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System for minivan

debbienot1

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Feb 22, 2022
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17
Please help, system for my minivan with the most use being a 12-volt compressor refrigerator. I am a stationary full-time female, thank you so much!
 
Oh it's capable of moving, but I stay pretty much in my city in Oceanside California, lots of sun but I want to be as discreet as possible. I'm thinking I don't really need solar panels as I would have access to a plug-in at a friend's. Thank you for your response!
 
Oh it's capable of moving, but I stay pretty much in my city in Oceanside California, lots of sun but I want to be as discreet as possible. I'm thinking I don't really need solar panels as I would have access to a plug-in at a friend's. Thank you for your response!
So not totally stationary but very regular access to shore power.
Please post a product link for your fridge so that we can get a sense of how much power it requires.
 
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I just wrote a reply but I don't see it so I'm going to try again. Yes my van moves but I am mostly an urban camper and need to be as discreet as possible. I'm thinking just one of those little thousand w att battery thingies! ?
 
Plenty of videos online from DIY ambulances and cargo trailers that use the cooler type 12 volt fridges.
 
Portable power station like a Bluetti or Ecoflow would probably do what you want.
The ones I have seen referenced the most in #VanLife videos are ones in the Bluetti AC200 range (example 200max):


Also the Ecoflow Delta products (example Max) :


Both product lines have some battery expansion options and I believe have larger systems... Not sure if any of the ones linked above can be charged at EV stations (may have to upgrade to the AC300 or the DeltaPro)...

Edit: According to the FAQ, the AC200max can be charged at an EV Charging Station (EV adapter sold separately). Not sure on DeltaMax...

Edit2: Both vendors also have smaller/cheaper options that may not be expandable battery-wise... Personally I would want the expandability which is why I linked the above 2 examples... There are lots of options/models to choose from and multiple other vendors...
 
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The ones I have seen referenced the most in #VanLife videos are ones in the Bluetti AC200 range (example 200max):


Also the Ecoflow Delta products (example Max) :


Both product lines have some battery expansion options and I believe have larger systems... Not sure if any of the ones linked above can be charged at EV stations (may have to upgrade to the AC300 or the DeltaPro)...

Edit: According to the FAQ, the AC200max can be charged at an EV Charging Station (EV adapter sold separately). Not sure on DeltaMax...

Edit2: Both vendors also have smaller/cheaper options that may not be expandable battery-wise... Personally I would want the expandability which is why I linked the above 2 examples... There are lots of options/models to choose from and multiple other vendors...
Winter storm power outage a couple of weeks ago. I got out my Ecoflow delta 1300 and made my coffee,made my toast, and ran the refrigerator for 12 hours and still had 66% battery left. I'm pretty happy with it. I have a 3000 watt inverter with 4 100ah batteries that I never even turned on. Portability is nice.
 
No brainer get the one with LFP batteries. 3,500 cycles vs 800 cycles. But if the $2,000 price tag is holding you back then consider a more budget friendly option $400 GOLABS R500 it also uses LFP batteries
 
1 solar panel on the roof would be more discreet than an extension cord. My compressor cooler is very efficient. You could probably get by with 100 amp battery and a hundred watt solar panel.
 
You need a 200w panel, assumptions available on request [for a slight charge].:giggle:

BTW, I am male, full time. :cool:
 
No brainer get the one with LFP batteries. 3,500 cycles vs 800 cycles. But if the $2,000 price tag is holding you back then consider a more budget friendly option $400 GOLABS R500 it also uses LFP batteries
Yeah I agree and would definitely go with a lithium ferrophosphate (LFP/LiFePO4) battery based unit if at all possible and we have had good luck overall with our smaller units. We have 2 mainly for our kids to use around the house with phones/laptops & to use as lanterns when needed (power outage, tent outside, etc)... Both of ours have built in lanterns & are LFP battery based... We have the Bluetti AC50S ($299 500Wh 300W AC PD45W) & the GOLABS R300 ($199 300Wh 300W AC PD60W) & both work OK for us but both have their idiosyncrasies and pros/cons... Not sure which vendor (or if another vendor like Ecolabs) would be best for VanLife...

The above being said without the specifics on the devices you plan to run it is hard to estimate how long your fridge/etc would run (if AT ALL)... The smaller you go the more important the sizing would be... For me if I was living in a vehicle I would want to be able to rapid charge my system at car chargers which points toward larger/more expensive systems (unless there is a fairly inexpensive adapter that can feed charge from a car charger to an input port on a lower cost unit).
 
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The ones I have seen referenced the most in #VanLife videos are ones in the Bluetti AC200 range (example 200max):


Also the Ecoflow Delta products (example Max) :


Both product lines have some battery expansion options and I believe have larger systems... Not sure if any of the ones linked above can be charged at EV stations (may have to upgrade to the AC300 or the DeltaPro)...

Edit: According to the FAQ, the AC200max can be charged at an EV Charging Station (EV adapter sold separately). Not sure on DeltaMax...

Edit2: Both vendors also have smaller/cheaper options that may not be expandable battery-wise... Personally I would want the expandability which is why I linked the above 2 examples... There are lots of options/models to choose from and multiple other vendors...
This is what makes it so hard, there are way too many choices! Thank you for your response. ?
 
The ones I have seen referenced the most in #VanLife videos are ones in the Bluetti AC200 range (example 200max):


Also the Ecoflow Delta products (example Max) :


Both product lines have some battery expansion options and I believe have larger systems... Not sure if any of the ones linked above can be charged at EV stations (may have to upgrade to the AC300 or the DeltaPro)...

Edit: According to the FAQ, the AC200max can be charged at an EV Charging Station (EV adapter sold separately). Not sure on DeltaMax...

Edit2: Both vendors also have smaller/cheaper options that may not be expandable battery-wise... Personally I would want the expandability which is why I linked the above 2 examples... There are lots of options/models to choose from and multiple other vendors...
Guess I forgot to add that I live on my social security! ???
 
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