Upgrading to go off grid (1 Viewer)

[Bruchel]

Have you tried a stove top Mocha pot. Italians love coffee and nearly every Italian home has a mocha pot.

I had one years ago and couldn't get on with it. Probably user error. Ended up giving it away I think.

 

[Lenny HB]

I had one years ago and couldn't get on with it. Probably user error. Ended up giving it away I think.

Must be you, we have 3 stainless steel ones, one in the van two at home. Yet to find a pod machine that gives a decent cup of coffee & then there is the silly price per cup plus all the waste packaging.

 

[MobyDick57]

Suggest you over spec your solar regulator, so if you wish to add more (same wattage) panels you can.
We have a camper van with 2 x 100ah lithium transporter batteries. In stead of buying lots of separate items, we bought a Votronic Triple Charger and bypassed the EBL in the Globecar. This way, when we trade in transferring the batteries and charger is simple.
Solar we put on 3 x 150w panels with an inverter for the microwave and hairdryer.
We originally had Lifos lithium batteries, but the BMS could not handle the discharge. We rejected them after 6 months and replaced with Transporters, so far not even a hint of an issue So ensure you research your lithium’s well!

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[Tombola]

Suggest you over spec your solar regulator, so if you wish to add more (same wattage) panels you can.
We have a camper van with 2 x 100ah lithium transporter batteries. In stead of buying lots of separate items, we bought a Votronic Triple Charger and bypassed the EBL in the Globecar. This way, when we trade in transferring the batteries and charger is simple.
Solar we put on 3 x 150w panels with an inverter for the microwave and hairdryer.
We originally had Lifos lithium batteries, but the BMS could not handle the discharge. We rejected them after 6 months and replaced with Transporters, so far not even a hint of an issue So ensure you research your lithium’s well!

Which BMS Moby ? BMV ?

 

[Norman Jones]

We always go off grid and have 165w solar (Flexi self adhesive type), 2 Varta 90w batteries.
Works very well but only use 300w sine wave inverter for recharging etc. No hair dryer or TV.

 

[simplyjimbo]

There is a lot of talk about extra solar panels, and the like, but we have a small generator fixed in the rear locker and it has a short lead that just plugs into the electric input socket on the van. Et Voila....instant 240 volt. Mrs Simplyjimbo can have hairdryers and such like and we can live off grid as if we were on a mains hook up. I know it's not for everyone, but they are very quiet nowadays, very reasonably priced and when used in moderation are very effective. The exhaust has been re-routed through to the underside of the motorhome and it sips petrol.

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[MobyDick57]

Which BMS Moby ? BMV ?

Battery Management System, which is built/attached/included in a lithium leisure battery. Good lithium batteries are able to charge and discharge energy very quickly, however if your demand exceeds the BMS, then it will stop the battery charging. To rectify, one needs to run the battery to empty to reset the BMS. So focus on the BMS max charge/discharge figures Because not all 100ah lithium batteries are the same. Eg Tesla batteries v BMW batteries.

 

[Googlebot]

There is a lot of talk about extra solar panels, and the like, but we have a small generator fixed in the rear locker and it has a short lead that just plugs into the electric input socket on the van. Et Voila....instant 240 volt. Mrs Simplyjimbo can have hairdryers and such like and we can live off grid as if we were on a mains hook up. I know it's not for everyone, but they are very quiet nowadays, very reasonably priced and when used in moderation are very effective. The exhaust has been re-routed through to the underside of the motorhome and it sips petrol.

Please be careful with the exhaust.

Carbon Monoxide can and will kill you if the exhaust fails or any modification to it fails.

 

[mikeandmary]

There is a lot of talk about extra solar panels, and the like, but we have a small generator fixed in the rear locker and it has a short lead that just plugs into the electric input socket on the van. Et Voila....instant 240 volt. Mrs Simplyjimbo can have hairdryers and such like and we can live off grid as if we were on a mains hook up. I know it's not for everyone, but they are very quiet nowadays, very reasonably priced and when used in moderation are very effective. The exhaust has been re-routed through to the underside of the motorhome and it sips petrol.

My thought as well, especially off grid.

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[Toady]

My thought as well, especially off grid.

Like I mentioned earlier, when we lived on the canal boat over 30 years ago, we used our genny for everything.

The problem is when off grid in your MH, the last thing you want to hear in the background is mine or somebody else’s genny. Just saying

 

[Toady]

Just an update.
We had all the goodies installed by Eddie’s team at Van Bitz. They did a great job on the installation. Only thing not fitted was the lithium batteries as the lead acid were still good to go. All the equipment fitted is compatible with lithium so will add the batteries in due course.
Still getting my head around how everything works but the Victron Inverter/Charger is a great bit of kit.

 

[Toady]

PS Thanks for all the help and advice given by Funsters

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[Norman Jones]

With the season we've just had you need to invest in hydro electric, fire and wind power.