This post discusses Brenden and Mel’s off grid power set up.
Setting up your van so you can free camp can be a challenge. Especially if you have large power demands as we do. Here is a run down on our off grid power set-up.
One of the biggest attractions for us when selecting our van was the ability to customise everything to suit our needs. That is really where NextGen Caravans came to the top for us. From the chassis to the solar panels, there wasn’t anything that seemed to be a problem. This was one of the many reasons why we chose a Nextgen.
As you know, we do a lot on social media, across most platforms. One of our major concerns was having enough off-grid power to charge batteries in cameras, laptops, drones and phones. Then we need the power to do all this and more when the sun is gone.
Added to that is a 230-litre compressor fridge. This must all be done indefinitely while away from a 240v PowerPoint. We often get asked questions about our off-grid power set-up, especially by people setting their
Off Grid Power Set Up – Solar Panels
How much solar do we need? Most vans, as we know, come equipped with at least one solar panel. These could be anywhere between 100 and 150 watts. We did the maths and thought we would be right with 2 x 150w panels, provided we got a decent amount of sunlight each day. Then we opted for a third panel, just to help on cloudy days and give it that extra kick when in direct sunlight.
Lithium Batteries
At this point in time, the best way of storing power is Lithium. Lithium batteries let you get power out of them quickly and efficiently. They charge at a far greater rate than AGM batteries, allowing you to get the power back in them easily for the times without the sun. Lithium batteries can weigh less than half of their AGM equivalent and as a general rule, 1 x 100ah Lithium has the same attributes as 2 x 100ah AGM’s.
As the house batteries that came installed with our van were sadly lacking, we have just installed two 100 AH Invicta batteries from BMPRO. These are certainly doing a great job of supplying our off-grid power. For more information on whether Lithium Batteries are for you, Check out BMPRO’s YouTube series on Lithium Batteries for RVs.
Battery Management System
This is the centre point of your whole system. You can have terrific solar and batteries, but if you can’t get the best out of them, it’s over before it even starts. NextGen suggested complete battery management and monitoring system from BMPRO. We haven’t looked back.
What Is Powering Brenden and Mel’s Adventures?
BMPRO’s BatteryPlus35HA
The BatteryPlus35HA is the complete battery management system from BMPRO.
It is
- a 30amp battery charger (max 35amp) powered from solar, 240v or a DC to DC aux input. It will blend sources for max charging efficiency.
- an MPPT solar regulator.
- a 12v power supply when connected to 240v if you have battery problems.
- a fused power supply for every electrical component of your van. (to a max 15amp)
- a battery monitor.
- a remote switch to isolate power in your RV.
- complete with electronic fuses for all 14 outlets.
- low voltage aware to preserve your batteries.
- Lithium and Lead Acid are compatible.
- complete with can-bus connection for Trek display and complete control.
- Australian made and owned. Now that’s good.
Monitoring Off Grid Power
That’s easy. With the Trek display connected through the Can-bus system of the BatteryPlus35HA.
This monitor will let you:
- check battery voltage.
- monitor solar and aux input.
- control 2 water pumps
- and see how long you can safely use the remaining power for.
- monitor up to 4 water tanks. (set for drinking or grey water)
- see how much power you are using.
- remotely shut down the power in your RV.
A Set And Forget Off Grid Power System
Once this system is set up, you do not have to switch or change anything. It chooses the best charging source from what’s available, automatically switching between sources without you even thinking about it.
Pull up a 240v power source and plug it in, and it switches automatically. Unplug it, and it quickly switches to solar to keep the charging process alive. Start your car, and it will start blending the inputs from your car and the solar panels to increase the charging capacity and decrease charging time.
You can instantly check battery status, charging status, and water tank levels at a glance. At the same panel, you can turn your water pump on or off. It doesn’t get any easier than that, and again, it’s Australian-made.
BMPRO is powering Brenden and Mel’s adventures
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Listen in to their podcast episode https://allaroundoz.com.au/podcasts/travelling-and-working-around-australia/
We have a SRC18 snowy river caravan with a projector mp200
And would like to upgrade to your BMPRO system with oppox 300 amp
Lithium batterys
Do you have supplie and fit in Victoria, we are travelling around Australia now in Tasmania for 4 more weeks