ELECTRIC COOKING WHEN CAMPING - REAL-LIFE TEST | Is it workable? | 4xOverland

[@Dennis-1367]

As a German I lost it when Heiner explained electrics with beer. Just hilarious. Really hope to see him around more often

[@overland-workshop]

I know. I had to really focus!

[@4weeksleave]

@@overland-workshop I had to get a beer to focus

[@hlieb4601]

@@4weeksleave dam now I want a beer 🤣🍺🍺🍺 or 3

[@MrThuggery]

@@overland-workshop I could tell.....

[@4weeksleave]

@@hlieb4601 It is 12 o'clock somewhere in the world

[@mullerandre95]

Personally I'd say it's a bit of a stretch for an induction plate, you've got only one cooking surface. A 2 plate gas burner would be lighter and a boatload cheaper than induction cooking. How many canisters of gas do you need to buy to break even with the price of the upgraded electrical system and additional wheight? More wheight for the electric system equates in either lost weight carrying capacity or upgrading the suspension to suit. IMHO it's just bling and if you have bad weather for a few days you run into charging issues. More tech inevitably leads to more complication, like taking a new Disco up into Africa. I feel another Dream tourer scenario coming.

[@grouchyecologist1730]

Best lightweight reliable cooker I have found so far is the old Coleman Shellite 533 stoves... smaller than most pots and so fit inside them, very energy efficient, and what I like most of all is the reliability and readability of knowing how much fuel you have used, and how much you have left. I carry two but usually only need one. Only a little practice is needed to get really good reliable heat out of them and from there I am getting rid of all my old gas gear which was more complex, expensive, harder to clean and much heavier overall. They're very stable but to make them more so I simply cut out a template for the bases so they cannot be knocked about while cooking.

[@crt269]

@@grouchyecologist1730 interesting

[@billcrowle]

@@crt269 then there is a Trangia metho stove, a Whisperlite…….

[@danwhiteman2529]

@@grouchyecologist1730 I agree, that's my permanent truck camping stove. I use a jetboil for coffee and hot chocolate only.

[@DazzaOnGoogle]

Would it be any heavier? 200AH lithium weighs about 20kg. Same as a large LPG bottle

[@sfrozman]

We used an induction cooktop in our camper van after having one in our home. We find that there can be a huge difference in efficiency, depending on what pots and pans you use. In the van we are very happy with the Stanley Even-Heat Camp Pro Cookset. They have a very thick plate on the bottom, so work great with induction. We also use a small cast iron skillet, which also is great on induction. For coffee, we use the Bra Bella moka pot, which I think is Italian that we bought in Spain. Sadly, we have two of them and the second one we purchased, they have made all of the metal thinner with the same design, but both seem to work fine on induction and making coffee in the van is very quick.

[@user-fr5pl1zf5f]

This sounds like a solution in search of a problem. Light and simple wins the day

[@benbirch2393]

100%.

[@BlitzSRM994]

Yep

[@jackthornton3496]

lightweight wins, when 4x4ing

[@AdrianScott1024]

I really appreciate videos like this where we can follow the thought process going into decisions, not just presenting the conclusion after the fact, thank you.

[@DANIEL-ls5ku]

I have been Car camping for a long time now and have switched to 100% Lithium battery system. Got rid of the clumsy kettle, I got small coffee machine if I want hot water I get it from there just exactly what I need no more no less. My Induction I bought from ALDI is more efficient than those expensive ones quick to heat and easy to clean, added bonus... I don't need to worry about the bloody wind cause I got rid of my gas stove! One time the LPG (gas) leaks inside my car on a heavy traffic, well I don't need to worry about that! Butane canisters, looking for gas refill a thing of the past! Lithium Batteries need no maintenance and you can use it 95% of the available Amp because it doesn't suffer from memory loss not to mention they're soo light you can put 3 in a small car no prob! I went for Renogy system since it's lighter, easier to setup and also I couldn't afford Victron plus their fuses are questionable. I drive a medium sized SUV, fridge, lights, audio system, chargers all run efficiently well. The problem I see from other people is that they have a lot of "expert opinions" but never really had experience with full lithium battery system, they still carry the old AGM, Lead Acid experience or LPG and try to apply it with the new system. You cannot change from bicycle to a motorcycle and winged because you don't see the pedals, for everything you have to change your approach to make it work. Small, Efficiency, Simplicity, is what I aim for and I got that exactly with my system.

[@gordslater]

Speaking as an electronics guy, that's a hell of a lot of power draw even for a large twin-battery system. Speaking as a remote offroader, that s a crazy amount of power draw.

[@dx80cruiser]

. 75c rate of discharge is fine for lithium, depending on what BMS is running the lithium batteries of course, but not excessive

[@gordslater]

@@dx80cruiser yeah its the recharging that horrifies me rather than the dis-rate. Even with long drives each day,

[@dx80cruiser]

@@gordslater ack, not easy to get 200 amphr back in on a drive. Hard on the alternator and increase in fuel use trying to drive the alternator, and if you decide to stay for 2 or 3 days your stuffed. A gas (or my Favorite) a duel fuel stove is far more efficient.

[@ReimerKeith]

@@dx80cruiser He could carry a large windmill in a trailer...

[@royblackburn1163]

@@ReimerKeith if everyone eats bean's , job done lol.

[@philg2468]

Heiner is awesome. Perhaps you can get him talking about alternators and how a 130A Troopy alternator copes with these huge loads - particularly when output drops at low engine revs.

[@einfelder8262]

Agreed. Victron has a good video on how to set fire to your alternator when charging lithium batteries via a DC-DC charger.

[@93jummy]

@@einfelder8262 that test was run WITHOUT a dc-dc.

[@Dirt-Diggler]

@@einfelder8262 I thought that alt fire was WITHOUT a BtoB 🤔

[@Luggynug]

I must admit when Andrew was going over the battery charging system I wondered if an alternator upgrade would be needed.

[@gaj5701]

Good real life info for anyone wanting to go this route. I faffed around doing calculations on whether it was possible for me running 200ah & figured I would always have to carry a separate stove for multi-day stops. As an engineer with a penchant for efficiency & a mountaineering background meaning I like the double redundancy process, I'm only going to take a standard cooker as I would be taking it anyway. Until someone develops/shows a better, more efficient way I'll be leaving induction alone for now. Shame, as it solves the fuel issue for global overlanding but I like to stay still in beautiful places when possible so a coleman dual fuel is here to stay.

[@nnoddy8161]

Nothing beats dual fuel. The cost, complexity and weight of all this is ridiculous.

[@Malc664]

You, Andrew, called this build "Operation Lightweight". The Multiplus II is nice but not necessary. Now you're going away from a lightweight build. The Redarc does the job at less than half the weight. Now you're factoring in Shore power. Why aren't you giving viewers the weights as you go? Maybe, Andrew, you're still on that learning curve. I suppose it never ends. That's ok and normal. I hope there are no regrets.

[@Resignandreset]

I completely agree with you. I might be wrong on this one (this is my opinion) sponsors could have affected his decision.

[@Malc664]

@@Resignandreset Yes, he loves the new toys received for free. Victron donations, so he's gone that way. Can't wait to see how close he gets to the GVM.

[@nnoddy8161]

@@Resignandreset They always affect his decisions. Check out the tyre fiasco. Went against his preferred size (255/85 16) because his sponsor did not make them in that size.

[@boymeetsbush8232]

Definitely not light weight but product showcase. 3 100 Amp batteries 2 30amp dc 2 dc charger and 3000w inverter charger how can that be light weight

[@rynoopperman5010]

All that crap just to save on a 3kg gas bottle… 😜😜

[@HoldenHSVlover]

Harry from fire to fork felt a disturbance in the force when you filmed this video

[@nnoddy8161]

Priceless.

[@Berserkeroffroad]

It's fun to see you incorporate your love of electronics into the build. The complexity isn't my cup of tea which I think is why I enjoy watching you do it instead. I'm content with a backpacking stove and freeze-dried meals.

[@grahamfielder4498]

Nothing nicer at night than all sitting around the induction cooker with a beer watching the steaks sizzling away. 200ah via solar on an overcast day is going to be an interesting challenge (actually even on a reasonably sunny day) - eagerly await the solar panel video.

[@einfelder8262]

Agree - there isn't a portable solar system that will pump 200ah. The 20ah Victron mppt will still require a massive solar blanket to pump 20ah consistently for 10 hours.

[@bartgugelot5788]

Love the content, thank you. I can’t help but be a little discouraged that we have moved from a simple 110amp deep cycle battery, solenoid and some 12v outlets, to easy 3000euro of electronics which take up a VW Polo boot size space in our vehicles. I have bought a Volvo C303 which I will turn into an overlander, but it’s small so I will go for a simple smaller system.

[@Snook_]

So much for light weight Andrew. Jetboil + Webber Baby Q cannot be beaten for awesome BBQ cookups or oven style long cooking and fast water boiling/coffee/fast on the go freeze dried meals. I worry this car is already trending to another overbloated disaster like the last. Imagine being in the middle of nowhere with electronic failure and no basic way to cook when its wet, or simply having to run your car all the time just to charge because you get 3 days of rain and a 200w solar blanket can't put back in more than 30 to 50 amps a day in bad conditions. Keep it simple stupid. Gas cooking and showers always wins as a compromise/balance and saves you thousands to spend on other shit.

[@trimat2016]

Hmmm. I can see this project going off the weight rails already. Hybrid system. Is that code for carrying both a gas and an electric cooking system?

[@Leilthold-]

Probably a jetboil

[@JimBob-vb8oz]

If you go hybrid electric/gas, aren't you just getting back to the overloaded camper you had? Two systems, two sets of energy storage, more weight,

[@MrDaanram]

thanks Jim Bob! exactly my thought. I wonder why he doesn't build a nice 12V only system - no inverters, none of that rubbish. Camera's and laptops all charge of USB and there are simple 12V plugs that charge at 40 watts.

[@landzender]

@@MrDaanram Because the induction cook tops are AC (240V) only. There don't come in 12V options. Also because Andrew is using some professional cameras (larger Sony video camera), etc, they only come with AC (240V) chargers, not 12V or USB charging.

[@utahjohnnymontana3373]

I don't see the point either, but its not my car. Personally, I like the propane stove option. Induction seems like something that just doesn't belong on a camping trip.

[@lukeadv]

@@landzender A $50 inverter can supply 150W AC from the 12V socket, would probably supply the AC charger of a camera. I agree with @MrDram, should be keeping things light.

[@dx80cruiser]

@@landzender but they don't require 3000watt inverters

[@WishIHadTreeForm]

It seems to me that right now you are at a crossroads with this build and have lost sight of the original directive. Project lightweight. I appreciate that there was always a caveat to the "lightweight" part, but I think it would be great to do a video directly addressing the trade off you are making here.

[@180jp4]

Picking up an 80 series in a couple weeks to do a lightweight no frills overland build, the 4x4 itself is fairly heavy but no free parts on mine so I should be able to stay relatively light

[@180jp4]

Yeah it’s crazy how much junk you end up with, my 79 single cab sits at 3.9t daily driving. Drives horrible haha

[@lukeadv]

@@dualcablowlux Problem is all these youtube channels tempting us with interesting stuff

[@WishIHadTreeForm]

@@dunk1 Yeh, I just see dream tourer repeating itself... I am no expert though and my only 4x4 experience is a Jimny, so I am particularly sensitive to over doing it!

[@martysib6547]

Thanks so much for this video Andrew. You have totally convinced me that induction is the biggest waste of time and to never consider it! NEVER EVER! If you want to experiment, why not play with the glass top diesel cookers? Marty from Perth

[@Resignandreset]

Please DO NOT base your future decisions on this video. Watch and research more about it! There are much more to it then what has been shown here.

[@IowaLR4]

It is at least fair to say that we learned how much it takes to do this type of cooking. I thought that was the big take away here. 200 AH for an evening and morning of cooking. You would need a pretty significant solar charge or a decently long drive, even with a 50amp redarc BCDC to get that 200AH replenished. That puts this option out of reach for most people. 200AH of battery alone is a stretch for most overland vehicles.

[@kerrowmcgaw]

Stop over for more than one day with no travelling and cloudy conditions and you will not be able to recharge without a backup generator. Been there done that with fridges shutting down overnight. I now cook and heat water with gas and batteries are for fridges, lighting and entertainment. Thanks for a great channel.

[@reddirtndiesel1]

Great content we have come to expect from you ! Full disclaimer I am the authorised dealer for Mitsalloy in Victoria, for my demo Hilux n70 I have the 50amp redarc Dc Dc under the bonnet with 2x batteries then the canopy which is removable 2x 100amp revolution lithium batteries with redarc red vision and manager 30 . I have 400 watts of solar mounted on my motop rooftent also a 190watt red arc blanket if required, but only very odd occasion ,I run my toaster, coffee machine ,Bose sound bar and aldi double induction plate off a 2000 watt redarc inverter...obviously the coffee machine was the most important one lolol keep up the Great work

[@cgrecommended]

Andrew, I feel even you aren't 100% convinced this is the right move.

[@derj8054]

Never ever put (Olive) oil in the water for your pasta again. The benefit that they won’t stick is it’s disadvantage at the same time. The sauce won’t stick to the noodles properly! I learned so much from you guys. Finally I can give something back. ;)

[@tukocan]

I like how Egon explains things, I understand him......and beer to.

[@andersonjack95]

Paul Marsh would be disappointed that you haven't stuck with your build ethos. "Lightweight tourer" is turning into the "freebies tourer"

[@perrypaterson6717]

Couldnt agree more. Paul Marsh (overlanding godfather & expert) taught Andrew everything he knows... its a slap in the face IMO

[@MrAkc14]

Totally agree, starting to see a trend of pushing "donated" equipment. Sold his soul to advertising over true adventure. Sad but seems to be the way there all going.

[@anthonymorris479]

Love listening to Heiner. I always come away feeling smarter.

[@ewingfox6459]

Thank you for helping me refine my thinking about my projects. It's lovely that you take us along with your process, and keep us engaged with your excellent storytelling.

[@1000adstar]

Great video. Here's another way of looking at it. Instead of planning large storage, plan large charging. With high current capabilities. I have the same car, with 1 x Lithium as start/Aux batt capable of delivering/charging at 400A. I charge at 140A from the alternator (100A at idle). No need to carry gas, Solar or large battery banks. All monitored including Alternator. Is a much better, cleaner, simpler solution that fully recharges by the time the engine is warmed up.

[@benmitchell8796]

Love your work - but has your enthusiasm to try Induction cooking make you loose sight of the primary goal of a light rig? It would be interesting to see if you could do a weight comparison of gas cooking v’s the weight premium of the 3,000W inverter, extra battery capacity and charging hardware you have now decided upon?

[@nnoddy8161]

Not to mention the cost. Coleman Dual Fuel stove = $250 and 6kgs.

[@michaelwigley8856]

The only down side of having one box controlling multiple things is if something goes wrong then you're hole system is down. That is why I build my system with individual components from victron so if my dc to dc goes down I have a separate solar charger and a separate shore power charger. O and there's always the Honda inverter generator if all else fails.

[@philg2468]

Not sold on the Victron Multiplus - how would a heavy device with a big Toroidal go on endless corrugations on the Canning/Gunbarrel/Anne Beadell Hwy? And when would you be able to use it's charger functions without carrying a generator and fuel?

[@einfelder8262]

The Victron is unlikely to fall apart, but this will be a test scenario for Victron, which is why they gave it to him. A 4Kva diesel generator is not too heavy, can install alongside the Victron, haha.

[@peterkrygger6081]

Your idea of induction cooking is sensible and practical in today’s world. It is convenient and quick and great in poor weather such as winds. However I am not sure if your battery usage test is replicated in real life. I have a REDARC system with a 200Ah lithium and 2000W inverter. I can cook a night meal and breakfast, reducing the induction wattage when the pots are hot, and typically use about 25% battery per day. With my 120W solar panel and average daily driving my battery is topped up easily. I just returned from 6 weeks of touring and never saw my battery get lower than 50%.

[@funvangroovn176]

I like the idea of pushing boundaries for more electric as it can be resupplied through solar or most likely the alternator while driving, thus extending overlanding range and simplifying logistics. In bad weather, induction is also nice (no combustion, smoke, condensation, safe to touch) for "in vehicle" use like in vans, truck campers, etc. As these systems improve (including the cookware options) thanks to ASPW and others, reliability, feasibility and capability will quickly progress. Practically a small gas or wood fire setup makes sense for complementing or backing up the induction solution.

[@jorjimaco5331]

Victron rocks. You still need the smart shunt to monitor it, I think it’s better than the 712. Same same but different. The best thing you’ve done so far.

[@benjaminholloway2451]

Did I miss the video where weight and simplicity goes out the window? It’s just a repeat of last year

[@180jp4]

It always starts this way until the free products come in and old mate gets carried away

[@Alienking01]

He should have gone with the Iveco, then the addition weight would not be a problem.

[@nnoddy8161]

Gotta agree. It is becoming whoever throws free gear at him he will compromise the intent of the build. Becoming a bit of a joke.

[@benjaminholloway2451]

@@180jp4 agreed

[@benjaminholloway2451]

@@Alienking01 I’d be interested in seeing that

[@dannychen1281]

Fun watch but I'm concerned about the weight of the whole setup though. From the looks of it Redarc's made more for overlanding compared to Victron by being more compact and lighter.

[@ML-ws6ce]

Victron and Votronic are very often used in European Camper Vans and I havn´t had any problems with them yet. So in my opinion a very good choice

[@frankiedoesoz]

Wow, I literally completed a Victron and lithium battery install in my 200 series and like yourself have used nothing but Redarc in my previous 4wds. Best decision I’ve made, the Victron capability is great stuff!

[@boymeetsbush8232]

Agree. My 200 also is all Victron best system

[@wolfvonkehler6662]

I think that further savings could be made by using a pressure cooker. Using one at home on a cheap Ikea induction plate gives good control and shortened cooking times. Maybe this is something you could look at to maximise the resource you have. This may add to cost but I guess that either way, compromises need to be made if you're trying to improve / maximise efficiency. But then it's not a cooking show but I love my gadgets in the kitchen! Love your work please keep it up.

[@sohailsaleemkhan5058]

It's really good to see how you all the time do experiments and install new ideas in building an ultimate off-road vehicle. I get a lot of new ideas for building my own vehicle in future.

[@mgunning7362]

Hmm. The analogy with the beer when comparing VA vs W is a bit vague. When talking AC power; VA= Volts x Amps. VA does not take into consideration PF (Power Factor). PF is a fractional number between 0 & 1 and is determined by the connected device or load (induction cooktop). VA is a simplistic & honest way of indicating power. The 2000 VA rating simply means this inverter can deliver a max of 8.7amps @ 230volts. (8.7A x 230VAC = 2000VA) So. AC Watts = Volts x Amps x PF AC watt ratings take into consideration the losses associated with inductive reactence. (PF), but as the PF is determined by the load and the inverter manufacturer does not know the PF of your AC load he should not and can not use AC watts to express power output. VA is a more practical way of expressing what the inverter can deliver. BUT, when dealing with DC power, Watts and VA are identical as PF (power factor) does not apply to DC. PS if your still reading this you need to get a life!

[@danzeman4520]

I need a life!

[@philhealey449]

When giving a talk to hotel engineers I've shown a picture of a beer glass with the foam being the reactive power and the beer being the true power. Much easier than a vector diagram !

[@thewhiteoxoverland]

Yes indeed. This is a relatively simple, but hugely misunderstood problem. It was not explained well here at all. Heiner is confusing efficiency losses of inverters with power factor. Power factor is really the difference between the amount of power that a load uses,, and the amount of power that needs to be available to run that load. They're not always the same. You can throw inverter inefficiencies in on top of that.

[@magicalvortex]

Your theory regarding VAR goes out the window with pulsating DC.

[@rynoopperman5010]

Really enjoyed this 😜😊👍🏻

[@alan4401]

Finally ...... a practical example of power consumption v battery capacity, Many thanks

[@dariosusic217]

My first post here... I'm following Andrew for almost a year now and all I can say is What an inspiration !!!! 262.000 subscribers, and Andrew make us all be better people! Now, I can see many negative comments about things, but don't forget: 1. Lightweight don't always mean cheap or less stuff 2. Andrew said it in the beginning of the video: it's an EXPERIMENT 3. Free stuff... who doesn't like to get stuff for free?... and try them! If you like them, if they fits, then use them, if you don't like them then give them away. 4. Don't forget... be inspired by Andrew and combine your setup with what you want and need... go out in the wild and drive safely 👍🙏

[@atb12312]

It's fantastic for practicality, I just enjoy cooking over the fire. Part of the experience

[@jonahwigley3313]

No more practical than a gas cooker though.

[@overlandingand4WD]

Its worth checking out the new DCS LiFePO4 batteries - they connect straight the alternator for direct charging at ~100A and they have a built in MPPT. No more BCDC or other intermediary gear and they are rated for under bonnet installation

[@johnwhalen5347]

Light weight build? Is the weight reduction coming from lightening the wallet?

[@FourLowAdventures]

@4xoverland have you considered an OzPig or Wooshka? The OzPig has a spark arrestor so it can be used in anywhere even in national parks and I seem to never have an issue finding dry wood (drift wood, wattle tree branches etc). It also has a chimney so I can put it under the awning and heat the area with it, instead of having to light a fire 20 metres away. Combine it with a JetBoil or Trangia for making coffee on a quick stop. I keep mine in a 50l tub , easy to whip out and it will take me about a minute to set up and once I've finished with it I just tip out the ashes either in an existing firepit otherwise I will bury them then pack it up almost immediately after (wearing rigger gloves). I've often thought it would be amazing to have one welded to a rear bar so it's always ready to go. Nothing beats a breakfast grilled over the BBQ everytime you wake up and a huge benefit is that you don't need to carry LPG canisters on the vehicle. Other positives are that there is very little to clean after eating (especially if you eat directly off the grill), you can warm up easily in the morning while cooking breakfast and it adds a lot of character to the campsite. I'm honestly surprised how few people I see with these.

[@rududuplessis2907]

Andrew. I am so glad you saw the light. We fit Victron daily with great success. Enjoy it

[@iamrodos]

I am a fan of the induction cooking whilst touring. Your example is for the extreme, which is your need. That is, large meal for 3 people, and one that involved boiling a lot of water and then cooking the pasta which takes some time. So thats your worst case scenario. To cook some chicken for 1 or 2 people your power needs are significantly less. A 900w kettle uses ~5A/h of energy to make hot water for two peoples coffee. I survive off a 1000W inverter. Its plenty to cook most things and boil water in a pan. Might just take a bit longer. So my single 125A/h battery and the 1000W inverter do just fine with a small canister stove as backup and using the fire when atmosphere is required. There is a happy budget version as well as the massive setup. Most of use can get away with the single DC2DC with the integrated MPPT, you are at the high end when you have chosen 2xDC2DC + MPPT regulator + a AC charger + cutover switch. Of course, my caravan setup is much closer to your design.

[@gustavomiller6645]

Interesting video. Personally i think is getting too complicated. Nothing wrong with a simple stove and gas canisters. Two cloudy/rainy days in a row and no more induction cooking. A 3000w inverter? Not being a purist but i think camping should also be simple and with some adventure. Anyway just an opinion, total respect for Andrew and it is great that he also generates the debate.

[@Sawadventures67]

I think you have made the right decision going with Victron system , a mate of mine has just put in virtually the same system you are putting in your vehicle, it is amazing looking forward to how it all turns out cheers

[@PowhiroMus]

I am doing the same thing. Solar, big battery and inverter for coffee machine, induction cooker, lights, power tool charging and I'm going to try hot water heating too. I just like electricity and if you have a 2nd battery, big is best and if it isn't, another will do. The sun is always shining plus I have the portable gas and fire options too.

[@SiCrewe]

Love the idea of induction cooking, itself, but the electrical system required is just huge overkill for me. I used to carry a Campingaz 907 to run a twin-hob cooker so I can see why people dislike the "faff" of gas cooking. These days I just use a cheap single-hob cooker that runs off the standard propane/butane cartridges and I also have a jetboil for, erm, boiling stuff. Basically, I get through 1 cartridge for each per week so I can just bung the required amount of cartridges (plus a couple of extras) in a drawer and I'm good to go. Main appeal of leccy cooking, for me, would be the convenience but a cartridge-powered single-hob gas cooker provides the same convenience for $20 and then the running coasts, for me, are around $30 per month of use so it'd take a looooooong time to justify installing the leccy system required for cooking.

[@Kankudai69]

This! A Campinggaz bivouac stove, or two. Pretty much as convenient. But weight, price, simplicity, volume. Altough we all know that Andrew likes his toys….. And the you add a Jackaroo or similar, and your all set….

[@JimsRobot]

My setup as well. Camping Gaz + jet boil. Works great

[@GroovyVideo2]

switched to IR Led Stove top and E tea kettle a month ago after using propane for 6 years - cook top draws 834 watts its On /Off type temp controller - going to try a Induction top next - Tech is Great

[@wlh227]

I like simple for cooking. I used nothing but 12 volt appliances including coffee maker, frying pan and crock pot. All are sold by a company called RoadTrucker. I have few more appliances that I seldom use but none draw more than 300 watts at the very most. I also run a 12 volt cooler/freezer. To make sure I have enough capacity I change out the 180 amp alternator for a 250 amp on my 2017 Jeep JK. When my OEM battery died in 2019 I replaced it with an Odyssey Extreme battery. With my alternator pushing out over 100 amps at idle I have never had any issues with overloading my electrical system. I also like to use cook fires when permitted and possible.

[@IndependenceOverland]

I’m sure you have your reasoning of course, but going with a power hungry system like this without fixed solar seems like a flaw from my perspective. If you cook breakfast first thing in the morning, and your battery is drained and you stop to shoot some video, take photos, or change a tire, you won’t want to get out a solar blanket every time or necessarily keep the engine running. It’s potential energy wasted and with this setup you’ll want as much as you can get so every time you wake up you don’t have to bother yourself with if you will be driving enough to recharge. With the size of the roof on the troop carriers, you could be gathering 10-15 amps at all times. Demanding 60 amps of DCDC charging most of your driving from your alternator is quite a workout for it. Its like hitting the rev limiter on your truck all day long and expecting it to give you its typical Toyota service life. I’m the lead technician for a fleet of Mack trucks, and I’ve seen 240amp alternators go up in smoke trying to keep up with old batteries, just because the are constantly just trying to keep up. Full time solar would reduce some of the effort from the mechanical side of things. And if your commander and chief decides she wants to spend a few days on the beach, you won’t have to idle all day to charge just to cook a meal. Cool build as always Andrew, curious to see what you come up with.

[@TristanNicolas]

That beer explanation was the first thing I was told in a job that had to do with energy efficiency and electricity 😄

[@discoveringwa2204]

Andrew, I have just set up a Renogy 60 amp DC-DC charger, Renogy 170 amp Li battery and a 3000 watt inerter in my 200 series to run my fridge, coffee machine and induction cooker. I won't use the induction cooker all the time, but it is so compact and easy to use for lunch stops etc. I prefer fire for cooking, but that is not always possible. So far my 170 amp battery is sufficient, but there is always an option to install another one should I need it.

[@chikkurathod1121]

Hello I am CHIKKU from EAST AFRICA TANZANIA I love your videos. You are so practical and straight to the point.All the best on your new build.

[@jasondevine6014]

Best va explanation I have ever heard!

[@thewhiteoxoverland]

I too have considered going down this path. I think the reason it is starting to make sense is really because of lifepo4 batteries and their ability to deliver huge currents, be deeply discharged, and quickly recharged (compared to AGM) and also being considerably lighter. But with the need for two or three lifepo4 batteries the cost is high, you would need a large inverter and it's electrically speaking not a very efficient way of cooking. It basically limits how long you can stay in one location unless you have a massive amount of solar, and if anything goes wrong with your inverter you are stuffed. Despite its many drawbacks, gas still makes more sense for an overlander like myself.

[@RedesCat]

Project lightweight: a swag, firepit and a fridge

[@StinkhoundRosie]

You’re watching the wrong channel if that’s what floats ya boat

[@AshHalls]

No fridge, esky with ice 😂

[@overland-workshop]

- and no progress, no learning anything. Nothing more to do, nothing more to say. But I see you do want a fridge? Man! I toured for 20 years dreaming of the day when I could have a fridge. Warm beer and warm lettuce was the normal.

[@defendermodsandtravels]

@@overland-workshop But is this progress? One of the highest priorities on the planet today is energy efficiency. Compare the overall efficiency of the electric option (diesel power to alternator, cable losses, inverter, induction cooker to cookware, and then the inefficiences of re-charging the batteries) to a direct gas flame on a pan and it seems to me to be going in the wrong direction. Maybe I am wrong.

[@danielgjb]

For normal cooking where you are simmering or grilling meat where you are not heating large amounts of liquid for boiling noodles the induction works great. If you want to cook large quantities of noodles where you are heating up large volumes of water for boiling that takes allot of energy. But if you also included and instant pot to your appliances this would handle the noodles and use less water and energy.

[@180jp4]

Good luck with it Andrew. Curious to see how much this thing weighs when it’s done.

[@KatyInNH]

Phenomenal explanation of the Victron - THANK YOU!

[@northcountry32]

Good detail in the explanations Andrew. I think a lay person as well as a seasoned professional will benefit from this video. Cheers from Canada!

[@johnflynn556]

I am looking forward to the subsequent 12V build episodes. Heiner's crew did the 12V system in my LC200 (including the Egon) and I am now saving my pennies to swap out the cheap Projecta and lead acid set-up to Lithium in my camper. My thoughts was a Manager 30 but it will be interesting to see the Victron option. In regards to the basic Victron monitor shunt, it works very well in the 200 set-up.

[@oaitsemoremi5657]

For some reason I always feel that I personally know ASPW and the guys he features in the channel now and then. I laugh and smile as if I'm with yall out there 😂😂👌

[@futuresonex]

Would love to see a similar video on the feasibility of something like a microwave convection oven!

[@chrissampson6861]

Really interesting topic, but still leaves me with a lot of questions, such as. With the 300AmpHr storage and a realistic sized solar system could it be reasonable to stay in one place for 2-3 days without running the engine? What's the total weight of the system including batteries, inverter, stove etc and how much interior space does it take up? What if any is the impact on fuel consumption and how would this compare to electrical system running fridge etc with gas cooking over a two week trip? Do you have any experience / thoughts on liquid fuel cooking systems - like Coleman / Primus etc and how do they compare to gas and electric?

[@JohnErnstP76]

I can see only advantages - except for one - cost! A good quality cooker/oven combined with plumbed gas and a switch and go gas bottle is going to cost you less than one eighth of this set up. Yes you'll still need to have power for lighting and other things but nowhere near 3,000 watts! In Victoria, where I live, I can't imagine the size of the solar set up I'd need to replenish the batteries as I go camping during our winter period. You do have the advantage in summer as you can keep cooking on induction cookers even on total fire ban days - something you are not allowed to do with any gas cookers unless you're in a properly constructed building. Look forward to see more about this as I really think we are heading more and more to this type of thing.

[@21madmacka]

Great video as always. The only chanel I have found that doesn't push there sponsors products down your throat. I like many are smart enough to do our own research and decide on our products ourselves. Though I can't watch the other (fake channels) it just ruins the hole thing. Keep it real mate, and keep finding a way to keep money in your pocket without being a sell out and flogging products you wouldn't usually use. Setting a good example for the many fake 4x4/overlanding channels. Ps when the bloody hell are you going to talk about this bullbar! That is next on my list and like you weight is very important and the front bar is one mod im being extremely picky with. I have been eyeing this bar off, there is very little info around on it.

[@jarlnieminen4307]

I just bought 2 induction cooktops. They seem to be a decent option. If you have a 2000w or higher inverter.

[@Dennis-mq6or]

You can get a huge increase in the efficiency of your induction cooker by simply keeping it out of the wind! The induction heater is trying to heat only the pot, while the pot itself is the biggest heat loss item with all that wind blowing around it!

[@johnnylove1282]

I thoroughly enjoyed this episode, especially seeing Heiner back on the chanel! I'd definitely go for a hybrid system. A close friend of mine cooks with induction in his camper and even though he has fitted 540Ah total he often has to switch to gas. Especially if he isn't driving everyday and the weather isn't optimal, the batteries just don't cut it if you use electricity for chargers, lights and warm water.

[@malcolmL995]

Hi Andrew, question, do you need to replace the vehicles alternator to compensate for the 2 x DCDC chargers load draw when they are charging at maximum current draw? Thanks,

[@A.J.Lawson]

Jetboil job done!

[@billbeam8069]

Very eye opening video, Andrew. Thank you

[@mjcavender1230]

Yes, finally electrical! My favorite part. Cant wait to see what you and Heiner Klarmann come up with this time. I will be doing electrical in my 1995 4Runner soon. Not sure if I will be the 1st in the USA to purchase the EGON DC-HUB or not but I will definitely be ordering one.

[@DavidMSA]

I personally would go with 1 induction cooking plate and 1 jetboil Flash Java kit for fast boiling water and coffee. So, if i'm low on electrical power and it is cloudy, I can eventually preheat some water to put it in the pan on my induction cooker. And thank God, you are not gonna start another cooking show. Best Regards, David

[@MrLoridin]

Exactly what I have done, single induction hob. Ditched all gas lines, and gas bottles. Use a Jetboil Flash and have butane All 4 Adventure cooker as a back up if needed. Light weight, works well and saves a lot of space. Funny how when we were all telling Andrew to look at Victron he wouldn't budge off Red Arc.

[@djjames6576]

The Jetboil is our Go To now. Very fast, simple and efficient.

[@IowaLR4]

@@MrLoridin how many amp hours do you have? what type of batteries?

[@Stevenk770]

Personally I think your better with a gas top, like a jetboil system possibly, yes induction is handy and quick, also you have to put that energy into the battery’s again with driving or solar. Also if your remote and the induction top breaks are you able to repair it compared to a gas top? Also will you carry a way to cook on a fire? If doing so that has more weight and space taken up.

[@iansearle1780]

Andrew, I have watched your channel for a number of years and you are an interesting chap. You obviously have a lot of experience in the 4 x 4 world as well as overlanding and builds thereof. As for the electrical system you plan on installing to enable you to use an induction cooker as well as other functions seems to be overkill. Firstly, your earlier video about making this build about "less weight" sort of goes out the door with the three batteries, the inverter/charger, controller etc that all weigh approx twice as much as the other system. I agree with Andre below. Put in a dual gas burner (maybe a 30 lb tank) and you would not need to install the size and weight of all this other gear. Also, as the gas is used, your rig get lighter ... a bonus in my opinion.. Your decision really seems to go against the grain of the "lite" version you were proposing. You simply cannot beat gas for energy in/out when cooking and comes with miuch less of a weight penalty You could always carry a small inductive stovetop for an emergency but your electrical system would not need it to be nearly as large as you are now planning. My thoughts. Cheers

[@oliverhawkins3098]

This seems like a lot of weight, complexity and cost to boil water.

[@nnoddy8161]

Gotta agree. Shaping up like the 'dream tourer' disaster all over.

[@aslkdfjhg]

Escape the hustle and bustle and bring all of it with you when you go camping.

[@mnmvuk]

I was thinking the same thing. The goal of "keeping the weight down" went out the window a few videos ago. Fancy door panels to hold fancy speaker, fancy steering wheel. Now to accommodate a single burner induction cooktop, the weight just went through the roof. And to top it off, I'd imagine he most likely will still pack a small gas cooking burner and LP tank just to be able to cook and make coffee on the raining/shady days.

[@mmdotcom_Photography]

@@aslkdfjhg and even the detrimental health effects (that nobody, of course, would ever mention) of induction cookers (and even that microwave he pulled his pie from)! Escape to the great outdoors to treat oneself to prison food (or aircraft-cabin food)... All very interesting to see and learn about, and that's highly appreciated, but it's definitely not for me.

[@thewiredfox2691]

I was not aware of this. Appreciate the post.

[@tohearsolutions]

That’s awesome. I’m in the process of fitting out my sprinter with pretty much same equipment except a 3000 VA multiplus and 2x200 Ah victron batteries. I am interested to see how the egon hub is going to be hooked up - I am really considering getting one if it makes it easier.

[@muammercetinkaya5305]

Your try is inspiring. electricity use; Limiting it to mobile devices such as indoor-outdoor lamps, radio, navigation, camera, telephone, computer will make the adequacy of solar panels sustainable. healthy happy discoveries.

[@TheOzTurkish]

You could get some honking 36v house solar panels on hinges on the roof plugged into that mppt charger for some serious solar power delivery

[@tristanhall5971]

I don't think Harry @FireToFork has anything to worry about in your possible cooking show :-)

[@4weeksleave]

No threat here😂

[@keithpennicuik8673]

I run this in my car, 200ah lithium with 2000w inverter and induction. Boiling water is the least efficient use of the power possible because it requires so much energy. So I run a jet boil to boil water only (for pasta etc get it hot and then the induction only has to keep it ticking over) and also make sure you have a good quality hob that is efficient with good quality pans that retain heat well and work the stove less. I use about 50ah for 40-50 minutes overall cook time on an overnighter this way. I also cook on a fire whenever practical on my fire pit :)

[@lbbde1]

This is SO informative and interesting. Really cool :)

[@timmunro3679]

Agree basic backup gas is advised eg jet boil. From the induction side of things it can be worth testing a few different devices and pots which can end up being much more efficient.

[@peterelder7425]

Andrew, you should also know that the Multiplus units can also be wired to charge your start battery when connected to 'shore power' another plus for this unit. As for monitoring why not look at the Victron smart shunt you can monitor everything you need directly from the Victron app on your smart phone. Lighter still than the other Victron monitoring you are planning. Liking that you are going down the Victron route, I've just purchased similar units. Nice to have you verify that it's a good option. I'm not planning to cook with Induction when out and about, but again I will have the option to when hooked up to shore power. My main requirement was to have enough power to run a decent coffee machine. Got to have some of life's pleasures when out and about eh.

[@jasonmann5019]

I believe you are getting great advice Andrew. I am using a mobile setup with two Renogy 40 amp MPPT'S that l use at home for every day household needs including kitchen, cleaning and living room. They run my vacuum and washing machine also. Then l can place them into my 4wd for camping with me where l run my 12v 90ltr fridge, camp oven and tv or laptop. The biggest concern are the solar panels. Using 200w 20v panels are inferior to 200w 44v panels. Make sure you get solar panels with the highest voltage that your MPPT'S can handle. By doing this l have a system that produces 70+ amps on a sunny day per hour against 30 amps using 20v solar panels. I hope this is also helpful to you. Jason from Melbourne Victoria. PS. I have had my set up running flawlessly every day for 6 months now. I have also wired up a PC 12v fan to the back of each MPPT that are powered by the MPPT'S external power supply facing the heatsink of each for when they are running at peak 30 to 40 amps each. Love your channel Andrew. My system is using 6x 190w 44v panels. 3 to each MPPT in a parallel configuration. Otherwise l could run 2 in series to each MPPT producing 50 to 55 amps in total. My MPPT'S can handle 100v each.

[@jona3117]

Excellent!! As usual. Comprehensive, detailed and enjoyable.

[@TreDeuce-qw3kv]

Informative, but a listing of all the equipment featured would be nice as some of us have difficulty understanding verbally expressed English English and the vid frames pass too quickly to catch the names on the boxes or equipment. I'm building a RV trailer/Caravan for extended boondocking and plan on a 400+watt system so this series is of interest.

[@MrThuggery]

A cooking show would be hilarious!

[@paulwood9692]

ahhh Cerbo GX! can't wait to see this fully wired in! I found this product just AFTER I finished my build. Please do the water tank sensors and the temperature sensors (Fridge & Battery). Excellent gear there Andrew and great video

[@dirtlegdirtleg]

Project. Lightweight. ?

[@overland-workshop]

Lightweight. Oh, that's done. Finished. It's as light as it can be. Now to add some comfort, while keeping weight in mind.

[@andrewcaune5293]

@@overland-workshop is diesel powered induction no good because it can't be used outside? Looks ideal for cooking inside. Diesel heater, diesel cooker. No gas bottle, less batteries.

[@anic0485]

Looking forward to more episodes. Started to us victron gear as well and eventuell go full victron. Agree with two seperate charging points that's why I have one dcdc and one mppt.

[@anthonyconway180]

Ahhhh I think the LIGHTWEIGHT project is going off the rails already. Remember what happened last time! I thought you said you were going to keep it simple 🤔

[@jonahwigley3313]

As someone who loves to cook, I find cooking with gas better than induction. Just another take.

[@heathbaldwin6236]

Gas is great until its windy as and it keeps blowing out and or loosing heat

[@tsouftsouf]

I totally agree. The gas is instant heat and you can also regulate it instantly. On top if the pot is a little bitten up and not perfectly flat the induction cooker loses a lot of heat transfer. I find using electricity for heat/ cooking a great energy waste if you consider how much goes into producing this electricity.

[@defendermodsandtravels]

@@heathbaldwin6236 If it's windy I use my storage boxes to make a windbreak around the cooker. It works well,