OFFGRID Electrics EXPLAINED! What you NEED TO KNOW to get started

[@johnscrivy]

A good video, and easy to understand, yes you can buy one of those stand alone power stations, but be honest they are a lot of money, I upgraded my motorhome 12v needs by installing the victron DC2DC Charger, and the victron mppt solar controller. And the units were very easy to install, the DC2DC is basically 4 wires, 2 from vehicle battery to Charger and 2 away from Charger to leasure battery, it doesn't get any easier,, the Mppt solar unit was just a swap out 2 wires from solar disconnect into mppt and 2 wires out to leasure battery ,again really easy, and thankyou James for advice guidance.

[@Loraxisback]

I've started converting a van and was worried about doing the electrics but this makes it so clear and doable especially for someone whose electrical knowledge was minimal. 👏👏

[@juzsnails7128]

This is literally the BEST explanation of electrics I’ve come across! It’s basic and that’s exactly what I needed. You’ve uncomplicated pretty much everything I needed and wanted to know so thank you so much!

[@ROBNOB9X]

Great, simple video. Need more of these for the noobs like me.

[@lkp3401]

I greatly appreciate this video. Finally, I understand how to power my van and have everything working that I need when I go off grid.

[@michaellarder3446]

Brilliant video

[@marionjongmans9121]

Thank you guys for the perfect simple explanation. This is the first video I see on youtube that really explains the electrics in a simple way for a layman like me. 🤩

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Thanks for watching!

[@HeidiRoberts]

Great idea to display it all on a table. Thanks.

[@hansdezwart4453]

Brilliant video for the one that needs to hear something twice. Or three times. Or twelve times...

[@truth3358]

this was one off the best videos i’ve seen

[@SB-hr5yr]

How many videos have you watched or did you just mean Best video you've watched today

[@StevieBRC]

The little complete plug and play pre-wired 12v system are perfect for a beginner with a small van,, really appreciate your video's, very helpful thanks guys. 🍻👍

[@mtbmarin]

Great video, well explained

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@Paul-Howell-M3EYG]

This has come at a great time for me as I need to replace the current wiring and add Solar.

[@tamwestwater]

Would be nice to seem bus bars included and any problems with serial (or parallel) lithium batteries

[@jartotable]

❤ finally explained in a way i can gwt my head around.

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Thank you for watching and I’m glad it could be of help :)

[@andywhittle6119]

Great video and thanks for being so thorough, cleared some things up for me for sure. My only question would be is it worth considering a powerhub, one simple unit?. What are the advantages. Thanks.

[@johnguy9789]

Hi, what size lithium battery would I need for a mercedes Sprinter campervan. I have a 2oow solar system. The items I would use is 2 USBs,diesal heater, lights, fridge. Many Thanks

[@boxingfanbarry1339]

That’s brilliant advice and so simple to understand, can you do the same if you want to run your items ie tv kettle from a power bank ie bluetti source or similar device and what size power source as I would like removable equipment and use it for every day use.

[@andrewbiddlecombe319]

Great video, now I get it!!!

[@jasonh1485]

Does the DC to DC module regulate the output to a maximum 12v? Clearly a battery will otherwise output between 11.5v to 14v which may overload certain items you wish to power. Otherwise should there be an additional regulator added before the fuse box?

[@PaddyChapman-j3v]

Great presentation easy to understand. Best way to show is on the tabletop. How can you tell how much power is in the Lithium Battery at any one time.

[@travelbug81]

Brilliant video, thanks for explaining it so clearly

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Glad it was helpful!

[@WayneRobinson-j1c]

Great video guys. Always great and simply put. I just need to pull my finger out and get my van converted.

[@CombeValleyCampers]

You can do it!

[@WeymoCooper]

Excellent explanation guys thanks for this

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Our pleasure!

[@deanbarnes40]

Awesome video gentlemen

[@TheGrapeEscapeVan]

Id be interested to find out if my setup is right. I bought my Van with a ctek dc to dc charger, but it's the older version. I bought the victron mains charger shown in this video for when on hook up, and I'm about to purchase the victron xs dc to dc 50a charger, turned down to 30a. I'll be running a fridge and 6 downlights

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Sounds good to me 👍

[@johnfitzpatrick2083]

Great vid

[@selwynparker230]

A great video thanks. I believe my solar "controller" would prevent too much power going from my solar panel direct to the battery. Is that correct? Also, my car powers my caravan 3/way fridge when in transit. Will it also charge my c/van battery? It was professionally installed.

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Correct about the solar controller 👌 if the car to caravan wiring keeps the fridge powered up during transit, it will likely charge the fridge, but it’s worth checking the battery charge with a multi meter whilst the engine is running, just to confirm

[@selwynparker230]

Thanks. You mean the caravan battery? If I put a multi metre on the caravan battery with my car running, how do I tell on the metre if it is charging the cvan battery?

[@CliveReeves-li1qz]

How much power can you harvest with a 500w solar panel if you had 8hours of sun ?

[@andrewhetherington7029]

Nice video, will there be a video for the new van you done. About to do electrics and want to see what you went for

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Yes it’s coming :)

[@LLLLLL-z1x]

Amazing video. If I was to buy that 12v system on the board would you get the cables/wires or are they bought separately?

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Link cables are included as far as I’m aware, however, email James from Rayne Automoyive and he will get you a definitive answer :)

[@ireland_love_life]

Hey great video , I was wondering, can you supply a system for me ?

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Of course! Please email [e-mail] with your enquiry and we shall get back to you :)

[@jartotable]

Do i need the upgrade version for a small hot air heater? Or can i use just a camp hook up if nothing else is being used.

[@CombeValleyCampers]

What set up do you already have? Please send us an email, [e-mail] and we’ll see what we can do to advise

[@trevorhowells3770]

Please can you advise me on the gel batteries? My old acid battery is on its way out and im taking some advice from a local battery company. Who has advised me to go DC to DC Charger and 2 gel batteries. I have a 320watt 4k solar also which is new . Im not clued up on the best methods but dont want to spend thousands trying to get it right. This has come at the right time but not sure about the gel batteries. Thanks Trevor

[@CombeValleyCampers]

WHAT IS A LEISURE BATTERY, HOW ARE THEY DIFFERENT, AND WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR ME? kzbin.info/www/bejne/barIamCZnquFeac

[@joshlambe8259]

What size is the Lithium battery and inverter specs?

[@markthompson1134]

What's the best battery to use

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Depends entirely upon your setup and requirements. Please email [e-mail] with your spec and we can advise further

[@fivestarcomms]

What size is your lithium battery?

[@CombeValleyCampers]

160ah

[@garyprice5375]

Hi I have a Renogy 3000 inverter 4 12.8v batteries lithium 100 amp hours,Solar panel 200w,Blue solar charge controller MPPT 75 l 15 Victron Energy VE Direct Smart Dongle. Problems I have is the system works great through the day with the solar panel 200W keeping the batteries above 12v But when the light goes no solar Then the inverter shuts down as it goes below 12v. Can you help what I need to change the batteries above the 12v-12.8volts thanks Gary.

[@garyprice5375]

Charge the batteries not change not change the batteries.thanks Gary.

[@garyprice5375]

Hi can anyone tell me what I can use to keep the batteries above 12volt..When you have no solar,Battery to Battery ,I don’t know how long you would have to run engine for.So anyone know what I can use thanks Gary.

[@slojam100]

Great vid. Now tell us about the Clayton 👍

[@CombeValleyCampers]

That video will be coming up soon :)

[@peterw3138]

Great video, but wasted on me, my brain just can’t compute anything electrical. Instead I went the power pack route and bought the Bluetti 180 AC and the accompanying Bluetti 200w folding solar panel. All coming in under a £1000. On a recent 5 day trip it kept the 45l fridge cool with some boosting from the solar panel and in car charging when driving .

[@thelittlehubofwisdom756]

have really enjoyed your videos - however I simply can't see how this system is better then buying a battery power bank- I run most of my day van off a 250v power bank which has inbuilt inverter and runs off solar panel on roof, about to upgrade to a 2kw one, which can run induction hob, and even a heater for a few hours. plus you can just take it inside and charge it up, charge it off the cigarette lighter or the solar - runs off an app, so extension leads and this mean that electric items can be inbuilt into the van.

[@CombeValleyCampers]

There are arguments for and against. With this system, you don’t have to buy a whole new power pack, you can upgrade each element as you see fit. Also, if an element breaks you can replace one part, whereas in a power pack you’d have to remove the whole unit and replace

[@thelittlehubofwisdom756]

@@CombeValleyCampers your videos and the time you put in are amazing, and your explanation is brilliant, but I have a micro camper and an eco flow simply saves installation costs and space, and I do not need an electrician to replace parts, I am wiring in extension plugs so will be able to operate them all from an app and simply remove the battery part. I can see how bigger vans you'd benefit from systems above- I think you would benefit from videoing some of us smaller vans and what in built systems such as eco flow can do, and not do. My van is electric, so to some extent I can use its heater and 12v when parked. Currently I have a 250v eco flow and a 100w solar panel , and this does all my device charging, including hours of Tv watching at night, it is always 100% charged and charges soley off the solar- it will not do heating and cooking however . I am about to upgrade to a 1000 one, which I can buy additional batteries for, which should run induction hob and electric blanket and air fryer - but I am yet to see if it keeps fully charged with the 100w solar or needs more, I am trying to research hot water for the van , a large electric power is needed for this ... there are no videos that explain how much different electric divices use ....so far no one as videoed this - a good challenge for you.

[@CombeValleyCampers]

We have videos of this type coming up :)

[@thelittlehubofwisdom756]

@@CombeValleyCampers thank you, I shall look forward to them

[@tiarnanmacciarrain557]

Balance

[@greggchristensen8524]

using your campervan electrics to charge a laptop would be better if you can use dc to charge it rather than plugging into an inverter changing dc to ac as computer wall plugs convert your ac voltage to dc so by converting your battery power from dc to ac and then back to dc is inefficient and most computers should be able to use a usb cable or have a way to use dc to charge the laptop.

[@Clowningabout001]

Now sling it all in the bin and buy a power station 😂

[@CombeValleyCampers]

The power stations are a fantastic option, we are currently using one. But having all the elements laid out to see is very beneficial to beginners :)

[@dobbieunknown1593]

I have a 240w jackery but need more power so going for a solar setup without split charger

[@Clowningabout001]

@dobbieunknown1593 I've just bought a bluetti powder station 😎🤙🏻

[@dobbieunknown1593]

@Clowningabout001 what watt is the 1 you have brought im thinking i could just upgrade my power station

[@Clowningabout001]

@@dobbieunknown1593 I got the EB55, I don't need a lot for now 👍🏻

[@JR-el7et]

It seems like you have traded up from an Operator to a Tech nowadays 😂

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Gotta keep learning!

[@yanathecontrarian4863]

I do theoretically appreciate the "back to basics" approach, since I have very little base knowledge about the electric set-up, but there is such a thing as too slow. In the first 8 minutes you repeated the same information 2-3 times, and it was extremely basic information that needed maybe 30 seconds. In addition, the two speakers don't seem to have the same idea about what the "lesson plan" is, so the Combe Valley guy keeps asking questions that he seems to think will lead to a specific and informative answer, but the Raynes guy seems to not know what that specific answer was supposed to be (which is fair enough), and the Combe Valley guy ends up inserting the answer he was looking for after the Raynes guy talks about something else. All of this, coupled with the general length and pace of the video, makes it really hard for me to keep focused and pay attention. I say all this from a place of *some* expertise in education and learning science, which makes me cognizant of the fact that most people who have my similar experience will feel like it's them, not you, and will click away from the video without bothering to comment. Hence all the comments are biased toward the people for whom this pace happened to work.

[@yanathecontrarian4863]

Ope, found one guy who did bother to comment about his experience before clicking away. Interesting that the 8 minute mark was the breaking point for both of us (I did try for another 10 minutes, for science). Naturally he immediately got shouted down that he must not be a real beginner if it didn't work for him.

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Thank you for your thorough feedback. On watching it back, I too feel that improvements can be made for the next collaborative video. Your feedback reflects exactly mine, as I strive to improve as an educator (Leigh, the Combe Valley guy!)

[@putbinoot]

8 minutes in and I give up, FFS how many times do you have to mention how many ways to charge a battery. Christ you could have gone through a whole system in 8 minutes.

[@travelbug81]

It's a back to basics video so I guess he wants to make it very clear to those who don't even know where to start 🤷‍♂️

[@CombeValleyCampers]

It’s a video for beginners , hence the title and thumbnail! Our videos aren’t for everyone and we’re ok with that. Thanks 🙏

[@paulwilson3759]

Feels like it could have been an email!

[@peterwebb1026]

I’m a beginner here and this was perfect for me! Well done guys Pete

[@russellnewton6660]

I’ve no interinterest in electrics it bores me and generally I lose the will to live and it goes over my head. This sank in, thanks.

[@jeffclarke1540]

I can’t believe you guys the two of you managed to make something that was supposed to be basic into something that oh my God the guy on the right I say I’m lost for words. Mate fucking put me to sleep.