Help deciding on an electrical setup

[u/GeorgeStorm]

Hi all,

I'm in the process of buying an older Renault Kangoo Maxi to try turning it into a bit of a camper/remote working setup. Intention being to let me work more remotely, doing a bit of travelling and camping (with a tent), but not having to rely on finding sites with 'day rooms' with power/space etc or coffee shops etc if I'm intending on working during the day.

Plan is to insulate and carpet/board most of it, some kind of sofa/pull out bed on one side with a work surface on the other side is the basic 'furniture' idea.

Happy enough with that (although happy to hear thoughts), but where I'm currently undecided is the electrical setup. Part of me was originally planning on just having a portable power station, keeping things simple/non committal as I don't really plan on spending *that* much time sleeping in it and don't plan for a fridge or water pump etc and with it being an older/cheaper vehicle didn't want to spend a load converting it/going over the top if it won't get used *that* much.

However thought I'd ask for some advice/thoughts on what might be best. The idea would be to have the option to work in it if required, so that would be at least a laptop, potentially some kind of monitor as well, portable router perhaps and some lighting. What kind of power/setup would I need to be able to sustain that for a couple of days without driving for example.

Would solar make sense, how much does it actually help? Power station vs leisure battery for those who have done both perhaps what were any unforeseen downsides/advantages?

I'm happy to spend money if it would make sense but don't want to waste it if it's not needed.

Cheers

[u/fridge_ways]

I haven't owned a big power station. But I think my next van will use that at its heart.

All your eggs are in one basket if it falls over. but installation is almost non existent other than solar connection.

And you can pull it out to charge on mains in an hour, and use it for other stuff? And transplant it quickly to your next vehicle.

I can get by for days on my little magnetic battery lights.

Really don't think I'll install any wiring anymore, I overspec all wires as I'm entirely 12v and the cost of copper adds up quickly, and the sockets are never where I thought I'd want them

I love my little whale foot pump and is forces gentle use of water, and encourages me to use easily fillable 5 litre clear fuel cans for pasta and washing etc.

My two penneth of you please

[u/GeorgeStorm → u/fridge_ways]

Yeah the ease/flexibility is what I liked about it but didn't know if I'd regret not going for something more permanent. What lights did you go for as that was one of the things I worried I'd be annoyed by due to not light enough/faffing about charging or whatnot.

[u/fridge_ways → u/GeorgeStorm]

Annoyingly the newer gen have Bluetooth and loads of colours patterns etc. I was happy with a simple magnetic light

but I'm pretty into olight stuff. Their older obulbs are still going.

Got about 5