Wild Camping- How to get Power Off-Grid in your motorhome or camper
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- Опубликовано: 29 авг 2024
- Answering some more wild camping with a motorhome questions- specifically about how to get power off-grid when wild camping with a motorhome or campervan.
If you're not really sure about the difference between 240v or 12v- or why you can't use your electric kettle when you're not plugged in, this is the video for you. We start at the beginning (because I don't really understand it all either!!) and discuss power, batteries, looking after your batteries and much more.
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For anyone who wants to wild camp with their camper or motorhome, we talk about battery management, amp hours (!), watts, volts and all that other fun electrical system stuff! I ask stupid questions (shocker) but I hope they help you understand more about the motorhome/ camper electrical system and how to get power off-grid. This is a two-part video (due to the length of time we were chatting for). Part 2 will be out in a few weeks.
As always, thanks for watching.
#motorhome #campervan #wildcamping #UK #Europe #vanlife
If the term 'wild camping' offends you with regards to motorhomes or campers, feel free to use the terms 'free camping', 'free parking', 'informal parking' or whatever makes you happy. It's all the same thing.
Just a simple tip: anything that provides heat from electricity uses a lot of power (kettle, hair drier, fan heater, electric radiator, iron, washing machine, tumble drier, water heater, etc.) Usually electronic goods use little power (phones, laptop, TV, LED lights). This is true in a motorhome or a house. It is also true at 12volts or mains voltage. I hope that is helpful in understanding some basic principles.
We use our 3 pin plugs from our battery solar set up - you just have to feed it with a 3 kw full sine wave inverter and have substantial solar and battery capacity - we have 300w solar and 310a/h lithium - thats almost 4 kw stored - I guess it depends what you want to power - ours does a compressor fridge ,toaster, 900w kettle. microwave, TV lights, water pump - and e bike chargers - the battery is usually full by lunch time and then we switch on the 4 gallon water heater for 20 min (600w)
i also upgraded to 2 leisure batteries, no more power but more amp hours so you get power for longer, coupled this with changing all my light bulbs for LED and its easily enough for 5 days at a festival running lights at night and charging phones every day. Of course if you have a solar panel thats not a problem anyway but i haven't put one on my current motorhome. I did have one on my campervan so used to be able to run a 12v fridge for 5 days constantly at festivals, it would run of the panel during the day, switch to battery at night and by the time we woke up the next day the solar panel had charged the leisure battery back to full power, and so the cycle repeats!!
Woo hoo!This is literally the best explanation I've ever come across of camper vehicle electrics! Thanks so much. I've been trying to wrap my head around this stuff for a year, watching videos etc but they always assume a certain level of understanding to begin with, or do the opposite and over simplify it. I love this video! Happy birthday Kat for later. Are you doing a second van tour at any point? Looks like some stuff has changed which is exciting. X
yay! I'm so pleased to hear that- that was completely our intention. :) And sure- we can do a 'review' tour or something. We've done a few mods so can show them if you're interested.
@@WanderingBird That would be great 😊
Omg! We have just got a Swift Escape 674 2017! This was so helpful! Can't wait to see the second half!
Hi Kat thanks for great video, that was easier to understand thank you, look forward to the next one, love the colour scheme in your motorhome and the cushion behind you! Ha ha take care both xx
I fitted a dedicated fused 20Amp heavy duty cigarette socket directly to the leisure battery behind the drivers seat which also allowed for the heat to dissipate through the socket body and wooden plinth, i needed it for my Macbook laptop charger. I have also fitted a Victron 120W solar panel which is fantastic and gives me 85AH per day, and a Victron battery monitor, this is because the PMS3 management is great for what it does but is no help for usage and current remaining and cannot be configured for the 3 leisure battery types. I am in a VW T5.1 conversion. The other thing to note is cable size when fitting these bits of kit. I believe with the fridge at 50% I am getting 7+ days off grid with careful use.
Kat
Super super useful, really well explained, thank you and Mr WB x
You're very welcome Helen! Glad it was useful :)
What do people that live in Motorhomes permanently do for an address for the DVLA, bank and passport office?
Happy birthday, Kat!
Thank you. It's in 9 days but getting there!! :)
Can you mix leisure batteries, as in add a lithium as 2nd battery if other is still a lead acid, or would they both need be same???
Simon - Staffs
I’ve got it! Heat and power - a steam powered hairdryer!... oh - wait a minute...
Great informative video👍 just curious why you both aren't in it?
Glad you enjoyed it. Mr WB decided a long time ago not to be in the videos, and I respect his decision.
Hi guys can I ask what you use to purefie water I reamber you doing so.ethi g on this but can't find it thanks Craig
Hey, what happened to the little intros to your videos?
Awww- I miss them too! Sadly it was on my last laptop and didn't transfer over. I need to do another one but haven't had time yet! :)