Power Bank recommendations to make up for minimal Solar

[Billylou]

We will be picking up a new Ducato PVC in a few weeks dependent on DVLA. Spontaneous purchase this week after we found out our order for our planned van, also a Ducato PVC is unlikely to arrive for at least another 13 months. Needless to say we were lucky to find a van having already waited 9 months however it’s not a van we ever had on our wish list nor is it similar in terms of specification. That said we couldn’t be happier.

So. This van comes with a pop top, not something we’d want, and due to its design it’s only possible to bond a 64w solar panel. Subject to investigation they might be able to add another 32w Flexi pane. The roof design is such that there is minimal flat surface to mount large flexi panels.

Assuming we land up with 96w I’ll be reasonably happy but I’d like to take along a heavy duty power bank that we can use to recharge devices so I’m not worrying too much about the two leisure batteries all the time when we are off hook up.

Can anyone recommend a heavy duty power bank that is not dependent on being charged by mobile solar panel.
That can be charged off of domestic mains.
That can be charged from within the van when on hook up.

Many thanks

 

[The Wino]

When you say heavy duty power bank do you mean the sort of thing you charge phones and tablets with or the big ones with a lithium in that are effectively an extra leisure battery?. If it's one of the ones to charge phones/tablets and you're not going to have much solar it might be better if you have good leisure battery capacity to fit a b2b to better charge the leisure batteries. It's stored electricity whether it's in the leisure battery or power bank.

 

[Billylou]

When you say heavy duty power bank do you mean the sort of thing you charge phones and tablets with or the big ones with a lithium in that are effectively an extra leisure battery?. If it's one of the ones to charge phones/tablets and you're not going to have much solar it might be better if you have good leisure battery capacity to fit a b2b to better charge the leisure batteries. It's stored electricity whether it's in the leisure battery or power bank.

Thanks The Wino. I was thinking along the lines of Poweroak, Jackoray lithium etc.

 

[The Wino]

Thanks The Wino. I was thinking along the lines of Poweroak, Jackoray lithium etc.

Aren't they a lot of money for the storage capacity?. Just looked at a couple online. I'd be tempted to try without and monitor the battery state first it could be you're spending on something you don't need ( although to be fair I have plenty of times before!)

 

[Lenny HB]

Might be better to change the hab battery for Lithium then take it with you to the next van.

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[The Wino]

Might be better to change the hab battery for Lithium then take it with you to the next van.

Thats what I was thinking but only if its a problem. It really depends a lot on what amount of electrical stuff the op has .

 

[Jimjo]

We will be picking up a new Ducato PVC in a few weeks dependent on DVLA. Spontaneous purchase this week after we found out our order for our planned van, also a Ducato PVC is unlikely to arrive for at least another 13 months. Needless to say we were lucky to find a van having already waited 9 months however it’s not a van we ever had on our wish list nor is it similar in terms of specification. That said we couldn’t be happier.

So. This van comes with a pop top, not something we’d want, and due to its design it’s only possible to bond a 64w solar panel. Subject to investigation they might be able to add another 32w Flexi pane. The roof design is such that there is minimal flat surface to mount large flexi panels.

Assuming we land up with 96w I’ll be reasonably happy but I’d like to take along a heavy duty power bank that we can use to recharge devices so I’m not worrying too much about the two leisure batteries all the time when we are off hook up.

Can anyone recommend a heavy duty power bank that is not dependent on being charged by mobile solar panel.
That can be charged off of domestic mains.
That can be charged from within the van when on hook up.

Many thanks

We’ve recently purchased the EcoFlow and

We will be picking up a new Ducato PVC in a few weeks dependent on DVLA. Spontaneous purchase this week after we found out our order for our planned van, also a Ducato PVC is unlikely to arrive for at least another 13 months. Needless to say we were lucky to find a van having already waited 9 months however it’s not a van we ever had on our wish list nor is it similar in terms of specification. That said we couldn’t be happier.

So. This van comes with a pop top, not something we’d want, and due to its design it’s only possible to bond a 64w solar panel. Subject to investigation they might be able to add another 32w Flexi pane. The roof design is such that there is minimal flat surface to mount large flexi panels.

Assuming we land up with 96w I’ll be reasonably happy but I’d like to take along a heavy duty power bank that we can use to recharge devices so I’m not worrying too much about the two leisure batteries all the time when we are off hook up.

Can anyone recommend a heavy duty power bank that is not dependent on being charged by mobile solar panel.
That can be charged off of domestic mains.
That can be charged from within the van when on hook up.

Many thanks

Hi We have recently got the EcoFlow River Pro as a simple standby power source for our PVC. Charges off mains, solar or 12v - also only takes an hour to charge fully on mains. We are very pleased with it - also there is a good you tube video today by John and Mandy giving an overview of these types of powerbank.
Maybe worth a look

 

[Russell's Dad]

I have a pop top Ducato (had it for 2 years now)
. At my request, from new, the dealer fitted 60w PV Logic semi- flexible solar panel ( from Solar Technology ) to the remaining available space on the van roof. Also fitted a Solar Technology dual MTTP controller with bluetooth. I added another of the same panels to the pop-top. I have 2 x 95 ah agm batteries. I have had no problems being off grid for a few days. My only gripe is I can't choose to charge only the leisure battery, the Solar Technology MTTP decides which battery to charge. That said, I have never been even close to emptying the leisure batteries.
Winter in UK is another matter. 120w doesn't cut it. But if you drive every couple of days it's fine.

 

[Billylou]

Aren't they a lot of money for the storage capacity?. Just looked at a couple online. I'd be tempted to try without and monitor the battery state first it could be you're spending on something you don't need ( although to be fair I have plenty of times before!)

That’s what Mrs Billylou has said but I think I know better and you know she’ll be right. We’ve come from a T6 with 200w so anything less is unknown territory.

 

[Billylou]

We’ve recently purchased the EcoFlow and

Hi We have recently got the EcoFlow River Pro as a simple standby power source for our PVC. Charges off mains, solar or 12v - also only takes an hour to charge fully on mains. We are very pleased with it - also there is a good you tube video today by John and Mandy giving an overview of these types of powerbank.
Maybe worth a look

I will have a look at that, many thanks.

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[Billylou]

Might be better to change the hab battery for Lithium then take it with you to the next van.

Thanks Lenny HB. How easy is that to do?

 

[Billylou]

I will have a look at that, many thanks.

Hi Jimjo can you recharge when on hook up? Thanks

 

[Jimjo]

Hi Jimjo can you recharge when on hook up? Thanks

Yes you can - same as charging on the mains at home

 

[Billylou]

Yes you can - same as charging on the mains at home

Looks like a great option, thanks for the tip. Who did you buy yours from if you don‘t mind me asking?

 

[Jimjo]

Hi. Got it direct from the EcoFlow site - I got a 5% discount using a discount code given by ‘Yorkshire Pop Top’ on you tube review of the product. If you look at the John and Mandy review posted yesterday they also provide a discount code of 5%
Cheers

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[jumar]

Totally delighted with my Poweroak actually here in the EU its branded as Bluetti....wouldn't travel without it, its supported by my Flexi-panel 150w.....while my one and only Lead acid battery is maintained by my rooftop panel....Works well for me...

 

[Boarder]

Hi Jimbo , I bought two jackery 1000 explorers thinking I would need both but one with a solar charger is plenty . Make me a sensible offer for one if you are interested ? They were £1150 on Amazon . One is bnib never opened . Where are you based ?

 

[Jamesh]

Hi. Got it direct from the EcoFlow site - I got a 5% discount using a discount code given by ‘Yorkshire Pop Top’ on you tube review of the product. If you look at the John and Mandy review posted yesterday they also provide a discount code of 5%
Cheers

Refurbished ones on the bay ATM.

<Broken link removed>

 

[Jo662]

We have an Ecoflow Delta,it's very good and charges in an hour and a half

 

[Billylou]

Hi. Got it direct from the EcoFlow site - I got a 5% discount using a discount code given by ‘Yorkshire Pop Top’ on you tube review of the product. If you look at the John and Mandy review posted yesterday they also provide a discount code of 5%
Cheers

Hi Jimjo Just watched the video and looked at the Website. Think this the direction to go after we see how we get on with just the solar. Really like the idea of adding the extra battery if needed. Thanks

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[autorouter]

Look at the small print. This item is shipping from the US. It says the mains voltage is 120V. UK mains voltage is 240V.

Its energy storage capacity is 288Wh, equivalent to 24Ah at 12V. That's about a quarter of a 100Ah lithium battery.

I can't really believe the 'Max input voltage 10V', but if it is true then that's a big problem, you won't be able to charge it from a 12V vehicle supply.

I've nothing against these battery power packs, some of them are fine, but be careful with this one.

 

[Boarder]

Hi Jimbo , I bought two jackery 1000 explorers thinking I would need both but one with a solar charger is plenty . Make me a sensible offer for one if you are interested ? They were £1150 on Amazon . One is bnib never opened . Where are you based ?

Sorry meant Billlou ! Hadn't woken up ! I think the jackets is 1000wh mainly use it for the Mrs hair dryer , straighteners etc and when the leisure batteries are to low to power the tv .