Silver Dream Machine - aka campervan mk2

[richbee]

I've sold my previous self-converted transit custom, and have a new, larger, blank canvas in this full size transit
I've started insulating & putting a new ply floor down, while planning how to fit everything in that we want.

I'm aiming to go as much electric as possible, so induction hob, low power kettle, electric hot water heating, I might even try vehicle heating with a small fan heater - although I will fit a cheap Chinese diesel heater as a backup (and much easier to fit up front & not as an afterthought).

So, solar panels on the roof are a must - just working out how much space on the roof & what type./sizr of panels will fit

[Stinsy]

Looks good! How stealthy are you going?

The Perlight 1500mm panels are popular in this application, however you should be able to get 1700mm panels on there too.

What are your leisure battery plans? 4s LF280k? Are you planning to have the leisure and starter batteries both charged from the alternator?

[AGT]

Nice, I need to get my van sold!

[Joeboy]

Damn, wish I could see the photos, will enjoy when I'm back home. We'll done btw!

[richbee]

Looks good! How stealthy are you going?

The Perlight 1500mm panels are popular in this application, however you should be able to get 1700mm panels on there too.

What are your leisure battery plans? 4s LF280k? Are you planning to have the leisure and starter batteries both charged from the alternator?

Thanks! Not really planning stealthy, thinking about getting it recognised by dvla as a camper, so would need 'graphics' as well as windows & an awning.

The issue with solar is that I also want a roof vent, which would get in the way of a 'full size' panel, roof racks tend to be ~1600mm wide, so a 1700mm panel would have to go lengthwise.
I'm looking at a couple of the eco-worthy 195W versions currently, like Joe bought for his.

Battery wise, I've also been looking at the eco-worthy 280Ah battery, it's just under £400 currently including BMS & Bluetooth connection , not sure how that compares to the direct Chinese versions?

I've also been looking at some of the portable power packs to do the 230V, eg Vtoman 1500 flashspeed - that would give flexibility to cook away from the van /run small power tools remotely.
I that case I was thinking about 1 solar panel for the leisure battery and 1 for the power bank.

I would definitely fit a dc-dc alternator charger for the leisure battery, they worked really well on my last van, especially useful for those December Scotland trips when solar would be lacking!

There are so many variations possible, I'll make my mind up eventually.

I have taken the first step - bought an eco-worthy 10W solar trickle charger for the van battery
I managed to flatten the battery a couple of times on the previous van while converting during lockdown. The eventual solution was to have a dc-dc charger which also trickle charges the van battery, which worked a treat, but they are few and far between currently

[Joeboy]

Not carried out much testing but the 390W was generating enough spot power to do an induction hob 1 gallon chilli con cook for about 3 hrs without depleting the battery at all.

I now appreciate the value of the extra capacity so we can go onto the evening with a fully charged battery regardless of what we are likely to get up to through the day

[AGT]

Fully agree with the extra capacity thing.

Didn’t appreciate it but the garage extra panels are kicking in 10+kWh these days not bad for a poorly misaligned roof and second hand gear…

Now getting washing machine/ etc used with no import

[Stinsy]

Battery wise, I've also been looking at the eco-worthy 280Ah battery, it's just under £400 currently including BMS & Bluetooth connection , not sure how that compares to the direct Chinese versions?

There are very likely 4x LF280k cells in there. Feels like madness to pay £400 for that when these are under £50: https://www.fogstar.co.uk/collections/l ... ll-grade-b

[richbee]

Battery wise, I've also been looking at the eco-worthy 280Ah battery, it's just under £400 currently including BMS & Bluetooth connection , not sure how that compares to the direct Chinese versions?

There are very likely 4x LF280k cells in there. Feels like madness to pay £400 for that when these are under £50: https://www.fogstar.co.uk/collections/l ... ll-grade-b

But you need 4 of them, plus case & BMS etc? Is there a readily available BMS for 12v systems?

[Stinsy]

Battery wise, I've also been looking at the eco-worthy 280Ah battery, it's just under £400 currently including BMS & Bluetooth connection , not sure how that compares to the direct Chinese versions?

There are very likely 4x LF280k cells in there. Feels like madness to pay £400 for that when these are under £50: https://www.fogstar.co.uk/collections/l ... ll-grade-b

But you need 4 of them, plus case & BMS etc? Is there a readily available BMS for 12v systems?

There are plenty of 4s BMSs available, typically between £50-100 depending on how much power you want it to handle (100-400A).

Edited to add that you don't necessarily need a BMS that can handle all the current you want. You can have the BMS control a relay. Eg : https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/226477740044