do you get from the evaporative cooler?

[@grumpywiferecommends2532]

@@RevereOverland I could get down with an evaporative cooler if AC isn’t available.

[@australoffroad]

Great video!! I was looking for something like this. Very precise and with a lot of common sense mixed with real experience. I am turning my Wrangler into an overland vehicle, and thanks to your video, I feel I could make the right decisions now. I am very handy for making/installing things, so that is no problem for me, but the common sense and experience you shared is AWESOME!!!!
Thanks man!

[@damonvo456]

Great channel, ton of info for those of us who interested in Offroad/Overlanding. Thank you!!

[@boomeribe]

Great video. I have roof mounted solar panel that goes to a Victron 75/15 MPPT charge controller right into a Jackery 1000. Works for me to use a fridge and a CPAP (uses about 25% while sleeping). I went this way mainly for the ability to take the Jackery out and use it for other things when not camping. Will probably upgrade to battery in a couple years when I retire and have more time to travel.

[@RevereOverland]

I had a Jackery 1000 for a while and it worked great. What advantage does the Victron charge controller give you?

[@solosaga5091]

Are you using a 12V cig adapter for your CPAP? If not, I'd suggest making that change. They use VERY little power in that configuration vs the DC to AC to DC parasitic conversion draw of the 110 plug.

[@BlueWonderLady]

This is the BEST video I have seen on this topic. Thank you!

[@CapitanFantasma1776]

Great info! Thanks!

[@gearlist]

Great points and pros/cons here 👍

[@crashing4569]

It’s about time someone did this video

[@alandowney4458]

Wow great info. I appreciate it. I am getting one of my vehicles setup for overloading. It's a 1973 710M Pingauer. Its a 24 volt system. SoI'm trying to figure out a good system for it. I'd have a fridge plus I have to use a CPAP machine to breathe. So I'm really not sure what setup to run. I'll have some other electronics that'll need to be charged but nothing to taxing on a battery or solar generator. Thanks for the video.

[@RevereOverland]

The Pinzgauer looks fantastic! That's a great rig! Redarc have 24v systems, but I honestly don't know a lot about them.

[@alandowney4458]

@@RevereOverland okay I’ll look into that. I also sent an email to the people you mentioned in the video. My part-timers is acting up. My little joke when I forget information. Thanks for the reply. Whenever your in Colorado look me up. Have a great evening.

[@solosaga5091]

Be sure to source a 12V cigarette plug adapter for your CPAP. They use very little power with those.
My setup is a Jackery 300 for the frig., and a small jumpbox for the CPAP.

[@wholesomegamer]

Very helpful in general, good video. Maybe make another one of how to use a battery guard to prevent any setup from sucking your main battery dry. An often overlooked thing and there is a wide range of options from cheap to expensive. I would be interested in something like that.
You made the dual battery setup install look very simple. But for a beginner that is not the case. It´s not just the equipment, but also the installation itself. Like drilling holes in your car, routing a lot of cables from your engine to the battery setup, choosing the right cables and connectors, etc.
In terms of customization I disagree. Just use splitters for the USB and 12V outlets. I route cables from the battery spot in my car to the kitchen, "office", etc. an put a splitter at the end. pretty much the same you would do with a dual battery setup.
Again, great video, very good explanations.

[@RevereOverland]

I'll be doing a couple of videos on a simple dual battery setup soon! For a battery pack I made sure it only charged when the engine was running, and for dual battery the best way is with something like the BCDC1225D.

[@truesight91]

Got a eb55 battery station but now feeling I will add extension battery and inverter for extra days off grid in the shade.

[@livingworkingoutsidebox]

Some really good points. It's good to have one on location for that quick power charge or running some lights

[@liesejunh]

Thanks for the information. I think for me, I’m going to go the diy route. I haven’t really seen a power station that has a good solution for strapping down in a vehicle. In addition I don’t really like 12v sockets. I think they have a lot of potential to come loose. In addition, the location that I would like to store my power, would need insulating, which is much easier to do going the diy route. But I think ultimately I will end up with both solutions.

[@easemailboxes]

Just got a Engel series 2 smart battery box with lithium battery. Could not be more comfy.

[@nevinsood3846]

Good video but I feel you overlooked the need and significant additional cost of an inverter (for 110/240v) with a dual battery system - that would make this comparable with the battery banks you showed that have integrated inverters.
While the RedArc has an integrated solar input, not all dual battery chargers do, so there may be an additional cost for an MPPT solar controller for the dual battery system that is integrated in many Battery banks for direct connection of solar panels.
Just wanted to shine some light on these additions as I went through the exact same journey - and kind of wish I just went with a battery bank!

[@RevereOverland]

A 500W pure sine wave inverter is $70!

[@exploringparks]

You're a wealth of knowledge man!

[@dabblingoutdoors]

Great comparison video. Will help me decide what to do with my m416 build

[@njgagen]

Thank you. Great video lots of very useful information.

[@haddahgutful1876]

How about comparing to an eco flow delta max

[@mrzif0013]

just what i needed. thanks....

[@ZachBrimhall]

Great info and video👍🏻

[@kbru78]

What a great video. Thanks for all the info man. 👍🔥, Time to do some math as a weekend warrior and see if I can get by without spending so much money lol. 😂

[@AllThingsOverlanding]

Great video man. Very well said.

[@desertqwest]

I've been binge watching your content and enjoying the amazing journeys you take (just sub'd). Your cinematic drone footage is second to none. I will be setting up a first gen tacoma in the near future and I camp at least once a year for about 5-7 days in 110° - 120° heat in the Sonoran Desert. The rest of my trips will be in temperatures a bit more moderate but I do live in San Diego and venture out at any given time and it gets very hot. Do you think a battery pack with solar to keep it charged would be adequate to run a fridge for that many days in such harsh conditions? Should I just save for dual battery? I want something that will last for say, 5 years or so. Is there anything else I should be asking? I don't want to break the bank, but I do want it to keep my food and drinks cold while I am camping on the surface of the sun. lol
Keep up the great work! You have inspired me to be better and to learn so I can improve my channel. Difficult to find the time to produce consistently, but I keep on keepin' on.

[@josecorpus1267]

What inverter would you recommend? I have a 100ah 12v lifpo4

[@NigelNaughton]

Also a thing to consider is how long will you have the vehicle. There is a lot of work involved to wire it correctly and efficiently so if you do all that work and turn around and change vehicles in a year or two you will have to either rip it all out and install again or leave it and buy new. I got an amazing deal on the EcoFlow River Pro and that has 800 cycles which if you do the math that's about 3 years if charging and discharging every day (which I don't) and then those batteries are still at 80% after their life cycles so it isn't too bad. Main thing is to assess what you need it for now and what you expect to be doing in a couple years...buy once cry once.

[@RevereOverland]

That's a really good point too! Anyone who takes out alternating vehicles is probably better off with the battery packs too.

[@hummerguy]

To be fair, I'll probably never get rid of mines so the lithium battery will be perfect for me

[@cathbp4089]

Thanks good one. I think I have the answer but to check...I want to run a 40 ltr fridge in my 4x4 full time and am thinking about a blueti or similar. I like the idea of the integrated solution and it being mobile. I will also need to charge some minor devices, maybe some additional ights but not much more than that. What size do you think I would need?

[@alwayssunnyinbayside]

I'd go with a dual battery system or at least a 1000w battery bank. Currently I run a 45L fridge with a Jackery 500. The Jackery will power it for about 3-4 days, while also charging phones, speakers, lights, etc. It's good for weekend trips, but 500w isn't enough to power a fridge full time, unless you have a solar panel or you drive A LOT.

[@philambrez]

Great Video explaining the difference between the two different ways the two are rated. It's quite disingenuous for Power Stations to use Wh rather than the standardized Ah to confuse people into comparing apples to oranges.

[@mikepierson3097]

Nicely done

[@lanceboudreau3630]

I have room for two batteries under my hood. The original starter battery and one right next to it. Could I replace the starter battery with one of those batteries and put another one right next to it. Obviously with the charge controller

[@ajsinanan]

Really good video, especially for people like myself new to solar. Can u have a hybrid type system, get a battery pack and have a backup like a 50ah lifpro4 to increase capacity when needed?

[@midsouthaerials7178]

Currently looking into a drawer system and battery for my LX 570. What was the company in East Tn?

[@nyjunie1941]

I am planning to go car camping with small e bike( 250 w. 36v. 10 Amp hr. Battery) and car fridge first time.
Would you please recommend what size battery should I get?

[@TrailRunn4r]

Very useful information! Thank you

[@sambowles9746]

Thanks Rob, another great video. Do you have a recommendation for a battery box to enable the auxiliary battery to be easily removed when not needed? I’ve been looking for a 200 Ah box without luck. Best I’ve seen for this available stateside is from Hardkorr, but it’s bloody expensive and won’t fit a 200 Ah LiFePO4 battery. Great setup with the RedArc gear.

[@gerald4nomads]

I think the best battery box is a arkpak because you can but any battery in it

[@newlifeoverland226]

Rob what panel are you running for solar to the red arc? I need to call David and get his suggestion but I’m wanting to put a flexible panel on our new hard shell rtt so when we’re out it’s keeping everything topped off

[@RevereOverland]

I have Redarc's 100W solar briefcase. They announced it today, along with a couple of solar blankets. The solar blankets are supposed to be really good, especially for cloudy situations.

[@jilmarkregencia869]

Do you have 220 volt output?

[@leilanicole2268]

What about charging a a Jackery with a dc/dc charger? Sprinter Discovery does this with a Goal Zero and a Victron, but I can't find anyone else doing this. Curious to get your take. Thanks for your videos - they are really fantastic!

[@RevereOverland]

I've heard about some Goal Zero hacks you can do to make them charge faster, but I'm not familiar with them.

[@solosaga5091]

I don't know about their other models, but the newer Jackery 300 can be charged simultaneously through the "normal" charge port and the USB-C in/out. I've not done it as yet, but I've read it basically cuts charge time in half.
They already have charge controllers built in, so, I'm not sure of the benefit a DC-DC charger brings. I'm pretty satisfied with mine maxing out at about 85W recharge on a 40A cig outlet circuit (without using the above "hack"). Your results may vary 😉

[@payloadperformance9706]

i’ll just go with a Quad battery set up 😂

[@X862go]

5:20 you said dual battery twice 🤷‍♂️

[@Peter-xtreme]

Great info but the links are worthless, all Amazon links show not currently available and they don't show pricing, one of the links leads to an error page. Amazon rarely has items in stock so it isn't just the links provided here. It could be due to me being in Australia, whatever the cause it is frustrating.

[@RevereOverland]

Sorry, that probably is because of your location. I'm not sure Bluetti sell in Australia? Redarc definitely do though!

[@mikei8957]

Can you use a red arc to charge the Bluetti faster ?

[@RevereOverland]

Yes, if you have a 2nd battery to run an inverter off it'll charge the Bluetti very quickly. That's how I charge my Jackery since it's quicker than direct from 12v.

[@WolfOverland]

soooo you get what you pay for? buy once cry once?

[@bradha562]

$1300+ for the Manager 30 that doesn't include a battery, you must be making a killing on youtube. Who the hell has room to carry 350 watts of solar panels?

[@RevereOverland]

Priorities - I drive a