CHEAP and EASY power UPGRADES to our motorhome

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Our quest to upgrade our 13 year old van and make it modern inside and powerful is still ongoing. This video Redders gets to work on the lithium batteries installations, with some victron goodies too, then he adds an extra solar panel to our array.
The batteries we have are available here amzn.eu/d/0d7U...
The review for these DCHouse batteries is here. • DC HOUSE lithium 12v 1...

[@redsgotravels]

For the incredible offers on Rosetta Stone please check out this link partners.rosettastone.com/redsgotravels-3

[@juliegough350]

Hi guys good to have you back on screen xx

[@redsgotravels]

Thankyou ! Xx

[@stevenrayment8334]

Another enjoyable vlog guys, loving the simple but very noticeable changes to the decor Mrs Redders, and the not so noticeable system upgrades Redders. Accident or not she is an object of desire, the old girl. Black is definitely the best colour, it does her real justice. Aye you're a man after my own heart, surrounding yourself with beauty. Looking forward to the next adventure, oh and Wilf, what a wee sweetheart he is 😊

[@redsgotravels]

Good morning ! Thanks so much for your lovely words 🤗 really appreciated, so glad you enjoyed the vlog , slow and steady , a few more bits to do, but big trip soon , and a small rest for the stag 💖

[@williambinney2217]

Another very interesting vlog,thanks,I've just had an electronic gismo fitted on our van which when stood it keeps the engine battery topped up alongside leisure battery's from solar.role on your next vlog guys,

[@redsgotravels]

Good morning ! Fab idea , I’m looking into a switch over this morning to use the panels too ! 🙂👍

[@spudbrook5760]

Top vlog folks, very interesting to watch 👍

[@redsgotravels]

Thankyou, really appreciated 🙂❤️

[@Kev-Jan]

Great vlog, thinking of adding extra solar onto our MH.. like the idea of reducing weight by simply changing the batteries but also adding additional power at the same time.. stay safe guys

[@redsgotravels]

Thankyou ! We removed over 40 kg with the battery swap, 20 kg with the oven out , so a reduction of 60 kg , really pleased with that 🙂❤️

[@Kev-Jan]

@redsgotravels Hi guys, we've looked back on your first solar panel installation, which looks very simple, then looking on amazon for the very same panel, which, as you will know, are loads of.. did you have to purchase the plastic corner fixtures as an extra or was they included with solar panel ?

[@redsgotravels]

The plastic corner feet were an extra purchase in addition to the panels we bought 🙂

[@Kev-Jan]

@redsgotravels Thank you, really appreciate you taking the time to reply.. 😊

[@redsgotravels]

🙂🙂❤️

[@moniquetheobald889]

I really enjoyed watching this, you are are both so smart, dedicated and great at teaching, you have a super van now, can't wait to join you on your next travel, Wilf is so cute isn't he? XXX : ) X

[@redsgotravels]

Aww Thankyou, so glad you enjoyed it, Wilf is settling in really well, an amazing little man 🐾🐾🐾❤️

[@moniquetheobald889]

@@redsgotravels Love Dolly and Pippa too of course bet they love him, my cat Honey loves watching you, see you soon all bfn X

[@redsgotravels]

@moniquetheobald889 🐩🐩🐩🐾🐾🐾💖 🙂

[@barrygoodwin7378]

Thank you so so much for doing alis birthday message well chuffed we both are keep up the good work from very hot Turkey xxxx❤❤

[@redsgotravels]

Our pleasure 🙂❤️ hope you are enjoying your trip xx

[@ian_morg]

Great upgrades there! I fitted the same Orion unit in my old T5, if you didn’t, think about spacing it off the floor to give it a bit more space underneath to cool. Some people even put fans behind them to cool even more as they work better when cooler.

[@redsgotravels]

They are great and easy to fit aren’t they ! I put mine in the battery tray which had vent holes for the original lead acid battery vents , so fortunately whilst moving air is circulating around it 🙂👍

[@ian_morg]

@@redsgotravels Perfect! We’ve got an Autotrail motorhome now and once our batteries give up the ghost I will probably go the same route. Hopefully lithium will come down a bit more in cost in the meantime.

[@redsgotravels]

@ian_morg keep an eye for our review on the batteries , the price is amazing 👌❤️

[@user-gq6yd8qs3d]

Hi, given the crimping tool you have used, I would strongly recommend soldering inside the crimp after you’ve crimped. This increases the surface contact area. From 35 years experience, if you have heavy current application, the first couple of inches is where you’ll start to see burning and ultimate failure. I’d also consider the type of cable. Current carrying capacity is not just the CSA (Cross Sectional Area) of the copper, but the insulation type too. Tri-rated cable is higher current rating for same CSA. But where smoke cookie be an issue LZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) may be better. To avoid soldering in the industry we use a hydraulic crimp and die which crimps in a hexagonal shape, rather than punching one small area. And use spring washers or nyloc nuts if you haven’t already.

[@redsgotravels]

Some great advice there for sure , Thankyou for sharing 🙂 I bought a kit with the wire provided and suitable for purpose , but of course so much more to consider too 👍👍❤️

[@user-gq6yd8qs3d]

You’re very welcome! Next thing, mount the starlink on the roof using a step up PSU. It’s really easy. Means unlimited data across all of EU and while on the move. And you don’t have to get wet when setting up or worry about it getting stolen - just done mine. Works a treat!

[@user-gq6yd8qs3d]

And runs off 12V so more efficient

[@redsgotravels]

@user-gq6yd8qs3d oh wow ! I may be giving you a shout when it’s time to do mine 🙂👌

[@user-gq6yd8qs3d]

Anytime!

[@jeffanddiane]

We installed a Fogstar 300amh battery earlier this year. It’s been bloody brilliant. Best upgrade we ever did. Also installed a 60 amp Renogy B2B charger, but our Pilote MH system dislikes it as it competes with its own built in 20amp system. It’s on a switch and I just switch it on occasionally. Safe Travels 👍

[@redsgotravels]

It’s a game changer isn’t it ! .. we have a switch too, as my system doesn’t give enough charge , certainly wouldn’t go back 👌🙂 thanks for watching and commenting, we really appreciate it ❤️❤️🐩🐩🐾

[@TheMinimalistTherapist]

Hi guys! Not going to lie, I wondered if Rosetta Stone have a course for learning to speak "electrics" 😂 because much of this made absolutely no sense to me (due to my lack of knowledge, not your explanations) but fortunately my husband speaks it fluently 😅. The important thing was seeing it really is possible to make these kinds of upgrades yourselves as we'll definitely be wanting to add additional solar when we get our moho and had been thinking we might have to budget to send it away to be done. Thanks so much and it's great to see you! Lots of love to you both from us and our 3 mutleys.

[@redsgotravels]

Aww thank you ! Glad it was of use , it’s quite simple really 🙂 ❤️

[@lankycab]

When connecting batteries in parallel, the negative terminal of one battery is connected to the negative terminal of the next and so on through the string of batteries. The same is done with positive terminals, i.e. the positive terminal of one battery to the positive terminal of the next.

[@redsgotravels]

Yes my leisure batteries are parallel 👌

[@lankycab]

I put this as, when you described the install, you said that yhe negative goes to the positive, but didn't say the + to + & n to n. Great video, great weight saving & enjoy the extra croissant 😆 🤣

[@redsgotravels]

@lankycab 😂more croissants indeed 😂 thanks for the comments too , much appreciated 👍❤️

[@howarddavies6685]

Wilf looking like a proper big city dog with his highlited eyebrows! 😅

[@redsgotravels]

😂 he’s settled in so well ❤️ 🐾 such an adorable little pup 💖

[@NigelL0304]

Very informative as always👍 When you going to do a review of that lovely Stag👍

[@redsgotravels]

Thankyou ! And would love to do it one day ❤️🙂

[@simonpoole4399]

Brilliant just full off information well done you two

[@redsgotravels]

Thankyou so much 🤗

[@user-we1lf5zy5i]

Hi Guys, Great video, I've done the same power upgrade as you and the lithium is just amazing endless power compared to the old lead acid. Keep the videos coming please.🤗

[@redsgotravels]

It’s a great upgrade for sure ! Thankyou very much for your lovely comment 🙂

[@yp2503]

i have solar panels on my house for over 15 yrs was told by my installer only use distilled water to clean them as anything else causes a greasy film to form on panels which reduces the panels efficiency

[@redsgotravels]

Great tip , Thankyou 🙂❤️

[@MrYugo68]

Lithium battery is a bomb in van and very bad in winter

[@redsgotravels]

Good morning ! Thanks for the tip 👌 with the lpg , fuel load and contents it does pay to have awareness and preparation 🙂

[@Sheddys]

CT1 .... yes, its a great at bonding, we have been using it for years. However, it does degrade in ultra-violet light. Sikaflex doesnt. Just keep an eye on it, you never, ever want to travel faster than your solar panels!

[@redsgotravels]

Thanks for the heads up 👌❤️ much appreciated 🙂

[@benfacer2961]

Nooooooo - Would have sponsored this :(

[@redsgotravels]

Please do get in touch, we travel very regularly , we have more upgrades planned , more power needed to match the upgrades , we return home to the uk at end of October ❤️🙂 Thanks so much for commenting 🙂

[@craighowells3462]

Hi both. Very informative. I’ve sent an e mail regarding the vlog

[@redsgotravels]

Thanks Craig ! 👌👍

[@stevemate8729]

Do you think there is any need to uprate the alternator on the vehicle, or does the vehicle already have a heavy duty alternator fitted ?

[@redsgotravels]

Great question, the one I have is 200 Amps , however the DC to DC limits the charge to max 30 amps , and it also takes its power from the battery, not being linked directly to the alternator , so even at 120 the DC will provide an effective managed charge to the batteries 👌🙂 but just a little slower 🙂

[@colindorsett9048]

Does now mean you can use your standard sockets of grid

[@redsgotravels]

Not quite, we would need an inverter too , but it’s certainly a welcome addition 🙂❤️

[@craig7l277]

You mentioned in the video you were advised to add a separate b2b rather than use the EBL charger. Where did you get this advice. I have a 20year old Frankie and looking to change to lithium and trying to work out how to remove the charger from the EBL. Anyone recommend a company that can advice what’s needed and maybe drawing so that can then do the work myself?

[@redsgotravels]

The EBL will charge it , but runs max 18 amps , so not enough for lithium to be efficient , a B2B will manage the power efficiently 👌 there’s a relay on the unit that switches the charge between leisure and vehicle , also a fuse , so you can disable with the fuse ( maybe at leisure battery ) or pull the fuse , my victron install is working perfectly 🙂

[@FrankKinlan888]

That B2B runs hot the latest 50A runs a lot cooler as it is more efficient. Just saying. As the batteries have no bluetooth you may want the BMV712 shunt. You have no idea of the state of charge of the batteries. It'll work as is , the Victron warranty is good as I've had a Victron solar charge controller replaced under warranty with no quibbles.

[@redsgotravels]

Hi and thank you ! We do have a Bluetooth device on the batteries , and vent holes in the battery tray , but a shunt sounds just the job 👌👍

[@FrankKinlan888]

@@redsgotravels The shunt can communicate with the Victron Solar Controller and stop it charging the batteries if the temperature drops below 5 Deg C. If you charge below below 0DegC it destroys the chemistry of the battery. I have that same Solar Charge Controller.

[@redsgotravels]

@FrankKinlan888 just ordered a shunt 👍👍

[@FrankKinlan888]

@@redsgotravels you made the right decision to go to 200A . We have 100A it’s enough due to the depth of discharge you can go to, it was £700 at the time at the NEC when others were selling for £1200. It will outlast me and the van in the 3 years it’s been in it has only had 2 (two) cycles not 5000 that it was warranted for. If I was doing it again now I would go for Fogstar. I have a Victron inverter that I haven’t fitted. Just come back from a month in France on mainly Camping Carpark sites.

[@redsgotravels]

Wow ! Hope you enjoyed France 🙂❤️ we certainly do, the lithium are fab, as mentioned , shunt being delivered over the weekend 👌❤️ great suggestion , Thankyou 🙂

[@garethpearson174]

Hi can I ask were you got your seat covers from we hat he same make seats thanks

[@redsgotravels]

Hi Gareth ! Here’s the link 👌 motorhomeessentials.com/product/seat-covers/

[@andymurray8935]

Great video- thank you Do you have an inverter? Plans to have one? Thinking of battery/ inverter upgrade but not sure what to do?

[@redsgotravels]

We don’t have an inverter , it’s a great choice especially with lithium , and in time a sensible move away from powerbanks , we won’t do it yet as the powerbanks are relatively new and can be taken outside for air fryers, computer use etc , so for sure , I’d make the move 👍👍

[@johnfromireland]

​@@redsgotravels a simple extension cord from the inverter and forget about powerbanks. Powerbanks are like mobile phone power chargers, there's really no need for them if you have the correct wiring in place.

[@redsgotravels]

A good point , however we do find powerbanks work well for us at the moment, it’s like having extra lithium , and the plus being fold out solar panels to chase the low sun , the ones on the roof are great , but only when the sun is high 🙂👌

[@johnfromireland]

@@redsgotravels but surely the portable solar system could be directed back to the main lithium setup? Which in turn could be used via an efficient inverter. Maybe it's just me, but I really feel powerbanks are more a camping aid than a well set up motorhome tool.

[@redsgotravels]

@johnfromireland all good points, and in the abscence of the powerbanks a possibility , but we have some huge powerbanks which we have been given to test 👌

[@jeffanddiane]

Really Disappointed guys… I needed to have a full car tour of the Stag 😂😂😂 Remember the question what would you save if there was a 🔥 😂

[@redsgotravels]

😂 sorry to disappoint 😂 and please stop asking hard questions 😂😂

[@barrieathey1822]

Another very informative vlog. Did you think about installing a battery master (from Van Bitz) so that you can keep your vehicle battery topped up? Looking forward to your next video.. Take care

[@redsgotravels]

Thanks for the suggestion ! I’ve since added an eco worthy panel and controller just for the vehicle battery ❤️🙂

[@barrieathey1822]

Thanks

[@redsgotravels]

🙂