Off-Grid Freedom: Stellar Campervan Install by Offgrid Solutions

[banbury]

We got our shiny new campervan over Christmas (best present ever!) and it arrived in January. While we’re not wild campers yet, we wanted the freedom to go off-grid for a few days—so upgrades were on the cards.

Thanks to glowing MHF recommendations, we turned to Roger and Nigel at Offgrid Solutions. With solar, B2B chargers, inverters, and more being a mystery to us, their advice was a lifesaver. No hard sell, just honest help and top-quality work.

The result? A professional, immaculate install—and they even fixed a habitation light issue and handbrake sensor quirk (ah, the Chausson/Fiat charm!) free of charge. Way better than dealing with warranty claims!

Now, our 6-metre Ducato camper boasts:

• 400W solar power
• A 3k inverter
• 2 LiFePO4 batteries
• Starlink Satellite Internet
• B2B and MPPT withBluetooth Management

It’s a beauty, inside and out, and everything runs flawlessly. My OCD approves. Ready for some off-grid adventures!

 

[Just smiffy]

It’s a work of art….

 

[Gary S]

Very neat install. Picked mine up from OPS on Friday and will post separately, but would definitely recommend Rog and Nigel for a lithium upgrade

 

[Andy1954]

Looks a tidy install, did they fit the Starlink Mini?

 

[starquake]

Always worth being off-grid capable, swear it saves money in long term, given you can book events and sites with no electric (saving every single time on the price).

Equally we've got a few favourite off-grid places we use (for free) on way to places we camp at which are totally free.

Make best use of the equipment with off-grid, grass only no ehu pitches at C&CC sites in summer, we've had them for under £20 a night, and we don't even get the over 60's discount (with it, I was reliably informed it's nearer 12-15 a night). Sure beats paying the £45 a night the other club wanted for the campsite next door last summer.

Hate to say it, but van upgrades can under halve the price per night people complain at regularly here.

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[banbury]

Looks a tidy install, did they fit the Starlink Mini?

Hi Andy,
Yes, they installed the Starlink mini dish using their own custom "mini mount."
To add a layer of complexity, I requested a LAN/Ethernet connection from the dish to a firewall security device in the van.
Offgrid handled everything—installing the Starlink mini, running power and LAN/Ethernet cables, and adding an extra 240V AC outlet for the security device.

The installation is seamless, with the dish mounted neatly on the roof and the cables running through an easily accessible cupboard inside the van.

 

[Andy1954]

Thank you, I have a generation 2 which I mount each time we park up on the roof. I power it through lithium (420 amp) and an inverter.
I’ll contact them to about switching to the mini
Thanks again

 

[banbury]

Very neat install. Picked mine up from OPS on Friday and will post separately, but would definitely recommend Rog and Nigel for a lithium upgrade

Thanks, Gary. I should mention they used two FogStar batteries and added a dual battery mounting plate for extra safety and security.

Looking forward to your post—I'm sure you're pleased with the results.

 

[yorkiebar]

We're booked in early April for 300Ah lithium, Victron MPPT, Victron XS B2B and an Ablemail trickle charger.

 

[carolyn]

They are such nice people . We are thrilled with what they did for us a couple of weeks before we came on a long trip away to visit daughter in Panama. We haven’t had to worry about the cold upsetting the batteries. We kept checking the first week but then we forget until we see a post like this and then I look and all is well.

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[davejen]

Thank you, I have a generation 2 which I mount each time we park up on the roof. I power it through lithium (420 amp) and an inverter.
I’ll contact them to about switching to the mini
Thanks again

How do you manage to "park up on the roof"?
Cheers, Dave

 

[nigelivy]

Thanks Randal! Appreciate the feedback! It was a fun install to work on!

 

[Tombola]

Congrats...looks

 

[banbury]

Thanks Randal! Appreciate the feedback! It was a fun install to work on!

You did an excellent job on the van. Everything works perfectly! We even tried out the new induction hob today, and the inverter handled it flawlessly.

Thank you, Nigel, Roger and Sam

 

[Andy1954]

Hi Andy,
Yes, they installed the Starlink mini dish using their own custom "mini mount."
To add a layer of complexity, I requested a LAN/Ethernet connection from the dish to a firewall security device in the van.
Offgrid handled everything—installing the Starlink mini, running power and LAN/Ethernet cables, and adding an extra 240V AC outlet for the security device.

The installation is seamless, with the dish mounted neatly on the roof and the cables running through an easily accessible cupboard inside the van.

Thanks for the info I’m booked in to have a new Mini fitted

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[WESTY66]

We got our shiny new campervan over Christmas (best present ever!) and it arrived in January. While we’re not wild campers yet, we wanted the freedom to go off-grid for a few days—so upgrades were on the cards.

Thanks to glowing MHF recommendations, we turned to Roger and Nigel at Offgrid Solutions. With solar, B2B chargers, inverters, and more being a mystery to us, their advice was a lifesaver. No hard sell, just honest help and top-quality work.

The result? A professional, immaculate install—and they even fixed a habitation light issue and handbrake sensor quirk (ah, the Chausson/Fiat charm!) free of charge. Way better than dealing with warranty claims!

Now, our 6-metre Ducato camper boasts:

• 400W solar power
• A 3k inverter
• 2 LiFePO4 batteries
• Starlink Satellite Internet
• B2B and MPPT withBluetooth Management

It’s a beauty, inside and out, and everything runs flawlessly. My OCD approves. Ready for some off-grid adventures!
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Hi banbury I don’t know how I missed this you have a great van with a great set up It was nice to meet you when you picked up your van we was in there having some (more) work done
Hope you have many miles with smiles in it

PS for those of you who haven’t yet met Sam at offgrid, he is a star in the making, he will become a great installer in the future

 

[Dolmen]

Indeed, beautiful to look at, should really be displayed in the Louvre or maybe the Tate Modern. Pleased no one is in the least bit jealous

 

[banbury]

Thanks for the info I’m booked in to have a new Mini fitted

Great stuff. And Starlink throughput on the move is impressive too.

 

[banbury]

Hi banbury I don’t know how I missed this you have a great van with a great set up It was nice to meet you when you picked up your van we was in there having some (more) work done
Hope you have many miles with smiles in it

PS for those of you who haven’t yet met Sam at offgrid, he is a star in the making, he will become a great installer in the future

Thanks so much for your kind words! It was a pleasure meeting you and seeing your setup as well.
The YouTube video really showcased the upgrades!

Wishing you countless happy miles and unforgettable adventures with your van and the doggies!

 

[Andy1954]

Hi Banbury, what speeds are you getting from the mini and do you get internet on the move ( asking that for the Boss ) cheers

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[banbury]

Hi Banbury, what speeds are you getting from the mini and do you get internet on the move ( asking that for the Boss ) cheers

Hey Andy, Great question! Our feedback below:

We ran some tests with Starlink, at Moreton-in-Marsh site and left it powered up, on the road back home.

· Max Download Speed: 110Mbit/s
· Upload Speed: ~10Mbit/s (sometimes faster)
· Devices Connected: TomTom, 2 iPads, 4 iPhones, Blink sync module (WiFi security cameras)

Everything stayed connected without a hitch, even with my key user (my wife!) on board.

At home, we hit 170Mbit/s download speed using the Starlink Syncing with Apple iCloud and sending pics via email was seamless. Upload is faster too when static.

Currently testing the power consumption of Starlink, Blink cameras, a fridge, and more, all powered by dual LiFePO4 batteries. Both batteries are at 99% thanks to the sunny weather and solar!

I cannot remember the monthly cost, we have a Starlink deal, with standard dish and the mini. But it’s proven to be brilliant as it allows me to work remotely.

 

[Andy1954]

Fantastic- thank you