I am what's known as a newbie and embarked on big learning curve. Bought my first van in June 2004 Swift carrera 122 basically to revisit the nature and countryside I left in my walking youth. I really do appreciate your videos as I am not a million miles away from the decisions you have made, they may have a different conclusion but very helpful you have been to a 74 year old newbie. Many thanks and keep the very good work up and look forward to you sharing your experiences and joy ~ John
@@leather10uk hey John! What a lovely ☺️ comment you’ve made, thanks 🙏 We’re so glad you have found our vlogs useful, we’re all newbie’s at some point and every day is a school day, if you ever need advice please shout up. Our upgrades have been great, we’ve also added an inverter and looking at a 2nd DC-DC charger soon too, a vlog will be out at some point! Again, thanks for watching and commenting, much appreciated 👀👍 have a great New Year 🎉 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
hi, im new to your channel and im so happy I found it. Great banter, humour and advice. Well done on the format. Im catching up on all the old videos and its a great way to spend these cold winter evenings. I love that you put the What 3Words for locations too. Thanks and happy new year,carol.
@@carolspencer5844 hey Carol, thanks so much for such a lovely and positive comment, we really appreciate it 🥰 Very pleased you like our modus operandi and that our vlogs are useful. Be careful if you are going through our back catalogue, you could end up with some mental health issues 🤪 🤣 Again, cheers 🥂 for watching 👀 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Hey up you two, I got the exact same battery a few months ago, agreed, it’s a brilliant battery, I did two burgers and chips in the air fryer the other day at the side of the lake, only used 11%. Can’t believe how much they’ve come down in price, I got mine, admittedly through a friend with a conversion business for £499 Bit of a baaaaaargain! Keep the good vids coming you two, ps, has Bud got rid of the face yet?😂😂
@@stevenwilson5172 £500 is cheap! Wow 😮 nice one 👍 It’s a great battery and been great for us. Interesting about the air fryer, we’re just looking into some of our usage, so we can better understand, so good to know 👍 Buddy 🐕 is the same as every, not sure 🤔 if that’s a good thing or a bad thing 🤣🤣 Happy new year mate 🥂🍾🎉
It was interesting to note that increasing your Solar power had little benefit in Winter. I have always thought the battery power is more important than Solar. Which is why I haven't increased on my 175 Watt panel, and invested in a 320 ah LiFePo 4 battery. Also it is worth noting that adding more Solar panels will deplete your payload. So the way I look at it is, that a single reasonably sized Solar panel is all you need in Summer, and that you won't get the benefit of more panels in Winter. So best to spend your money on as big a Lithium battery that you can afford and can physically fit in, and then go for a drive when battery gets low.
Yes, a good observation 👍 I think our solar will benefit us more in spring and autumn (it will be too much in summer) where it gives us a chance to maximise what’s available. Thanks for watching 👍
Interesting video. Thanks to you both. My 10 pennyworth re solar and batteries as we've gone the other way. Solar panels are (relatively) cheap, lithium batteries not so. Consequently we went for 350w of solar and 110ah lithium. That was a year ago and we've spent most of our time off grid (April to June in Scandinavia, November to now in Spain) and not had any issues. Horses for courses . . . .
Very interesting points from Dave and Devon. Thanks for the input. Just love the idea of more time off grid! Which leads me to add that the sunshine in Spain in winter sounds like an excellent compromise where solar will be the most beneficial! 😜
We’ve had a similar setup. Something to consider for winter solar is a portable panel you can feed into the battery but angle it towards the sun. On a recent video in the subject I was amazed how much difference this made with a low lying sun.
@@chrisl7902 hi Chris, thanks for the tip. It’s something I’ve thought about but the spend just keeps going and going 💰 🤣 still under review! Cheers 🥂 for watching 👀 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Great explanation, so thanks for that. If I may, I would like to add another couple of points which might be of interest to some folk. I recently upgraded to 200 Amp hours of lithium, with a 300 watt solar panel. In summer, as you say, infinite power. I then changed from a gas fridge to a (ridiculously expensive) electric compressor fridge. This has been 'fit and forget', but uses around 20-25 amp hours per day. (so 10-12%) Along with the power usage other appliances and assuming no solar, we need to drive 1.5 hours to get a day's worth of charge back into the batteries, which equates to around 70 miles. However, with the additional capacity of the lithium batteries, I feel much more relaxed about available power, and no longer have 'Charge anxiety'. The cost is worth it for that alone (for me). Hope this helps. Aldo
Spot on Aldo, thanks. I’ve thought about a compressor fridge and your insight is interesting 🤔 As far as solar goes, we have probably too much in summer, but spring and autumn will be the times we will benefit most with 575 watt. Really grateful for your experience, thanks for watching 👀 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Well there is Batman, Superman and Eurosully. Keep up the good work guys, we laughed at this one. Hope it was not too painful passing your little attachment 😂😂😂
Fantastic! Thanks for doing the maffs for us - we had hoped we'd made the right choice with our Gasit system😁👍. Currently on a mini Scotland tour - having absolutely no problems whatsoever acquiring LPG 👍. Loving your vlogs & banter - and glad you like Yorkshire (our home County 🥰). Look forward to your next vlogs 😁
Your welcome Jmick, and the Gasit will do you proud. Hope the weather is good in Scotland, we’re having proper wind here in West Yorkshire at the moment, and I don’t mean flatulence 😂 Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀 and having the banter 😆 A, J & 🐶
We have a similar electrical set-up to you and off grid year round so a lithium battery is a game changer. We follow the idea that in the winter it's not about how much heat you can generate into the van but rather, how much heat you can stop from leaving the van. Running the heating is a major draw on your electrics. Basically we did: 1. Made a thermal curtain positioned in the cab, there is also a matching one across the habitation door. Cheap to do as you only need to get some woollen fabric on the face side in a nice pattern and a heavy thermal material on the back side. We got a seamstress to put it altogether and it is attached by popper studs. These really do stop draughts and heat loss 2. Get a roll of shiny insulation from B&Q etc, looks like bubble wrap. It needs to have a good performance rating so it works. We then line all invisible outside walls with it. In the lockers and floor etc. You can also wrap the heating pipes with it as this helps to push more air round the van 3. Also, with the shiny insulation we made a cover for each window and the skylights so that they fit in the groove where the flyscreen comes down so it holds the cover in place. This gives you 2 layers over the windows and really helps 4. Get a good windscreen silver screen, such as Taylormade. these are expensive but they are a good investment. Your front windscreen will now have 3 layers over it and everywhere else will have an increase in heat retension. The silver screen also stops excessive heat in case you find yourself in a heatwave in southern France. 5 years later and our Taylormade silver screen is as good as new so we know it's good quality 5. Use a low wattage kettle, toaster, hair dryer etc 6. Put any surplus hot water from the morning into a thermos flask so you can have hot water later without using electric and gas We have found during the winter on the North York Moors (0 degrees or colder) even with heating off the van will maintain a temperature of around 9 degrees. When we're out of the van and asleep we put the heating on setting #1 and that's all we need. Hope you find some of this useful and thanks for sharing the video, happy travels.
That’s brilliant advice, thanks. We’re working on a video to show how we kept warm in the Arctic and our UK weather too so will look at these tips. Cheers 🥂 👍
Thanks for your advice Jan. I totally agree about the thermal curtains. We were in the Dolomites with all round snow and -13°C in January. 😮 I know, we learnt our lesson.🙄 We opened the curtain in our rental van so we could watch the skiers. Big mistake!! It made the van SO cold, we kept it tightly closed thereafter. They make a massive difference because of the heat loss through the windscreen without a silver screen. Great tips especially the shiny insulation screens for the windows. 👏
Really useful video, thank you very much! I’m in the process of doing all this, plus an inverter - well actually a Mastervolt inverter/charger, but mainly because I was able to acquire a ‘used’ one at half price, let’s hope I don’t regret it!! However it seems to me that the limiting factor is now, not the power, but the toilet cassette capacity - I welcome anyone with practical solutions for that! Thanks again and all the best to you.
@@charlesmorrish909 hi Charles and thanks for your positive feedback, much appreciated 😊 the inverter is a good call, it’s taken us about 18 months but just added one last week, brilliant 🤩 You’re correct about the cassette being the limiting factor now, we’re having the same discussion! Probably the easiest solution (if storage space permits) would be to have a second/spare cassette?? Changing the whole toilet to a separating/composting unit may be an (more expensive) option? Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
@@davidmarek72 no worries, we have a gaslow system, 2 X 6kg cylinders with an external fill. Readily available and cheap in Europe, still fairly easy here too. Hold a total of 23 litres. 👍
We have a very similar set up although we do have a 2 kw inverter as well which quite happily runs our air fryer, laptop and other bits and pieces. We haven’t really tested it during the winter yet so to see what it is potentially capable of was great. Thanks for the info guys and keep up the great work, you never know the gazillions may even cover the cost of your inverter 😂
Hi Richard, the overall cost included having a pro fit everything. We could not let Andrew loose with electric ⚡️ 😂 Thanks for watching 👀 Andrew., Jane & Buddy 🐶
Have you considered using a portable solar panel? I use one and it's great when you get low sun at this time of the year, certainly helps get some power back into the LB
Thanks, very informative, I sense a multiplus 2 is around the corner. I’m still sitting on the fence re lithium for the van but have it in the house and love it. Like you say it’s not just about the cost but more about the convenience and environmental impact. Keep up the great work.
Cheers Paul, we’re a way off an inverter as the cost is significant and our way of vanning makes it a nice to have not a must have. 💰 The lithium has really been a game changer though so good. Alice for money (for us at least) 👍 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Thank you so much for this video. For starters i love your style, but also very informative. You have helped me make a big decision concerning my set up. I didn't know whether to invest in upgrading my current system, which is very similar to your old system or buy the Bluetti ac200L and just try and work with that. I liked the idea of taking it with me if I sell the motohome in the future. I have made the decision after watching this, I am going to upgrade to something like yours. thanks again. liked and subscribed.
Hi Stevie, what positive words you have spoken, thanks, we really appreciate it. If you would like any help/advice or semi authoritative help just drop us an email (in our. Channel bio at the top) and we’ll be happy to talk through our process in more detail. Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Really enjoyed that , very useful and well worth the outlay in the long run , as you say flexibility is the best part of it , like the idea of portable solar panels , can keep the van topped up when the covers are on too 🤔
Thank you for this. We only have a small campervan, as vans go nowadays. It's a Ducato based 6m van, two berth, our first, though we have years of experience holidaying several months a year in a large caravan. We don't live in our camper it is a leisure vehicle, but your video has gone a long way towards answering a question or three about the usefulness of the solar panel that came with the van from new, and whether we should fit a second one. Are you concerned at all by the stories one hears of lithium batteries catching fire? By the way, and it's a small thing, speaking purely personally, I am not keen on background music in youtube videos ... is it just me? Stay safe
@@emogowl hey there emo! Thanks for taking the time to write such a positive comment, we really appreciate it 😀👍 We’re pleased 😀 you found our vlog useful, yes, an extra solar panel helps considerably when off grid, although in winter not so much 🥶 I don’t worry about the perceived “fire risk” of lithium leisure batteries. From what I’ve read, our LifePo4 are a different chemistry to the type in cars or used in small rechargeable devices. Nevertheless, I have a “firebomb” placed near the battery and all the chargers under our bed, just in case of an electrical fault/fire. Cheers for watching 👀 our videos, we’ll have to disagree on the background music, without it the videos seem “lacking something” or very stark. The difficulty for us is making the right choice for a given situation and getting the sound level right, not easy🎶 🎧 it also helps to drown out and distract from Jane’s voice 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 Happy 😊 New Year 🎉 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
I've watched both of your helpful videos on this topic. To me your motivation resonates for me and sums it all up so well. It's about staying where we want, when we want for how long we want!! Excellent plan. And I see you mentioned the loo, which is tge other significant limiting factor. I suppose that might lead to looking at replacements for the good old Thetford cassette at some stage too? Seems like the separator method is about the best. But it's costly. 😢 Thank you as, always. Appreciate and enjoy your vids.
@@julian-1955 hi again Julia, it seems we are on the same wave length! We agree on many aspects of our Vanlife, and yes, the cassette is on our radar but expensive and we are reluctant to disassemble the bathroom 🚽 so probably a way off yet. What a lovely 🥰 way for us to wake up this morning, with three amazing 🤩 comments to read, thank you. To get such positive feedback makes a massive difference to our own experience of RUclips and means more to us than the massive RUclips fame and gazillionairedom that we talk of throughout our vlogs. Cheers 🥂 for watching 👀 Julia, and for feeding back to us…oh, and of course, for picking up on the banter…we love it 😻 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
You're most welcome, and deserving of your gazillionaire dream.😂 How strange to get almost instant feedback. You are very good at always responding to feedback too. Well done. And yes, our thinking on van life does seem similar. On the 🚽, no wait, on the subject of the 🚽, maybe buying an extra cassette might be the short term solution because yes, a major refit is another matter. 🙄 Thanks for your response. Have a good day. 👋
@@julian-1955 yes, was thinking g 2nd cassette 👍 Instant reply this morning as we can’t sleep, 😴 today could be the day we become grandparents, if not today it’s very soon! 👶
@@julian-1955 ahhhh, sorry mate, dam my early morning bleary eyes, 👀 not put my contact lenses in yet. Miss gendering people is a new controversy, even for me! 😂
Hi Ian, there’s loads of opportunity for that, in Scotland certainly. Some camp sites let you pay to just use a service point, even some of the Camping and Caravan Club sites. We use the Park4Night app which shows many places. For us it’s not being off grid no matter what, we’ll still use some sites, it’s about staying where we want, when we want, for as long as we want. Always the biggest challenge is an Elsan point, but so far we’ve managed well. Thanks for watching 👍
Hi Sam, good to help a fellow 155er 🚐 The change to lithium is an expensive one but we’re really glad we did it. Would save a bit of weight for you too! Thanks for watching 👀 and if you ever need a heads up on a 155, give us a shout 👍 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
@@samkerr8902 we use an EcoFlow, the smallest (cheapest) one, was £250 but a bit less now. Never used another make so can’t say what’s good or bad. However, it went fault after 13 months, contacted EcoFlow and the quickly sent me a postage label, fixed it and returned it to me. So pretty chuffed.
Hi, just watched this Vlog again for the 4th time and find it very interesting. Are your google speaker, TV and Router all 12v? Also from your setup how do you charge your power bank to use as an inverter? Sorry if it was explained, I’m a newbie 😂
@@kevmcgraw9382 hi Kev, no problem at all. The Google speaker is 12v plugged into usb. The router is 12v (factory fit so not sure how it is wired!) The tv is duel, so 12v cigarette socket (which is where it is permanently plugged in)!or 240v three pin plug. I charge the EcoFlow from the 12v cigarette socket in the habitation area when static (when off grid) or from the 12v cigarette socket in the cab when driving. Also charge it via 240v when on EHU. It’s not the most efficient use of power, but I’ve had the EcoFlow longer than I had the solar/lithium upgrade so made sense. (Financially) I will, very soon, have an inverter integrated into the electrics which will make the EcoFlow redundant. Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀
Thank for you time and effort to explain all that to me and in such detail. When you eventually have an inverter wired into your system will it be wired in such a way that all your 240v sockets will work or just the 3 pin socket on your inverter. Hope that makes sense?
@@kevmcgraw9382 I’m not the one fitting it, I don’t have the know how, but it will integrate all my existing sockets (so it will behave like on EHU) which is a longer install, and more costly, than just utilising the sockets on the inverter itself. I’ve had quotes of up to £1600 to provide and install, but I think it will end up being about half that. No problem with you asking for advice, happy to help 👍
@@simonworthington948 hi Simon, I can’t recommend the firm I used, sorry. It was an ok service for me, however one subscriber had a poor experience. Many thanks for watching 👀 Cheers 🍻 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
@@JonEaglen hi Jon, we bought the “normal” one, we use the space under the seats for other stuff. It was slightly too big for the existing, externally accessed, battery box so relocated inside under the bed. All our heating ducks run through the under bed area so also quite warm, less chance on a lithium having issues due to low temp. (Although the Fogstar Drift has built in heating) so far it’s been very good and I’m glad I did the upgrade ⚡️👍 Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀 Jon Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Hi Guys . took the plunge today and ordered my kit. just something I noticed after watching your other video about the upgrade, should have watched that one first, never mind. I didn't hear you mention inverter, my fitter is installing 2000w inverter. did you not decide not to have one , do you not need one, do I not need one. 😁 All the best
Hi Steve, I didn’t have one installed, we felt that our EcoFlow was all we needed, just to power the laptop. I have since looked into a 2000w inverter and had a variety of costs all the way up to £1600 fitted 😂 I think I’ll be getting one but just looking at a more cost effective install. If I were you, I’d have it done at the same time, with the same fitter (as long as cost is reasonable and you will get use from it) Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀 A, J & 🐶
@Eurosully ok. That makes sense. It's £1275 for the 2000w inverter. All victron, same as yours I think. 425 sigle panel, with my little 125w that's already there I get 550w. I will be happy with that. I must thank you again without getting weird. I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for your 8 day test video. I'll go for the whole kit. £3125 . Seems a lot, but I think to be able to stay off grid indefinitely it's worth every penny. Thanks Steve 👍
@@steviebye1 your too kind Steve, and not weird at all, well maybe a little bit 🤪😂 Good luck with it all and let us know how it goes. As another endorsement to the upgrade, we are in West Yorkshire at the moment, had over three days without EHU, watched loads of tv, charged Al sorts of stuff (used electric willy nilly in other words) and our battery is at 100%. It’s these dim spring and autumn times when the solar will really help. 🍻 🍻🍻
Really useful video, thanks, and it's made me realise that maybe my thoughts about going from 95ah lead to 300ah fogstar lithium are a bit over the top. I've only got 18A DCDC and 30A MPPT with 330w. Just a thought, how much did you use your power bank on this trip and now when going away in the summer would you even need it anymore?
@@66Trips thanks for your positive feedback “66” 👍 much appreciated. If your existing chargers all have a lithium profile, I’d steam on with lithium, even a slightly smaller one, great weight saving plus longevity. We’re loving the flexibility of having so much battery/storage. We used the power bank as an inverter, so charging off the hab battery while laptops plugged into it, not efficient, but our only option. We now have an inverter fitted (just a couple of weeks ago) and now don’t need the power bank. However, we keep the power bank for backup and to charge phones etc when we are getting low on hab battery. In Scotland at the moment, no sun, day six off grid and battery is at 62%, the power bank will delay our need to visit a camp site to use EHU, but it’s an inevitability that at some point, at this time of year, we’ll need to. Hope that helps “66”? Cheers 🍻 again for watching 👀 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Thanks Gaz, we chose to go how we did as we wanted it all integrated. We already had the small power bank which serves us well so didn’t really consider a bigger one. Our solar also charges as we drive along with the dc to dc. Thanks for watching 👍
Good evening great video and very informative, Can I ask how much power does the TV take and should u not be better havin a laptop (a little more multi purpose use) only I’m thinking of getting a laptop
A good question Deano as we are unsure 🤔 but we like the 24” screen of the TV!!! We run the fire stick and it’s great. We also have a laptop and a chrome book, the laptop (when under heavy load, such as video editing) is quite hungry and draws well over 100 watts from the power bank. As a TV we would need to charge the laptop up frequently and can only do this with the power bank when not on EHU. We also sometimes watch TV and use laptops at the same time! Think we need an inverter!! Thanks for watching and commenting with good ideas💡 👍 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Hi guys, Can I ask did you do the installation yourself or get someone to install it for you? It would also be nice to see the set up / installation as I can only guess how it was done. I have told the wife that we need to upgrade our solar and leisure battery plus get a powerbank or inverter for wife. to use hairdryer and GHD's. Thanks for the information and happy travels this year Drew & Linda🏴
The cost of install was including fitting by a specialist as I am not fit to be let loose on wires! 😂⚡️ You could do it for less if you are handy with diy!! Thanks for watching 👀 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Hi please can you tell me where you had all your batteries etc installed, we loved your set up and are definately considering the same. I'm new to your channel and really find you guys explain everything perfectly, apart from the outfitters😂❤
No, it was a few mm too big, so it was moved under the bed. I now have an extra external locker where it once was 😂 Thanks for watching 👀 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Hi . Lithium batteries we was thinking of changing our batteries but I'm getting bad vibes and hearing of vehicle's catching fire due to the battery overheating. Have you had any heat problems with it yet. Rob and Jane
Hi Robert, no problem at all. I think the publicity about fire is for the lithium batteries used in some early electric cars? New leisure batteries use lithium LifePo4 which is different chemistry? I’m not aware of any specific motorhome fires caused but lithium. There’s been a couple of fires recently shown on RUclips and Facebook but they weren’t, as far as I’m aware, connected to Lithium? Thanks for watching 👀 👍
I used aclsretail.com/ knowledgable chap and was very good when I had a problem in Sweden, he spent a lot of time trying to diagnose and help from a long way away. He a no nonsense chap, quite abrupt but at the end of the day he knows his stuff and we had good service, no quibble when I went back with an issue to sort. 👍 Give them a call or drop in, make your mind up after talking to him.
@@liamfinch4129 Hi Liam, thanks for tuning in. For me it’s understanding our use at different times of the year, coupled with knowing how quickly the kit will replenish our battery. This determines how I plan our route and stopovers. Our battery will last 4 days in winter without moving, but at that point, even with 575w of solar, will never charge enough daily to keep us comfortable. In summer it is possible for us to sit indefinitely. Having good chargers means maximising energy while driving and ultimately minimising the need for EHU. A holistic approach, in simple terms, I know what I have, what’s being used, and what’s coming in, that way I can plan our travels and never have the stress of running out. Worked for us now for the last 12 months. Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Maybe Buddie was drinking a very rudely named coffee? We'll never know, cos you chose black text on a black background......jeez, I thought you'd worked this TV lark out when the video started with Harry Potter. Obviously not🙄🤦♂️😂
I am what's known as a newbie and embarked on big learning curve. Bought my first van in June 2004 Swift carrera 122 basically to revisit the nature and countryside I left in my walking youth. I really do appreciate your videos as I am not a million miles away from the decisions you have made, they may have a different conclusion but very helpful you have been to a 74 year old newbie. Many thanks and keep the very good work up and look forward to you sharing your experiences and joy ~ John
@@leather10uk hey John! What a lovely ☺️ comment you’ve made, thanks 🙏 We’re so glad you have found our vlogs useful, we’re all newbie’s at some point and every day is a school day, if you ever need advice please shout up. Our upgrades have been great, we’ve also added an inverter and looking at a 2nd DC-DC charger soon too, a vlog will be out at some point!
Again, thanks for watching and commenting, much appreciated 👀👍 have a great New Year 🎉
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
hi, im new to your channel and im so happy I found it. Great banter, humour and advice. Well done on the format. Im catching up on all the old videos and its a great way to spend these cold winter evenings. I love that you put the What 3Words for locations too. Thanks and happy new year,carol.
@@carolspencer5844 hey Carol, thanks so much for such a lovely and positive comment, we really appreciate it 🥰
Very pleased you like our modus operandi and that our vlogs are useful. Be careful if you are going through our back catalogue, you could end up with some mental health issues 🤪 🤣
Again, cheers 🥂 for watching 👀
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
@@Eurosully ha ha, the fact that i own a campervan means i already have those mental health issues!!😜
Hey up you two, I got the exact same battery a few months ago, agreed, it’s a brilliant battery, I did two burgers and chips in the air fryer the other day at the side of the lake, only used 11%.
Can’t believe how much they’ve come down in price, I got mine, admittedly through a friend with a conversion business for £499
Bit of a baaaaaargain!
Keep the good vids coming you two, ps, has Bud got rid of the face yet?😂😂
@@stevenwilson5172 £500 is cheap! Wow 😮 nice one 👍
It’s a great battery and been great for us. Interesting about the air fryer, we’re just looking into some of our usage, so we can better understand, so good to know 👍
Buddy 🐕 is the same as every, not sure 🤔 if that’s a good thing or a bad thing 🤣🤣
Happy new year mate 🥂🍾🎉
It was interesting to note that increasing your Solar power had little benefit in Winter.
I have always thought the battery power is more important than Solar.
Which is why I haven't increased on my 175 Watt panel, and invested in a 320 ah LiFePo 4 battery.
Also it is worth noting that adding more Solar panels will deplete your payload.
So the way I look at it is, that a single reasonably sized Solar panel is all you need in Summer, and that you won't get the benefit of more panels in Winter.
So best to spend your money on as big a Lithium battery that you can afford and can physically fit in, and then go for a drive when battery gets low.
Yes, a good observation 👍 I think our solar will benefit us more in spring and autumn (it will be too much in summer) where it gives us a chance to maximise what’s available.
Thanks for watching 👍
Interesting video. Thanks to you both. My 10 pennyworth re solar and batteries as we've gone the other way. Solar panels are (relatively) cheap, lithium batteries not so. Consequently we went for 350w of solar and 110ah lithium. That was a year ago and we've spent most of our time off grid (April to June in Scandinavia, November to now in Spain) and not had any issues. Horses for courses . . . .
@@DevonDevas spot on 👍 we’re a bit jealous if you are still in Spain 🇪🇸 we’re waiting out our 90 days!!
Very interesting points from Dave and Devon. Thanks for the input. Just love the idea of more time off grid! Which leads me to add that the sunshine in Spain in winter sounds like an excellent compromise where solar will be the most beneficial! 😜
We’ve had a similar setup. Something to consider for winter solar is a portable panel you can feed into the battery but angle it towards the sun. On a recent video in the subject I was amazed how much difference this made with a low lying sun.
@@chrisl7902 hi Chris, thanks for the tip. It’s something I’ve thought about but the spend just keeps going and going 💰 🤣 still under review!
Cheers 🥂 for watching 👀
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Great explanation, so thanks for that.
If I may, I would like to add another couple of points which might be of interest to some folk.
I recently upgraded to 200 Amp hours of lithium, with a 300 watt solar panel. In summer, as you say, infinite power. I then changed from a gas fridge to a (ridiculously expensive) electric compressor fridge. This has been 'fit and forget', but uses around 20-25 amp hours per day. (so 10-12%)
Along with the power usage other appliances and assuming no solar, we need to drive 1.5 hours to get a day's worth of charge back into the batteries, which equates to around 70 miles.
However, with the additional capacity of the lithium batteries, I feel much more relaxed about available power, and no longer have 'Charge anxiety'. The cost is worth it for that alone (for me).
Hope this helps.
Aldo
Spot on Aldo, thanks. I’ve thought about a compressor fridge and your insight is interesting 🤔
As far as solar goes, we have probably too much in summer, but spring and autumn will be the times we will benefit most with 575 watt.
Really grateful for your experience, thanks for watching 👀
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Well there is Batman, Superman and Eurosully. Keep up the good work guys, we laughed at this one. Hope it was not too painful passing your little attachment 😂😂😂
Not all hero’s wear capes😂😂
And I did it again a couple of hours after retrieving it!! Never learn 😭
Thanks for watching 👀
A, J & 🐶
Thanks guys. That was really helpful. Good to see how it works out in the low light levels at this time of year. 👍
No worries Liz, appreciate the feedback.
Thanks for watching 👀
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Fantastic! Thanks for doing the maffs for us - we had hoped we'd made the right choice with our Gasit system😁👍. Currently on a mini Scotland tour - having absolutely no problems whatsoever acquiring LPG 👍. Loving your vlogs & banter - and glad you like Yorkshire (our home County 🥰). Look forward to your next vlogs 😁
Your welcome Jmick, and the Gasit will do you proud. Hope the weather is good in Scotland, we’re having proper wind here in West Yorkshire at the moment, and I don’t mean flatulence 😂
Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀 and having the banter 😆
A, J & 🐶
@@Eurosully 😁
We have a similar electrical set-up to you and off grid year round so a lithium battery is a game changer. We follow the idea that in the winter it's not about how much heat you can generate into the van but rather, how much heat you can stop from leaving the van. Running the heating is a major draw on your electrics.
Basically we did:
1. Made a thermal curtain positioned in the cab, there is also a matching one across the habitation door. Cheap to do as you only need to get some woollen fabric on the face side in a nice pattern and a heavy thermal material on the back side. We got a seamstress to put it altogether and it is attached by popper studs. These really do stop draughts and heat loss
2. Get a roll of shiny insulation from B&Q etc, looks like bubble wrap. It needs to have a good performance rating so it works. We then line all invisible outside walls with it. In the lockers and floor etc. You can also wrap the heating pipes with it as this helps to push more air round the van
3. Also, with the shiny insulation we made a cover for each window and the skylights so that they fit in the groove where the flyscreen comes down so it holds the cover in place. This gives you 2 layers over the windows and really helps
4. Get a good windscreen silver screen, such as Taylormade. these are expensive but they are a good investment. Your front windscreen will now have 3 layers over it and everywhere else will have an increase in heat retension. The silver screen also stops excessive heat in case you find yourself in a heatwave in southern France. 5 years later and our Taylormade silver screen is as good as new so we know it's good quality
5. Use a low wattage kettle, toaster, hair dryer etc
6. Put any surplus hot water from the morning into a thermos flask so you can have hot water later without using electric and gas
We have found during the winter on the North York Moors (0 degrees or colder) even with heating off the van will maintain a temperature of around 9 degrees. When we're out of the van and asleep we put the heating on setting #1 and that's all we need.
Hope you find some of this useful and thanks for sharing the video, happy travels.
That’s brilliant advice, thanks. We’re working on a video to show how we kept warm in the Arctic and our UK weather too so will look at these tips.
Cheers 🥂 👍
Thanks for your advice Jan. I totally agree about the thermal curtains. We were in the Dolomites with all round snow and -13°C in January. 😮 I know, we learnt our lesson.🙄 We opened the curtain in our rental van so we could watch the skiers. Big mistake!! It made the van SO cold, we kept it tightly closed thereafter. They make a massive difference because of the heat loss through the windscreen without a silver screen. Great tips especially the shiny insulation screens for the windows. 👏
Really useful video, thank you very much!
I’m in the process of doing all this, plus an inverter - well actually a Mastervolt inverter/charger, but mainly because I was able to acquire a ‘used’ one at half price, let’s hope I don’t regret it!!
However it seems to me that the limiting factor is now, not the power, but the toilet cassette capacity - I welcome anyone with practical solutions for that!
Thanks again and all the best to you.
@@charlesmorrish909 hi Charles and thanks for your positive feedback, much appreciated 😊 the inverter is a good call, it’s taken us about 18 months but just added one last week, brilliant 🤩
You’re correct about the cassette being the limiting factor now, we’re having the same discussion! Probably the easiest solution (if storage space permits) would be to have a second/spare cassette?? Changing the whole toilet to a separating/composting unit may be an (more expensive) option?
Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Thanks for doing this, good to hear the setup's working.
You’re welcome David and thanks for watching 👀 👍
@@Eurosully Sorry if you've mentioned this in a previous vlog - what's your LPG setup and capacity?
@@davidmarek72 no worries, we have a gaslow system, 2 X 6kg cylinders with an external fill. Readily available and cheap in Europe, still fairly easy here too. Hold a total of 23 litres. 👍
@@Eurosully Thanks!
I was going to ask about gas but you have answered that too...
No worries 👍😎
We have a very similar set up although we do have a 2 kw inverter as well which quite happily runs our air fryer, laptop and other bits and pieces. We haven’t really tested it during the winter yet so to see what it is potentially capable of was great. Thanks for the info guys and keep up the great work, you never know the gazillions may even cover the cost of your inverter 😂
Thanks both, let’s hope the gazillions roll in😂😂 and good to see you got the van back, happy travels. 👍
Great video you guys, was the overall cost with fitting? Or did you do it yourself?
Thanks
Hi Richard, the overall cost included having a pro fit everything. We could not let Andrew loose with electric ⚡️ 😂
Thanks for watching 👀
Andrew., Jane & Buddy 🐶
Have you considered using a portable solar panel? I use one and it's great when you get low sun at this time of the year, certainly helps get some power back into the LB
Hi Bob, not thought of it, good idea, although more expense 😂
Thanks for watching👍
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Thanks, very informative, I sense a multiplus 2 is around the corner. I’m still sitting on the fence re lithium for the van but have it in the house and love it. Like you say it’s not just about the cost but more about the convenience and environmental impact. Keep up the great work.
Cheers Paul, we’re a way off an inverter as the cost is significant and our way of vanning makes it a nice to have not a must have. 💰
The lithium has really been a game changer though so good. Alice for money (for us at least) 👍
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Thank you so much for this video. For starters i love your style, but also very informative. You have helped me make a big decision concerning my set up. I didn't know whether to invest in upgrading my current system, which is very similar to your old system or buy the Bluetti ac200L and just try and work with that. I liked the idea of taking it with me if I sell the motohome in the future. I have made the decision after watching this, I am going to upgrade to something like yours. thanks again. liked and subscribed.
Hi Stevie, what positive words you have spoken, thanks, we really appreciate it. If you would like any help/advice or semi authoritative help just drop us an email (in our. Channel bio at the top) and we’ll be happy to talk through our process in more detail.
Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Really enjoyed that , very useful and well worth the outlay in the long run , as you say flexibility is the best part of it , like the idea of portable solar panels , can keep the van topped up when the covers are on too 🤔
Thanks for watching 👀 and thanks for the portable solar suggestion too ☀️
Thank you for this. We only have a small campervan, as vans go nowadays. It's a Ducato based 6m van, two berth, our first, though we have years of experience holidaying several months a year in a large caravan. We don't live in our camper it is a leisure vehicle, but your video has gone a long way towards answering a question or three about the usefulness of the solar panel that came with the van from new, and whether we should fit a second one. Are you concerned at all by the stories one hears of lithium batteries catching fire? By the way, and it's a small thing, speaking purely personally, I am not keen on background music in youtube videos ... is it just me? Stay safe
@@emogowl hey there emo! Thanks for taking the time to write such a positive comment, we really appreciate it 😀👍
We’re pleased 😀 you found our vlog useful, yes, an extra solar panel helps considerably when off grid, although in winter not so much 🥶
I don’t worry about the perceived “fire risk” of lithium leisure batteries. From what I’ve read, our LifePo4 are a different chemistry to the type in cars or used in small rechargeable devices. Nevertheless, I have a “firebomb” placed near the battery and all the chargers under our bed, just in case of an electrical fault/fire.
Cheers for watching 👀 our videos, we’ll have to disagree on the background music, without it the videos seem “lacking something” or very stark. The difficulty for us is making the right choice for a given situation and getting the sound level right, not easy🎶 🎧 it also helps to drown out and distract from Jane’s voice 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Happy 😊 New Year 🎉
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
I've watched both of your helpful videos on this topic. To me your motivation resonates for me and sums it all up so well. It's about staying where we want, when we want for how long we want!! Excellent plan. And I see you mentioned the loo, which is tge other significant limiting factor. I suppose that might lead to looking at replacements for the good old Thetford cassette at some stage too? Seems like the separator method is about the best. But it's costly. 😢 Thank you as, always. Appreciate and enjoy your vids.
@@julian-1955 hi again Julia, it seems we are on the same wave length! We agree on many aspects of our Vanlife, and yes, the cassette is on our radar but expensive and we are reluctant to disassemble the bathroom 🚽 so probably a way off yet.
What a lovely 🥰 way for us to wake up this morning, with three amazing 🤩 comments to read, thank you. To get such positive feedback makes a massive difference to our own experience of RUclips and means more to us than the massive RUclips fame and gazillionairedom that we talk of throughout our vlogs.
Cheers 🥂 for watching 👀 Julia, and for feeding back to us…oh, and of course, for picking up on the banter…we love it 😻
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
You're most welcome, and deserving of your gazillionaire dream.😂 How strange to get almost instant feedback. You are very good at always responding to feedback too. Well done. And yes, our thinking on van life does seem similar. On the 🚽, no wait, on the subject of the 🚽, maybe buying an extra cassette might be the short term solution because yes, a major refit is another matter. 🙄 Thanks for your response. Have a good day. 👋
PS. Regards, Julian. 😅
@@julian-1955 yes, was thinking g 2nd cassette 👍
Instant reply this morning as we can’t sleep, 😴 today could be the day we become grandparents, if not today it’s very soon! 👶
@@julian-1955 ahhhh, sorry mate, dam my early morning bleary eyes, 👀 not put my contact lenses in yet. Miss gendering people is a new controversy, even for me! 😂
All this off grid stops are fine with not needing ehu. but where do you empty your waste tanks and get your fresh water?
Hi Ian, there’s loads of opportunity for that, in Scotland certainly. Some camp sites let you pay to just use a service point, even some of the Camping and Caravan Club sites. We use the Park4Night app which shows many places. For us it’s not being off grid no matter what, we’ll still use some sites, it’s about staying where we want, when we want, for as long as we want. Always the biggest challenge is an Elsan point, but so far we’ve managed well.
Thanks for watching 👍
Really good to see your thoughts on lithium i have a 155 so same van and run two 110 amp lead battery definitely want to change to lithium
Hi Sam, good to help a fellow 155er 🚐
The change to lithium is an expensive one but we’re really glad we did it. Would save a bit of weight for you too!
Thanks for watching 👀 and if you ever need a heads up on a 155, give us a shout 👍
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Cheers folks I see you use a power bank for hair dryer etc could I ask which one you use please.
@@samkerr8902 we use an EcoFlow, the smallest (cheapest) one, was £250 but a bit less now. Never used another make so can’t say what’s good or bad. However, it went fault after 13 months, contacted EcoFlow and the quickly sent me a postage label, fixed it and returned it to me. So pretty chuffed.
Hi, just watched this Vlog again for the 4th time and find it very interesting. Are your google speaker, TV and Router all 12v?
Also from your setup how do you charge your power bank to use as an inverter?
Sorry if it was explained, I’m a newbie 😂
@@kevmcgraw9382 hi Kev, no problem at all. The Google speaker is 12v plugged into usb. The router is 12v (factory fit so not sure how it is wired!) The tv is duel, so 12v cigarette socket (which is where it is permanently plugged in)!or 240v three pin plug.
I charge the EcoFlow from the 12v cigarette socket in the habitation area when static (when off grid) or from the 12v cigarette socket in the cab when driving. Also charge it via 240v when on EHU. It’s not the most efficient use of power, but I’ve had the EcoFlow longer than I had the solar/lithium upgrade so made sense. (Financially) I will, very soon, have an inverter integrated into the electrics which will make the EcoFlow redundant.
Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀
Thank for you time and effort to explain all that to me and in such detail.
When you eventually have an inverter wired into your system will it be wired in such a way that all your 240v sockets will work or just the 3 pin socket on your inverter. Hope that makes sense?
@@kevmcgraw9382 I’m not the one fitting it, I don’t have the know how, but it will integrate all my existing sockets (so it will behave like on EHU) which is a longer install, and more costly, than just utilising the sockets on the inverter itself. I’ve had quotes of up to £1600 to provide and install, but I think it will end up being about half that.
No problem with you asking for advice, happy to help 👍
Awesome as usual from a Superhero. And his very intelligent and highly patient lady.
Yes, we are like Louis and Clark😂
Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀
A, J & 🐶
Great video. ❤
Cheers Ian, much appreciated 👍
Very informative video.
Happy New Year to you both.
And thankyou for sharing.
Happy New Year 🥳 to you too, hope you had a great Christmas 🎄
Thanks, as always, for your positive comment. 👍
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Hi, where did you have all the upgrade work carried out. Thinking of upgrading and after recommendations. Cheers.
@@simonworthington948 hi Simon, I can’t recommend the firm I used, sorry. It was an ok service for me, however one subscriber had a poor experience.
Many thanks for watching 👀
Cheers 🍻 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Did you buy the seat base lithium battery or the standard one please?
@@JonEaglen hi Jon, we bought the “normal” one, we use the space under the seats for other stuff. It was slightly too big for the existing, externally accessed, battery box so relocated inside under the bed. All our heating ducks run through the under bed area so also quite warm, less chance on a lithium having issues due to low temp. (Although the Fogstar Drift has built in heating) so far it’s been very good and I’m glad I did the upgrade ⚡️👍
Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀 Jon
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Hi Guys . took the plunge today and ordered my kit. just something I noticed after watching your other video about the upgrade, should have watched that one first, never mind. I didn't hear you mention inverter, my fitter is installing 2000w inverter. did you not decide not to have one , do you not need one, do I not need one. 😁 All the best
Hi Steve, I didn’t have one installed, we felt that our EcoFlow was all we needed, just to power the laptop. I have since looked into a 2000w inverter and had a variety of costs all the way up to £1600 fitted 😂 I think I’ll be getting one but just looking at a more cost effective install. If I were you, I’d have it done at the same time, with the same fitter (as long as cost is reasonable and you will get use from it)
Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀
A, J & 🐶
@Eurosully ok. That makes sense. It's £1275 for the 2000w inverter. All victron, same as yours I think. 425 sigle panel, with my little 125w that's already there I get 550w. I will be happy with that. I must thank you again without getting weird. I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for your 8 day test video. I'll go for the whole kit. £3125 . Seems a lot, but I think to be able to stay off grid indefinitely it's worth every penny. Thanks Steve 👍
@@steviebye1 your too kind Steve, and not weird at all, well maybe a little bit 🤪😂
Good luck with it all and let us know how it goes. As another endorsement to the upgrade, we are in West Yorkshire at the moment, had over three days without EHU, watched loads of tv, charged Al sorts of stuff (used electric willy nilly in other words) and our battery is at 100%. It’s these dim spring and autumn times when the solar will really help.
🍻 🍻🍻
@@Eurosully I will. Instalation date 10 June. 👍
Really useful video, thanks, and it's made me realise that maybe my thoughts about going from 95ah lead to 300ah fogstar lithium are a bit over the top. I've only got 18A DCDC and 30A MPPT with 330w. Just a thought, how much did you use your power bank on this trip and now when going away in the summer would you even need it anymore?
@@66Trips thanks for your positive feedback “66” 👍 much appreciated.
If your existing chargers all have a lithium profile, I’d steam on with lithium, even a slightly smaller one, great weight saving plus longevity. We’re loving the flexibility of having so much battery/storage.
We used the power bank as an inverter, so charging off the hab battery while laptops plugged into it, not efficient, but our only option. We now have an inverter fitted (just a couple of weeks ago) and now don’t need the power bank. However, we keep the power bank for backup and to charge phones etc when we are getting low on hab battery. In Scotland at the moment, no sun, day six off grid and battery is at 62%, the power bank will delay our need to visit a camp site to use EHU, but it’s an inevitability that at some point, at this time of year, we’ll need to.
Hope that helps “66”?
Cheers 🍻 again for watching 👀
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
@Eurosully thanks, yep. Enjoy Scotland
@ we are, it’s ace 👍 cheers 🍻 mate 😊
I take it you were using tea and cooker microwave during day but eating out in the evening
No, just ate out on NYE. So cooking on gas, no microwave 👍
Great video as usual can you say why you chose your set up over say an ecoflo delta max
Thanks Gaz, we chose to go how we did as we wanted it all integrated. We already had the small power bank which serves us well so didn’t really consider a bigger one. Our solar also charges as we drive along with the dc to dc.
Thanks for watching 👍
Jane is the mathematician!! 🧐😂
😂 she’s the one with the PhD, 🎓Andrew has a 10m swimming g badge and an NVQ in cheek👍😂😎
Good evening great video and very informative, Can I ask how much power does the TV take and should u not be better havin a laptop (a little more multi purpose use)
only I’m thinking of getting a laptop
A good question Deano as we are unsure 🤔 but we like the 24” screen of the TV!!! We run the fire stick and it’s great.
We also have a laptop and a chrome book, the laptop (when under heavy load, such as video editing) is quite hungry and draws well over 100 watts from the power bank. As a TV we would need to charge the laptop up frequently and can only do this with the power bank when not on EHU. We also sometimes watch TV and use laptops at the same time! Think we need an inverter!!
Thanks for watching and commenting with good ideas💡 👍
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Hi guys, Can I ask did you do the installation yourself or get someone to install it for you? It would also be nice to see the set up / installation as I can only guess how it was done. I have told the wife that we need to upgrade our solar and leisure battery plus get a powerbank or inverter for wife. to use hairdryer and GHD's.
Thanks for the information and happy travels this year Drew & Linda🏴
The cost of install was including fitting by a specialist as I am not fit to be let loose on wires! 😂⚡️
You could do it for less if you are handy with diy!!
Thanks for watching 👀
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Hi please can you tell me where you had all your batteries etc installed, we loved your set up and are definately considering the same. I'm new to your channel and really find you guys explain everything perfectly, apart from the outfitters😂❤
@@bennaedms3868 thanks for watching, much appreciated 👍I used aclsretail.com/ who are in Dumfries
Cheers 🍻
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Hi, when you upgraded the batteries, did they fit in your original battery locker? Thanks
No, it was a few mm too big, so it was moved under the bed. I now have an extra external locker where it once was 😂
Thanks for watching 👀
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Hi . Lithium batteries we was thinking of changing our batteries but I'm getting bad vibes and hearing of vehicle's catching fire due to the battery overheating. Have you had any heat problems with it yet. Rob and Jane
Hi Robert, no problem at all. I think the publicity about fire is for the lithium batteries used in some early electric cars? New leisure batteries use lithium LifePo4 which is different chemistry? I’m not aware of any specific motorhome fires caused but lithium. There’s been a couple of fires recently shown on RUclips and Facebook but they weren’t, as far as I’m aware, connected to Lithium?
Thanks for watching 👀 👍
Would you recommend the fitters? Thanks
I used aclsretail.com/ knowledgable chap and was very good when I had a problem in Sweden, he spent a lot of time trying to diagnose and help from a long way away. He a no nonsense chap, quite abrupt but at the end of the day he knows his stuff and we had good service, no quibble when I went back with an issue to sort. 👍
Give them a call or drop in, make your mind up after talking to him.
Thanks
WARNING! The KEY issue is NOT how much power you use, but HOW QUICKLY you can REPLACE it!
@@liamfinch4129 Hi Liam, thanks for tuning in. For me it’s understanding our use at different times of the year, coupled with knowing how quickly the kit will replenish our battery. This determines how I plan our route and stopovers. Our battery will last 4 days in winter without moving, but at that point, even with 575w of solar, will never charge enough daily to keep us comfortable. In summer it is possible for us to sit indefinitely. Having good chargers means maximising energy while driving and ultimately minimising the need for EHU. A holistic approach, in simple terms, I know what I have, what’s being used, and what’s coming in, that way I can plan our travels and never have the stress of running out. Worked for us now for the last 12 months.
Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Maybe Buddie was drinking a very rudely named coffee? We'll never know, cos you chose black text on a black background......jeez, I thought you'd worked this TV lark out when the video started with Harry Potter. Obviously not🙄🤦♂️😂
It’s to test if people are actually watching 👀 given our massive budget you are correct to expect better…👍💰🍻😂