Caravan Lithium Battery Upgrade + Offgrid Beach Camp, North WA

[@joking7081]

To replenish water, we have a 120 litre water bladder which fits across the rear passenger foot well. I use an inline filter when filling the bladder and use the filter when pumping the water from the bladder to the van. I have a small 12v pump to pump water from the bladder. The bladder can be rolled up when in use, compact and light weight. Suggest don't let your lithium batteries drop below 20% to maintain battery life. Hope this helps. Felt sorry for Jasper, hope he fully recovers.

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Awesome tips thank you!! And Jasper 100% again and I’ve given his hair a little trim to remove all the glue that was still in his head 😅👍🤪

[@JustcruznRob-AlanaBuick]

Do exactly the same, works really well

[@wendysmith6184]

what we did for our fridge that's in the canopy of tow vehicle is put a panel on the roof of the canopy and added a battery in side so it has its own independent power supply . we also added a dc to dc charger as well. we were using a solar blanket but on warm days struggled to keep up.

[@lynschostakowski8819]

Poor Jasper with his head. My son had a cut like this too years ago when he was really little. Good old super glue. Lovely scenery.

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Not much fun at the time, but he handled it very calmly thankfully 😅🙏

[@GregSharkey]

I have 2 x 60L bladders which I can carry in the ute. These can be placed in the back of the ute or also fit in the foot wells for the back seats. I use a BEST water filter when ever I fill the tanks or bladders. To transfer water from the bladders in the ute to the van, I have a 12V water pump which I can hook up to the bladder hoses. Inside the van to add more protection for us, I have installed an inline filter and a drinking water tap.

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

This sounds like the perfect set up! Do you think having the 2x 60 is better than say having 1 x 120? I have seen that you can purchase both versions so would love your thoughts on what you think would be best! Cheers Paul

[@Best_travelsoz]

Hope Jasper ok. Good upgrade with lithium for van. We also put a solar and lithium in the Ute.

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Thank you he’s back to his best 😅 we will look at a solar panel for the Hilux roof next 👍 cheers and safe travels

[@helenward6262]

Bringing a bit of sunshine to the cold UK thankyou

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Our pleasure ☀️🌴💙🇦🇺

[@jorjimaco5331]

I run completely victron gear. 500w on the roof/300w ground Panels, charge controllers x2, 30amp dc/dc, 3000kw inverter, 3x 160amp AGM batteries, big cables. I haven’t had any drama for the past 7 years. Still going strong. And take them down to 40% regularly, cold -7 to 40+ Quality gear makes all the difference. 🙏🏻🛠🍻

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Couldn’t agree more! I’m looking at a solar panel for the roof of the Hilux next 👍

[@Oururbanhomestead1966]

Sending hugs to sweet Jasper, hope you are feeling better soon 🚑🚑

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Thank you 💙😊

[@gerrymaxi6681]

Not trying to be smart, however, a grey water tank doesn't add weight, except for the tank which is minimal. If you are carrying 90lt of fresh water that transfers to the grey tank once used. you don't carry grey water as such. I hope this makes sense.

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Excellent point!! 🤔😊👍

[@rodb9567]

I have the same Fiamma grey water tank. Only had to use it a couple of times. I would recommend that you purchase a valterra or Fiamma cap with 25mm hose inlet to connect the sullage hose to the tank for a sealed connection. This is required to comply with the CMCA leave no trace requirements. The sullage hose has to be plumbed into the tank so it cannot overflow. I purchased mine from Australian Motorhomes but others are available. Enjoying your videos of WA

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Thank you for the advice and I’ll definitely look into sorting that out 😊👍 safe travels Cheers, Paul

[@iamrodos]

Fridge in car. I assume you have it plugged in whilst driving and don’t have a second battery. When not driving use an Anderson connector to plug it into van batteries (instead of AC). You won’t need the inverter on and will be more efficient on 12v. Your van battery will easily take the extra bit of load. That’s a no cost option. For a better setup put a 100Ah battery, DC2DC40 and a small 100w solar panel on the car. You can then run the fridge and never worry about power in the car again (charge whilst driving or stopped). Of course that’s going to cost a bit, but you then have a good touring setup. Always enjoy your videos.

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Thank you Rodney for this detail - I do have a second battery set up in the lux… but I think your suggestion of the solar on the Hilux roof would be a great solution!

[@dr.edsozfamilytravel]

Well said. I have the same setup of my car and have no worries with power running my potable fridge in the car. Great suggestion.

[@ivena534]

Cossack is looking amazing! I grew up in the Pilbara (Tom Price 1969 - 1985) I remember climbing over and playing in the ruins of Cossack.

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Wow! Done great memories I’m sure - it really was a wonderful town to walk around and the care was excellent 💙😊

[@OurWanderingWays]

Glad to see Jasper has made a full recovery. He is a little trooper. Great info all round on the grey water side of things. Still to do something on that side. Our van is not set up for off grid, just one solar panel and battery. I’m sure we can manage the odd off grid occasionally. Hope so anyway.

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

I’m sure you’ll be able to manage - it’s a bit of a balancing act with the solar/power usage at first but a really interesting and great learning curve 👍😊

[@davebrown1641]

Didn't know about the grey water cassette you have. I was going to buy a second toilet cassette and use that. Thanks for the info. Kick back, sit back and enjoy life. Hope Jasper's head heals ok

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Cheers Dave! Yes it was a great find and worked perfectly!

[@spartannomad3036]

Thanks for another great epIsode guys. I would have gone with the glue as well. I keep butterfly clips and steristrips in the first aid kit for deep lacerations, super glue will also do the trick in an emergency.

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Cheers…. I didn’t know that about superglue, but it makes sense now after seeing how much glue they used (I had to cut it and the Bandaid out of Jaspers hair this week…. He has a small bald patch 😂) 😅👍

[@spartannomad3036]

@@TheFeelGoodFamily Gives little Jasper an excuse for a new hat perhaps? He's a bright kid, you're doing a great job parenting.

[@ouradventerousdays]

I'm sorry about Jasper accident. Hope he has recovered by now. Thanks for another great episode. My drone fell on a tree once and I had to paid a someone to get it down because it's too high up.

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Oh no…. At least you recovered it 😅👍

[@robyndehavilland1609]

Glad Jasper is ok, brave little guy. ❤️ I’m excited for next week, looks like you are heading to the wonderful Exmouth/Ningaloo/Cape Range. I love it there, that was my last holiday destination in Jan 2020 just before lockdowns began ( not that I knew that then!) can’t wait to go back when WA opens:)

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Wow, what a location!! We loved everything about it 💙🇦🇺

[@robertlloyd3486]

Water ideas. We use a water bladder 60lts and each time we go into town or whenever we fill up and then pump into the tank when I get back to camp. The pump I use also doubles to suck water out of the creek to use for showers.

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Love this idea! Thanks and I’ll start to do some research into getting this sorted 👍😊

[@robertlloyd3486]

@@TheFeelGoodFamily it works great and the empty bladder floss up to bugger all. I also put a comment on your Facebook about grey water tanks. Look up safe tanks

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Cheers thanks for this, I’ll check that out too 👍

[@mannycassar1214]

Hi guys great vid, for water i have a portable pump set up in a small storage box with i use to pump water from river or lake to fill up jerry cans and i use 2 in line filters, this works very well if you run short on water. For power i use a small 12 volt battery which i connect to van charging system to always have full charge, i hope this helps.

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Cheers Manny, yes a great help - I’ll look into a 12v pump/filter and possibly a water bladder that I can carry in the Hilux… thanx and have a great week!

[@darylneit8318]

Hi guys, great show , loving the gear reviews and following the upgrades keep them coming. You guys do a great job … sorry about ya head Jasper … we have new grand daughter Little Robyn … all the best , Sandra and big Daz

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Wow, CONGRATULATIONS!! That is wonderful news 💙😊 Jasper is back to his normal self which is fantastic 👍

[@darylneit8318]

@@TheFeelGoodFamily hi forgot to say , we use same grey water tank as you, never had issue since like you very much van park types really , plus just easier, also 12 volt inline pump for water which I connect to my water filter which you recommended, however if drawing creek water. or tank only use for shower toilet etc but in a pinch boil then tea, bottle for drink

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

@@darylneit8318 - I think an additional water bladder with 12v pump will be on the Christmas shopping list! 😊

[@katherineporter2654]

Having staples in your head is weird, I had neuro surgery a few years ago and had about 10 staples to remove them they use exactly what you would in an office to remove them. The long staple remover. 🤣. Great episode

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Oh wow!! That’s full on 😅 my stomach tightened thinking about the removal process 😳

[@loub1733]

It’s been in the news the skyrocketing petrol prices over the last year or so- 40% or more in a year. For long term travellers this is an important budget consideration.

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Yes Lou, and looks to keep increasing over Christmas into New Year unfortunately 😬

[@jackiclarke8930]

Is this an ad Chanel now 9.33 minutes in

[@kenturner6314]

Poor little man😭so brave in the hospital. Glad you are enjoying the free / low cost camping. How did the fishing go? Not well I suspect😂😂😂

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Haha!! Not so good,… we were ready to go fishing when we suddenly needed to go to the hospital instead! 😅👍

[@kenturner6314]

@@TheFeelGoodFamily 👍plenty of time for fishing so pleased J man is ok

[@harveybailey3401]

I would look at putting a good 2nd battery set up in the Hilux. I’ve got a Hilux with a 120AH lithium with redarc dcdc with built in solar controller and also run the same 75l fridge as you. I have been using a 200w blanket on days when we don’t drive much. About 6 weeks ago fitted redarc 120w fixed panel on the roof (all I could fit with other things on the roof). Battery gets down to about 90% overnight and if it’s reasonably sunny it’s back to 100% well before mid day. Have had days when haven’t started Hilux for 3 days and never been below 89-90%. Using 240v via and inverter isn’t efficient as the inverter uses some power. Just a suggestion based on my experience

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Thank you for all this info! I’ve got the 2nd battery/red arc dc2dc installed but haven’t put and solar on the lux roof (yet) - I think that’s the missing link here 👍 let you know how I go cheers, Paul

[@alltron66]

Hey Paul, you just need a solar panel on your ute roof with a single lithium battery in the tub and fridge will be right to go.

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Perfect! I have a second battery currently in the Ute but no solar on the roof, so I’ll get that sorted next - thanks for the suggestion! Cheers and have a great week, Paul

[@dr.edsozfamilytravel]

@@TheFeelGoodFamily you will need a DC2DC charger to charge the battery as well.

[@That_is_for_me_to_know]

I have had quotes for installing grey water tank ranging from $800 to $1500 that involves non return valves and getting the correct fall . Been advised not install a fixed version due as they will smell in due course. The portable versions seem better as you don’t carry the weight constantly, easily moved, etc

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Cheers for this… that’s a big cost!! I got told it would be 3-400$$… that’s obviously not quite right, wow pretty expensive to get a fixed version!

[@That_is_for_me_to_know]

@@TheFeelGoodFamily Apparently with retro fitting it is the tank positioning to get the right fall from the sinks, shower, washing machine, etc plus fitting non return valves to each that are the issue. All water will flow thru the tank and using a shutoff valve on the discharge end, allows the water to be retained in the tank as and when required. In my case it was thought not possible to position the tank without it being too low and prone to damage. Also “all” tanks will smell over time and need treatments and that’s why the portable tank offers the best options in my view. I am Perth based.

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Great info and thank you - feeling pretty happy with the portable version now 👍😊

[@johnpitt2742]

lithium batteries are much better than what is on the labels and the agm batteries are much less than they marked also the lithium can be safely charged much faster than the agm.

[@davekerr8133]

You certainly cover some ground. How many litres diesel per 100km are you using? Its amazing how thrifty you can become with water consumption when you have to conserve water. Another great post, thanks team. I hope Jaspers wound has healed okay.

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Cheers Dave, yes the J-man is on the up and back in his normal enthused self 😅👍 we get 20-22l per 100km (depending on wind) and around 14 when not towing - have an awesome week P,K&J

[@ronlorettaburrrows8651]

Hello Feelgoods , The fuel tank size, is that a replacement or a Sub tank added? great episode again.

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

He guys! I had a 140l replace my 65l Toyota factory tank @ARB Mildura prior to heading up the middle 👍😊

[@cherylrayes8015]

I was wondering where you can empty your grey water tank? Can it be emptied where you empty your toilet cassette?

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Hi Cheryl, yes that’s correct 👍😊

[@treeman3663]

Good one Paul go back to drone school

[@TheFeelGoodFamily]

Haha! Yes, definitely needs work

[@WindowNT]

Install as much solar on the caravan as possible, plug car in to van when not driving.