I expanded the capacity of my power station just using a 100ah lithium lifpo4 it gives me an extra 1200WH for just £200. I could add another and it would end up with nigh on the same wattage as the Bluetti B300K but £600 cheaper. It might not have all the bells and whistles but for me it's the most economical solution.😀
I extended mine with 600ah of lithium connecting to the PV of the Bluetti. I run solar through a BLUETTI D050S charge enhancer. The lithium charges off my 200amp alternator @ 1000w and have 400w panel on the roof...around 10kwh total for less than the price of a 5kwh Ecoflow Independance kit
lifepo4's are amazing, but cant wait for the salt based units to be available. Greta work on the van. We dont use pre made power units. I built my own, used Daly BMS units, but finding Daly BMS's unreliable and had replaced 3x times under guarantee! After 18 month, I gave up and went with Overkill Solar BMS units. They are reliable, never gone wrong, vastly better, and have the app on the mobile to set them up easily with via bluetooth connection. 2x 6.5 Kwatts of power. If one fails i can switch over to the other. They do need to be fitted tight, in a frame work so they do not move any more than 2mm. Appreciate yours are portable whereas mine are fixed in place. Well done on this upgrade! Very helpful for everyone out there.💯👍👍👍
Cut the hole for the large plug, put a plug through the hole,take the piece of wood and cut a notch for the cable and glue it back in the hole, cover with carpet
So love watching these build videos! Don’t always understand the electrical aspect but love hearing you explain it! Look forward to these every week! Hope the family is well! Cheers!
Instead of these RIDICULOUSLY expensive expansion batteries you can just add a lifepo4 leasure battery along side it .. use that to “recharge” your power station extending its capacity.. re-wire your solar to recharge the leasure battery and have the power station removable so you could take it in the house easily and charge it before you go out if required. you just don’t get the fancy hours left.
Yes using the 200 Max will work everything in your van (diesel heater, Maxx fan, fridge, freezer etc) The other thing that you can also do when you have no solar, is charge up your Bluetti via EV car stations with an adaptor for about £195. I have the 200 Max and works my van great. Another thing to think about is the Bluetti Charger 1 to charge while you are driving. You do need to un-plug your solar to use it. But there is also a hack that you can use BOTH your solar and the Charger 1 together. But when you get your 200 Max. Just run the + / - Bluetti cable wires from the 30 amp socket to the blade fuse box + / - direct. and take away all the extra wires you're using now. Another thing (and this is from person to person). But when all the lights are off and you're going to bed. If you like it 100% dark. Then the green light from the on / off button on the Bluetti is very bright. I have mine stored away in the garage area so I don't see it under my bed.
Would an ecoflow system work better? They have the power station, which you can then hook up to their solar panel, and their alternator charger system to charge whilst driving?
@@Silverwidows This depends on how you what to set-up your electrics. EcoFlow are very good. But they do not have a 30amp output socket. Not many makes do. So although you can run a lot of things in your van on it. It will not run a diesel heater (they use around 15amps for start-up). They are powerfull enough to run it. But there is no output socket for it. Even with their new Pro 3 (4 times the price of a Bluetti 200 Max). There is still no 25-30amp socket output. The most that power stations do is a 10amp output. And that want run a heater. There was an upgrade to the older 200 Max (the one I have and I think it has now been discontinued) That's the 200 L, the one in this video. But for some reason they took away the 30amp output socket. That's why he is doing all the extra wiring to get things working in this video. And he said that he will downgrade the unit to the 200 Max so he can have that 30amp socket. (that's if he can find one). So although the 200 L last year and is a better and more powerfull unit than the 200 Max. It hasn't sold well for the van life market. So they upgraded the 200 Max again with the AC240. Now is this the one to get. It has all the upgrades of the 200L and some more plus they put the 30amp output socket back in. So the Bluetti AC240 is the one to get to run your whole van if you can not get the 200 Max.
I LIKE the idea of powering the webasto from the power station…real smart!!! We have the most basic interior…the jackery we have powers up phones and laptop with interior lighting from battery ‘puck’ lights… I’m nicking two ideas…the cut out mounting for the power station and definitely the heater connection to it!
That'll look the part for sure. Maybe a couple of people n picture magazines placed sporadically over the dash with a couple of v energy drinks n packet of smokes.
@Caddylady lol as a former courier they were the mainstay on my dash n cup holder, apart from the people n picture mags they'd easily get flown out the window on commute 🤣. Though if I had you as my co driver I'd never have to read another picture mag again. 🙂
Great little tip for your cover bud - put a high viz vest over the shoulders of the driver and passenger seats! 🙂 adds an extra builders van feature. 👍
I've just bought the AC200PL which gives you a bigger battery capacity at 2304Wh, longwr lifespan and more efficient battery and a lot faster chargering speed. The only downside is you get 10amps less from the DC output of the main DC output. However you can use the other DC outputs to connect more stuff. And at the moment its the same price. Got it on ebay for £1'275
Great work. Youre getting it well organised. Its gonna be a lovely stealth camper soon. We hope to convert another van soon so always good to get ideas. X
💯That's the best thing you did to add the bluetti ac200max and And you can get another wire that connects to the bluetti That connects to your Fuse box gives thirty amps And now they got the new bluetti charger one That chargers when you're driving and keep your solar panels when you're stopped. You should make a list. Took extension card leads to your bluetti for 240v Plugs. You save a lot of money that way. Just saying. I also have thebluetti ac200max System It's awesome, think they have. And that is something that you can take out and take inside the house.If you have a power failure , what you can't do with your other systems and vans rv
Morning Shaun. The van is looking good mate you’re doing a cracking job, you must have had a good teacher with your wood work skills 😂😂 can’t wait to see the finished van. 😊
Fantastic job again mate really good tidying those wires up just hope to god you get the night vision to work on the cameras after all that work cause your main objective is for them to work in the night as I wouldn’t be bothered for the day if your sleeping in it in the night especially when you got people walking around the van can’t wait for the next episode 👍🏻🔥
Totally agree with your assessment of strong beers. They just don’t taste nice when the alcohol content is too high. And I’ve tried a few over the years 🥴
I don't think you can beat a Bluetti we actually own one mate I've got it in case we get power cuts and if forever out overnight at least would have some power Great video again
The hole you cut for the cctv monitor. Take the blank and cut a slot in it, to the center, the same width of the wire. Make another blank that is bigger in diameter to create a flange. Also, cut a slot to the centre. Place the wire in and rotate the blanke so that the slots are opposed, glue together and place in the hole where the wire goes through the bulkhead.
Rather than boxing in the power station how about throwing workman type cloths over it to block the light. Being a stealth work van, I wouldn't expect to see a pristine cab. Needs loads of dust, newspapers/crap wedged between the dash and windscreen too 😂
The other switches you could hook up some outdoor spot lights around the van some work vans do them to see in dark outside so one at side door one at rear and one on other side just little square work spot lights also means of security and outdoor lighting
I really really hope you're planning to add some more support or at least some tie-downs for that power unit. Yes some of the weight is being held up by your dividing wall but the rest is being held up by the two screws that attach the legs to the horizontal supports. If you hit a pot hole the whole thing could come crashing down! At least tie it down so it won't bounce!
Love watching the build and its coming along nicely, i like the idea of the CCTV for the safety aspect when out camping, Pls can you let me know which one you used ??
Love your channel but having a bit of a nightmare finding your video projects in order eg. Stealth camper build. Please create more organised playlists for easier navigating. Keep up the good work 💯
Good man! I have in my Moho the AC 200L. 2 B300k's - 2 100AH LifeP04 batteries by Renogy and EB55 and an EB3A for the little stuff an additional 10Kwh Battery from a solar install in the garage. Dual fuel generator I can run off the LPG tank. 1200W of Solar and a Brucie charging lead. No need for a Charger 1 or anything - plenty of cheap/free power around for the winter and with all charged I am packing just under 21Kwh.4 ring cameras might have been better?
Hi Shaun, carpet looks so much better than painting or whatever so why not use a light grey to complement the darker grey. People misuse the word contrast, they'd complement one another.
In the last video you were talking about worrying about the door hitting the kitchen, it'll be difficult but you could make the door fold in half before it swings into the van? Difficult but just an idea
I was thinking when you had all those wires coming in behind the driver's seat while you may not have thought of using a length of PVC pipe with a couple of elbow joints as a conduit that would go through the back panel. You could even paint the PVC or even carpet it's like the rest of the van.
Finally a smart man to use a powerstation !! I did it also and they said that is stupid, if it breaks you have nothing..... But I love it, it has a 3600 W 220 V possibility. I charge it with a Victron highpower DC-DC and charges with 450 W. You can also daisy chain a other powerstation for more power to use with the main powerstation.
I have a AC200Max currently with a 410w solar panel, I’m using the RV cable for my fuse box which is running my heater! It all works great however with the poor solar generation currently I was looking at buying the Bestek 500w inverter, it’s much cheaper than the charger1 but is the Victron DC to DC charger the same principle? Which model do you have please? Thanks
ive been seeing a lot of USA YT videos about the new Bluetti elite v200 looks like its a game changer ,not sure when it will reach the uk though,its certainly caused a big push on Bluetti trying to shift their old units though 🤣🤣
Why do you need a fuse box, earth, ground etc. Could you explain maybe in a future video why you can't just plug everything straight into the power station? Cheers
You fuse the individual wires so that if something blows you don’t end up losing everything. It also prevents fires. So for example if one of the LED lights burns out the fuse would blow. If you didn’t have a fuse and everything was wired into the power station the Bluetti fail safe would cut the power to all your 12v appliances. So your fridge wouldn’t work until you found the dodgy light and repaired. If it’s all seperate the light fuse would blow but your fridge etc would all still work
Cheers Shaun! Good progress and great explanations ... just one question, when you fit your kitchen, will the Bluetti be removable? And just to share how ocd can get worse, I'd have to swap the wiring on the light switches so they switched the lights in order (nearside switch for nearside light, middle switch for middle light, etc. ... I'd also put the light by the TV on a separate switch (as you have spare switches) and possibly add a switch for the TV (it will take some current in standby, though it shouldn't be enough to worry about!)
Okay , well personally i would move the door on the partition . It needs hinging from the other side , but still open towards the load space ( i hope that makes sense) . I would then cover right across with carpet . Now this would have two advantages . First off , the door would be hidden , being flush the partition would look unbroken all the way across , and secondly the carpet would help mask the crack around the door , also helping to hide light bleed from the rear . Now the cameras may not be so easy . they may not have night vision . Take a look at any one (they look the same) of them , and see if they have a ring on what look like bulbs surrounding the lens . If not then they don't have light time illumination , so will not work at night .
@@LoveSundays Another thought is ventilation . The human body will release a certain amount of gases , which will settle on the cab window by way of condensation on the cab windows . This is an almost certain sign that the van is actually occupied to the casual , but observant onlooker . So light bleed is not your only issue
the CCTV cameras look like they are being washed out by the IR light shining on the white of the van. they may work better with the IR light turned off/ covered. its why RING cameras recomend turning off the IR light on indoor cameras if they are being used to look through a window.
Hi!! . actually at a stuck point in my van can you help 😊😊😊 Can you show me how you'd fully ply a sliding door without being able to take it off? Sounds easy and ridiculous but I'm really struggling to get it round and I don't want it to look a mess. I have a vivaro swb. Any help will be greatly appreciated 👍👍👍
lovin the build, what camera stuff did you use, looks like something I would like in mine, do you have a link... ah just saw you try them in the dark so will wait to see if you have night vision
That expansion battery won't work in your van anyway because the cable sticks out the side too much. *Might* have got away with it if it was a 90° fitting but clearly it isn't!
Hello mate, im thinking of going full time in a van and was wondering is it possible to use power stations for full time living? Something live ecoflow + their alternator charger. I see all the victron equipment and it just seems way too complicated. Thanks
Great, this is exactly what im doin in our van. Could you link me where you bought the cigarette plug to ring terminal from? I was only able to find 16awg ones which seem a little thin, rather have 14awg
Great video again. Do you have any more details on how you have connected your power station to fuse box and then onto the switches? Thinking of doing similar to improve our vivaro
The 12v plug is wired into the main and ground bus bar fitted below the power station. Then the fuse box is wired directly to the main and ground bus bar. Then switches are a simple circuit between the fuse box and the item (lights etc)
I see the benefit from a convenience point of view but how does the Bluetti set-up compare price wise to a standard leisure battery/solar installation?
For a battery this size it’ll be around £800 plus the solar charge controller say £100 plus a dc to dc charger £150 plus all the wires and a 2500w inverter say £200 (depending on the brand). So a conventional set up can cost between £1250 and £2000. This Bluetti AC200L cost £1299 (without any discounts) so it’s pretty much the same
Great video and the van is starting to look really good. Can't wait to see it finished. Are you building space into the power station box and in the partition hole for the B300K?
I’ve already got the AC200L I’m going to upgrade to the AC200Max as the diesel heater requires around 15A on start up and that most the 12 on the AC200L has is 10A
I need to know what that cigarette lead is. I've got the same Bluetti and trying to find a way of powering 12v appliances like you can with the 200 max. Cheers.
Those camera cables won't overheat coiled, mine have been and is on 24/7 for about 18months. You probably don't have night vision cameras, if you cant see the red infrared lights when outside looking at the cameras, they aint night vision 👍👍
I’ve seen it’s discontinued and have been having an email session with them. They are suggesting the AC240 is its replacement. Haven’t looked at it in any great detail yet as they’ve only just replied. I thought the 240 had a stupid port that no one does a connector for as yet
Just curious but I noticed the switch panel had fused in it but you still connected it all up through a fuse board. Is there any reason fir that or is it just extra protection?
@LoveSundays one thing to ensure with the CCTV camera's is to move them so they do not see any of the van. If they do, they will adjust the exposure down to combat the bright white and then you won't see into the darkness. So try to set them so they view just above the van without seeing it. Best of luck, loving the vids, got my first van 2 days ago, prepping for the conversion. Been watching for a few months now.
Fantastic video, I wish you had done this two years ago. I wanted to power my van with a portable and I reached out to all the big companies for advice and not one said you could do it. Mind you.. that was two years ago 😂 on a side note, did you notice how much power the cctv was using on the bluetti by any chance? I’m just about to install my cctv but not sure how much power it will use. Thanks again for sharing 👍🏻
@ did they replace it and send you another one? Some times you just get a bad egg I guess. I’ve tested and kept all different makes of power station and none of them have ever missed a beat for me
BLUETTI's Black Friday sale, save up to 45%: bit.ly/4fWI4kk
Expansion battery B300K: bit.ly/3CCFuS4
Extra 5% code: BLUETTILS
I expanded the capacity of my power station just using a 100ah lithium lifpo4 it gives me an extra 1200WH for just £200. I could add another and it would end up with nigh on the same wattage as the Bluetti B300K but £600 cheaper. It might not have all the bells and whistles but for me it's the most economical solution.😀
Can you please give more details on this?
@@jean3176 th-cam.com/video/tUf94BQRDxk/w-d-xo.html
Lots on TH-cam to get the gist :) th-cam.com/video/Q6zGr1bgQHs/w-d-xo.html
I extended mine with 600ah of lithium connecting to the PV of the Bluetti. I run solar through a BLUETTI D050S charge enhancer. The lithium charges off my 200amp alternator @ 1000w and have 400w panel on the roof...around 10kwh total for less than the price of a 5kwh Ecoflow Independance kit
lifepo4's are amazing, but cant wait for the salt based units to be available.
Greta work on the van. We dont use pre made power units.
I built my own, used Daly BMS units, but finding Daly BMS's unreliable and had replaced 3x times under guarantee!
After 18 month, I gave up and went with Overkill Solar BMS units.
They are reliable, never gone wrong, vastly better, and have the app on the mobile to set them up easily with via bluetooth connection.
2x 6.5 Kwatts of power. If one fails i can switch over to the other.
They do need to be fitted tight, in a frame work so they do not move any more than 2mm.
Appreciate yours are portable whereas mine are fixed in place.
Well done on this upgrade! Very helpful for everyone out there.💯👍👍👍
Cut the hole for the large plug, put a plug through the hole,take the piece of wood and cut a notch for the cable and glue it back in the hole, cover with carpet
You are a genius with these van builds and I can't wait to see it finished.
So love watching these build videos! Don’t always understand the electrical aspect but love hearing you explain it! Look forward to these every week! Hope the family is well! Cheers!
Breakfast in bed and Love Sundays to get the day started.... Beautiful.
Instead of these RIDICULOUSLY expensive expansion batteries you can just add a lifepo4 leasure battery along side it .. use that to “recharge” your power station extending its capacity.. re-wire your solar to recharge the leasure battery and have the power station removable so you could take it in the house easily and charge it before you go out if required. you just don’t get the fancy hours left.
But you need a charge controller for charging the lithium directly from solar
Yes using the 200 Max will work everything in your van (diesel heater, Maxx fan, fridge, freezer etc) The other thing that you can also do when you have no solar, is charge up your Bluetti via EV car stations with an adaptor for about £195. I have the 200 Max and works my van great. Another thing to think about is the Bluetti Charger 1 to charge while you are driving. You do need to un-plug your solar to use it. But there is also a hack that you can use BOTH your solar and the Charger 1 together.
But when you get your 200 Max. Just run the + / - Bluetti cable wires from the 30 amp socket to the blade fuse box + / - direct. and take away all the extra wires you're using now.
Another thing (and this is from person to person). But when all the lights are off and you're going to bed. If you like it 100% dark. Then the green light from the on / off button on the Bluetti is very bright. I have mine stored away in the garage area so I don't see it under my bed.
Would an ecoflow system work better? They have the power station, which you can then hook up to their solar panel, and their alternator charger system to charge whilst driving?
@@Silverwidows This depends on how you what to set-up your electrics. EcoFlow are very good. But they do not have a 30amp output socket. Not many makes do. So although you can run a lot of things in your van on it. It will not run a diesel heater (they use around 15amps for start-up). They are powerfull enough to run it. But there is no output socket for it. Even with their new Pro 3 (4 times the price of a Bluetti 200 Max). There is still no 25-30amp socket output. The most that power stations do is a 10amp output. And that want run a heater.
There was an upgrade to the older 200 Max (the one I have and I think it has now been discontinued) That's the 200 L, the one in this video. But for some reason they took away the 30amp output socket. That's why he is doing all the extra wiring to get things working in this video. And he said that he will downgrade the unit to the 200 Max so he can have that 30amp socket. (that's if he can find one).
So although the 200 L last year and is a better and more powerfull unit than the 200 Max. It hasn't sold well for the van life market. So they upgraded the 200 Max again with the AC240. Now is this the one to get. It has all the upgrades of the 200L and some more plus they put the 30amp output socket back in. So the Bluetti AC240 is the one to get to run your whole van if you can not get the 200 Max.
How do you power the bluettti, is it connected to the vehicles battery ?
It charges of the solar panel on the roof and off the vans cigarette light when driving
@@LoveSundays thank you
I LIKE the idea of powering the webasto from the power station…real smart!!!
We have the most basic interior…the jackery we have powers up phones and laptop with interior lighting from battery ‘puck’ lights…
I’m nicking two ideas…the cut out mounting for the power station and definitely the heater connection to it!
Don’t forget some used coffee cups, old scratch cards and a tabloid newspaper in the cab to really get the tradie look 👌
That'll look the part for sure. Maybe a couple of people n picture magazines placed sporadically over the dash with a couple of v energy drinks n packet of smokes.
@ forgot about the energy drinks and the picture mags 😂
Plus old receipts, pencils/pens from betting shops, fast food wrappers and maybe a dog eared bongo mag.
@Caddylady lol as a former courier they were the mainstay on my dash n cup holder, apart from the people n picture mags they'd easily get flown out the window on commute 🤣.
Though if I had you as my co driver I'd never have to read another picture mag again. 🙂
Great little tip for your cover bud - put a high viz vest over the shoulders of the driver and passenger seats! 🙂 adds an extra builders van feature. 👍
This a proper Car for the CIA or MI5 , great Job 👏. I love your videos! Regards from Germany 🇩🇪
Loving this build series
I've just bought the AC200PL which gives you a bigger battery capacity at 2304Wh, longwr lifespan and more efficient battery and a lot faster chargering speed.
The only downside is you get 10amps less from the DC output of the main DC output. However you can use the other DC outputs to connect more stuff.
And at the moment its the same price.
Got it on ebay for £1'275
Great work. Youre getting it well organised.
Its gonna be a lovely stealth camper soon.
We hope to convert another van soon so always good to get ideas. X
💯That's the best thing you did to add the bluetti ac200max and And you can get another wire that connects to the bluetti That connects to your Fuse box gives thirty amps And now they got the new bluetti charger one That chargers when you're driving and keep your solar panels when you're stopped. You should make a list.
Took extension card leads to your bluetti for 240v Plugs.
You save a lot of money that way. Just saying.
I also have thebluetti ac200max System It's awesome, think they have. And that is something that you can take out and take inside the house.If you have a power failure , what you can't do with your other systems and vans rv
For the backend of your switch panel in the cab, cover it with an empty first aid box, that would save a second skin
That’s a good idea
Morning Shaun. The van is looking good mate you’re doing a cracking job, you must have had a good teacher with your wood work skills 😂😂 can’t wait to see the finished van. 😊
Fantastic job again mate really good tidying those wires up just hope to god you get the night vision to work on the cameras after all that work cause your main objective is for them to work in the night as I wouldn’t be bothered for the day if your sleeping in it in the night especially when you got people walking around the van can’t wait for the next episode 👍🏻🔥
Totally agree with your assessment of strong beers. They just don’t taste nice when the alcohol content is too high. And I’ve tried a few over the years 🥴
Stealth tip - loads of empty Hob Nob packets, Greggs wrappers, copies of Daily Star etc. on the dash.
I don't think you can beat a Bluetti we actually own one mate I've got it in case we get power cuts and if forever out overnight at least would have some power Great video again
But all is said you have still done a great job, well done Shaun...
Brilliant video Shaun the van is really coming on. All the best to you and your family and I will see you next Sunday. 😉🤗
That black Friday deal is insane. I've ordered one and I'm not going to be ready to actually use it for months 😅
Glad it helped
You have the same electric power box as The Solo Summiteer , your van builds are great too.
Shaun try useing Bosch Expert T308BFP jigsaw blades ,they give a clean cut both sides they are brilliant .great channel by the way thanks.
Always enjoy your videos 🎉
Shaun this van is the best yet! top stealth camper van love it, great work its looking amazing. Stay safe see you next week 👍
The hole you cut for the cctv monitor. Take the blank and cut a slot in it, to the center, the same width of the wire.
Make another blank that is bigger in diameter to create a flange.
Also, cut a slot to the centre.
Place the wire in and rotate the blanke so that the slots are opposed, glue together and place in the hole where the wire goes through the bulkhead.
That’s a good idea. I don’t think I need to do that now through due to putting a back on the bulkhead
Rather than boxing in the power station how about throwing workman type cloths over it to block the light. Being a stealth work van, I wouldn't expect to see a pristine cab. Needs loads of dust, newspapers/crap wedged between the dash and windscreen too 😂
The other switches you could hook up some outdoor spot lights around the van some work vans do them to see in dark outside so one at side door one at rear and one on other side just little square work spot lights also means of security and outdoor lighting
Great idea 👍
It does look great. Can not wait to see the end product
I was a little late to watch you today but got it watched now👍🏼it’s looking really good
Hi Shaun, pls make sure you anchor that power station behind you, as in a crash it’s going to slam into your spine through the seat.
I’ll be strapped down once I’ve made a back box for it
I really really hope you're planning to add some more support or at least some tie-downs for that power unit. Yes some of the weight is being held up by your dividing wall but the rest is being held up by the two screws that attach the legs to the horizontal supports. If you hit a pot hole the whole thing could come crashing down! At least tie it down so it won't bounce!
Love watching the build and its coming along nicely, i like the idea of the CCTV for the safety aspect when out camping, Pls can you let me know which one you used ??
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0874HBKR3/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_MDEAQJEXCZ5KNMC44BWJ?linkCode=ml2&tag=lovesundays0e-21
Why go with a power station over a separate battery and an suitably sized inverter for AC needs ?
Great build again , grtz from Belgium
Cheers grtz from Belgium
I run my diesel heater of a 600w eb3a cigarette port no problem 15 ap fuse
Love your channel but having a bit of a nightmare finding your video projects in order eg. Stealth camper build. Please create more organised playlists for easier navigating. Keep up the good work 💯
Here you go th-cam.com/play/PLgr1eojK6tpzKs_41RDlrwHlzgx9hb-Ix.html&si=KHfPhRzdOwx8E3jK
Great work and video. Enjoying the journey 👍🏻
I put a sliding door in my van . Just a 12mm ply between the 30x30 frame .keeps it out if the way 🤙
I was considering that by plywood tends to warp and I didn’t want it dragging
Good man! I have in my Moho the AC 200L. 2 B300k's - 2 100AH LifeP04 batteries by Renogy and EB55 and an EB3A for the little stuff an additional 10Kwh Battery from a solar install in the garage. Dual fuel generator I can run off the LPG tank. 1200W of Solar and a Brucie charging lead. No need for a Charger 1 or anything - plenty of cheap/free power around for the winter and with all charged I am packing just under 21Kwh.4 ring cameras might have been better?
Hi Shaun, carpet looks so much better than painting or whatever so why not use a light grey to complement the darker grey. People misuse the word contrast, they'd complement one another.
In the last video you were talking about worrying about the door hitting the kitchen, it'll be difficult but you could make the door fold in half before it swings into the van? Difficult but just an idea
Can I please ask the reason for grounding the unit to the van? Would you still need to do this if not installing a diesel heater. Thanks 👍
nice work mate looking brilliant
Would be interested to see you install the new BLUETTI alternator charger
I was thinking when you had all those wires coming in behind the driver's seat while you may not have thought of using a length of PVC pipe with a couple of elbow joints as a conduit that would go through the back panel. You could even paint the PVC or even carpet it's like the rest of the van.
Finally a smart man to use a powerstation !! I did it also and they said that is stupid, if it breaks you have nothing..... But I love it, it has a 3600 W 220 V possibility. I charge it with a Victron highpower DC-DC and charges with 450 W. You can also daisy chain a other powerstation for more power to use with the main powerstation.
I have a AC200Max currently with a 410w solar panel, I’m using the RV cable for my fuse box which is running my heater! It all works great however with the poor solar generation currently I was looking at buying the Bestek 500w inverter, it’s much cheaper than the charger1 but is the Victron DC to DC charger the same principle? Which model do you have please? Thanks
I love your van builds! Where are you located, do you do van builds for other people?
Great stuff Shaun 👏 👍
ive been seeing a lot of USA YT videos about the new Bluetti elite v200 looks like its a game changer ,not sure when it will reach the uk though,its certainly caused a big push on Bluetti trying to shift their old units though 🤣🤣
live your videos my dude!
Why do you need a fuse box, earth, ground etc. Could you explain maybe in a future video why you can't just plug everything straight into the power station? Cheers
You fuse the individual wires so that if something blows you don’t end up losing everything. It also prevents fires. So for example if one of the LED lights burns out the fuse would blow. If you didn’t have a fuse and everything was wired into the power station the Bluetti fail safe would cut the power to all your 12v appliances. So your fridge wouldn’t work until you found the dodgy light and repaired. If it’s all seperate the light fuse would blow but your fridge etc would all still work
@@LoveSundays Awesome, thanks for explaining
Cheers Shaun!
Good progress and great explanations ... just one question, when you fit your kitchen, will the Bluetti be removable?
And just to share how ocd can get worse, I'd have to swap the wiring on the light switches so they switched the lights in order (nearside switch for nearside light, middle switch for middle light, etc. ... I'd also put the light by the TV on a separate switch (as you have spare switches) and possibly add a switch for the TV (it will take some current in standby, though it shouldn't be enough to worry about!)
Okay , well personally i would move the door on the partition . It needs hinging from the other side , but still open towards the load space ( i hope that makes sense) . I would then cover right across with carpet . Now this would have two advantages . First off , the door would be hidden , being flush the partition would look unbroken all the way across , and secondly the carpet would help mask the crack around the door , also helping to hide light bleed from the rear .
Now the cameras may not be so easy . they may not have night vision . Take a look at any one (they look the same) of them , and see if they have a ring on what look like bulbs surrounding the lens . If not then they don't have light time illumination , so will not work at night .
The door isn’t permanently I only built it to make sure it didn’t drag along the floor it will need to be redone once all the furniture is in the van.
@@LoveSundays Another thought is ventilation . The human body will release a certain amount of gases , which will settle on the cab window by way of condensation on the cab windows . This is an almost certain sign that the van is actually occupied to the casual , but observant onlooker . So light bleed is not your only issue
You could use cable sock pet 30 to tidy up your cables
Good idea
Hi Shaun, another great vlog , you are making great progress. I'm very interested in your CCTV system, could you give me a link to it please
amzn.to/4fWNXho
the CCTV cameras look like they are being washed out by the IR light shining on the white of the van. they may work better with the IR light turned off/ covered. its why RING cameras recomend turning off the IR light on indoor cameras if they are being used to look through a window.
That’s good advice
Alternator Charger, checkout Ecoflow 😬
Hi!! . actually at a stuck point in my van can you help 😊😊😊
Can you show me how you'd fully ply a sliding door without being able to take it off? Sounds easy and ridiculous but I'm really struggling to get it round and I don't want it to look a mess. I have a vivaro swb. Any help will be greatly appreciated 👍👍👍
Fully play a sliding door?
@@LoveSundaysI'd like to fully ply one of my sliding doors but I can't figure out how to do it
Do you have a template? I’d make a template out of cardboard then use that to cut your ply then screw it up.
lovin the build, what camera stuff did you use, looks like something I would like in mine, do you have a link... ah just saw you try them in the dark so will wait to see if you have night vision
That expansion battery won't work in your van anyway because the cable sticks out the side too much. *Might* have got away with it if it was a 90° fitting but clearly it isn't!
How much power does the truma diesel heater use? Could the 200L 48v 8A outlet be used with a buck converter?
They’re normally around 15A on start up
SUNDAY!!!
Can you cut more storage behind passengers seat .I.e. shoes etc
I could but I might put my diesel heater tank there
Another Great video, where did you get the switch unit from love the digital volt meter.
You seem to have the vent on the Bluetti against the side of the van?
There’s vents on all sides
Tbh as cctv engineer of 30 years +...coiling your cable has the potential to cause interference on your recorded images,as apposed to getting hot
Thanks mark that’s good advice
@LoveSundays with regards to.night vision I take it your camera have built in infrared lamps ??..? if not you will not see a thing in the dark
Hello mate, im thinking of going full time in a van and was wondering is it possible to use power stations for full time living? Something live ecoflow + their alternator charger. I see all the victron equipment and it just seems way too complicated.
Thanks
🌄 morning!!!
Hi mate. Would love to do a meet up sometime, being in the area. Love the videos
Whats the music at 5:55 ?
Great, this is exactly what im doin in our van. Could you link me where you bought the cigarette plug to ring terminal from? I was only able to find 16awg ones which seem a little thin, rather have 14awg
I think this one is 16AWG. Once this is all permanent I’ll probably just make one with my own wires
Great video again. Do you have any more details on how you have connected your power station to fuse box and then onto the switches? Thinking of doing similar to improve our vivaro
The 12v plug is wired into the main and ground bus bar fitted below the power station. Then the fuse box is wired directly to the main and ground bus bar. Then switches are a simple circuit between the fuse box and the item (lights etc)
@LoveSundays thanks seems pretty simple. I only have ecoflow river but I think I should be able to power lights, usb socket and heater if needed.
I see the benefit from a convenience point of view but how does the Bluetti set-up compare price wise to a standard leisure battery/solar installation?
For a battery this size it’ll be around
£800 plus the solar charge controller say £100 plus a dc to dc charger £150 plus all the wires and a 2500w inverter say £200 (depending on the brand).
So a conventional set up can cost between £1250 and £2000.
This Bluetti AC200L cost £1299 (without any discounts) so it’s pretty much the same
I’m pretty sure Bluetti sell something that connects to the ac200l that means it will power a 12v fuse board
If you find it can you send me a link please mate 👍
Great video and the van is starting to look really good. Can't wait to see it finished. Are you building space into the power station box and in the partition hole for the B300K?
The B300K will only be used on longer trips so it will go behind the psssenger seat
@@LoveSundays That's a good idea. The van is looking amazing already. Looking forward to this week's video. Cheers!
If you turn on infrared lights for night vision you will lessen stealth status as lights can be seen by other cameras and people close by
850nm lights can be seen by people (faint red glow), 940nm is only visible to cameras
@tomwinch9107 made mine switchable via pir
Why do you need to upgrade to the ac200l to run a fiesole heater?
I’ve already got the AC200L I’m going to upgrade to the AC200Max as the diesel heater requires around 15A on start up and that most the 12 on the AC200L has is 10A
Hey Sean, cracking build and love the idea. Curiosity is getting the better of me here though😛
Is that 12v cigarette plug fussed?
Yes there’s a fuse inside the plug
I need to know what that cigarette lead is. I've got the same Bluetti and trying to find a way of powering 12v appliances like you can with the 200 max. Cheers.
This is the one in the video but I will be upgrading it amzn.to/4i6nK1B
@LoveSundays I found one and had ordered one before I see your reply. Any reason to upgrade? Cheers bud.
The wires could be a bit thicker. So that’s why I’ll be upgrading it
Those camera cables won't overheat coiled, mine have been and is on 24/7 for about 18months.
You probably don't have night vision cameras, if you cant see the red infrared lights when outside looking at the cameras, they aint night vision 👍👍
Will stelf but more people want to break into a builders van. 😮
Hi Shaun, where can I get that switch panel design from?
amzn.to/494XFvM
Time for a DC to DC charger.
Why not use a Bluetti Charger 1 instead of an expansion battery
From what I gather the 200max has been discontinued in favour of the 200L but none of them have the 30a 12vdc
I believe you can still get the 200max off the Bluetti website.
I’ve seen it’s discontinued and have been having an email session with them. They are suggesting the AC240 is its replacement. Haven’t looked at it in any great detail yet as they’ve only just replied. I thought the 240 had a stupid port that no one does a connector for as yet
If you go on their site and find the 200 max, a pop up says it’s discontinued, look at the 200L
They have a converter that turns the 48v to a 12v called the d40
Just curious but I noticed the switch panel had fused in it but you still connected it all up through a fuse board. Is there any reason fir that or is it just extra protection?
Just extra protection
@@LoveSundays Have you got a business email I could contact you on?
@LoveSundays Thanks. Just sent you am email aswell regarding something a little different 😉
Put the heater on the passenger side
Hey can you link the cctv you used please.
amzn.to/4g4r0ZN
I wouldn't do like that if I was you LOL
Dont think that cctv system has infrared cameras. Should be dim red glow from the cameras if they are infrared, not very stealthy though. Great vid!
Doesn't look like it. My cctv has infra red and gives an excellent picture in the dark.
@red9zero I don’t think it has. I need to have a good look at the instructions when I get a chance
@LoveSundays one thing to ensure with the CCTV camera's is to move them so they do not see any of the van. If they do, they will adjust the exposure down to combat the bright white and then you won't see into the darkness. So try to set them so they view just above the van without seeing it. Best of luck, loving the vids, got my first van 2 days ago, prepping for the conversion. Been watching for a few months now.
Fantastic video, I wish you had done this two years ago. I wanted to power my van with a portable and I reached out to all the big companies for advice and not one said you could do it. Mind you.. that was two years ago 😂 on a side note, did you notice how much power the cctv was using on the bluetti by any chance? I’m just about to install my cctv but not sure how much power it will use. Thanks again for sharing 👍🏻
It was minimal to be honest like 20 watts or something. I won’t have the cctv on all the time only when I’m parked up overnight
I want a power station for my Campervan, but just can’t afford one
Ps all power banks are by design better at 240v ac than 12v dc 👍
Personally I wouldn't have another Bluetti if it was free. The AC180 I had died twice, leaving me with no power and having to cut each trip short.
I would’ve sent it back they have a 5 year warranty
@LoveSundays I did 👍🏻 It was only a couple months old.
@ did they replace it and send you another one? Some times you just get a bad egg I guess. I’ve tested and kept all different makes of power station and none of them have ever missed a beat for me