Merve's new Coachman caravan is powered by lithium for total freedom from mains hook-up.

[@andyl2201]

Hi Merve what does your fridge run off gas? Or did you replace it for a compressor type?

[@fester.]

Surely it must draw more than 100 amps when using the kettle,my microwave uses 128 amps,also I thought lithium batterys cut out if you ask for more than 100 amp load

[@28dayslater532]

Could you give me a link to where you got the work done

[@koshtie]

Hi Merve great video, remember checking this out in your old van, love the new van, we are looking to get a coachman to next year, could I ask what was the 300w solar panel upgrade you have and was it from coachman! will be looking to use that system you have for ours as it's tried & tested thanks to you, ATVB Wayne.

[@mervegaskin1132]

Wayne, I’m so sorry- didn’t check to see if there were any replies!! Right, the Silar was ‘negotiated ‘ when I bought the new van. Coachman were offering 100w panel and an elite tow cover. Which is fantastic! However, I told them 100 w was no good to me and that I already had 135w - what could they do- they agreed to factory fit a 150w and send another identical panel to Broad Lane Leisure to fit the other one. If you are buying a van, make sure you push for everything you can- they can afford it- so now I have 300w and it works fantastic.

[@davidmoore4353]

Great video, I would be nterested in knowing before choosing lithium what's involved in installing a DC to DC charger into a touring caravan, for example has the towing car got additional heavy cables coming from its battery to the rear of the car then into the caravan through a plug or is it through caravan factory wiring. Sorry this is all new to me and do not have access to any experts in this part of the UK. Thanks

[@andrewharris169]

If you want maximum charging performance David, it's essential to run a heavy (35mm usually) cable from the car's starter battery to the caravan's leisure battery. Depending on the battery you have, you can still benefit from a lithium battery by using a special charger which doesn't need that cabling. You'll probably need a good amount of solar panels though. Contact RoadPro to find out more.

[@davidmoore4353]

@@andrewharris169 thanks I have good solar and was looking the DC to DC to safely top up the battery and not damage wiring or alternator, I am not familiar with the options available even after a bit of research.

[@Jodmart]

I had a lithium installation done by Roadpro late last year, I just wondered if you “tour” through the winter or just summer months. Just trying to gauge how it it cope in the winter months. Many thanks Martyn

[@mervegaskin1132]

I don’t tour in winter but very easily could. With Safefill cylinders providing gas at a 1/4 - 1/3 of the price of rental cylinders I can stay warm and cosy. As long as there are bright skies the battery will charge( as long as the temperature is above 0°) This is why it’s important to have as bigger an array as you can- it harvests more power.

[@timdavis2030]

Hi Merve, very interesting video. Thanks for posting. What kind of price range did that set up cost (£1.5k, £2k, over £3k etc) just because we don't have a loads of capital to splash out in one go, and is the Wildside B2B necessary?

[@RoadproUk]

It cost under £1.5k Tim. A B2B charger is essential if the lithium battery is to be charged correctly and at a decent rate. The built-in charger just isn't up to the job.

[@andrewchapman178]

Hi I have a Lithium Battery to replace the traditional, can you tell me or recommend someone to do the charging conversions please? Thanks

[@roadproandy]

Ideally, the people you got the battery from as they will know what needs to be done and the best way to do it: won't they?!

[@mervegaskin1132]

I went to Roadpro.

[@markcompton1961]

HiMerve, can you tell me the size of the lithium battery you installed?

[@mervegaskin1132]

100ah

[@drawingplans]

£675 saving from 13 campsite visits just by not paying for electric hookup??? That's £51.92 per visit just for electric! Merv's been going to the wrong sites if you ask me.

[@mervegaskin1132]

I think you should listen again!

[@mervegaskin1132]

RoadPro at Daventry!