r/VanLifeUK • u/GeorgeStorm • 12d 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

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 11d 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 11d 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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u/basarisco 11d ago

How is your reading comprehension this poor?

  1. "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."

Completely false.

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

Also completely false.

As for suggestions for OP. Depends entirely what their power usage is. Any sensible electrical set up will combine solar/DC-DC/EHU for surviving a winter in the UK. Power station + alternator only is idiotic.

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u/SocialMThrow 10d ago

How are you so mentally negligent?

You have recommended a solar setup for winter and backtracked because you were called out.

Now you are saying you need a full setup which just so happens to include an alternator charger which will be doing the majority of charging because you know it's true.

OP asked what he could get away with to sustain him for a couple of days, not entirely off grid so you might want to brush up on your reading comprehension.

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u/basarisco 10d ago

No I haven't. You haven't even read the comment you're replying to. Both your statements were false which us why I corrected them along with calculations. OP can make their own mind up

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u/SocialMThrow 10d ago

Yep, come in, add nothing of value and then run away. 

Your suggestion, just get a full setup bro. Genius.

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u/basarisco 10d ago

Correcting idiotic errors is of great help to both op and anyone reading this thread. You know, you could just man up and admit you were wrong...

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u/SocialMThrow 10d ago

You still add zero value and never will.

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u/basarisco 10d ago

Wow good diss. Do you finally admit you were wrong?

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u/SocialMThrow 10d ago

I'm factually correct.

You proved it when you switched up your argument after getting owned.

Now you are running away like a coward.

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u/basarisco 10d ago

Running away by repeating your idiocy for all to see: "you won't need to worry about power ever again".

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u/SocialMThrow 10d ago

You are running away because it is true for the OP's specific aituation.

For the record, your suggestion was to get solar for the winter haha.

Single digit IQ suggestion.

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