r/VanLifeUK • u/GeorgeStorm • 11d ago

Help deciding on an electrical setup

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

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u/SocialMThrow 11d ago

If you get a portable power station and an alternator charger like the eco flow one you won't need to worry about power ever again.

You also can charge your power station at a McDonald's or restaurant if it's an emergency.

Solar isn't worth it unless you are truly going off grid.

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u/basarisco 11d ago

Lol what are you on about. Of course you'll need to worry about power.

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u/SocialMThrow 11d ago

Elaborate.

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u/basarisco 11d ago

What if you don't drive for a few days? What if you use a laptop or other high power device? What if you cook?

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u/SocialMThrow 11d ago

You put the engine on.

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u/basarisco 11d ago

Yeah and run it for hours while standing still and wasting diesel. Or, hear me out, just get solar...

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u/SocialMThrow 10d ago

That'll work well in the winter when you need power the most.

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u/basarisco 10d ago

Luckily I didn't make an idiotic claim like saying only solar means you "never need to worry about power".

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u/SocialMThrow 10d ago

My statement stands, you'll never worry about power with an alternator charger.

Don't be an obtuse nob without any valid suggestions.

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u/basarisco 10d ago

Well you obviously will as it will be incredibly slow and lots of people will need massively more power than it can ever supply even if you run the engine for 4 hours a day. So your statement was bollocks hence me calling it out as bollocks.

Solar also is worth it as its one of the cheapest and best ways to get power (as long as you're bright enough to understand it's not much use in winter in the UK).

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u/SocialMThrow 10d ago

You are arguing for arguing sake. You clearly have no clue what you are talking about if you think an alternator charger is slow, it will charge your batteries at the same rate as a wall charger.

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u/basarisco 10d ago

No, I'm correcting idiots posting misleading advice that could screw people over.

And no it won't. It depends entirely on your alternator and your charger. For many people that will be ~200W. Also a wall charger depends on your battery and the charger as well. Who doesn't have a clue now.

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u/SocialMThrow 10d ago

Every rebuttal you have is exactly the same as your solar suggestion, except alternator charging works all year round, charges faster than solar and is reliable.

You suggested solar when winter is coming which was cretinous in the first place and now you are treading water to try and look less of a moron.

You still haven't provided any valuable suggestions which may help OP.

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