@@johanfransson2953 Thanks Johan, resining is not usually one of my strengths 😂😂 However, 12 months on and it has proved a brilliant upgrade ⚡️ Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
One other thing. This video is a very different style that nobody else has commented on. You've added in many graphics and animations! I especially loved the one with hearts when you commented on the fire bomb being in the battery compartment under the bed!! 🎉😂🤣 Your typical brand of humour we all love and enjoy. I don't think you ever make a video that doesn't make us laugh or smile. That's so important in life.😅 Excellent work.
@@julian-1955 yes, we need a fire bomb 🔥 💣 because one of us is a sex bomb 😂😂 Thanks for noticing the subtle (or not so subtle) nuances of Jane’s editing, glad it makes you smile 😃 👍🍻🥂🥰
This is a really good, helpful and useful video Andrew and Jane. Thanks very much. The topic is just SO confusing.🙄 And I agree totally about the extra freedom the power storage gives you being able to avoid having to stay at expensive campsites in order to use ehu to charge up. Especially in the UK. I'm going to watch the follow up one about cost and value too. Nice work.👏 Much appreciated.
@@julian-1955 hi Julia, many thanks for your feedback, we really appreciate it 😀 Yes, the whole lithium debate is confusing and this video is born from our own experiences when trying to work out what and how we should develop. The fact that others have found it helpful is really great 👍 Cheers 🥂
Thank you for that it has made my mind up it’s the way to go the benefits well outweigh the equivalent of the EV problem of range anxiety. We are selling up and going on the road this October full time after an early retirement and plan to travel everywhere around the uk and Europe. I knew it was the best way to go but couldn’t convince myself so thank you.
Hi Trev, it’s definitely been a brilliant upgrade, and we have had NO battery anxiety since we did it👍 Exciting times ahead, roll on October! We wish you all the very best of luck and if there is any way we can help or advise then feel free to drop us a line, sincerely. Many thanks for watching 👀 and engaging with us, we really appreciate it. Who knows, our paths may cross in future and we’ll share a beer 🍻 or two (while our lithium is charged by the sun ☀️!!) Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
@@lariberaaltamalc good question! I guess I would look at the number of amps the units use and multiply by how many hours a day you would use it. That would determine power use, and therefore how long you can stay put without driving if no solar, or how much solar you would need. I feel the phrase “how long is a piece of string” comes to mind! I would look to advice from someone who has it fitted and doesn’t use camp sites much. I reckon a lithium 400 plus amp hour set up????? 🤔 Sorry I’m not more help 😔 cheers for watching 👀 La France me manque déjà 😭
Hi Eurosully, quick question so great set up and makes sense ref the lithium upgrade and charger upgrades, I take it the beneift is simply it holds charge for longer, stores more power & chargers the battery quicker and your off grid for longer? I take it the 240v sockets are still on hook up only so nothing changes there. I seen on another video you have a Ecoflow unit for the the boss drying her hair off grid, thats the whole challenge for me, my wife has a main like the lion from the Wizard of Oz and cant dry naturally , so deffo need a hairdryer. :) How do you charge the ecoflow whilst off grid?
@@mginbolton hiya mate, yes exactly 👍 charges quicker, more storage capacity (battery less weight) and therefore off grid longer. We use the EcoFlow as an inverter for hair dryer etc (although it’s not been reliable and their customer service is shocking, but that’s another vlog) we charge it while we drive or even using the hab 12v to charge it!! It’s been useful but will soon have a proper 2000kw inverter fitted so the 240 sockets will work off hab battery as well as EHU. It’s all very costly though so need to be sure of what you need and how it will benefit. Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀 and feel free to shout up if you need owt 👍
Taking all these notes down for when im ready to purchase a motor home, gonna make sure i have enough money left over to get any upgrades like this i may want done either during or after purchase
Hi “Dark”, that sounds like a good plan, and start finding a local fitter (if needed) so you are ready when the time comes. We’ve never looked back since the upgrades, expensive but worth it for the freedom and flexibility it gives us . Good luck 🤞 in your search for a van 🚐 Thanks for watching 👀 we appreciate it, and of course for commenting 👍🍻 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Just as professional as channel 5 but much funnier. I’m surprised you haven’t made the switch to lithium earlier seeing you do so much off grid camping and don’t think you will regret it. From my own research I would have fitted exactly the same and may still do so but we still mainly stay on sites so cannot justify the cost to her who must be obeyed! Do you mind saying who fitted it all for you and would you recommend them? Keep up the great videos
Thanks for your kind words again! I’m sure we won’t regret the spend. We’ve deliberately not discussed the installation company, it’s complicated but probably not fair to discuss in the public domain, make of that what you will. If we were ever to meet face to face it would be a great way to spend an hour over a beer! Cryptic or what!! 🤔
You were correct you can only use 50% of a lead acid safety with out damaging the battery a fellow motorhome friend is a electrical engineer even uses lithium batteries and solar at his home now . Thankfully when i change as i have said to you i want to ill save on installing lol
If a lithium battery shorts out and goes into runaway. There is no putting it out. It will burn until it exhausts its fuel. IEE regs require brick houses to have the lithium external to the property for a reason. The fire brigade have no effective way of extinguishing a lithium fire. All they do is contain it and wait it out. My advice would be to fit a fire detector under the bed. And if you can enclose the battery on 5 sides with a steel cloche or a fully enclosed box to buy you some time to escape. Now, having said all that, these batteries are quite safe. But the fire risk is still there. This is the one area where lead batteries are better than lithium.
@@alantyrell41 interesting 🧐 Alan, everything I’ve read says LifePo4 is safer than lead acid. Anyhoo, I’ve got a “firebomb” in proximity to all the electrics and battery and all my fingers crossed 🤞 😂 Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
@@lariberaaltamalc Hi Malc, can never have enough power…where would it all end! 💰 💰💰 In France at the moment and everything is doing fine, saving a fortune on not using EHU!! Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Really useful . We are getting our new swift mh next month . It only has a standard 100w panel . Am thinking after a few months of doing what you have done . In the meantime we have an echo flow delta 2 max with 440w solar panel to keep us ticking over . I was thinking of pricing up Solar versus buying another echo 2kwh battery which would then give us 4kwh of battery that could power the van
Hi Eurosully who supplied and fitted your extra solar panels pal? I have got a shopping list for batteries & victron chargers etc but not the panels as yet. As our van is the same age as your also a Avantgarde (196 model) I thought it would make sense to use the same installer (we are in Bolton)
@@mginbolton hi Mark, our fitter was way up in Scotland, so not really handy for Bolton! Also, tricky, but can’t really recommend, I had an OK experience, but one of our subscribers had a less than satisfactory one… 🍻👀👍
Hi Gazza, thanks for your kind words, glad you found the video helpful. Sorry, I can’t recommend the company to you, it didn’t work out well for another one of our subscribers recently, so safer not to. Cheers 🍻 for tuning in 📺 and watching 👀 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Hi Mike, possibly, but cost on cost on cost etc, so looked at what we use and only laptop for 3 pin plug, so maybe next time we have some cash 💰 We’ll be doing a review of how the power held up in the arctic temperatures, this may prompt us, or maybe not, to go down the inverter route!! Keep an eye out! Thanks for watching 👍 Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Thanks Richard. Yes, tricky to find someone to do the job, so may want to look further afield or get a mobile fitter. I’ve deliberately not gone into costs as they can vary so much from van to van, region and fitters. Also deliberately avoided naming/recommending fitters, sorry that’s not helpful. One day over a pint and away from public domain, I’ll have a good old chin wag about it all! 👍
Hi Julie, awkward this, I’m not going to recommend, sorry. I had a good experience but someone else who got the company details didn’t. They contacted me via email and after my recommendation went to the company and it went a bit wrong. I don’t want to name and shame etc as it puts me in a compromising position. Hope you understand. 😥
@@juliehill5938 thanks. If you want to talk it through, drop us an email (address in our bio at top of RUclips page) include a telephone number and good time to call, I’ll give you a ring and explain everything, as well as advise if I can 👍
Yes, it’s a lot of money, but more about us being able to be where we want to be and not then being influenced by how little power we have. Deliberately stayed away from explaining costs as it can vary from van to van, region to region etc and didn’t want to get into recommending fitters etc, sorry if that’s not helpful but wanted to keep that part out of the public domain. 👍
@@woolyandthewanderingwillie3112 battery (230ah Fogstar Drift) was £720. 2 X 200w panels, cables/wires, new solar, dc to dc and onboard charger (for electric hookup) all Victron, moving battery position in the van £1800 inc vat and labour
We decided not to share the cost as prices vary and some people have the skills to do it themselves, others don’t. I guess it’s for people to investigate themselves once they have worked out their needs.
No, we used a professional 😂 just done another vlog outlining the cost and how effective it’s been. Thanks for watching. Motorhome lithium upgrade- was this value for money to keep us off grid in the winter? ruclips.net/video/gc7B5_jXMkg/видео.html
Excellent reasoning on the subject of upgrading to lithium battery.
@@johanfransson2953 Thanks Johan, resining is not usually one of my strengths 😂😂 However, 12 months on and it has proved a brilliant upgrade ⚡️
Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
One other thing. This video is a very different style that nobody else has commented on. You've added in many graphics and animations! I especially loved the one with hearts when you commented on the fire bomb being in the battery compartment under the bed!! 🎉😂🤣 Your typical brand of humour we all love and enjoy. I don't think you ever make a video that doesn't make us laugh or smile. That's so important in life.😅 Excellent work.
@@julian-1955 yes, we need a fire bomb 🔥 💣 because one of us is a sex bomb 😂😂
Thanks for noticing the subtle (or not so subtle) nuances of Jane’s editing, glad it makes you smile 😃
👍🍻🥂🥰
This is a really good, helpful and useful video Andrew and Jane. Thanks very much. The topic is just SO confusing.🙄 And I agree totally about the extra freedom the power storage gives you being able to avoid having to stay at expensive campsites in order to use ehu to charge up. Especially in the UK. I'm going to watch the follow up one about cost and value too. Nice work.👏 Much appreciated.
@@julian-1955 hi Julia, many thanks for your feedback, we really appreciate it 😀 Yes, the whole lithium debate is confusing and this video is born from our own experiences when trying to work out what and how we should develop. The fact that others have found it helpful is really great 👍
Cheers 🥂
Thank you for that it has made my mind up it’s the way to go the benefits well outweigh the equivalent of the EV problem of range anxiety. We are selling up and going on the road this October full time after an early retirement and plan to travel everywhere around the uk and Europe. I knew it was the best way to go but couldn’t convince myself so thank you.
Hi Trev, it’s definitely been a brilliant upgrade, and we have had NO battery anxiety since we did it👍
Exciting times ahead, roll on October! We wish you all the very best of luck and if there is any way we can help or advise then feel free to drop us a line, sincerely.
Many thanks for watching 👀 and engaging with us, we really appreciate it. Who knows, our paths may cross in future and we’ll share a beer 🍻 or two (while our lithium is charged by the sun ☀️!!)
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Nicely explained 👍
@@KennyMcC cheers 🍻 Kenny, and it’s been a great upgrade.
Thanks for watching 👀
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
What battery set up would you need to run aircon? Spend a lot of time in southern Europe and aircon becomes a must have.
@@lariberaaltamalc good question! I guess I would look at the number of amps the units use and multiply by how many hours a day you would use it. That would determine power use, and therefore how long you can stay put without driving if no solar, or how much solar you would need. I feel the phrase “how long is a piece of string” comes to mind! I would look to advice from someone who has it fitted and doesn’t use camp sites much. I reckon a lithium 400 plus amp hour set up????? 🤔
Sorry I’m not more help 😔 cheers for watching 👀
La France me manque déjà 😭
Hi Eurosully, quick question so great set up and makes sense ref the lithium upgrade and charger upgrades, I take it the beneift is simply it holds charge for longer, stores more power & chargers the battery quicker and your off grid for longer? I take it the 240v sockets are still on hook up only so nothing changes there. I seen on another video you have a Ecoflow unit for the the boss drying her hair off grid, thats the whole challenge for me, my wife has a main like the lion from the Wizard of Oz and cant dry naturally , so deffo need a hairdryer. :) How do you charge the ecoflow whilst off grid?
@@mginbolton hiya mate, yes exactly 👍 charges quicker, more storage capacity (battery less weight) and therefore off grid longer. We use the EcoFlow as an inverter for hair dryer etc (although it’s not been reliable and their customer service is shocking, but that’s another vlog) we charge it while we drive or even using the hab 12v to charge it!! It’s been useful but will soon have a proper 2000kw inverter fitted so the 240 sockets will work off hab battery as well as EHU. It’s all very costly though so need to be sure of what you need and how it will benefit.
Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀 and feel free to shout up if you need owt 👍
Taking all these notes down for when im ready to purchase a motor home, gonna make sure i have enough money left over to get any upgrades like this i may want done either during or after purchase
Hi “Dark”, that sounds like a good plan, and start finding a local fitter (if needed) so you are ready when the time comes. We’ve never looked back since the upgrades, expensive but worth it for the freedom and flexibility it gives us .
Good luck 🤞 in your search for a van 🚐
Thanks for watching 👀 we appreciate it, and of course for commenting 👍🍻
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Just as professional as channel 5 but much funnier. I’m surprised you haven’t made the switch to lithium earlier seeing you do so much off grid camping and don’t think you will regret it. From my own research I would have fitted exactly the same and may still do so but we still mainly stay on sites so cannot justify the cost to her who must be obeyed! Do you mind saying who fitted it all for you and would you recommend them? Keep up the great videos
Thanks for your kind words again! I’m sure we won’t regret the spend. We’ve deliberately not discussed the installation company, it’s complicated but probably not fair to discuss in the public domain, make of that what you will. If we were ever to meet face to face it would be a great way to spend an hour over a beer! Cryptic or what!! 🤔
Totally understand, will look forward to that beer.
You were correct you can only use 50% of a lead acid safety with out damaging the battery a fellow motorhome friend is a electrical engineer even uses lithium batteries and solar at his home now .
Thankfully when i change as i have said to you i want to ill save on installing lol
Always good to have mates with skills!! 🪛🪚🛠️😂
If a lithium battery shorts out and goes into runaway. There is no putting it out. It will burn until it exhausts its fuel. IEE regs require brick houses to have the lithium external to the property for a reason. The fire brigade have no effective way of extinguishing a lithium fire. All they do is contain it and wait it out. My advice would be to fit a fire detector under the bed. And if you can enclose the battery on 5 sides with a steel cloche or a fully enclosed box to buy you some time to escape. Now, having said all that, these batteries are quite safe. But the fire risk is still there. This is the one area where lead batteries are better than lithium.
@@alantyrell41 interesting 🧐 Alan, everything I’ve read says LifePo4 is safer than lead acid. Anyhoo, I’ve got a “firebomb” in proximity to all the electrics and battery and all my fingers crossed 🤞 😂
Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Waiting for the sun to come out? I thought you said you were in West Cumbria! Need more batteries.
@@lariberaaltamalc Hi Malc, can never have enough power…where would it all end! 💰 💰💰
In France at the moment and everything is doing fine, saving a fortune on not using EHU!!
Cheers 🍻 for watching 👀
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Really useful . We are getting our new swift mh next month . It only has a standard 100w panel . Am thinking after a few months of doing what you have done . In the meantime we have an echo flow delta 2 max with 440w solar panel to keep us ticking over . I was thinking of pricing up Solar versus buying another echo 2kwh battery which would then give us 4kwh of battery that could power the van
Take your time Eddie, work out what your usage is and what the van provides before spending any money . Bet you can’t wait for next month!!!! 👍
Hi Eurosully who supplied and fitted your extra solar panels pal? I have got a shopping list for batteries & victron chargers etc but not the panels as yet. As our van is the same age as your also a Avantgarde (196 model) I thought it would make sense to use the same installer (we are in Bolton)
@@mginbolton hi Mark, our fitter was way up in Scotland, so not really handy for Bolton! Also, tricky, but can’t really recommend, I had an OK experience, but one of our subscribers had a less than satisfactory one…
🍻👀👍
Ok we up in Scotland 3 times a year :) ok no worries I'll keep looking,
@@Eurosully What brand where they?
@@mginbolton chargers were Victron, not sure on the panels? Sorry mate 👍
Love this video would you share who fitted the system for you
Hi Gazza, thanks for your kind words, glad you found the video helpful. Sorry, I can’t recommend the company to you, it didn’t work out well for another one of our subscribers recently, so safer not to.
Cheers 🍻 for tuning in 📺 and watching 👀
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Very interesting. We’re buying our first Motorhome next year and intend to be able to go off grid. Do yo think you’d add an inverter as well?
Hi Mike, possibly, but cost on cost on cost etc, so looked at what we use and only laptop for 3 pin plug, so maybe next time we have some cash 💰
We’ll be doing a review of how the power held up in the arctic temperatures, this may prompt us, or maybe not, to go down the inverter route!! Keep an eye out!
Thanks for watching 👍
Andrew, Jane & Buddy 🐶
Great watch but how much did it cost, ive been thinking about it but cant find anyone close to me to have a look.
Thanks
Thanks Richard. Yes, tricky to find someone to do the job, so may want to look further afield or get a mobile fitter. I’ve deliberately not gone into costs as they can vary so much from van to van, region and fitters. Also deliberately avoided naming/recommending fitters, sorry that’s not helpful. One day over a pint and away from public domain, I’ll have a good old chin wag about it all! 👍
@@Eurosully sounds like a plan. 👍
Great video. Can I ask who you used to install as we also live in the Northwest, thanks
Hi Julie, awkward this, I’m not going to recommend, sorry. I had a good experience but someone else who got the company details didn’t. They contacted me via email and after my recommendation went to the company and it went a bit wrong. I don’t want to name and shame etc as it puts me in a compromising position. Hope you understand. 😥
That’s fine, I understand. Great video x
@@juliehill5938 thanks. If you want to talk it through, drop us an email (address in our bio at top of RUclips page) include a telephone number and good time to call, I’ll give you a ring and explain everything, as well as advise if I can 👍
Was it expensive
Yes, it’s a lot of money, but more about us being able to be where we want to be and not then being influenced by how little power we have.
Deliberately stayed away from explaining costs as it can vary from van to van, region to region etc and didn’t want to get into recommending fitters etc, sorry if that’s not helpful but wanted to keep that part out of the public domain. 👍
Hi just watched your video really interesting especially as we are looking at upgrading our power system. Question. Cost of upgrade? Thanks
@@woolyandthewanderingwillie3112 battery (230ah Fogstar Drift) was £720. 2 X 200w panels, cables/wires, new solar, dc to dc and onboard charger (for electric hookup) all Victron, moving battery position in the van £1800 inc vat and labour
you missed out the most important thing, the cost?
We decided not to share the cost as prices vary and some people have the skills to do it themselves, others don’t. I guess it’s for people to investigate themselves once they have worked out their needs.
Did you fit the solar and other suff your self ????
No, we used a professional 😂 just done another vlog outlining the cost and how effective it’s been. Thanks for watching.
Motorhome lithium upgrade- was this value for money to keep us off grid in the winter?
ruclips.net/video/gc7B5_jXMkg/видео.html