Extra power choices!

[bromleyxphil]

I now have my 680 so thoughts are now turning to extra electrical power. I have used many setups in many different vehicles over the years but never the Ecoflow style power units that seem so popular in the GC fraternity. I have read many threads on here around fitting and using them but can’t seem to find any discussing the relative benefits of a power bank based system over a (BtoB, battery, inverter) system. My current view is that the AGM has to stay as the van seems built around it even though it’s not powerful enough. I want a fit and forget system that supports the AGM/GC 12v setup but also provides readily available 240v at the sockets for using Kettle, Air Fryer, Hair Dryer etc. My worry is, have I just got it wrong? Is there something I don’t know or understand that means most people use the power bank system. Enlightenment required
Cheers
Phil

 

[Mr T]

I now have my 680 so thoughts are now turning to extra electrical power. I have used many setups in many different vehicles over the years but never the Ecoflow style power units that seem so popular in the GC fraternity. I have read many threads on here around fitting and using them but can’t seem to find any discussing the relative benefits of a power bank based system over a (BtoB, battery, inverter) system. My current view is that the AGM has to stay as the van seems built around it even though it’s not powerful enough. I want a fit and forget system that supports the AGM/GC 12v setup but also provides readily available 240v at the sockets for using Kettle, Air Fryer, Hair Dryer etc. My worry is, have I just got it wrong? Is there something I don’t know or understand that means most people use the power bank system. Enlightenment required
Cheers
Phil

Welcome to GC ownership. There are lots of options and some very useful information on the VW Grand California UK Facebook group. In the files sections there are some good documents on integrating an Ecoflow if that’s the route you are interested in. There are also lots of discussions about alternatives.

https://m.facebook.com/groups/833942000874865/?ref=share

 

[bromleyxphil]

Thanks Chris, love the colour of your GC by the way. I think I have read it all on the FB and on here and on the German forum. I agree with you there is lots of great information and some people have been so generous with their time writing it. It’s more on the straight choice power bank or battery/inverter. As I said I have no experience of Power banks so should I just go with what I know? ….. or am I missing something?

 

[Mr T]

Thanks Chris, love the colour of your GC by the way. I think I have read it all on the FB and on here and on the German forum. I agree with you there is lots of great information and some people have been so generous with their time writing it. It’s more on the straight choice power bank or battery/inverter. As I said I have no experience of Power banks so should I just go with what I know? ….. or am I missing something?

Depends on what your typical power usage is, and how often you’ll be stood in one place. I personally think people are going a little over the top on adding extra power but that’s just me!
The ecoflow or similar are simple add ons that offer all in one solutions. However power per £ they are not the most cost effective.
Work out your typical daily power needs, how often you’ll be stood (number of days) and go from there. With water and toilet cassette you have a maximum few days stationary before you have to fill/empty and if moving the van you have great ability to recharge batteries.

 

[GordonH]

I doubt you are missing anything. The general purpose Ecoflow type products are a fairly recent add to the mix of whats possible. They are somewhat more expensive than an equivalent power output setup with discrete elements although the cost/performance gap is reducing with new variants appearing regularly as well as more brands arriving on the scene. All-in-one, relatively simple deployment and compact form factor is the benefit. Beyond possibly lower £ per kWh a discrete component build has the advantage of allowing you to configure the capabilities and layout to your exact need but requires specialist knowledge and equipment for the build which it sounds like you likely have.

 

[bromleyxphil]

Thanks guys whatever I decide I will report back. I understand that the Red Switch in the back cupboard (what a great place to put it) doesn’t isolate all of the electrical equipment. Could anyone point me to a resource that details this. There will be fewer questions as I get my head and my meter around it all.

 

[GordonH]

Have a look in the files section of the UK Facebook group. Amongst other things you will find Self Study Programmes SSP594 and 599 detail most of the things you would need to know for any build. Erwin is the ultimate resource.

 

[Kayleigh]

Personally, I would avoid a 12v battery and inverter. If you want a 2 kw inverter (Victron?) you will need a minimum 200ah LiFePO4 battery, some heavy cabling and everything else to make it safe. You will potentially need multiple apps to manage the system depending on the components you choose and it will all need to be carefully and securely mounted. You then need to decide how are you going to charge it.

An all in one power station is going to be more compact, will need a single app to control and importantly, will generate a lot less heat as the internal batteries will likely be 48v. Most have at least a 5 year warranty so any problems in that time and it’s simple to swap out the whole kit.

In my opinion the current leader of the pack is the Bluetti Elite 200 v2. It will power pretty much anything you need and is very compact for its output. Combine it with their alternator charger and you will likely never need solar.

People on here have wired power stations to their 240v sockets in the GC. I’m not sure how it’s done, but it is possible.

in my Beach I currently have a Delta2 with the Ecoflow alternator charger and I no longer use gas at all. It runs my Thermomix, air fryer and induction hob perfectly. I tend to move around quite a bit and the Delta2 soon charges up.
Breakfast this morning, my regular anti-inflammatory smoothie and moka pot coffee…

 

[bromleyxphil]

Gordon, SSP594 and 599, my kind of reading

 

[vmaxkiddy]

Personally, I would avoid a 12v battery and inverter. If you want a 2 kw inverter (Victron?) you will need a minimum 200ah LiFePO4 battery, some heavy cabling and everything else to make it safe. You will potentially need multiple apps to manage the system depending on the components you choose and it will all need to be carefully and securely mounted. You then need to decide how are you going to charge it.

An all in one power station is going to be more compact, will need a single app to control and importantly, will generate a lot less heat as the internal batteries will likely be 48v. Most have at least a 5 year warranty so any problems in that time and it’s simple to swap out the whole kit.

In my opinion the current leader of the pack is the Bluetti Elite 200 v2. It will power pretty much anything you need and is very compact for its output. Combine it with their alternator charger and you will likely never need solar.

People on here have wired power stations to their 240v sockets in the GC. I’m not sure how it’s done, but it is possible.

in my Beach I currently have a Delta2 with the Ecoflow alternator charger and I no longer use gas at all. It runs my Thermomix, air fryer and induction hob perfectly. I tend to move around quite a bit and the Delta2 soon charges up.
Breakfast this morning, my regular anti-inflammatory smoothie and moka pot coffee…

View attachment 135298

I’m impressed Kayleigh, never thought I’d see a Thermomix being used as a camping accessory. Excellent product, so versatile. I’ll see about incorporating mine in the van

 

[Kayleigh]

I’m impressed Kayleigh, never thought I’d see a Thermomix being used as a camping accessory. Excellent product, so versatile. I’ll see about incorporating mine in the van

With the Thermomix I need very little else in terms of cooking equipment and I’ve found it to be very power efficient. Very easy to camp with it and the self-cleaning mode is of course brilliant! The new TM7 is now very compact and would be easy to store in the Cali. Mines not arrived yet, but if you ever fancy an upgrade, let me know
Looks like this:

 

[mpill990]

With the Thermomix I need very little else in terms of cooking equipment and I’ve found it to be very power efficient. Very easy to camp with it and the self-cleaning mode is of course brilliant! The new TM7 is now very compact and would be easy to store in the Cali. Mines not arrived yet, but if you ever fancy an upgrade, let me know
Looks like this:

View attachment 135347

Hmm everything I've read about smoothies seems to indicate that they are not anti inflammatory at all. As you are breaking down the cellular structure of the veg/fruit meaning that the sugar is able to be very quickly absorbed into the blood stream. Leading to metabolic dysfunction. Happy to be proved wrong on this
Re: GC power we've had our van for over 4 years and the solar system has always been fine - never ran out of power yet - quickly touching wood and saying a brief prayer to the VW God's. Admittedly we don't have a thermamix though ...


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[Kayleigh]

Hmm everything I've read about smoothies seems to indicate that they are not anti inflammatory at all. As you are breaking down the cellular structure of the veg/fruit meaning that the sugar is able to be very quickly absorbed into the blood stream. Leading to metabolic dysfunction. Happy to be proved wrong on this
Re: GC power we've had our van for over 4 years and the solar system has always been fine - never ran out of power yet - quickly touching wood and saying a brief prayer to the VW God's. Admittedly we don't have a thermamix though ...


Sent from my Pixel 9a using Tapatalk

The key ingredients are flaxseeds and chia seeds, as they have a very high omega-3 to omega-6 ratio. They are blended as the first step to release the omega-3 fatty acid. I also include a tsp of matcha, small banana to add a bit of sweetness, milk and ice. I find it helps with arthritis, but that’s just my personal anecdotal view.

 

[mpill990]

The key ingredients are flaxseeds and chia seeds, as they have a very high omega-3 to omega-6 ratio. They are blended as the first step to release the omega-3 fatty acid. I also include a tsp of matcha, small banana to add a bit of sweetness, milk and ice. I find it helps with arthritis, but that’s just my personal anecdotal view.

Sounds nice - if it works for you then great!

Good to hear that you are taking positive steps to tackle arthritis. It seems that most doctors would rather prescribe pharmaceuticals than take the more holistic approach which you are doing

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[RachelD]

I’m 10 months into my Gc680 life and at first I obsessed about more power. Mine is my2021 so I decided to replace the leisure battery and fitted the largest agm I could fit which was 130Ah.

I tend to wild camp but seldom stay in the one spot for more than 1 night so I’m driving each day. If I do stop for longer then it’s likely ata campsite with ehu so power isn’t a problem.

I’m a light traveller and leave all my electric beauty equipment at home so my power needs are minimal.

I occasionally think about a small power station for emergencies but I can’t think of one that justifies £1000 expenditure. I carry enough crap I might use/need like levelling ramps, full awning sides, large tool kit (not large enough to fix my wet room tap yesterday, but is now), compressor, without a big box I’ll likely never use.

Gas is just fine, ridgemonkey pans are brilliant. If I can cook a Thai green curry for 2 using the basics and avoid fried food for a week or two, then the hob and my wee Cadac bbq is all I need.

Why VW neither fitted lithium nor allowed the facility to upgrade later I’ll never understand