Charging down the road?

[Van Fisher]

Hello all,

I appreciate this is probably a very basic question to all caravaners, but I have not bought mine yet and have searched the forum without finding the answer.

About 15 years ago I had a motorhome. The batteries charged from the hook up and also from the vehicles alternator whilst driving.

When parked and not hooked up to the mains, the batteries still provided 240v via an inverter.

Can I expect the same thing with a caravan battery system?

 

[Mr Plodd]

In a word yes!

But motorhomes often have 2 leisure batteries, caravans very rarely (if ever) do.

 

[otherclive]

You can use an inverter on a caravan for suppling 240v off grid use, but as the battery is supplying other usages its ability to sustain much 240 v inverter usage will be quite limited. Installing solar panels, and led lighting would help minimise drain on the battery.

 

[Raywood]

Yes you can use an invertor but it could run down the battery fairly quickly, so you need to know what power he battery has and what power you are using. I would fit a 110 K/H battery and a decent solar panel if you want to use an invertor.

 

[ProfJohnL]

Hello all,

I appreciate this is probably a very basic question to all caravaners, but I have not bought mine yet and have searched the forum without finding the answer.

About 15 years ago I had a motorhome. The batteries charged from the hook up and also from the vehicles alternator whilst driving.

When parked and not hooked up to the mains, the batteries still provided 240v via an inverter.

Can I expect the same thing with a caravan battery system?

Very few caravans have inverters as a standard item, so from the get go No you cant expect it, but there is nothing stopping you from fitting an inverter, BUT the amount of energy available from a single battery won't go very far (typically about 1kWh for 100Ah battery) and the battery wont charge as quickly as it does in a motorhome.

 

[Van Fisher]

Thanks guys, I'm glad I asked.
Probably best for me to consider how often we may actually be off grid. I guess most equipment will be 12V or gas powered, eg., taking a toaster is not an off grid option.

 

[Buckman]

Thanks guys, I'm glad I asked.
Probably best for me to consider how often we may actually be off grid. I guess most equipment will be 12V or gas powered, eg., taking a toaster is not an off grid option.

A decent lithium battery with an inverter is your best bet if going off grid as it will last a lot longer than any other type of battery.

 

[Ferrodo]

Regarding lithium batteries……. Will the “on board “ charger fitted to your ’van be suitable to charge lithium batteries properly????
I really don’t know, no way an expert but unsuitable charging algorithms, fire risks etc etc. Or am I talking Gonads here?

 

[Buckman]

Regarding lithium batteries……. Will the “on board “ charger fitted to your ’van be suitable to charge lithium batteries properly????
I really don’t know, no way an expert but unsuitable charging algorithms, fire risks etc etc. Or am I talking Gonads here?

Many have fitted lithium batteries into caravans and apparently there is no issue?

 

[Ferrodo]

The reason behind my last post is that my battery is now seven years old and I am thinking of replacement. I have a 2016 Swift with an 80 watt solar panel and a lead acid 105 ah battery.
So looking to the future with a leaning to going off grid a bit more, I have been looking into different batteries. I have upgraded the solar controller to a MPPT unit which is all well and good and I have confirmed with Swift that a AGM battery will be fine with the standard battery charger fitted. Why I didn’t enquire about lithium, I don’t know.
Point is the more I research lithium for Liesure vehicles the more uncertain things become. You could easily end up spending a lot of beer tokens on a battery that you won’t be able to get maximum usage from or turn your pride and joy into ashes.

 

[Buckman]

The reason behind my last post is that my battery is now seven years old and I am thinking of replacement. I have a 2016 Swift with an 80 watt solar panel and a lead acid 105 ah battery.
So looking to the future with a leaning to going off grid a bit more, I have been looking into different batteries. I have upgraded the solar controller to a MPPT unit which is all well and good and I have confirmed with Swift that a AGM battery will be fine with the standard battery charger fitted. Why I didn’t enquire about lithium, I don’t know.
Point is the more I research lithium for Liesure vehicles the more uncertain things become. You could easily end up spending a lot of beer tokens on a battery that you won’t be able to get maximum usage from or turn your pride and joy into ashes.

See https://www.ksenergy.co.uk/ The gentleman selling the lithium batteries is very helpful with advice. Speak to him.

 

[Ferrodo]

See https://www.ksenergy.co.uk/ The gentleman selling the lithium batteries is very helpful with advice. Speak to him.

Thanks for the link and I will give them a call.
👍

 

[Anseo]

A 230Ah Lithium leisure battery weighs approximately the same as a 100 Ah lead acid battery
With the 100 ah LA battery one only gets 50 Ah of usable output, with a 230 Ah lithium, almost all of the 230 Ah is usable without harming the battery.

Paired with a suitable charger, an MPPT charge controller, an inverter and an array of solar panels, roof and\or portable, then off grid can be enjoyed at a very comfortable level (electrical power wise).

And of course additional lithium batteries could be added.

With regard to safety aspects, there is a plethora of information and advice available, motorhome and boat users and others have been utilising the technology for a long time now, lots of resources on-line, and there are many forums including on facebook, tutorials and reviews etc. via youtube.

 

[Ferrodo]

So just for all you confused lithium wannabes out there (me included) it transpires that the Sargent PX300 as fitted to my 2016 Conqueror is suitable for use with a lithium battery. But not all fitted caravan chargers are and damage can occur if wrongly paired with the wrong battery. All to do with charging algorithms apparently. Then there’s the issues with charging below freezing temperatures. So the official answer to “ can I just bang in a lithium battery into my caravan “ is Only if your van’s standard electrical system is up to it. 🤔

 

[trevormonty]

If caravan house charger isn't compatable you could disconnect it eg pull fuse or breaker. Then use off shelf Li Ion charger eg 10A and have it permanently connected to battery and a 230V socket.
The other alternative is Li Ion power bank which come in various capacities and 230v power ouputs. If using power bank for most of your power could get away with smaller 60A AGM house battery. Which can be charged by power bank. See youtube videos on power banks with all their pros and cons.