Ok it may seem like madness to spend some £3k on a leisure battery, but after a few weeks of consideration and deliberation I decided to go for it!
There were a number of reasons why I took the leap of faith but it was essentially about being independent and being able to be off grid. Also about efficiency (battery weight, solar utilisation etc). Also I was putting the battery into my middle of the range van and this upgrade I would have gladly taken as an option at purchase time.
Now it's fitted, here are my first thoughts.
Fitting
It replaced two 110Ah leisure batteries and went under the passenger seat of my Chausson 718EB Welcome passenger seat, replacing said batteries. The approved fitters had to remove some of the floor insulation to get it in properly but it was safely mounted with relative ease. They took the seat out for easy access but no great shakes. It was mounted plugs facing rearwards and this made the lights and buttons fairly easily visible and accessible.
Powering Up and Charging
It powered up no problem and showed 13v straight away. It connected to the Android app (no iOS version available yet no matter what any website says) very easily via bluetooth. There is some useful info available immediately but it said it needed to charge to 14.2v before any history was available. So a long drive and some charging via the solar panels sorted that.
App
As mentioned there is an iOS app coming but I found the Android version pretty clunky. So didn't use it generally. I look forward to upgrades! Take a look at the web for the app description.
Solar Input
The instruction is not to use any solar regulator inline with the EZA. Instead the panels go directly to the EZA solar input plugs and the inbuilt EZA regulator and circuitry is used. Previously, with the 2x110Ah batteries the 2 x 100w solar panels would keep them topped up in Mediterranean climates and in good weather in the uk. But in the winter I would need to plug in the van when not in use otherwise the batteries would deplete. However, using the same panels, and the EZA inbuilt regulator, the single EZA battery charges nicely. It gradually increases from 13.4v to 14.2v over about 2 weeks.
So clearly the solar utilisation and efficiency is much better.
1500w Inverter
I had an inverter fitted that switches in automatically when there is no 240v plugged in to the van. It works well and the EZA copes well when in use. It does not overly deplete and there are no noises or heat coming from it. We don't use the inverter excessively but I think it would be good for quite a bit of use.
Off Grid
The costs for 240v site power are increasing UK and abroad but obviously investing in an EZA is not going to be covered for quite some time by not having to pay for onsite electricity! But what we found it became irrelevant whether we were plugged in or not - the experience was the same. I suppose I could use the lack of need to buy campsite power to add weight to my decision to buy the EZA but that would simply be kidding myself somewhat It is true to say though, we do feel very much more independent and don't really think about having to have campsite power or it's the end of the world! We are free to choose better pitches with a nicer view or more secluded spots. Wild camping - no issue on that score either.
Supply and Fit
I bought from RoadPro. Purchase experience was adequate but as they could not fit for quite a while I opted for approved fitters in the South West. North Road Motorhome and Caravan Servicing. They are excellent and can be trusted to do the job right. No cutting corners.
Conclusion
No matter how you look at it, they are not good value for money. 2/3 of the current price would be more agreeable. Maybe half. But if you feel that the cost is less important then I can say the EZA is an excellent addition to your motorhome experience. It provides freedom and really does get the best out of your solar panels - summer or winter.
There were a number of reasons why I took the leap of faith but it was essentially about being independent and being able to be off grid. Also about efficiency (battery weight, solar utilisation etc). Also I was putting the battery into my middle of the range van and this upgrade I would have gladly taken as an option at purchase time.
Now it's fitted, here are my first thoughts.
Fitting
It replaced two 110Ah leisure batteries and went under the passenger seat of my Chausson 718EB Welcome passenger seat, replacing said batteries. The approved fitters had to remove some of the floor insulation to get it in properly but it was safely mounted with relative ease. They took the seat out for easy access but no great shakes. It was mounted plugs facing rearwards and this made the lights and buttons fairly easily visible and accessible.
Powering Up and Charging
It powered up no problem and showed 13v straight away. It connected to the Android app (no iOS version available yet no matter what any website says) very easily via bluetooth. There is some useful info available immediately but it said it needed to charge to 14.2v before any history was available. So a long drive and some charging via the solar panels sorted that.
App
As mentioned there is an iOS app coming but I found the Android version pretty clunky. So didn't use it generally. I look forward to upgrades! Take a look at the web for the app description.
Solar Input
The instruction is not to use any solar regulator inline with the EZA. Instead the panels go directly to the EZA solar input plugs and the inbuilt EZA regulator and circuitry is used. Previously, with the 2x110Ah batteries the 2 x 100w solar panels would keep them topped up in Mediterranean climates and in good weather in the uk. But in the winter I would need to plug in the van when not in use otherwise the batteries would deplete. However, using the same panels, and the EZA inbuilt regulator, the single EZA battery charges nicely. It gradually increases from 13.4v to 14.2v over about 2 weeks.
So clearly the solar utilisation and efficiency is much better.
1500w Inverter
I had an inverter fitted that switches in automatically when there is no 240v plugged in to the van. It works well and the EZA copes well when in use. It does not overly deplete and there are no noises or heat coming from it. We don't use the inverter excessively but I think it would be good for quite a bit of use.
Off Grid
The costs for 240v site power are increasing UK and abroad but obviously investing in an EZA is not going to be covered for quite some time by not having to pay for onsite electricity! But what we found it became irrelevant whether we were plugged in or not - the experience was the same. I suppose I could use the lack of need to buy campsite power to add weight to my decision to buy the EZA but that would simply be kidding myself somewhat It is true to say though, we do feel very much more independent and don't really think about having to have campsite power or it's the end of the world! We are free to choose better pitches with a nicer view or more secluded spots. Wild camping - no issue on that score either.
Supply and Fit
I bought from RoadPro. Purchase experience was adequate but as they could not fit for quite a while I opted for approved fitters in the South West. North Road Motorhome and Caravan Servicing. They are excellent and can be trusted to do the job right. No cutting corners.
Conclusion
No matter how you look at it, they are not good value for money. 2/3 of the current price would be more agreeable. Maybe half. But if you feel that the cost is less important then I can say the EZA is an excellent addition to your motorhome experience. It provides freedom and really does get the best out of your solar panels - summer or winter.