Make Your Vw Crafter Cr50 Tdi Even Better With A Dc To Dc Charger And Insulating The Bulkhead!

[@glennmealing6907]

Gary, I fitted a 1000w Bestek inverter (2000w peak surge) for a customer two weeks ago, but the only means he has of charging his one leisure battery is mains hookup (with a charger) or the van alternator via the automatic relay I fitted years ago. I've recommended he gets a good trickle charger, or better still, a solar panel. There remains the problem that if you're going to use the inverter for any length of time, a heavy draw on the one battery is going to cause a voltage drop in the battery and cause the inverter to kick out. I have that problem using my 5000w inverter powering a 240v 800w microwave. I have only 220Ah of batteries, and really need to double that at least, but as it is, it will just about reheat a coffee. What I am lacking in knowledge is about your Bluetti.

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

That inverter is a Bestek. 500w. Pulling 385w while I drive only. Never on otherwise. I can't see there being a single problem, although I know nothing about Besteks quality control 👀

[@Yvonneb_]

Your doing really well Gary. You know my Dad was an electrician he then became an electrical engineer, he taught me 2 things, how to wire a plug and how to extend wires safely, I have needed to do plugs many times, I have also extended wires a few times so I am eternally grateful to him for the knowledge. Xx

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

These are very good skills to have, I'm going to show Amika how to do this soon. Such a great skill

[@urbanarkoverland]

Yes mate. You gave me advice now I’m gonna offer you some ha. Get the tv cable mate. Only £30. Get 30amp regulated output. Have a link on my channel. In case you go over on the useage.

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

Haha cheers. I've already got it wired up to the 30amp, I recorded that ages ago. I'm like 15 vidoes behind 😅

[@shirleyboy8859]

My Dad used 12 volt cable to wire up the Bathroom pull switch.... IN THE HOUSE!!!! Bless him.... He was an Amazing engineer... But not really an electrician ...... Great work Mr Gary (with one R)... :-))

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

Haha, sounds like something I'd do... It's red, it'll do. Thanks sir!!

[@shirleyboy8859]

@@TravelwithGaryandAmika Red.... You must mean Wine...... Don`t mind if I do.... Cheers..... :-))

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

You don't seem like a white wine man!

[@shirleyboy8859]

@@TravelwithGaryandAmika White wine with Fish..... And the Chippy is Closed.... :-)))

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

You have dropped in my ratings

[@ginibelle1416]

I'm impressed , you know a lot about electrics. Can't wait to see the Van finished 🚙💗

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

Thanks Gini, I feel I really don't to be honest but I'm trying to understand it as I build and read more about it

[@LeisureBit]

I had the same thing happen with a foam can where it wouldn’t stop 😀 it’s coming on really well - be interested to see the temperature difference when you get the insulation sealed as expect it would make a really big difference between outside and inside. The warm white LED lights always make it look cosy and warm I think. It’s coming along really well. All the best, David & Rachel 👍

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

Thanks David. Currently it's about 7 degrees difference, but, the other day the temp dropped outside and it still remained higher in the van. Maybe 12 degrees difference. I don't think it's a relative number, like it will always be 7 degrees. Must have something to do with humans being inside the van, I think the number difference will grow the colder it gets, similary get lower the warmer it is. Not sure. I'm the next few weeks I will stsrt to really seal up the gaps to stop the draught, then I'll have a better idea

[@dedethesprintervan]

If you seal everything to much won't you suffer from condensation and get a build up of c02 while you sleep.Thought you need a good air flow. Love the van build also

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

Not exactly. Condensation is from warm air meeting cold surfaces. This prevents that, although I doubt I could do it anyway. The build is to seal as much up as possible, but there will still be holes everywhere, including a 1.3 meter hatch to the cab and a roof vent. Having build my own altitude tent for atheltics I know how difficult it is to remove oxygen intentionally in a tiny plastic tent over a bed. In the summer the roof vent is open and in the winter the heater is on. There will always be air flow 😊 Thanks, its going well although have a break and travelling now to see what is working, and what isn't 😂

[@stefansmith7392]

I do the same thing in my works van and charge up multiple large EcoFlow batteries everyday whilst driving. Firstly, your inverter will not last - you need at least a 1000W quality inverter. Secondly, you need much heavier duty cables and those cables will be in part be dictated by distance between the battery and inverter. My setup is slightly different but I would consider it much safer. I have a DC to DC charger into a cheap AGM battery that in turn is connected to the inverter. My EcoFlow devices are charged up from the inverter. I have a remote switch for the inverter and without automation to switch the inverter on or off I will guarantee you will forget - like I have, multiple times. In my case, it does not discharge the vehicle battery but rather the cheap AGM battery that I have. ANOTHER REALLY IMPORTANT POINT - your cigarette lighter output is around 8A on the Bluetti. So, not knowing your plans, you need to know this - if you connect a compressor fridge to it you should be fine. But, if you intend to power a diesel heater THINK AGAIN! A diesel heater on power up will draw around 100Watts - that leaves you with around 20 watts left. If the compressor fridge kicks in during that time, it will trip everything out until the diesel heater has reached temperature. If you plan on doing neither of those things, forget the last! :)

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

Absolutely brillaint post thank you. Firstly there is no way I'd keep a cheap inverter, this was purely a test done by someone who has no idea about electrics, so your comments validate my idea to get a quality inverter (my day job is a quality manager and health and safety manager, so I get the importance regardless of it failing). Thank you for this. I also like the idea about the AGM battery route, the relay is sitting at my house as we speak 😊 The fuse box was connected to that socket while I was waiting for an aviation plug to arrive (took 2 weeks and I was going away in the van so needed something), that's now all hooked up, sadly the compressor fridge is 240v. Everything else is fine, heater etc. I'm fact, there are no issues, but for saftey reasons I will be replacing some items like you have rightly suggested. Thanks again for all of this, saftey advice around electrics is very welcomed!!

[@drewhodge3820]

You need the solvent gum cleaner that screws onto the spray foam gun. The solvent cleaner also comes with a standard spray nozzle for cleaning the outside of the foam gun.

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

That would have been very handy indeed

[@matemmess]

Hi Gary, I've got a couple of those fuse boards in my van. Just saving up for a Radar and Depth sounder so I can use the stickers🤣

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

Hahaha, comment of the month! I will look over the weekend and tell you what I'm asking santa for 😂

[@paullawrence8572]

Well done Gary! Really coming on mate! 💪👌

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

Ah cheers mate. This was a fun part of the build to date

[@christinemarchant4678]

Very interesting watching your build 😊

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

Thanks a lot. I'm sure it's fun watching me problem solve, a lot of this is very difficult for my small brain, especially electrics

[@christinemarchant4678]

@@TravelwithGaryandAmika my brother sold his pen pod & is waiting for a van so he will be going through this soon I hope 😊

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

Awesome

[@davidjames1817]

Gary why are you going through an inverter to 230v AC for the Blueti to reduce it back down to charge its battery, just go direct from vehicle battery to the 12v DC input on the Blueti.

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

Because the direct to 12v would only charge at 150w, this way gets 385w

[@annedwards2074]

doing great lovely videos

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

Thank you Ann, very kind of you ❤️

[@docbarham2431]

You would need a heavier cable and a charging relay to protect the vehicle battery.

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

Hi mate. This was about 6 weeks ago, I've got the cable installed and relay waiting to be installed 😊

[@daviddring8692]

Gary just wondering why you've got a 2nd inverter. As you have one in the bluetti

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

To charge the Bluetti, I cant charge it from itself 😊

[@dianeday7327]

Hi Gary. Just watched the video. Does it not concern you that by building a totally sealed area. You will be creating an airless vacuum. You need airflow in a van for oxygen levels. Which will deplete as you and Amika are sleeping. 😳

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

That would be madness. The van has plenty of air flow 😊

[@TuftyVFTA]

Can I ask what gauge of wire you use to wire up the van?

[@TravelwithGaryandAmika]

For the inverter I now have 4AWG 25mm2. For the general wiring I've got 21amp 1.5mm2. This advice was given to me by an electrician who has also writes up this van. I'm clueless with it!