This camper van has an insane amount of solar power

Рет қаралды 24,057

Жыл бұрын

This camper van has 610W of solar that's an insane amount of solar power now that i have done a major upgrade to my solar panels and maxed out my bluetti battery bank
Bluetti UK shrsl.com/3nhit
shrsl.com/3nhit
AC200MAX shrsl.com/3nhip
DC Charging Enhancer (D050S) shrsl.com/3nhio
Beck's channel / @sacredtraveller
Everything i use in my camper van you will find here in my Amazon Store www.amazon.co.uk/shop/melsvan...
Camper van build parts list
www.amazon.co.uk/shop/melsvan...
buy me a coffee and i will send you a sticker . your support is really appreciated www.buymeacoffee.com/BigVanSm...
Another way to get stickers is through paypal £5.00 Remember to include name and address paypal.me/bigvansmallworld
Treasure hunting equipment I use
Minelab Equinox 800 Metal Detector amzn.to/3AwjKCP
Minelab Excalibur II Metal Detector amzn.to/3Mid9zt
Garrett Pro-Pointer at amzn.to/3KBxIYI
Evolution 360 Sandscoop ebay.us/wel24d
Scubapro Nova Scotia Semi Dry 7-5 mm amzn.to/3xaVC71
Crewsaver Crewfit Sport Non-Harness Manual Life Jacket amzn.to/3NjSz3l
Filming equipment that i use
Sony Alpha ZV-E10 | APS-C Mirrorless Interchangeable-Lens Vlog Camera
amzn.to/3mFRaYY
Sony E 11 mm F1.8 | APS-C Wide Angle Prime Lens (SEL11F18)
amzn.to/3YyNMRg
Zhiyun Crane M3 Gimbal 3-Axis Handheld Stabilizer
amzn.to/3jbe2Bl
GoPro HERO 9 Black amzn.to/3xobLpJ
DSLR Microphone amzn.to/3mFgfTT
Heavy Duty Video Tripod with Video Fluid Head,
amzn.to/39i6qIC
SOONSUN Dome Port for GoPro Hero 10 Hero 9 Black amzn.to/3xjtuia
I use this scanner to keep my sprinter running and on the road
iCarsoft Professional Multi-System Auto Diagnostic Tool
amzn.to/3Ly6JgQ
US amzn.to/32IPAPj
here's a link to my woodstove (affiliate link)
cubicminiwoodstoves.com/colle...
Revolution outside Laundry Locations
www.revolution-laundry.com/ou...
Beck's channel / @sacredtraveller
#vanlife #bigvansmallworld #rvlife #melsvanlife #melsvanworld #vanlifeuk

Пікірлер: 98

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Just a Heads up on this sale that ALLPOWERS are having on there Power Station, 1500Wh - 2400W (4000W Surge) ONLY £799 on amazon right now was £1999 Unbelievable £1200 discount grab a bargain while stocks last click this link amzn.to/3BUXQdW

@PresidentBust Жыл бұрын

out of stock already! :(

@angelamelville67 Жыл бұрын

The link takes us to a power station that's £1.399

@Mark-cd3vd 4 ай бұрын

bad reviews on this

@mrvanderson Жыл бұрын

740w on the roof & 3x100a/h batteries saw me through the year no probs. 👍🏼

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Nice 👍

@USA-GreedyMenOfNoIntegrity 4 күн бұрын

I have 1620W (4 ea 405W REC) on aluminum unistrut, on my Chevy Express 2500. Works great with Gree 9K 22 SEER mini hp, 400aH LFP 24V.

@BigVanSmallWorld 3 күн бұрын

Sounds like a good setup to me well done 👍

@philcorp1213 Жыл бұрын

Truly looking forward to your new van build in the future to see what changes if any you will be doing differently. You look happy in your new surroundings. 😊

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙏

@welshieonwheels Жыл бұрын

Great video Mel now that you have an overhang at the back you could mount some down facing cameras on the corners if you wanted, great for reversing , good luck 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Great idea 👍

@readmore7180 Жыл бұрын

The parallel panels be ok in the summer, but you might want to consider series come winter. You won't ever get more than the max voltage of one panel so if the sun's low enough or it's cloudy enough you could be dropping down to 12v and the battery won't charge. At least in series you might get 7 volts off each panel making 14 and still be able to get some juice :)

@Silvestmentpms Жыл бұрын

Excellent set up Mell I like the blueT power banks your is a credit Thanks for sharing 👍🏻

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

No problem 👍

@dangeroustoman Жыл бұрын

running 5 200w solar panels feeding 4 100ah lifepo4 batteries that charge a bluetti 200p and 500 audew and a 150 thing from Walmart. Can never have to much power. 🤪

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Wow 😮 that’s really nice 👍

@a64738 Жыл бұрын

I have 1380w of solar panels (+100w to charge the 12v car battery) myself on my Ford Transit box van. What car do you have that can fit so many panels? My Transit has huge square box that is much wider and longer then on a normal van, perfect for fitting many panels ;) ? I also have 4 LifePo4 with 5000W hour capasity running 24v ;)

@dangeroustoman Жыл бұрын

@@a64738 87 dodge extended and you can definitely see them up there. Anchored some unistrut down to the roof and everything is attached to that.

@vantabulouslife5704 Жыл бұрын

You shouldnt have any probs with that much power Mel. I have never had gas in my van in 3 years, Running solely on 300ah lthium with 640 watts of solar and 60 amps dc to dc charging. I use a single burner induction hob as you do, with a kettle, toaster and rice cooker, powered by a 3500 watt continuous pure sine wave inverter. However, 300ah lithium will only allow a 200amp draw max so have to be careful not to use too many items at once. I use the basic rule of 10 for a 12v system. 100 watts on 230v is 10 amps (roughly) from your battery so 1000 watts (1 kw) is 100 amps!. Loving your set up Mel. All the best Ged

@SH-vb5ph Жыл бұрын

Additional rear lighting would be a good idea on your van Mel, as your nearside rear light cluster is effectively in a large blindspot created by the spare wheel arrangement. Possibly add indicator repeaters too. The Americans in particular seem to love loading up the rear doors with boxes / wheels / jerricans, which can obscure the standard rear light clusters meaning you are arguably less safe than those with rear light clusters which are fully visible.

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Yeah you’re absolutely right 👍

@skookumjack Жыл бұрын

That some serious energy you're harvesting there, Mel! You're be selling it back to the national grid at this rate!! 😅

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Haha no they can’t have it it’s all mine 😂🤣😂🤣👍

@patrickjobling8676 Жыл бұрын

Supa fabbo mate .. all fancy n stuff ..yeah that lpg stuff has knobbs on it .. must away .. lurv to the bex ..😍😎😁pip pips and carryon pilgrims

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

🤙 lol you crack me up 😂

@adrianhydephotography Жыл бұрын

Fantastic video and sssooooo glad there is no music.

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

@AMGMANIAC Жыл бұрын

Well done Mel. I did the same after being gifted 3 x 280w panels. I had to extend the unistrut at the front and mine overhang the side awning and protrude on the drivers side as well but for 840w of solar it was well worth it. I'm the only one who finds it slightly ugly but it sure helps when the sun is out with a 780ah battery bank.

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Nice 👍

@DaveTheDasher77 Жыл бұрын

Great vlog mate,, Looking forward to seeing how the bluetti fairs for cooking , Cheers

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

You and me both! Thank you 🙏

@oaksho Жыл бұрын

Great video again Mel. I managed to get 2 X 260 watt panels on my sprinter without any over hang anywhere and thought that was good. I cant believe you managed over 600 watts, that's fantastic.

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Thank you 😊

@viv-i-vangoesforth Жыл бұрын

Great bit of good luck there after extending the unistrut. Its like fate was watching over you. Ive just fitted an identical panel to the one on Viv-i-van so I now have 300 watts of solar. Theres enough room to fit one more 150 watt panel on the roof but Id then have to get a dedicated MPPT as the ctek 250 se only copes with 20 amps and with the two panels they are 17 amps in total . I'm aiming to get a power pack like you have and only use electric in the van for everything. Thanks for the continued inspiration and bessy regs-Kenny

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Thank you Kenny

@deanlucas6393 Жыл бұрын

Brilliant 👍

@manondeslauriers2645 Жыл бұрын

Great video! I always learn something new with each video!

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thank you!

@danharte6645 Жыл бұрын

Nice one Mel, I must get around to fitting my solar panels and you've motivated me to do it

@897aa33 Жыл бұрын

Did you ever calculate when you get into profit or value on investment by buying solar panels and all that? 7 years?

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Go for it!👍

@denisecafferky2248 Жыл бұрын

That's alot of power 👍

@peterb2272 Жыл бұрын

I made the decision to rip out all my LPG over winter and this year is my experimental LPG-free year. As well as my induction hob and air fryer oven, I am experimenting with a rice cooker. They are a nice low power (300W) but can cook more than just rice. My fave is rice salmon and veg. Also experimenting with boiled eggs, frying strips of beef/chicken, noodles and soups. Scrambled eggs for breakfast is good as well. Recipes are bit limited being a one pot, but I love it as you can pretty much cook a meal for 50-100 Wh (or about 10Ah). Cannot recommend it enough for someone with limited electrics. £30-40 for a two serving and £30-40 for an inverter.

@whippetsadventuresandoneman Жыл бұрын

Loads of power bud😊 I remember trying to lift my 345w on my own couldn’t do it so I used a fork lift 😂 Engery monkey is great Tom and Amy use to work there so they helped me with the victron dc to dc charger shed all the kit needed which was great 😊 Great vlog bud looks amazing on the roof bud😊 I would love to use induction hob more. The most I pulled on my 345w the other week was 160w was quite happy with that but maybe I might look into a second solar panel on the roof ❤❤ Love to have a bluettie 😊 Have a wonderful weekend bud 😊

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Thank you buddy have a great weekend too 👍🤓👍

@vanandcountry Жыл бұрын

Indeed, mildly entertaining and slightly informative - ;-) Thanks for sharing.

@linz_in_NZ Жыл бұрын

Good plan to see if you can go LPG free, as it seems to be getting harder to find, plus no running costs with Solar power. Small World, Sprintie failed his (NZ) MOT for not having a Hi mounted brake lamp - he's never had one, and has passed at least 18 years of MOTs without, but now someone thinks he should have one... they don't make one for his model of Sprinter, so searching Amazon for one that will fit, then have to wire it in....

@micksibson4828 Жыл бұрын

Very interesting Mel but what was the total cost of the project, panels, batteries etc so we can see how affordable it would be for our pockets.

@vinnylee878 Жыл бұрын

You got a bit of rust up there on the seam and door that could do with attention Mel,a stitch in time

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Yeah thank you I know I’ll be addressing that soon

@ianfalconer8050 Жыл бұрын

We have 600W of solar on our crafter van charging 200Ahrs of lipo4 house bank. We don't bother with dc to DC charging from the crafter alternator (250A) as it's not needed. We heat hot water, run a 1kW heater and cook with 2kW. We have room for total of 900W solar but find we don't need it.

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Nice 👍

@jupiteradventure5284 Жыл бұрын

Which country are you in please Ian?

@Deiseboi Жыл бұрын

I have 645 watts 3x215 victron panels....I did a lifting system also one piece of angle fixed to roof between the panel then bolted two uprights to each corner...cost only 20 euro now going to do the other two panels KEEP IT SIMPLE KEEP IT CHEAP.

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Very cool!

@dannywilson5852 Жыл бұрын

Can you go fully off grid with that amount of solar? Thanks

@adriancross8067 Жыл бұрын

Hi do you have a video on setting up led roof lights ? Can i power from switch on charge controller load button

@nealeburgess6756 Жыл бұрын

Wise move Mel. More solar is better than more storage! Just a word of caution. Keep the LPG for when there is not enough sun. I have an off grid system on my apartment here in sunny Spain. (6 large panels and 2 very large 48v LifePo4 batteries). For the last month the batteries have made full charge before lunch time (lots of sun). Been freely using electric water heater, washing machine, dishwasher, kettle, induction hob etc. Up to 2 kw charge rate. However, today it is overcast, and only getting about 300 to 400 watts. Sun forecast for tomorrow, so will be ok. I have no other way to charge the batteries apart from solar. During November and December I had to be extremely cautious with my usage to have enough power left to run the fridge. Did all cooking and water heating on gas at that time. So, I am cautiously optimistic for you not needing gas in the summer. But pesimistic for the winter. Clearly your alternator will help a lot, but still keep a standby system.

@ifell3 Жыл бұрын

17:00 Mel your ladder is way too much out. I learned this thing, where if you stand at the bottom of the ladder and put your arms forward, you should be able to grab the rails. Can you tell I've done ladder training aha

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Thank you 🙏

@Azurren Жыл бұрын

Really great video, well done Mel! Now all we need is a bit of sunshine to enjoy all that extra solar! Did you do the maths on the cable ratings using the Y splitters? Wiring in parallel effectively doubles the amperage carried over those cables. Annoyingly you also have to factor in the length of the cable run into those calculations too :/ I'm not trying to have a dig, I'd be gutted if anything happened to you or your van.

@traderace6575 Жыл бұрын

I love your vids Mel - makes me think that even a doughnut like me could build a camper van and live the dream before the lights go dim. As a recovered (so far, touch wood) cancer survivor i truly appreciate the shortness of life. A true lottery. So, quick question: Do you think a Ford Transit custom L1H2 would be a good conversion option for a total beginner? All the best Mate, you're a real inspiration.

@joline2730 Жыл бұрын

..."It's 5ft 4ins long OR in imperial terms 164 centimetres" Ha Ha Ha 🤣🤣🤣🤣 And I thought I was bad saying things like "it's 60cm by 2ft.6ins" 😁😁😁‼️ When are you taking a shower ❓❓

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

I shower every night 👍

@joline2730 Жыл бұрын

@@BigVanSmallWorld 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 We wanna SEE IT ‼️‼️

@davercs Жыл бұрын

Great video Mel is there a limit of the amount of power you can draw from your alternater

@toastiesvanbuild4644 Жыл бұрын

👍

@shetho1 Жыл бұрын

Whats the cost of your new stuff the battery and solar panels

@trevorphillips7793 Жыл бұрын

Mel what happened to keep it simple? Keep it SAFE? Falling of the ladder is NOT safe. Think safe when up a ladder have some one with you 😅😢

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

I did but they was inside the van lol

@cheekymonkey4529 Жыл бұрын

#waffleonawednesday *hi Mel love the channel, quickish question, I've nearly finished my van (a nissan nv200) and hoping to go for a little tour around Northen Europe in the summer, have you ever taken any of your van conversions on a trip abroad, where have you been and do you have any tips or advise ?*

@angelamelville67 Жыл бұрын

I have a top box on my sprinter roof, it is a waste of space as its empty

@a64738 Жыл бұрын

Was those 300w panels expencive? I have 4 cheep 320w panels myself (150$ per panel) on my Ford Transit box van, you can not have to much solar power here in North Norway where sunshine can be absent for weeks ;) I also have 5000w/h Lithium battery bank and 3000w inverter. As it is now everything runs on electric power, even the heating ;) (sometimes you need heating in the "summer" here). But I do have a gas owen also as the electric heating will drain the battery to much if it is so cold that heating has to be on all night (next day will have to be sunny one or else you will be out of power next night lol). I would have liked to have four 400w panels of same size (160*100cm) but they cost instead of 150$ pr panel it is 400$, way to expencive for just a little more power....

@rustythornIXI Жыл бұрын

I was going to say the OPs "lots of solar" isn't that much I know lots of people with more than a thousand

@Auwyn Жыл бұрын

Hi Mel, I have the AC500max and linked it up to Solar just fine. I want to do the VSR option too, but notice that in the diagrams for setting them up, they just have the positive lead attached to the relay and the negative (they have batteries rather than powerbanks) going to the earth on the van. Is this what you did with the lead to the charging enhancer? Positive to the fuse and negative to the skin of the van?

@martinbowra9152 Жыл бұрын

Great video Mel Two questions what about heat do you have ventilation for that setup? And will you be making a new camper?

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Yes and yes

@wilbearworks Жыл бұрын

Hi, Mel. #quick question. Do you charge your EnergyMonkey with both your alternator and solar at the same time or one power sauce at a time?

@richardsmith5001 Жыл бұрын

Do you think those chargers and the additional batteries have any recomended clearances for air circulation Mel ?

@roddysallie8098 Жыл бұрын

Great video 👍 Quick question, can you charge the BLUETTI AC200MAX with DC to DC charger ?

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Maybe 🤔

@outdoorjunky1 2 ай бұрын

Hi Mel, one year on now, how are you getting on with your Victron solar panels please? I’m looking to get one from the same place as you 🙌

@BigVanSmallWorld 2 ай бұрын

Yeah they are extremely helpful couldn’t recommend them enough 👍

@Paulschat Жыл бұрын

Hi is ur van powered by solo pannel

@karlforster4892 Жыл бұрын

Hi Mel, Got a question which is slightly off topic, I noticed in your cab, you had a storage bag above your drivers seat which attached to the grab handles. Do you have a link to the product? I was looking for something similar to make better use of that space.

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

I’m afraid that’s the hood of my rain coat 👍😂👍

@karlforster4892 Жыл бұрын

😂😂😂 never mind. Thanks for replying.

@marinusvanommeren1742 Жыл бұрын

I live in my van,in the netherlands. One full bottle lpg 11 kg. In 6 months,,22 euro,last year. This year,27 euro.. Give me lpg please

@philwilliams23 Жыл бұрын

Great video as usual. Is the new panel on a tilting system? Not sure if you're new panel will pull down the power of the original panel when you tilt that one, as the volts and current won't match unless they're both flat or both tilted. Who cares though with 610w!! What a genius idea of extending the unistrut. Rear brake light at top of rear doors is definitely a good idea👍

@BigVanSmallWorld Жыл бұрын

Not sure yet 👍🤓👍

@897aa33 Жыл бұрын

Question. How long would it take to get value on investing into solar panels,mppt, and all that? 5 years? What if you use that money to buy large lifepo4 cells and build batteries instead. A single charge of a large battery bank will last for over a month off grid. Since lifepo4 cells became available, these solar panels defeat the purpose waste of money tbh

@a64738 Жыл бұрын

I calculated I make up for the cost in about 6 months. Solar panels is the least expencive part of it, I did pay 600$ for my 4 panels of 1380w total. I also have 5000W/h of LifePo4 battery bank that did cost me 1600$ and 3000W inverter that did cost 800$. My 2 solar chargers was 240$. Here in Northern Europe it is horrible expencive having to pay for charging your batteries at camping spots (20-40$ a night)... I run fridge, freezer, heating, cooking stove and a PC on the electrip power, it drains it in about 24 - 48 hours (without heating) if there is no charging. The freedom of not having to go somewhere to charge your batteries and just stay out in the woods for weeks if you want to is worth it alone for me, the saving of money is a nice bonus... If you use so little power that you do not need charging for a month a 100$ solar panel with 100$ solar charger will have you covered with electric power for 15 - 30 years...

@897aa33 Жыл бұрын

@Rondo Cat I dont think you can harvest enough energy up north, especially in the winter. It sounds like you have overpaid. Here is what I would buy if I have 3200. 3500/7000w inverter of eebay fot 300. Victron battery charger and Victron Orion both cost approx 450. EV type2 to Schuko adapter for 50 of aliexp. For the rest of 1400, I would buy 13000wh lifepo4 cells of aliba. And build battery myself. All my appliances run directly of 12v and laptop via step-up converter 12v to 19v worth 35. The only time I use the inverter is for induction stove. And that power bank gives me 3-4 weeks of grid stay. I would have 3 ways to charge the battery, while driving, at the eV charging station or once a month campsite, so I can do the laundry as well.

@paullovegrove6889 Жыл бұрын

Hi Mel not advisable to stack transformers together as it could cause a fire it's recommended to leave an air gap between them to assist cooling should they become hot