I would just like to say for any of you guys out there that are thinking of having a van built by these guys that they have so much enthusiasm and so informative that I don’t think you could find anywhere better. We had our VW Crafter converted with Vanology,the workmanship is second to none with so much precision to detail. Also Nothing is to much trouble. Stuart convinced us to go full electric as we spend so much time off grid,gas was becoming exspensive and difficult to locate also saving on extra weight and we must say we are so glad we listened to him as we use our van every four days for our adventures. We have never needed to go on a site as the Fogstar 560, solar and the 60amp battery to battery charger are brilliant. We would like to say to Stuart and his team a massive thank you !!!
Hi Boydy,hope you don't mind but I'm hoping to get the 6.86m crafter and to go all electric,I live in Spain so it makes sense,can I ask about the finished weight of your van and are you nervous when loading?? There are just myself and my wife we are both pensioners so we don't have bikes and all sporting accessories to account for so would you say 3500kg at 6.86m is ok for us without being nervous of being overweight. Thanks
@@davidhale4830 Hi David. I’m sure that you would be fine but close to maximum when two people are in and gear.we had ours weighed at the mot station and it was 3100 kg that was with the water full at 100 ltr and half tank of fuel. Regards Boydy.
Due to the wide voltage range you need a completly different electrical system to deal with the 8 volts to 15.6 volt range of a sodium battery. You cannot change the sodium cell characteristics, all you can do is develop an electrical system to utilise the wide voltage range.
Shwmae. Thank you for doing this video, it was very helpful.... I've noticed in the past that you have used the Renogy Inverter/Charger. For these centre tapped inverters do you use a second RCD on the inverter output feed with a neutral/ground bonding switchover when on battery feed rather than hook-up? Diolch yn fawr.
Another great and informative video.I've always wondered on the terminology of lithium in vans,bus bars,shunts etc etc,any chance of a video to explain the terminology/names of the pieces in the lithium for van jigsaw.Not in place of your normal videos ,just an extra one. Thanks
Ash this was so informative thank you!! What positive and negative bus bars do you use? We couldn’t see them on your Amazon storefront! Thanks so much, we are feeling stuck with our electrics right now😫
Quick question, when you treat/rivet/treat small holes in the floor, do you also use any sealant like CT1, or does the rivet make enough of a seal to avoid any water coming back in? Only talking small holes from where old ply lining was screwed down. Where there are tie down points, I'm planning on simply reinserting the existing bolts - presume that's OK? Thanks in advance!
I must admit I’m in no rush lol the bigger vans are tough to work in when furniture goes in so you can imagine what the smaller vans would be like, although we do have one in the pipe line 👍🏻🚐
Fantastic video. Please keep us updated on the testing with the new battery and what you use for charging an dc to dc etc. have you got a link to where you purchased it. Quick question. I though dc to dc and solar charges etc were meant to go on non flammable or is that not correct.
Those sodium batteries will be a game changer if they are already 50% cheaper than lithium and can still discharge to 0%. If that had a bluetooth bms it would be perfect IMO
Do you mean solar panels? If so they are great way to get a bit of extra power into your battery system. If you mean a power bank then I would just have an extra mppt controller on your system to allow for a portable solar panel 👍🏻🚐
Hello. That Sodium battery sounds very interesting. Electric section of film was also very interesting. As for cooker ( so said Electric ). Why do you not fit diesel powered cooker. ??? I don’t think for the amount of cooking , even in winter would one use a load of diesel. Interested in your thoughts on that point please. Wish You Well
Thank you, the systems we build are for the best part self generating so effectively free cooking etc and more green 👊🏻🚐 in winter the loss of solar does obviously make an impact on what you have coming in but a lot of people don’t travel in winter or chase the sun. We use large capacity batteries so even without solar you should easily do close to a week off grid before you’d need electric hook up or start the engine
Hi Stu great vlog really enjoy your output don't stop saying by err obviously a Welsh thing😂😂 as others I follow who are Welsh say the same thing. Quick question on the vlog you said the build was having a 560 amp hr battery huge for off grid and no gas fitted i noticed on the electric board you were fitting a victron 30 amp dc to dc charger surely you would want at least a 60 amp? 30 would take for ever to charge from flat while driving? Just wondered what your thoughts were? Cheers mate keep up the good work also what 3000w inverters do you use recommend when building your vans.
Thanks mate, the dc/dc charger is dependent on the size of the alternator or customers budget. As a general rule I will go up to a third of the alternator size so if a 180a alternator then I’d do a 60a charger. We use two inverters one is by Renogy which is my prime choice at the moment as they offer the same as the other we use, Victron multiplus II but is priced at £530 instead of about £1200. 👊🏻🚐
Hey guys, I'm down be your neck of the woods tomorrow (Wednesday 4th) to the village of Abarbargoed, to say a very sad fair well to a buddy of mine, gone far too soon, well to soon for his time,
Another good informative video other than you cannot count......there was 7 be here's, you missed a couple when talking about the new battery, not that I was counting 😂
Hahah.. I went on a proper rabbit hole trying to find the origins of "b'here".. Having had a few mates from d'Valleys and surrounds, I'd never heard that before.. Granted, I am a Dubliner.. Maybe they dodge the lingo around Paddies.
You missed a couple of by ere’s 😂😂 Interesting about the sodium ion batteries, not heard of those before today. Hopefully they become mainstream soon to give lithium usability with more affordability.
Anyone know what the sodium battery risk for fire 🔥? And if it can catch on fire how easy to put out I know lithium is deadly in a van if it catches fire .. thanks
@@VanologyConversions Keep it up, man! You have to do proper SEO on your channel\ videos, and then you will get more improvement. just need to follow the YT rules. I hope you have a great day.
HI STU. PLEASE CAN YOU HELP. We have been watching all you videos and you fit a lot of compressor fridges can you tell me if your fitting it to an outside wall do you need vents in the side of the van as we would like to fit a fridge like the one fitted in the crafter you have just completed but are not sure about ventilation out side. PLEASE CAN YOU HELP.
Hi Guys, compressor fridges don’t need venting outside but we do ensure there is venting to the rear of the fridge as they do produce a small amount of heat 👍🏻🚐
Having had a lithum usb powerbank burst into flames on my bedside table at 5:30 in the morning may wife is 100% against having a lithium ion battery fitted in the camper. Are sodium ion batteries safer?
Yes they are much safer and stable but they need a bit more developing to get them up to a standard for us. If you were to use lithium I’d have no problem using lifepo4 lithium as this has a great safety record 👍🏻🚐
Do you have a link to the product on their website. I can't seem to see one on it? Also, when you say early days for the product, is that to you or the product in general? Great You Tube content by the way.
@@VanologyConversions You should do an in-depth Video about the battery. I can't find any information on it and you casually have it standing there in your garage :D
Sodium batteries are not suitable as a battery for a van conversion. There is a big voltage range, full to empty, is 15.6 volts to 8 volts. If you run with conventional charging systems, charge to 14.6 volts and discharge to 10 volts your 100Ah battery is effectivly a 60 Ah battery. If the lower voltage is higher, say 12 volts, you loose even more capacity. The recomended charge voltage for full capacity is 15.6 volts . Not only is this an uncommon charge voltage, exposing the van electrical system to this voltage could cause damage. The low temperature preformance is slightly better than lithium, charge down to -10C discharge down to -30. ( lithium, charge down to 0C, discharge down to -20C). There will be an issue interfacing with inverters, chargers and common van electrics, due to the wide operating voltage of sodium batteries .
I would just like to say for any of you guys out there that are thinking of having a van built by these guys that they have so much enthusiasm and so informative that I don’t think you could find anywhere better. We had our VW Crafter converted with Vanology,the workmanship is second to none with so much precision to detail. Also Nothing is to much trouble. Stuart convinced us to go full electric as we spend so much time off grid,gas was becoming exspensive and difficult to locate also saving on extra weight and we must say we are so glad we listened to him as we use our van every four days for our adventures. We have never needed to go on a site as the Fogstar 560, solar and the 60amp battery to battery charger are brilliant. We would like to say to Stuart and his team a massive thank you !!!
Thank you very much guys and I’m glad you really are enjoying your van. Can’t wait to see some pics of your adventures 👊🏻🚐🚐
Hi Boydy,hope you don't mind but I'm hoping to get the 6.86m crafter and to go all electric,I live in Spain so it makes sense,can I ask about the finished weight of your van and are you nervous when loading?? There are just myself and my wife we are both pensioners so we don't have bikes and all sporting accessories to account for so would you say 3500kg at 6.86m is ok for us without being nervous of being overweight. Thanks
@@davidhale4830 Hi David. I’m sure that you would be fine but close to maximum when two people are in and gear.we had ours weighed at the mot station and it was 3100 kg that was with the water full at 100 ltr and half tank of fuel.
Regards
Boydy.
Hey Stu great to see you doing so well. Excellent vlog and very helpful as usual 👍👏
Thanks mark 👊🏻🚐
Best compliment I can give you is I’d give you my van to do as you are so good at the finer details. Keep up the good work.
Thanks mate I appreciate that 👊🏻🚐
Thanks for keeping making videos. When your so busy. I watch all of them and like watching your work and attention to details is brilliant.
Thanks mate, will always try and do a video a week where I can 👍🏻🚐
Your a guy that quality matters, vanology is a family business that will succeed. Amazing product your guys make keep rolling..
Thank you very much appreciate that 👊🏻🚐
Wow you blow me away with your craftsmanship and very useful knowledge. Another brilliant vlog . 👌😊
Thank you 💙🚐
The information on the sodium ion battery was priceless, a straight swap for a agm battery, brilliant 👍
They will be great when they get developed a bit more 👍🏻🚐
Due to the wide voltage range you need a completly different electrical system to deal with the 8 volts to 15.6 volt range of a sodium battery. You cannot change the sodium cell characteristics, all you can do is develop an electrical system to utilise the wide voltage range.
@@michaelfitzpatrick3641 to be honest, electrics go straight over my head, but when Stu said what he said, I just thought great.
Tip for you for the removal of the Sikaflex ,12mm x 12mm strip of hard Perspex with a sharpened chisel end will not damage the paint work👍
Great tip thank you I’ll give this a try next time 👍🏻👊🏻🚐
Shwmae. Thank you for doing this video, it was very helpful.... I've noticed in the past that you have used the Renogy Inverter/Charger. For these centre tapped inverters do you use a second RCD on the inverter output feed with a neutral/ground bonding switchover when on battery feed rather than hook-up? Diolch yn fawr.
Never lose the BYER, me and my wife repeat it every single time you, Charl or the Reds say it and it makes us smile every time 😁
To be fair I don’t think I could stop it if I tried 🤣😂
❤ quality keep up good work Vanology
Thank you 👊🏻🚐
Another good video stu your craftsmanship is 100% keep up the good work 👍
Thanks mate 👊🏻🚐
Great video as always Stu. Your workmanship is top notch. As a fellow welsh man I don’t even notice you saying by ere
Haha thanks mate 👊🏻🚐
Great video. Great detail.
Thanks mate 👊🏻🚐
As soon as your video pops up, i'm on it. Love em. When I do drop the Lottery, I'm coming to you for my Single Man Van. Cheers Stu.
Thanks Trevor 👊🏻🚐
Sodiun Iron batteries thanks for the heads up on a very easy AGM upgrade 👌
They will be for sure they just need a bit more time to be developed 👍🏻🚐
Great vlog 👍
Thank you 👍🏻🚐
Thanks for another GREAT video!
Thank you 👍🏻🚐
Love it, Stu. Don’t change nothing. 😉
Thanks mate 👍🏻🚐
So glad you have realized the difference with Medium Density Fibreboard ... I much prefer the smoothness and rigidness - good decision 👍👍💯💯
They are nice and smooth my main concern was always moisture penetration as they have terrible resistance to water so we seal them 👍🏻🚐
Watching your videos we always say with you and sometimes before you be ere 😂
Love your vlogs and the quality workmanship.
🤣😂 thanks guys 💙
Excellent 👍
Thank you 👍🏻🚐
Another great and informative video.I've always wondered on the terminology of lithium in vans,bus bars,shunts etc etc,any chance of a video to explain the terminology/names of the pieces in the lithium for van jigsaw.Not in place of your normal videos ,just an extra one. Thanks
Thank you, I’ll get into in a future video for sure 👍🏻🚐
Another Great Video 🙂
Thank you 🙌🏻🚐
So Stu, another cracking vLog. Your content is great. Thx
Thanks mate 👊🏻🚐
Great information there 🎉
Thank you 🙌🏻🚐
Ash this was so informative thank you!! What positive and negative bus bars do you use? We couldn’t see them on your Amazon storefront! Thanks so much, we are feeling stuck with our electrics right now😫
Thank you, if you google 250a busbar they will come up. I haven’t updated the Amazon shop for a while so will get around to that too 👍🏻🚐
Hi Phil great explanation vlog as usual can you please send a link what solar panel you used .
This isn’t the one I use (trade access only) but wouldn’t hesitate using this one too www.bimblesolar.com/C435
@VanologyConversions Thanks Stue 👍
No problem mate
Hi we’re did you buy your sodium ion battery from thanks Patrick 👍
Quick question, when you treat/rivet/treat small holes in the floor, do you also use any sealant like CT1, or does the rivet make enough of a seal to avoid any water coming back in? Only talking small holes from where old ply lining was screwed down. Where there are tie down points, I'm planning on simply reinserting the existing bolts - presume that's OK? Thanks in advance!
So the tie down bolts we put back in with sealant, the smaller holes the rivets are enough but we do apply an underbody seal on them 👍🏻🚐
SO it’s looking good. SO when you do the floor it will look brill. SO I hope another fab van. 😂😂😂😂😂
So the thing is, I can’t help it, so 🤣
I'd love to see what Vanology can be done to a smaller van like my old Vauxhall Vivaro.
I must admit I’m in no rush lol the bigger vans are tough to work in when furniture goes in so you can imagine what the smaller vans would be like, although we do have one in the pipe line 👍🏻🚐
@VanologyConversions cool. Ill look forward to seeing your talent and skills put to the test on smaller
Fantastic video. Please keep us updated on the testing with the new battery and what you use for charging an dc to dc etc. have you got a link to where you purchased it. Quick question. I though dc to dc and solar charges etc were meant to go on non flammable or is that not correct.
Thank you, when we’ve run it through some paces we’ll give you an update for sure 👍🏻🚐
Those sodium batteries will be a game changer if they are already 50% cheaper than lithium and can still discharge to 0%. If that had a bluetooth bms it would be perfect IMO
Exactly mate they need a bit more time to develop these and they are going to be a game changer 👊🏻🚐
😂 just keep being yaself Stu Great vlog 🫡🍻
Thank you 👊🏻🚐
Great vid as usual
What’s your thoughts on solar generators to save time & money on your electrics ?
Do you mean solar panels? If so they are great way to get a bit of extra power into your battery system. If you mean a power bank then I would just have an extra mppt controller on your system to allow for a portable solar panel 👍🏻🚐
I mean the likes of ecoflow delta etc where the battery ,chargers, inverter etc is contained in one pack rather than having single components?
Thanks
Hello. That Sodium battery sounds very interesting. Electric section of film was also very interesting. As for cooker ( so said Electric ). Why do you not fit diesel powered cooker. ??? I don’t think for the amount of cooking , even in winter would one use a load of diesel. Interested in your thoughts on that point please. Wish You Well
Thank you, the systems we build are for the best part self generating so effectively free cooking etc and more green 👊🏻🚐 in winter the loss of solar does obviously make an impact on what you have coming in but a lot of people don’t travel in winter or chase the sun. We use large capacity batteries so even without solar you should easily do close to a week off grid before you’d need electric hook up or start the engine
Hi Stu great vlog really enjoy your output don't stop saying by err obviously a Welsh thing😂😂 as others I follow who are Welsh say the same thing. Quick question on the vlog you said the build was having a 560 amp hr battery huge for off grid and no gas fitted i noticed on the electric board you were fitting a victron 30 amp dc to dc charger surely you would want at least a 60 amp? 30 would take for ever to charge from flat while driving? Just wondered what your thoughts were? Cheers mate keep up the good work also what 3000w inverters do you use recommend when building your vans.
Thanks mate, the dc/dc charger is dependent on the size of the alternator or customers budget. As a general rule I will go up to a third of the alternator size so if a 180a alternator then I’d do a 60a charger. We use two inverters one is by Renogy which is my prime choice at the moment as they offer the same as the other we use, Victron multiplus II but is priced at £530 instead of about £1200. 👊🏻🚐
Hey guys, I'm down be your neck of the woods tomorrow (Wednesday 4th) to the village of Abarbargoed, to say a very sad fair well to a buddy of mine, gone far too soon, well to soon for his time,
Hi mate am sorry to hear of your loss. Feel free to drop by for a cuppa if you get time 👍🏻🚐
@@VanologyConversions thanks for the offer, we'll see what happens tomorrow and timings
Another good informative video other than you cannot count......there was 7 be here's, you missed a couple when talking about the new battery, not that I was counting 😂
🤣😂darn it was sure I had them all
@@VanologyConversions makes no odds, still enjoy the videos
Hahah.. I went on a proper rabbit hole trying to find the origins of "b'here".. Having had a few mates from d'Valleys and surrounds, I'd never heard that before.. Granted, I am a Dubliner.. Maybe they dodge the lingo around Paddies.
Haha maybe to be fair until very recently I didn’t even know it was a thing 😂🤣 the accent probably doesn’t help 🤣
Vanlogic, just another for your list?
You missed a couple of by ere’s 😂😂
Interesting about the sodium ion batteries, not heard of those before today. Hopefully they become mainstream soon to give lithium usability with more affordability.
They certainly will be the future and I think it will happen quite quickly. Knew I’d miss some 😂🤣
Stu you missed 3 beyers 😂😂❤
hahahhaha
🤣😂 just wanted to keep ya on your toes 👀🚐
Hi, Stu where did you purchase the battery from please? Can't seem to find a supplier.
Got it from bms technologies, I’d hold fire a minute though they need a bit more developing 👍🏻🚐
Anyone know what the sodium battery risk for fire 🔥?
And if it can catch on fire how easy to put out
I know lithium is deadly in a van if it catches fire .. thanks
They are actually far safer than lithium, a lot more stable 👍🏻🚐
Hi Stu where did you get the solar panel from
We get them from a local stockist Rexel 👍🏻🚐
Hi can you tell me is it ok to take off my starter battery to connect EcoFlow charger I got a HYMER Master line i790
I presume the sodium battery is equivalent in weight to the Lithium?
It’s marginally heavier at the moment but still a lot lighter than agm and lead 👍🏻🚐
Great information there
Thank you 👍🏻🚐
@@VanologyConversions Keep it up, man! You have to do proper SEO on your channel\ videos, and then you will get more improvement. just need to follow the YT rules. I hope you have a great day.
HI STU. PLEASE CAN YOU HELP.
We have been watching all you videos and you fit a lot of compressor fridges can you tell me if your fitting it to an outside wall do you need vents in the side of the van as we would like to fit a fridge like the one fitted in the crafter you have just completed but are not sure about ventilation out side. PLEASE CAN YOU HELP.
Hi Guys, compressor fridges don’t need venting outside but we do ensure there is venting to the rear of the fridge as they do produce a small amount of heat 👍🏻🚐
Thank you so much for your reply.
Having had a lithum usb powerbank burst into flames on my bedside table at 5:30 in the morning may wife is 100% against having a lithium ion battery fitted in the camper.
Are sodium ion batteries safer?
Yes they are much safer and stable but they need a bit more developing to get them up to a standard for us. If you were to use lithium I’d have no problem using lifepo4 lithium as this has a great safety record 👍🏻🚐
Where did you get the Sodium battery?
I got it from bms technologies 👍🏻🚐
Do you have a link to the product on their website. I can't seem to see one on it? Also, when you say early days for the product, is that to you or the product in general? Great You Tube content by the way.
@@VanologyConversions You should do an in-depth Video about the battery. I can't find any information on it and you casually have it standing there in your garage :D
Haha I didn’t realise they ain’t been released yet but to be fair I bought it from a trade only supplier
If you didn't say "by ere" I'd be disappointed... 😁 I dig the Welsh, Celtic cousins to us Irish ✊☘
Thanks mate don’t even know it was a thing 🤣🚐
Hey Stu, any chance of showing your next shower build please 🙏 we’re waiting patiently 👍
Will do mate, if you want to call me to discuss that’s not a problem too, happy to help 👍🏻🚐
👍🚐😎
🫡👊🏻🙌🏻
Does dim ots gen i'r bod eres 😁
👀
I enjoy your videos but I’m an American could you tell me what beyah means, thanks.
🤣😂 by here
Sodium batteries are not suitable as a battery for a van conversion. There is a big voltage range, full to empty, is 15.6 volts to 8 volts. If you run with conventional charging systems, charge to 14.6 volts and discharge to 10 volts your 100Ah battery is effectivly a 60 Ah battery. If the lower voltage is higher, say 12 volts, you loose even more capacity. The recomended charge voltage for full capacity is 15.6 volts . Not only is this an uncommon charge voltage, exposing the van electrical system to this voltage could cause damage.
The low temperature preformance is slightly better than lithium, charge down to -10C discharge down to -30. ( lithium, charge down to 0C, discharge down to -20C).
There will be an issue interfacing with inverters, chargers and common van electrics, due to the wide operating voltage of sodium batteries .
I’ve not had chance to look into these details yet but from what I’ve read so far they are being developed. I’ll update in a future vid 👍🏻🚐
Stu you are Welsh not English use the words you were brought up on
There’d be a lot of swearing if I did that 🤣🚐