Van Life: Electricity - A Guide to Powering Your Van

Welcome to another post in my van life series! Today, we’re diving into the topic of electricity in your van. When living on the road, electricity becomes a crucial aspect of your daily life. With limited energy reserves, it is important to ensure that you have enough power and the means to obtain more whenever needed.

Most vans and motorhomes have two electric systems running in parallel: a 230V system and a 12V system. Keep in mind that the specifics may vary depending on your country, but the concept remains the same.

The 12V system powers your van when it’s not connected to the grid, running essential components such as the lights, water pump, heating system, and the 12V compressor fridge. On the other hand, the 230V system comes into play when you connect your van to the grid. This system allows the onboard electronics to recharge the batteries and, in some cases, powers a trivalent fridge.

A trivalent fridge operates on LPG while the vehicle is stationary, switches to 12V when in motion, and utilizes 230V when connected to the grid. However, more and more people are opting for compressor fridges that exclusively run on 12V, providing superior performance and efficiency.

Additionally, some vans have a hybrid system that utilizes a power inverter to generate 230V from the battery. This is particularly useful for charging laptops, phones, and other electronic devices. As a developer, I always have my iPhone, iPad, Kindle, and MacBook Pro with me. While I can charge the first three via USB plugs installed in the van, charging my MacBook Pro requires the use of a 230V power inverter.

In the past, I relied on a 2x100Ah AGM battery setup to power my 12V system. These batteries served me well, but they had limitations. Due to their discharge curve, I could only utilize up to 30% of their nominal power, resulting in a practical capacity of 30Ah. To supplement their charging, I had a single 100W solar panel on the roof. However, during the winter, the solar panel’s effectiveness diminished significantly.

To overcome these limitations, I recently upgraded to a single 100Ah LiFePo4 battery. This lithium battery provides a higher usable capacity, allowing me to utilize up to 80% of its power. With this upgrade, I now have more energy available compared to my previous AGM setup. Not only that, but the LiFePo4 battery charges much faster, drawing energy from the solar panel or even the van’s engine.

When driving, the alternator can supply up to 75A to the LiFePo4 battery. This means that even after a night of intensive energy usage, including lights, fridge, charging electronics, and heating, a short 40-minute drive can replenish the battery back to 100%. The autonomy and independence provided by this setup are remarkable, eliminating the need to constantly seek electrical hookups or charge the battery to its full capacity before embarking on a trip.

Moreover, the weight advantage of the LiFePo4 system is significant. The 100Ah LiFePo4 battery weighs around 14kg, compared to the 30kg of an AGM battery. As someone who values efficiency and weight management, this reduction is notable. It is worth mentioning that the LiFePo4 system includes its own control system, ensuring a safe and straightforward installation process.

For those considering a similar upgrade, I highly recommend researching different battery options and configurations. I personally installed the battery from NDS Energy, which provided detailed instructions and gave me the confidence to do it myself. However, it is important to approach these installations with caution and ensure everything is done correctly to avoid any safety hazards.

I also had to replace my solar panel controller with one compatible with charging a LiFePo4 battery. Victron Energy offers a suitable controller, and although I haven’t needed to charge the battery via 230V, I purchased their 230V battery charger for versatility.

While a 100Ah battery and a 100W solar panel suit my personal needs, it ultimately depends on your usage patterns and preferences. Some van dwellers opt for larger solar panel setups or increased battery capacities, depending on their energy requirements. For those with extensive power needs, induction cooking systems are also worth considering.

In my experience, the LiFePo4 battery provides a worry-free approach to electricity management. On sunny days, I generate more energy from the solar panels than I consume while working, resulting in a positive energy balance. Even on cloudy or winter days, I can rely on the van’s engine to charge the battery whenever necessary. Furthermore, I keep a 50000mAh power bank as an emergency backup for my MacBook, offering additional peace of mind.

In conclusion, switching to a LiFePo4 battery has completely transformed my experience with electricity during van life. It offers increased energy capacity, faster charging, and a newfound sense of independence. As new camper vans now come equipped with these batteries from the factory, it’s only a matter of time before they become standard for all van conversions.

Tags: van life, electricity, 12V system, 230V system, power inverter, AGM battery, LiFePo4 battery, solar panel, independence, energy management