Easiest Way to get 230V Mains power in your MoHo & Campervan

[@thevanthatrocked]

Well done John. You would make a good teacher. It always amazes me though that so many people don't know the basics of electricity even though they all have batteries in their cars, phones, vacuum cleaners etc. and are surrounded by loads, of 230v and 5v gadgets. Hopefully, many vanners will listen to you and always remember where they got it all from😅😅😅😅

[@yaminthegrey]

Hari OM With the 'power on board' function on The Grey, I was anticipating being able to work without - but quickly realised that even an electric vehicle has to be 'off' when parked overnight, so the fridge required that I had a powerpack onboard... and I LOVE it! I have the Bluetti 1000 (for now) and it does for the fridge plus couple of kettle boils and induction hob use, as well as all the phone, laptop stuff, and then I recharge it from Grey's battery once a day. Brilliant. These powerpacks really do make life easy! YAM xx

[@vivienne3757]

Thanks for making it a little easier to understand all this, I have to admit it confuses me but your explanations make it better, thank you😊

[@trishkay9840]

Thank you for that John, i have been humming and ahhing as to which power bank to buy. You explained that perfectly and easy enough for me to understand and make my mind up.

[@rabmcewan]

Very helpful thanks John, I'm going to copy your set up next year when I retire, but I never thought of using the air fryer in an RV, THAT IS AWESOME I can tell you like your dinner, but with bakers and beans you're not getting all the functionality from your air fryer my friend! My 1700w ninja can airfry, pressure cook, saute, grill, boil, roast and plenty more. You can stick a raw chicken in, press a button and you've got a whole roast bird faster than any oven and cheaper due to pressure cooking ! They come out nice and brown and crispy... If somebody asks why bother with an air fryer, they don't like their dinner so much, or saving money come to it, lots of folks on a tight budget are switching to these units domestically for the doh ray me it saves.

[@geoffcampbell7846]

I love all this chatter about power systems and new ideas about different ways to provide power to our vans. I love your setup John, and would probably copy it if I was going to build out a van or seriously remodel ours for longer duration stays off grid. Nice one John 👋

[@richardednie5187]

I have Delta pro and the extra battery in my motorhome, and it powers everything for days and very easy to charge by the car electric points

[@gina50gina]

Thank you John, this was very helpful, especially the part about determining what appliances can be run by my system! Thank you, Suzane

[@RogersRamblings]

Thanks John, I've got the Renogy inverter but hadn't realised about the UPS function.

[@michaelh8002]

coffee maker,1700w air fryer in the van and induction hob 460aH fogstar batt, working great, over the weekend will probably use 20%, if sunny solar can replenish a good bit of it. so much better than gas!

[@LeisureBit]

It's interesting the variation between battery outputs (BMS capacity) across the manufacturers - some seem to be very low so wouldn't be suitable for any large inverter. Notice a few people have bought these then find they have an issue when trying to do this, also some of the cheaper ones don't seem to give the output promised (from questions I've been asked on why things aren't working). The power stations are a great idea for those who don't want to mess on with electrics as you said, again though there seems to be a lot of confusion as to why say a 600W inverter won't run your microwave. Well explained as usual. All the best, David 👍

[@linz_in_NZ]

Great info, given me more to think about in my upgrade to a Lithium battery, think I'm now leaning towards one 100AH battery and a power pack for when I need extra, as this can also be used in the house or the SUV and can be charged by my portable solar panels too. Thanks John!

[@pamfreeman5197]

Great job John. As always, everything discussed in an easy to understand manner for which this eeedyot is very grateful. It must have taken some doing, so THANK YOU! Now go an have a beer! Best wishes, Pam xx

[@briankeniry219]

Your power pack setup is very similar to mine except I have an Ecoflow Delta 2 with extra battery, cost around £1900. I'm lucky in that my moho has a EHU inlet inside a locker (with external door) so it's easy to plug my Ecoflow into the inlet withit being weather and prying eyes safe. The only problem is the power cable from the extra battery is chunky and awkward so it take up more space underneath the bed than it really should! Otherwise great, and far cheaper than asking my dealer for a quote for a 'proper' system.

[@ajpepe72]

280ah lifepo4, 400w solar and 1500w inverter. Run air fryer, induction hob, coffee machine quite happily (not all together)

[@jasogolledge4929]

Would a all power s2000 and a 200 watt solar panel be good enough to run a air fryer microwave and kettle for a weekend off grid

[@BruceLauderdale]

Well explained. I think it’s worth people understanding that 1 battery at 100Ah continuous will give ±1200Wh. However adding another 100Ah battery in parallel will keep the batteries at 12V but will double to possible draw to 200Ah. Nice video 👍🏻

[@GadgetJohn]

Great point mate 👍🏻

[@DA11NOON]

Thanks John that was a great vlog very helpful 👍 Be safe

[@martinberry8546]

hi john have you thought about the infrared panel heaters we have a 130 watt one and find it enough for us. we use it off grid with a power bank.

[@GadgetJohn]

Between the diesel heater & ceramic fan heater I’ve got all eventualities covered.

[@joelwainwright1457]

I’ve been using a microwave , 240v fridge 27/7, toaster and a George Foreman , 3000 W inverter and x 4 120ah leisure batteries and 400w Solar

[@Charlotte-ul2us]

Do you offer advise or a finding service for people who know nothing about electric. It might as well be nuclear physics. I want to run my mh on a power bank and leasure battery with solar but i haven't a clue

[@bettyourcampervan]

Loving the tech videos! Another belter John 👍

[@kenpurnell4798]

Another excellent and informative vlog.

[@slannne]

Thanks John. Very useful.

[@Sue-mh6wi]

Great informative video, thank you will have to save up for a S2000😤

[@roamingrich9315]

I connected my ecoflow via ehu as suggested and it shows 13watt output without anything plugged in , any ideas why ?

[@GadgetJohn]

That’s the way they work. Just power it on when you need the 240v

[@lifeofjonboy]

Great video mate. Super helpful 👊🏼

[@davelewis560]

Hi John, I'm just wondering if i can charge my Power Bank straight from the Solar Panel on the roof of my van or do i need to charge it from the output of the voltage regulator?

[@GadgetJohn]

You'd have to ask the producer of both to find that out, or maybe provide the actual model numbers so maybe someone on here might have them and can advise you better.

[@spitNsawdust]

Great timing for me 👍

[@trevorclarke8596]

Hi, can you charge your s2000 using your b to b charger?

[@GadgetJohn]

Yes, I can charge any power station that allows solar charging over 300 watts

[@grahamlaycock]

Hi I have a jackery which I will swap for the Allpower s2000 . When I look at Amazon it says upgraded version , is this a different one to the one you reviewed ?

[@GadgetJohn]

It’s the same as the one in my video that I’ve been using for around 6 months.

[@patriciadrysdale731]

Thanks John great video thanks for the information. Take care and stay safe xxPat

[@simonroberts4403]

Hi John great video, Just wondered what you think about clayton Power. Cheers Simon.

[@GadgetJohn]

It’s not for me, though others seem to like it.

[@dingnextstop]

Hi John, I’m on a narrowboat and like yourselves rely on Solar and main boat engine to charge leisure batteries, how do you charge the power station on dull days or in winter? Is it purely by running the van engine via a 12v cable? Thanks

[@GadgetJohn]

Yes that’s it, but I do still get a few hundred watts of solar even on dull winter days.

[@carlos011]

Hi John thanks for the info. Am I right if I take a 3 pin plug from my Aferiy 240v outlet and into a 240v socket that is on my ring main of my motorhome will it power the rest of the sockets in my van without blowing anything. Carl

[@GadgetJohn]

No, that’s not a good idea, you can take the 3 pin plug from the power station and use an adaptor to use it as your hookup source.

[@ML-jr1yz]

My loads are 12v ,tv fridge led lights do have a 300w inverter but don't use it.

[@oceanjoggers6338]

Hi John, question about the renogy inverter: were you sponsored? Have you had any issues with it, there are so many bad stories about them and do you use it on a daily basis? Great vids 😊 say hi to Mandy, thanks

[@GadgetJohn]

I bought my renogy electrical system myself and it has worked perfectly over the year that I've had it, bear in mind I live full time in my van so my usage of my system is much higher than most.

[@brianmac001]

Lots of folks saying you can run an entire van from a bigger power bank these days but how does it work with what connections. Can you run the diesel heater from the fag lighter socket or is it too much? Or a 12V fridge from the fag lighter socket? I'm also curious about charging the power station while on the move. Usually the fag lighter socket in the vehicle doesn't like a draw of more than 10A, so that could be quite slow to charge a big power bank. Could you use a dc to dc charge controller with a connector (say an anderson or (I think it's called XT60) connector) to get more juice faster into the pack?

[@GadgetJohn]

There’s a recent video about using a power station as the single power source.

[@MatthewsBrother]

Hi Another great video. Like you I love ebiking and was wondering which method you use to charge yours? I have a 230ah Lipo battery but no inverter. By the time I have bought all the inverter parts it seems I would be nearly as well off buying a power bank. If you had to choose which would you go for?

[@GadgetJohn]

I charge my bike from the power station 👍🏻 it’s just easier that way as it’s all in the garage area.

[@g7vqedave2]

A Renogy 1000 watt inverter is roughly £130, install this as close to the battery as possible to save on cable size, add a fuse and you're possibly still below £150 although in the case of the Renogy it comes with input tails so just add a fuse and holder.

[@hairadditions]

My only concern with battery packs is, if one thing goes faulty the pack then none of it works and in todays society items are replaced and not repaired. ButI can see the benefit for ease of installation in the battery packs. I find the when you are cooking jacket potatoes in the air fryer is to do 3 or 4 at once and then the same power is used to cook multiple items. Re-heating uses a lot less power than cooking them all individually.

[@GadgetJohn]

The beauty is you can get them next day on Amazon or walk into a shop to buy another.

[@hairadditions]

So if your battery goes faulty, you are throwing away a perfectly good inverter, as I mentioned being a throw away society. Don't get me wrong, they are a great idea. Especially for a person who does not want to dabble in all the electronics. But I think part of the fun of doing a self build is learning as you go along. @@GadgetJohn

[@GadgetJohn]

No, if the backup fails I’d go buy another, then get the faulty one fixed later.

[@chrisdenison6550]

Hi John , interesting video- we have the same air fryer as you and got it via your original recommendation and it’s brilliant! On the back 1500w mine measures 1700w when going. Measurements taken via special plug in watt meter? Our system is 370w of solar panels with 100/30 victron plus 2 x 105 ah Agm’s and a 2000w inverter? Tried off grid a week ago and firstly on EHU took the power down on our site (easily fixed) the wattage when say cooking roast spuds was constant and not up and down? I must say it was annoying. Also tried off grid same site and had to turn off other appliances even lights nothing over the magic 2000w. Do I need Lithiums? Or am I doing something else wrong? Cheers Chris “The Aussie living in the Netherlands “🇦🇺👍

[@GadgetJohn]

You’d have to check the max output current of your batteries to see if they can cope with the demand.

[@g7vqedave2]

You're not going to power a 2kw inverter from 2X105Ah AGM batteries for very long at all sadly, going to lithium iron phosphate will be a lot better as you get to draw a lot more of the stored energy from that type of battery than is possible with the AGM. On the AGM the battery voltage sags fairly rapidy and is generally game over once you get below 11 volts whereas the LifePO4 voltage won't drop and you can take the battery down to 20% of its capacity not the 50% of an AGM. With either type of battery though the input current to the inverter at 13Vdc is massive when compared to the roughly 9A at 230Vac inverter output.

[@chrisdenison6550]

Thank you so much for your very detailed reply! Its basically says what I was thinking I need to move over to Lithium as. your description was exactly what we experienced on our very short Summer break!@@g7vqedave2 :-)))

[@RAL2010]

I am waiting for wireless 230 V delivery.

[@cornishbuddha]

Got to admit if there's nobody else around me I use my 3500w petrol invertor

[@thevanthatrocked]

On the subject of Power-John and Coffee-Mandy, I've finally bought a big heavy coffee machine. It heats up in 3 seconds. It discharges my battery by about 1% so I'm good for about 100 lattes a day. Barista Pro. Heavy, yes. Power hungry, no.

[@GadgetJohn]

I think Mandy says it 1% of battery per coffee too 👍🏻

[@thevanthatrocked]

@@GadgetJohn You have to believe her.

[@denisecafferky2248]

👍👍

[@Photostoryhr]

I guess for some reason you do not like to have gas in your van. That is why you need to have this huge electrical set up to power 220V appliances. There are people that need a microwave an oven, water kettle etc. What is wrong with heating water on the gas hob? Why is an air fryer needed? There are simple ways to cook without any 220V appliances. Otherwise you need solar panel on the roof, another portable solar panel, big battery bank. Why go the complicated route? It is expensive and not necessary. MH travel should be simple. Meal preparation and by this I mean cooking proper meals not heating frozen food is possible just by using a simple gas hob.

[@GadgetJohn]

Why pay for your energy when electric is free from the sun 👍🏻

[@debbie62140]

No danger of CO poisoning with electric, no emissions so better for the environment, solar power is free.

[@Photostoryhr]

It is free only after you invest a lot in batteries, solar panels and inverter. I am not against solar power but I do not think it is necessary to bring all kitchen appliances from home to the campervan.@@GadgetJohn

[@GadgetJohn]

As I live in my campervan I get to test what works best on a scale that would take holiday makers years to accumulate. If you want to use gas and forever keep paying for your energy that’s up to you, I see the electrical side as the only real way to be sustainable & truly off grid in power terms so I’m paying a small up front cost but it very quickly pays for itself and I don’t have to worry about where I can buy gas from or how much they’ll bump up the prices.

[@Rob.1340]

👍🚐🚐😎