The Top 10 Power System Mistakes for Van Conversions

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Ross Lukeman

2 жыл бұрын

➜ Get the Ultimate Van Power Cheat Sheet: www.rosslukeman.com/vanpower

Пікірлер: 107

@rosslukeman 2 жыл бұрын

Get the Ultimate Van Power Cheat Sheet: www.rosslukeman.com/vanpower

@briannorwick Жыл бұрын

Ross, these are great! Very helpful and well laid out!!!! Your presence is getting better and better with each video! Keep doing this amazing work!!! -krysta and Brian, full time vanlifers, trying to drive around the world

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

Hi Brian, thanks for the kind words! Sounds like an interesting adventure you're on. Thanks for tuning in!

@brianchetelat6601 Жыл бұрын

I'm new to your channel Ross and I believe your knowledge will help me tremendously. Thank you sir for stepping up to the plate for us folks just starting out.

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

Hi Brian, I appreciate the kind words, good to hear these videos have been helpful!

@o.g.solutions Жыл бұрын

Problem is ...12v fridge cost a 1000 bucks for a proper compressor driven unit . A 120 volt fridge .the same size cost under 200...

@johnkatakowsi9907 Жыл бұрын

Great info, followed much of what you said on my first build, did a lot of prep work before the build !!!! Thanks!!

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

Hi John, great to hear this video was put to good use on your build! Good to know it made an impact!

@DuaneRonan Жыл бұрын

Ross, really excellent content and presentation!

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

Thanks Duane!

@GrillinandChillinwithColeman Жыл бұрын

Great video and amazing tips. Converting a cargo trailer and will change some of my designs because of this video. Thank You!!!

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

Awesome, thanks for watching! Glad that was helpful. More to come...

@glennman9890 Жыл бұрын

Great videos Ross. Thanks!

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@warrenscorner 5 ай бұрын

Great tips Ross!

@rosslukeman 5 ай бұрын

Thanks Warren!

@igornedashkivskyi1472 Жыл бұрын

Дякую, дуже корисний огляд помилок при монтажі систем альтернативного електропостачання!

@rayreyes5405 8 ай бұрын

Good info.

@rosslukeman 8 ай бұрын

Thanks Ray!

@jldsystemsltd.4657 Жыл бұрын

Luke, what do you think of adding a separate thermostat in the refrigerator that turns the invertor on and off?

@craster_van_kippers Жыл бұрын

Hi Ross. I run a domestic fridge freezer in my van and have been for four summers. I’ve wired it to control it’s own dedicated inverter. When cool enough the whole system shuts down with zero consumption. A lot of people followed my idea and it works perfectly. In fact it was cooling and freezing more efficiently than friends with a 3 way. And of course all for a fraction of the cost of a 3 way or 12vdc unit.

@lesliehunter1823 Жыл бұрын

Have you posted a schematic of this set up? I'm curious about how it shuts down.

@bobjary9382 Жыл бұрын

3 ways are notoriously rubbish .

@Dickie2702 8 ай бұрын

In terms of power consumption you cannot beat 12v with variable speed compressor. In life you get what you pay for, I've been round the world three times with same fridge, in a yacht obviously. I prefer the KISS principle. Just Google Danfoss variable speed compressor you'll get the idea.

@craster_van_kippers 4 ай бұрын

No. Just simply turning it on/off with the thermostat.

@loveericsson2698 Жыл бұрын

A modern heating blanket will provide heat during the night and dont dry your battery. Just a tip 😉

@chachi5975 Жыл бұрын

I love my 12v blanket!

Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the many youtube information videos. I had a Webasto heater. But it used miles of electricity when starting, but also when shutting down. (burner burning clean?) And with a thermostat it can therefore happen that quite a bit is consumed.

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

Hi Ben, thanks for tuning in and sharing your experience!

@nmartin5551 Жыл бұрын

I only recently spotted the 12V roof a/c units. Thinking about one for my van. It is hot around here a lot of the time!

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

Yes that's one investment that will definitely pay off!

@arthurcutting9227 Жыл бұрын

#11 too many batteries for the loads or charging system. I call this Ego engineering. It seems to be quite popular on KZfaq right now. You have a great channel keep it up.

@mikefranks4528 2 ай бұрын

Definitely have a diesel heater for heat but also have a 38 SEER 240v Mini split for heat, too. Average amperage is 0.463 during a 24-hour run (14-20 degrees outside temp and maintained 66 degrees inside) Only 261w avg per hour!

@SoundzAlive1 Жыл бұрын

Hey Ross, I thought this was the best episode I have seen from you. Just a note; I was a bit confused with your meaning of "garage". In my country Australia it is a building where you park your car at home. I got the indication it might mean something else in your country. Thanks for the other International references as I am sure that there are a lot of viewers from all around the world both RV and Boating. BTW I am a sailor making a lithium conversion at the moment and we do use "garage" for the compartment for the tender in large yachts. André in Sydney

@benjaminkesler5245 Жыл бұрын

I am from the US and I had the same confusion initially. Garage means the same thing to the average person in the US (a place to park your car indoors at home). Its just a van community thing to refer to the storage area as a garage. In the US, its common to store tools and boxes in a garage in addition to a car, so that's likely where the name came from.

@joefound 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Ross, Very useful video. All 10 points were spot on! Talking about Inverters, do you have any suggestion to be able to use Laptops+Monitors without the need of having an inverter on ? I made few voltage converter for my laptops to replace the charger brick but I am interested in your view. Keep up the good work!

@rosslukeman 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Giuseppe, I'm glad you found the video helpful! It depends on how much modification you're willing to do and how important efficiency is for each person. I can see how using a DC-DC converter instead of the charger brick could be useful so you can leave the inverter off. As far as monitors, there are a few 12-volt editions, but they are indeed expensive. One thing I have done in the past is create dual-inverter systems where there is a small "electronics inverter" that only puts out 200-300 watts and can be used to run small appliances/computers without turning on the large inverter that runs the larger appliances. I run these inverters through a split breaker box (WF-8930/50) and then to separate outlets in the van. Kind of complicated but like I said it depends on how important efficiency is to you. Sometimes it's easier to throw in another battery and be done.

@st5rk Жыл бұрын

If the monitor is 20V you can use a PD car charger and wire up a PD trigger board

@treepop1550 8 ай бұрын

If you are already invested in a power tool platform ,there are adapters that fit right on the battery to give you DC via a USB port,they are very convenient as you can use them independent of your fixed electrical system.

@ginger8383 Ай бұрын

0:34 too many appliances 2:14 lights should be 12v dimmers 3:04 invest in heating/cooling for comfort 4:22 plug in ability 5:28 relay instead of dc to dc charger 7:10 details on his cheat sheet (free) 8:28 easy switch for water heater 9:48 electric heaters (1500w!) 12:56 locking hardware

@ivecamperbuild_thomas4084 Жыл бұрын

In the UK we find the fridge is better getting a 3 way fridge 1 is 12 volt ,2 is LPG , 3 is mains hook UP or switch to the inverter. And we use a diesel heater like they use in the cabs of a HGV

@hopehope938 Жыл бұрын

Hello Ross, yes I am learning a lot from your DIY Solar Van Victron Electric Systems and builds. I am at a point where I want to build multiple portable generators but as you know there are times when the supply and distribution system do not always have the necessary part or solar panels I want. I am thinking about have just the battery with inverter that can be recharged by AC power until the solar panels and the other items are restocked. There on back order. I am also doing research and trying to understand multiple sized Victron inverters and how to use them as generators in both van and also off grid power supply in rural off grid agricultural settings. There are locations where I need 500 watt,1,200 and at times higher. I am trying to understand in the van build I want to build I want it to have it’s own battery bank but also have a station to recharge the batteries I use in the different Mobil generator batteries with inverters. Right now I do not know if I need two systems or one integrated system to do that?

@Tumbleweed5150 Жыл бұрын

In my personal experience, it's better to have one system just large enough to power what one needs, plus a little extra battery storage to run things if one gets a few days of clouds. Of course, that also depends on how much extra room one has in a vehicle. I do have solar systems on a pickup, trailer, and my main home/RV(That never moves, so I can put out plenty of solar panels. Otherwise, one has to get twice the electric cables, etc. Others may have different experiences .

@recoblade1465 Жыл бұрын

One system would be able to both maintain the battery bank in the van and charge Mobile battery banks. Ideally you would make your van battery Bank 24 or 48 volts and your mobile 12 volts has most victron charge controllers require that the charging voltage is higher than the battery voltage I have multiple amperage portable batteries that I can charge off each other but I use Genasun charge controllers

@davyp2993 5 ай бұрын

Keep up the good work

@rosslukeman 5 ай бұрын

Thanks! Will do-

@HoosierInNJ Жыл бұрын

HI Ross, quick question, besides the three power sources do you have any videos on how to wire an onboard generator to charge the batteries on demand, thanks

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

Hey there, I don't have a video on that explicit topic, but I do talk about how generators would connect in this video on transfer switches: (kzfaq.info/get/bejne/n792mtumqb3WnXU.html) The outgoing line of the transfer switch would then go to an inverter-charger (which has a second transfer switch). It's a dual transfer switch situation. Hope that helps!

@cbryant1233 Жыл бұрын

I have 2 agm batteries and an eberspasher diesel heater, when I run the heater overnight it takes a lot from the batteries, the van gets very cold at night, maybe the insulation is not good enough but I think the heater keeps firing up frequently because the temp drops quickly unless something else?

@lavalleemichel6363 Жыл бұрын

Ross, great info. Can we use the car booster cable to connect the inverter charger instead of wire you got ?( ie: cut the booster cable to use to connect your batteries system…. Thanks

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

The wire size is specified in the manual. This is not something you want to mess around with. You need to wire it with the seriousness of an electrical engineer or you can burn down your vehicle or shorten your equipment's life. Good question but don't do that.

@jamesalles139 Жыл бұрын

Watch out for that label of the same gauge. The insulation will likely be marked *'CCA'* This is an acronym for Copper Clad Aluminum. This material cannot safely carry the same current as pure copper conductors.

@les2906 2 жыл бұрын

Ross, as usual, a great tutorial. A trend seems to be running two DC-DC Chargers, such as installing two Orion Victrons. From your statements in the video, the chargers won't affect the starting battery, yet can the alternator handle the additional load (if there is one from chargers versus relays). In our case, we have a 4cyl. turbo Sprinter with an added OEM auxiliary battery for a 110v outlet that does not draw down the starting battery. So I guess in essence, we will be running two different charging systems... Thank you in advance for your response! Fred

@rosslukeman 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Fred, yes two of the DC-DC chargers is fine as long as the total amperage isn't too high. Two 30A Orions pulling 60 amps is usually fine for these vans (that is sort of my personal limit for stock alternators). The chargers are programmed to not drain the stock battery. In your case though, Mercedes has one of those relays between the engine battery and the OEM auxiliary battery. You would hook your chargers onto the auxiliary fuse block (likely in the driver's seat) that pulls from that OEM auxiliary battery. You're essentially putting the rear batteries in parallel with the OEM engine and auxiliary batteries, and the alternator will charge them all simultaneously. So to answer your question, it's all the same charging system, but the OEM auxiliary battery is an extra link in the chain between your alternator and rear system. Hope that helps, great question!

@mikemcguire5859 2 жыл бұрын

@@rosslukeman Hi all. On my Pro-master 2500 high top van, I use an amp meter showing vans power draw on alternator. Sensor is located around alternator power cable going into main fuse block under hood. I did a component power audit of van and can get 60 amps if various items are turned down or off and still keep overall dc load on alternator to 130 amps max. Alternator is rated to 180 amps max / factory test report says at least 130 amps at 2600 rpm. I use 2 Victron 30 amp dc/dc chargers and turn each on/off as needed with a toggle switch located above and behind drivers seat.

@DrDGr2 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you

@rosslukeman 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking out the video Dany!

@stephenlabarre7890 6 ай бұрын

One way to stay warm at night using electricity is with a 12V heating blanket. They typically use 40-60 watts, which is a lot less than a portable electric heater. . Why heat up the whole van when all you need is 'zone' heating (e.g., your body). If below freezing weather is possible, consider a 12V heating pad for your water supply. That's another example of zone heating. You don't want to wake up to ice damage. And... some foods don't react well to freezing temperatures either. Protect accordingly. A 12V kettle will provide you with a way to warm you up internally before bedtime with some hot cocoa, tea or coffee (decaf of course) and maybe some oatmeal too.

@adamgilham4724 Жыл бұрын

Hi, I'm looking at installing a 240v hook up. Does the consumer unit need to be bonded/earthed to the chassis? Some people say definitely not, and some people say yes, so I'm not sure what to do. Thanks.

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

In general what you would connect to the chassis is a "case ground." The case of each piece of equipment is grounded to the chassis. The ground from the 240V cable is not grounded to the chassis. You're grounding the equipment casing to the chassis so that if the case becomes "hot" (electrified), you yourself are not the path for the electricity to flow to the chassis, the chassis ground wire will be.

@johncarr123 Жыл бұрын

What do you think about the new ECOflow plug and play solution that is now available? Did they reach out to you to demo there products?

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

Hi John, it looks pretty great, although I think a lot of DIYers may be wary of their premium price point. They did contact me (I think that was actually them...) but they never sent anything. But yeah their quality is on-point and that kit solves a lot of issues people had trying to use the all-in-one solar generators which had a lot of hangups when people try to make one of those their power system.

@lesliehunter1823 Жыл бұрын

I'm on the brink of building a system and am interested in your cheat sheet, but what I'm really after is a 4th method of charging: EV with a J1772 or some faster way if possible.

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

Hi Leslie, that sounds cool, but how many batteries are you going to have? The EV chargers are meant to fast charge the massive battery banks that run EV's. Small systems with a few batteries may not need that kind of power. Also if you put a ton of amps it's not necessarily good for the batteries.

@lesliehunter1823 Жыл бұрын

@@rosslukeman I'm thinking 4 server rack for a little over 20kwh. No one online has done a teardown of the Delta Pro so I can't see how they managed to do it. And that new Zendure is also going to have it in the larger capacities. DP and Z are too pricey for what you get. It can't be rocket science if they are doing it. What is your idea of too many amps?

@adiltair7162 2 жыл бұрын

Love it

@rosslukeman 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, glad that was helpful!

@Iamandthatiam 5 ай бұрын

About the fridge situation. You mentioned dorm style fridge but you didn’t mention freezer style chest with dual thermostat that makes it work as fridge.

@rosslukeman 5 ай бұрын

My point was that 120V AC appliances require the inverter to be on 24/7, so the freezer would have the same requirement as the 120V fridges.

@wkw4095 3 ай бұрын

Is there a simple system for just shore power and solar to charge 12 volt house batteries. I wouldn't mind spending money on the all in one inverter for when I plug into shore power it will just charge the batteries by way of shore power or solar...without me thinking about it. I would like to keep the cabin system totally separate from the vans battery and alternator.

@Tybeebee 11 ай бұрын

Ross, I work with industrial power systems but do not have formal training with DC systems. I’ve heard and read that 24V and 48V increase longevity of battery lifetime. Why do a lot of vanlife type systems push 12V?

@rosslukeman 11 ай бұрын

Hey there, I think 12V is preferred because it tends to match the alternators and appliances being used, at least in the current times and past decades. Perhaps that will change. I cannot see how higher voltage would change battery life, unless the current consumed is reduced. The current consumption would be a factor of a specific system's actual batteries and loads though, so I cannot make universal statements about using less current/capacity. I would be curious to hear their reasoning on increased battery life. Interesting question, thanks for tuning in-

@samcarrs Жыл бұрын

#11 using under rated wire and house duplex wire

@davidpatrick1813 2 жыл бұрын

I have one of those dial timer switches to turn on the water heater ... then it shuts off automatically.

@rosslukeman 2 жыл бұрын

Hmmm...sounds like a good idea! Thanks

@ZillaYT 26 күн бұрын

All points are critical.

@rosslukeman 24 күн бұрын

Awesome, thanks for tuning in, I'm glad you agreed!

@apocolypse11 Жыл бұрын

12 volt appliance is the key. Lithium battery no need for solar the generator can fully charge a fully drain lithium in just 5 hours. Or alternator with a dc to dc charger.

@harveyguzman8698 Жыл бұрын

Ross I have an ice cream truck and I need to run a tylor soft serve machine that run 240v 30A I think how can I do it to make it happen what do I need if u can help me out please

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

Hey Harvey, sounds like a cool project. Unfortunately this is more than I can advise in a KZfaq comment. If you would like to go to my site at www.rosslukeman.com/vanpower, there is a product you can purchase to help with systems like this. I also help the students with their specific challenges. This is not a simple system, producing 240 from mobile power.

@farmboy2883 Жыл бұрын

I'm in a semi truck. I will be adding a 12volt ac unit. I will run it from 4 agm 105ah batteries. I'm not sure what size dc to dc charger to use. Shore power would be great when I have the truck parked at home. Alternator is 130amp and 4 starting batteries. No solar charging in my system. Can you advise

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

Hey there, with that smaller alternator I wouldn't go over a 30 amp Orion unit to charge those batteries. It will power your A/C directly, but if the A/C pulls more than 30 amps the batteries will have to supplement. By this point in time I would just put some cheap lithiums in there. 400Ah of AGMs to run an air conditioner is going to put a lot of wear on them.

@tomrandall4209 Жыл бұрын

I have honda generators on my semi truck and a 2000 watt inverter/charger which keeps my 4 truck agm batteries charged works great even can use my block heater

@farmboy2883 Жыл бұрын

@@rosslukeman a company truck I had at a previous job had the same ac unit. The 4 agms did a good job. Just wasn't sure what the charging setup was Thanks for the advice

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

@@tomrandall4209 Thanks for sharing your experience Tom.

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

@@farmboy2883 Ah ok it sounds like standard equipment then. Well good luck with it, glad to help. As long as you limit the current through some type of charger, the alternator should be ok.

@V1rowt8 2 жыл бұрын

Hmm... Just a little commentary about item #2... Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe dimmers conserve energy in a circuit that otherwise doesn't have one. As I understand it, dimmers store the energy as heat within the device itself that otherwise would make it to the light. In the end, the same amount of electricity consumed, just less light, and a warm dimmer.

@rosslukeman 2 жыл бұрын

Hi Gerald, thanks for weighing in. In the case of the dimmers, I was just saying use them for those early mornings or late nights when you don't want full brightness. That particular item was not about power conservation, but more for ergonomics.

@krzysztoforlowski6010 Жыл бұрын

@@rosslukeman Hi Roos, why not plug external generator to off shore power outlet and let Victron MultiPlus handle the rest. Anything wrong with that setup?

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

Hi @@krzysztoforlowski6010 no there is nothing wrong with that. That setup will work great.

@chachi5975 Жыл бұрын

I installed a dimmer last summer and according to my victon shunt, it did seem to reduce the wattage on the display. I can't remember by how much but there was definitely a difference.

@xiangchen2569 Жыл бұрын

Hi there, Currently I have a 2023 Winnebago Revel, originally it came with 320A Li3 battery, can I purchase another same battery to connect it in parallel, and become 640A? Will it mess up the whole system or will cause any damage? Please let me know. Many thanks! Xiang Chen

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

Hi Xiang, I would say no, it won't mess anything up. You are essentially enlarging the "fuel tank," and this does not affect the "engine." However....I would ask Winnebago and see what they say.

@xiangchen2569 Жыл бұрын

@@rosslukeman Hi Ross, thank you so much for replying back to me so fast and giving me your opinions. Best wishes ❤️

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

Glad to help, good luck with it!

@CalebBennett07 Жыл бұрын

Is the power draw between using a 12v fridge and a 120v home fridge really that big of a difference?

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

It's not the fridge itself, it's the extra wasted power of running it through an inverter, and keeping the inverter on 24/7 (in case the fridge needs to kick on), which also uses some power as the inverter sits there in standby.

@Tumbleweed5150 Жыл бұрын

In my experience, the power draw is minimal and can be figured for by just getting one more battery and/or solar panel. A 12V fridge can only cool to about 40 degrees F below ambient air temperature, while a 120V "home" refrigerator will keep the temperature inside at the point you set it for. I have a small cubical refrigerator/freezer that, in refrigerator mode, uses 828W @ startup; 285W down to 96W in about 5 minutes running, with no Wattage resting. That means one could use a seperate 1000W inverter to run it while keeping the pull from the battery at a minimum.

@habana7638 Жыл бұрын

@@Tumbleweed5150 My refrigerator/freezer is a table model, so not a small one and it consumes about 300 Watt per day, when the compressor is running it uses less than 50 Watt at 220V, 12 volt models are tree times the kost, strange that they don't make energy efficient models in the US.

@chachi5975 Жыл бұрын

@@Tumbleweed5150 I'm going to have to disagree with the 40° below ambient. I have a 12v compressor fridge and it's just as good as my home fridge. 0-10 for the freezer and 35-40 for the refrigerator. It uses about 65-70W when the compressor is running.

@swexplorer Жыл бұрын

Can you run a 12v refrigerator off of a 48v system?

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

Hey there, yes you just need a 48v to 12v converter for any 12-volt loads.

@Tumbleweed5150 Жыл бұрын

@@rosslukeman I have found that it's better to get the 48V to 13.8V step down unit so that one isn't pulling as much Amps as it does with one that only puts out 12V.

@Tumbleweed5150 Жыл бұрын

p.s. I live off-grid with several solar systems around the property, of different sizes for different usages, including a 36V solar powered golf cart.

@jackripley5730 Жыл бұрын

What is the charge time (van battery bank) with a dc to dc charger.....???

@rosslukeman Жыл бұрын

Hi Jack, a 30-amp charger will put roughly 30 amp-hours per hour into your (lithium) battery bank, so depending on how many amp-hours you need to replenish, divide that by the charging amperage and that will give you the hours. Great question.