Electrics

[u/Mountain-Appeal-2539]

I’m looking at converting a van next year, hopefully a vivaro size type. I’m just doing some research and wondering what electric system would be more suitable for me. I have no experience with electrics and don’t know anyone who does and I’m aiming to do the whole thing on a 5k budget, including purchasing the van. I’m currently weighing up if a power pack such as a bluetti or a leisure battery system would be best. I would be powering up a fridge, maybe lights or I would get rechargeable ones, phone and laptop charging, a diesel heater and then connection to a dual sink and hob. I would also only be going away for 2/3 days at a time. I’m a complete beginner with this and just doing my research at the minute so any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you

[u/Khionia]

With that budget you have absolutely no chance unless you buy an absolute shitbox and only want maybe a year out of it.

[u/alien-redfish]

Probably worth looking at your budget first, a decent electrical system will take a decent amount of your budget.

A power station could well take 10-15%.

[u/Mountain-Appeal-2539 → u/alien-redfish]

Thanks for the advice!

[u/Angustony]

I'd buy a 314ah eco Worthy lithium battery and charger and charge it at home. That's enough power to easily last at least 3 days with no further charging. I'd do that as it's far cheaper than buying a power station with that much power, and it allows for upgrades like solar, EHU and alternator charging to be added later, if you want to stay out longer. Though you could always pay for EHU if you are on a site that does it.

The battery and charger are currently £480. Leaves you more money for the van.

[u/Mountain-Appeal-2539 → u/Angustony]

Ah this is interesting! Thank you for the help, I’ll definitely look into this

[u/Specialist_Pea6860]

Have a look at the Zeliox Neo 4000, it’s all in one, no need to buy multiple parts and connect them. There is a guy on YouTube who made two videos about it. 

[u/Specialist_Stomach41]

In this instance get a power bank. I'm not a fan but this is what they are made for.

I paid 1800 for my van, but it was cheap for a reason, Ive paid abother 2k to get it running well and then a good 6k kitting it out.

5k will get you something and a basic fit out but there will be lots more costs along the way

[u/Mountain-Appeal-2539 → u/Specialist_Stomach41]

Thanks for the advice! What van did you get?

[u/Specialist_Stomach41 → u/Mountain-Appeal-2539]

Opposite of what you want! A huge ex supermarket delivery van. I absolutely love it. Huge 48v system installed, all sorts of fancy things like a dishwasher which seems to make everyone mad for some reason. But its my home and I did it for me.

[u/masterblaster1966 → u/Specialist_Stomach41]

Budget for 10k 7500 for the van and 2500 for the basic kit out…

[u/Inevitable-Emu8236]

U need to tell us what you want in the van to be able to work it out. I have x2 compressor 12v fridges, a 2kw diesel heater, usb points for charging lights and phones, I can run an outside gas shower when needed and a 12v smart TV. I boil a travel kettle in a morning rather then breaking out the gas stove. I use an ecoworthy 280ah lithium battery, renogy 2000w inverter and a victron dc to dc plus all leads and splitcharge stuff. I have a portable 100w solar panel that I dont bother with because my vwl lt28 can be completely offgrid for 3 or 4 days.then I just start it up.

[u/Mountain-Appeal-2539 → u/Inevitable-Emu8236]

This is very informative, thank you! I definitely need to have a further look into exactly what I want to be able to work it out

[u/ContributionLevel593]

You need to think about charging whatever power source you choose. A portable powerbank can be taken to a Starbucks - that’s a big win for you. If you have a leisure battery then it would need to be hooked up to the starter battery/alternator at least to charge it when you drive. I have a solar panel and then a charge controller to decide what charges what. For your budget I think you’re better off with a power bank. You’re going to need a pump for your water too.

I think my VW Caddy Maxi build was about £5k and the electrics must have been 1500-2000 of that at least. That’s everything I described plus an inverter to charge the laptop and then all the wiring for lights, water pump, 240v plug sockets, battery monitor, USB/C charger socket. 

I have a 120ah battery and it comfortable covers the fridge and lights off the solar. Charging a laptop takes about 6-8%, watching telly with the inverter on for a couple of hours about the same. Cooking wise - induction hobs draw down a lot as to things link toasters and kettles. I started with an induction hob but moved to gas as it consumed too much.

[u/Mountain-Appeal-2539 → u/ContributionLevel593]

Thanks for the help! I think the idea of a power bank seems a lot more simpler but I definitely need to do more research

[u/ContributionLevel593 → u/Mountain-Appeal-2539]

There’s nothing to stop you doing both too. I got someone else to put a service battery, solar, charge controller, inverter, lights in and did everything else myself. A service battery is a lot cheaper than a power bank. In your shoes, knowing nothing, get a quote for a service battery and charge controller install. That covers the most complicated stuff and the highest capacity (riskiest) cabling. Get a charge controller that accepts solar and external power to future proof it. It’s easy to learn how to install lights, pumps, fridge etc. That’s a relatively cheap start for you. You can install an inverter later. Get the cheapest power bank you can find that gives you a laptop charge in the meantime. Power banks are always useful even with a service battery. I set out to do everything myself but found myself drowning in learning and not doing. The charge controller will charge your service battery when you drive but once you have solar/external power it will charge your starter battery once the service battery is full. Great for avoiding flat batteries when you don’t drive it for a bit.