solar or battery pack or nothing

[turnitdown]

I have a 2024 Ocean that I will sometimes have to leave unattended for 1-2 months, without being able to plug it in. I want to be able to return and (a) start the van straightaway, and (b) not have any or at least undue battery degradation because of this sitting.

I've considered adding a solar panel and trickle charger, or instead buying a Delta/Jackery and using that as a trickle charger. I guess what I'm unsure of is:

1. Do I need to do anything at all? If the starter battery is the only issue, could I just unhook it? Will the leisure battery be fine for 1-2 months of no use?

2. Assuming I need to do something, is there any pro to the solar panel vs the battery pack? I have in mind technical advantages (like one will do the job better than the other), not advantages in terms of cost, other benefits such as being able to use the battery pack for a coffee maker, etc.

thanks in advance for any insights.

 

[dspuk]

My solar seems to keep everything topped up just fine, and we do have it sat in the drive for the odd month or so between trips and uses. Just the one panel from Roger that I then added the starter trickle charge to. It for sure is a trickle, 1A in very specific circumstances, but seems to do just fine.

 

[Californication69]

A very cool solution would be.
Ecoflow delta 2, with the 800w alternator charger.
I read the alternator charger can jump start the starter battery from the EFD2.

I had a EpEver MPPT with 2 panels on from Roger but it didn’t trickle charge my starter as much as I liked.

I moved to a Victron MPPT and then a separate dc-dc charger under the pass seat with a switch so I could blast 12.8volts directly into starter for the week whilst I’m parked at LHR.

Other people will say you don’t need anything. Others will say somethings better than nothing.

All depends on your energy needs, and build around that.
Or just carry a boost starter motor battery quick charge ?

I did have 3 panels I made myself.
3x 120w and I ran starlink, 3 camera continuous live and recording to cloud.
Also a two SIM card router
12v to 48v Canada boondocker unit.
Raspberry pi with Victron controller.
So my power needs were high.

 

[Blackbrogue1962]

I don’t have the ability to charge mine where I store it but l, after 2 years of ownership, it’s been fine without any modifications. Starter battery holds it charge perfectly well and there’s minimal drain when stored on the leisure batteries. Given that we travel a good deal and use campsites with EHU, I’ve come the conclusion that solar unnecessary for our type of usage.

 

[Kayleigh]

You could put a small solar panel on the dashboard plugged into the 12v socket to top up the starter battery. I heard the cab 12v socket may be wired to the leisure battery on late T6.1s though so that may or may not be an option.

 

[Kayleigh]

A very cool solution would be.
Ecoflow delta 2, with the 800w alternator charger.
I read the alternator charger can jump start the starter battery from the EFD2.

You can connect the Delta 2 to the starter battery with the alternator charger and then in the app you can use the reverse charge or trickle charge options.
I am not sure if you can actually jump start, but maybe that’s possible. Either way you can get power back in to the starter battery.

 

[Betsycalifornia]

Two panels from Roger, Victron Mppt, EcoFlow delta 3 plus with the alternator charger under the drivers seat. Seems to cover most of the scenarios. I did run short on power after 3 days off grid, but didn’t run out.

 

[Betsycalifornia]

On the drive I don’t need to plug in anymore, just use the EcoFlow battery maintainer function. Take the EcoFlow in and charge that if it uses all the power maintaining the batteries.

 

[Kayleigh]

Two panels from Roger, Victron Mppt, EcoFlow delta 3 plus with the alternator charger under the drivers seat. Seems to cover most of the scenarios. I did run short on power after 3 days off grid, but didn’t run out.

I really like the EcoFlow alternator charger. Keeps my Delta 2 topped up. I also installed a 230ah battery under the drivers seat with a 240v Victron charger that runs my fridge for 2 weeks between charges. I can even top it up from the Ecoflow while that is itself being charged on the move. Maybe not the most efficient solution, but all totally removable when I sell the van.

 

[Kayleigh]

On the drive I don’t need to plug in anymore, just use the EcoFlow battery maintainer function. Take the EcoFlow in and charge that if it uses all the power maintaining the batteries.

Is your alternator charger connected to the leisure battery? If so, you should be able to hook up the van at home and charge the Ecoflow without removing it.

 

[Betsycalifornia]

The new EcoFlow alternator charger, released this week can charge other devices now, not just the EcoFlow range, 500watt now instead of 800 with Xt60 connector.

 

[Betsycalifornia]

Is your alternator charger connected to the leisure battery? If so, you should be able to hook up the van at home and charge the Ecoflow without removing it.

Sort of, it’s connected to the split charge relay, it’s hard to run the cable to the van, hence just pulling the EcoFlow.

 

[Kayleigh]

The new EcoFlow alternator charger, released this week can charge other devices now, not just the EcoFlow range, 500watt now instead of 800 with Xt60 connector.

Do you mean with the new firmware update? I updated mine yesterday and it now has that feature. Just need to buy an xt60 cable.

 

[Betsycalifornia]

No, there’s a new charger out as well. 500watt with the cables for other devices.

 

[Kayleigh]

Sort of, it’s connected to the split charge relay, it’s hard to run the cable to the van, hence just pulling the EcoFlow.

I might tinker with my connection and try it like that to save discharging the leisure battery.

 

[Kayleigh]

No, there’s a new charger out as well. 500watt with the cables for other devices.

I wonder why they’ve reduced it to 500w?

 

[Betsycalifornia]

Not a clue myself.