Dc/ac inverters

[A22]

Guys what types on inverters are you using in your Van's?

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[jodge]

Huh it's not that easy.
First of all you must starting with your van's battery if you are using the van's battery and it's small you are f.ukkd ( other things are: plain lead battery, start-stop system...etc) if you are using separeted battery you will problems the charging and the balancing current between the batterys (except if you are using separted generators)
Second you will need the sum the comsumption and at least using a 1.5 multiplier (ex: 700w total you'll need 1050w or 1000) not peak! Countinous
Third you have to choose the modified sinus or a real sinus converter. Modified is cheap and suxx if you are dealing with motors or transformators (like drill ..etc bcose it's simply not working)
Fourth Don't choose a cheap one! You will regret if it's killing something valuable

If you are dealing only with switching supplys like notebook chargers and you have plain lead battery in the van (for the starter ) the best and cheapest option is an APC battery backup (https://static.bhphoto.com/images/images500x500/APC_BK500BLK_Back_UPS_CS_500_Black_1238160681_6134 25.jpg). Smth like this It's great quality and cheap. Take out the battery pack and connect your van's battery.
If you want a full solution my favorit is an solar cell converter. Pricey as hell and if it's not chinese crap it will lasts for the end of their capacitors :) it's coming with real sinus and with great battery manegement system.

edit:
look around on campers forums too. They are dealing with this since the beginning :)

[maaxxyy]

I have a 4000 watt modified sine wave inverter, sterling b2b charger running a lithium iron phosphate battery 160ah which i built myself with bluetooth configurable bms. Soon will be adding a solar panel to.
My advice is stay clear of lead acid, leisure or agm batteries for the rear of the van. They are a waste of time and money and don't last very long (but all depends on what you want to run or use it for).

[A22]

It's just the key machine I need to be able to run, I thought a 1000w connected straight to van batt would be ok as I dont cut many at side of the road atm, normally people come to me,

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[jodge]

I have a 4000 watt modified sine wave inverter, sterling b2b charger running a lithium iron phosphate battery 160ah which i built myself with bluetooth configurable bms. Soon will be adding a solar panel to.
My advice is stay clear of lead acid, leisure or agm batteries for the rear of the van. They are a waste of time and money and don't last very long (but all depends on what you want to run or use it for).

this sterling stuff is awsome! thanks

[maaxxyy]

This will help you decide which battery to use - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jR34QF3xcCc
Great products from sterling, cant fault them and their after care.

[sleepyrz]

I have a 4000 watt modified sine wave inverter, sterling b2b charger running a lithium iron phosphate battery 160ah which i built myself with bluetooth configurable bms. Soon will be adding a solar panel to.
My advice is stay clear of lead acid, leisure or agm batteries for the rear of the van. They are a waste of time and money and don't last very long (but all depends on what you want to run or use it for).

Sounds great up until you put in that shitty ass inverter

Pure sine or nothing.....

[maaxxyy]

What ever works for you mate, each to their own. Theres always one knob in the room..............

[super jumbe]

For best result get 6000W inverter and you need new caravan battery connect direct to your main van battery, with all that you can cut keys and use all electrics all day long.

[fred77]

I've gota a new van kitting out

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3000w-9000w-pure-sine-wave-power-inverter-DC-12v-to-AC-230v-UPS-Solar-Charger/143450229847?hash=item21664ccc57:g:19AAAOSwGYVdqTl S

https://www.alpha-batteries.co.uk/12v-330ah-xtreme-agm-leisure-battery-xr6000/

Over the top, maybe. but plan to support flash support etc while keeping everything powered.

BTW Batteries should only be used 50% of rating or deteriorate -

ALso be careful of inverters as cheaper ones seem to ouput mains on ground - well ground moves!

[maaxxyy]

You'll be throwing your money away on that battery, 600 charging cycles? I doubt it, it will be ready for the bin before it gets anywhere near that, spend a little more and get a lifepo4 and have up to 7-10,000 charging cyles. I've done it, wasting money on these leisure batteries, they don't live up to their manufacturers specs. You could make a lifepo4 battery for £500 and it will outlive its lead acid equivalent by years. Plus you have the control with the bms when to shut off before it drops below 70-80% of power. Much cheaper and usable in the long run.

[whiskeyman]

sterling inverter never look back

[Meat-Head]

sterling inverter never look back

Would like to back that claim up.

all weird people who live on boats swear by them

however if you gain one, from a weird person and ask for a tiny of information
they tell you to :gtf:

[fred77]

You'll be throwing your money away on that battery, 600 charging cycles? I doubt it, it will be ready for the bin before it gets anywhere near that, spend a little more and get a lifepo4 and have up to 7-10,000 charging cyles. I've done it, wasting money on these leisure batteries, they don't live up to their manufacturers specs. You could make a lifepo4 battery for £500 and it will outlive its lead acid equivalent by years. Plus you have the control with the bms when to shut off before it drops below 70-80% of power. Much cheaper and usable in the long run.


agree lead batteries r crap for size/weight/life. will research as discarded lithium only over price - so cheers

[maaxxyy]

Check this out, reasonable price to make a diy lifepo4 (what i use), but the bms they sell are a little on the high side -
https://shop.gwl.eu/LiFePO4-cells-3-2-V/LiFePO4-High-Power-Cell-3-2V-20Ah-Alu-case-CE.html

And for a good bms with bluetooth (similar to what is use)-
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/smart-BMS-4S-20A-30A-35A-Lifepo4-li-ion-Lithium-Battery-Protection-Board-Balance/333452915922?hash=item4da357b4d2:m:mS4HzHLTNYd-El2K5dnYi7Q

And for all the info you'll ever need on building a battery -
https://www.mobile-solarpower.com/

Will Prowse is a top bloke! Check him out on youtube, he has loads of videos on how to kit out your van or camper.

[jodge]

For best result get 6000W inverter and you need new caravan battery connect direct to your main van battery, with all that you can cut keys and use all electrics all day long.


Without battery balancing it's killing your batterys. Plain and simple.

[maaxxyy]

My bms is a balancer, you can set it to static balance or set it to balance whilst charging.

[fred77]

Check this out, reasonable price to make a diy lifepo4 (what i use), but the bms they sell are a little on the high side -
https://shop.gwl.eu/LiFePO4-cells-3-2-V/LiFePO4-High-Power-Cell-3-2V-20Ah-Alu-case-CE.html

And for a good bms with bluetooth (similar to what is use)-
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/smart-BMS-4S-20A-30A-35A-Lifepo4-li-ion-Lithium-Battery-Protection-Board-Balance/333452915922?hash=item4da357b4d2:m:mS4HzHLTNYd-El2K5dnYi7Q

And for all the info you'll ever need on building a battery -
https://www.mobile-solarpower.com/

Will Prowse is a top bloke! Check him out on youtube, he has loads of videos on how to kit out your van or camper.



thanks for links in end gone with
https://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/0.html?spm=a2g0s.9042647.6.2.2d034c4d723YF0&orderId=8015059453705931&productId=33035453389

and
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32980782956.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.36e24c4d6dm eY0

reviews are good

[maaxxyy]

First link not working

[autoTkey]

Guys, what you need all that power for - 4000W, 6000W ?!
Are you making pancakes in there?

Ours is just 800W(peak 1600) real sine from Victron attached to car battery and is quite enough for one key cutting machine (most machines are 150-200W max so at peak not more much more than 1000W) or a heat station.
You always use just one consumer at the same time anyway.

[fred77]

Yes and limited - so 12V x your battery capacity thus for me 12V x 200ah = 2400 watts.
Inverver I've bought is 3000 watts just to be safe. Also cheap ones out there so hopefully money well spent. Victron good make.



Powerwise everything can add up - key cutters are just 1 item im thinking battery support unit and hot air desoldering etc may all want to use at once.
Sure overkill to an extent


Youtube vids (very clever guy) -
Bought this 20 amp DC-DC charger from USA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcVjPap9dkY&t=108s


Interesting page -
https://www.mobile-solarpower.com/raw-lifepo4-deals-page.html


Battery link -
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33035453389.html?spm=a2g0o.store_home.productList_ 52597321.subject_1&aff_platform=link-c-tool&sk=kR2gtZ32&aff_trace_key=dab787e084804b93a10379538973903d-1591135131591-00368-kR2gtZ32&terminal_id=bd708022c59b44178345db85929971c4&tmLog=new_Detail&aff_request_id=dab787e084804b93a10379538973903d-1591135131591-00368-kR2gtZ32

[maaxxyy]

Good choice, at least now you have a system which last a long time. Those cells look like CALB cells, which are good quality. Make sure you buy a decent bms for the battery pack with bluetooth preferably (phone app to set it up).

[ult]

Hi,
i have a large motorhome, with lots of electrical components :
vehicle-battery 12V 80Ah LiFePo4
camper-battery 12V 480Ah LiFePo4
Generator 120V 6.5 kW running on LPG
Transformer 120V/230V (bidirectional) 3.5kW
Victron Multiplus 12/3000 120/16 = charger with 120A, inverter 3kW, also works as "booster" for the 230V line, the unit can be set to the rating of the supply-fuse
DC-DC booster 12V 30A for charging while driving
700 Wp solar with 5 panels and two victron mppt controllers
Victron battery-manager

The camper needs ~2A as base load ( 48Ah / day ), with heating etc. ~15A ( 200Ah / day ).