Solar option

[lennox]

Hello

Wonder if someone could help confirm, If the solar option has an additional leisure battery and are the sockets permanently powered (assuming there is sun to charge the battery)?

Regards

 

[Ikbarltrop]

The solar option on the Grand California does not include an additional leisure battery.

 

[Jimmylondon07]

I’m glad I have it on mine but I don’t think it’s worth the money. Most people still buy an aftermarket LiFePO4 battery setup like an Ecoflow or Bluetti unit to give them more battery capacity, and those can be wired in pretty easily so the van can run off those batteries instead if needed. You can also add various charging options (alternator chargers and portable solar panels) to keep them topped up, both of which can recharge the battery units much faster than the factory solar can top the leisure battery up. If going off grid for a few days I wouldn’t want to rely on factory leisure battery plus factory solar alone, no way.

For reference 4.3Kwh of batteries, 220W of portable solar panels and an alternator charger cost me a smidge more than the factory solar option did.

 

[Mr T]

Hello

Wonder if someone could help confirm, If the solar option has an additional leisure battery and are the sockets permanently powered (assuming there is sun to charge the battery)?

Regards

The solar option doesn’t include an additional battery, and the mains sockets will not be powered unless on mains hook up as there is no inverter as standard on the Grand Cali.
I do think the factory fit solar panel is helpful and wouldn’t want a GC without it personally.

 

[Readz]

Having a hole in my roof puts me right off.

 

[Mr T]

Having a hole in my roof puts me right off.

On the Ocean (this thread is about Grand California's) you can wire a solar panel in without having a hole in the roof.

 

[lennox]

Thanks guys, much appreciated

We’ve ordered solar this time, more to keep the battery charged. I’ve got an e-bike to charge hence the socket question.
Will start looking at power banks now, cheers