power bank connection

[POH]

is this safe to do with a power bank ??

 

[BillyBear]

Should be ok as long as you don’t drive off but I don’t know why you are asking as you have already done it!

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

I think it is fine. The problem is that it won’t last long if the charger and fridge are on full time on 240v.
Ideal to run the sockets for short periods for microwave or coffee machine etc

 

[Landy Andy]

Yes ok to do. But I manually switch your fridge to gas or off.

Are you doing it to power sockets, or charge batteries? Or both?

 

[PlacidoD]

You mostly have the answer from others.

To power mains equipment it makes more sense to plug them direct into your Delta 2. But to charge the leisure battery or help run 12v stuff (heating/lighting) with a depleted leisure battery it should do the job nicely (and you can recharge the Delta 2 via a solar panel while the rooftop panel helps top up the leisure battery though it may be you envisage this sort of use as an emergency reserve when the sun is notably absent!!)

P.S. Fairly obviously best to trail a lead through a window rather than offer up the Delta 2 for theft as in your photo!

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[POH]

Should be ok as long as you don’t drive off but I don’t know why you are asking as you have already done it!

just for picture not plugged in

 

[Langtoftlad]

Did it last year at Lyndon Top when I had no leisure batteries.
Fridge/hot water/cooking on gas.

Was going to ask if I could top it up at their office but actually the portable solar kept it charged.

Usage - lights, TV, WiFi, echo dot, phone and assorted USB charging.

Did keep the powerbank unit inside though.

 

[Tiger Bear]

I tried it recently (obviously inside the van with the cable out of the window) so I could plug the TV soundbar into a wall socket rather than its cable trailing across where I was sat. What I didn't do though was isolate the leisure battery charger; I realised my error when the power bank depleted faster than I expected.

 

[POH]

I tried it recently (obviously inside the van with the cable out of the window) so I could plug the TV soundbar into a wall socket rather than its cable trailing across where I was sat. What I didn't do though was isolate the leisure battery charger; I realised my error when the power bank depleted faster than I expected.

how do you isolate the leisure battery not seen any obvious switches.

 

[Tiger Bear]

how do you isolate the leisure battery not seen any obvious switches.

I had to ask that question. Give me a moment and I'll find the post

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[Tiger Bear]

Here you go...

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/power-banks.318978/#post-6565918

 

[zen1th]

Sorry to jump on the thread, but mind if I ask a couple of questions?

Are these power banks a more efficient (and easier) way of powering 240v devices, compared to lithium batteries and inverters etc?

Thanks.

 

[Landy Andy]

Sorry to jump on the thread, but mind if I ask a couple of questions?

Are these power banks a more efficient (and easier) way of powering 240v devices, compared to lithium batteries and inverters etc?

Thanks.

No. A built in system is better, but more expensive, more complicated, and more work. The power banks are just a cheap easy way of doing it, and also offers the ability to use it in different scenarios. Such as power cut at home etc.

 

[zen1th]

No. A built in system is better, but more expensive, more complicated, and more work. The power banks are just a cheap easy way of doing it, and also offers the ability to use it in different scenarios. Such as power cut at home etc.

I am liking the sound of these more and more.

Thanks for info.

 

[Tiger Bear]

Sorry to jump on the thread, but mind if I ask a couple of questions?

Are these power banks a more efficient (and easier) way of powering 240v devices, compared to lithium batteries and inverters etc?

Thanks.

We bought ours as a short term measure for occasionally powering light usage devices, and making sure our lass's wheelchair batteries were topped up. When we are not in the van it remains at home in the eventuality of a power cut.
If we keep this van, with a view to freedom camping more frequently and going abroad, we will upgrade to a built-in system.

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[zen1th]

We bought ours as a short term measure for occasionally powering light usage devices, and making sure our lass's wheelchair batteries were topped up. When we are not in the van it remains at home in the eventuality of a power cut.
If we keep this van, with a view to freedom camping more frequently and going abroad, we will upgrade to a built-in system.

Makes sense.

Definitely handy to have a power bank, as really useful in an emergency.

 

[Guigsy]

Makes sense.

Definitely handy to have a power bank, as really useful in an emergency.

But unlike an onboard battery, it won't get continuous charging from your roof solar or get charged while you're driving unless you plug it in. So it's easier than installing an onboard lithium setup, but requires more faff to use it.

 

[Landy Andy]

A power bank can be charged whilst you drive.

 

[gus-lopez]

it won't get continuous charging from your roof solar

I wired in a set of extra connecters via an anderson connector with an XT 60i on the end so if I want I can either charge via its HV solar input or use the standalone a/c unit whilst driving

or get charged while you're driving unless you plug it in.

I can also plug in direct from the van to the low voltage solar/ dc socket or one of the mini dc anderson sockets all at the same time

 

[Langtoftlad]

but requires more faff to use it.

Hardly

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[Guigsy]

Hardly

My system doesn't require hoiking outside, hoiking back in again, and receives all the solar and alternator charging possible without juggling cables. That sounds like less faff to me.

 

[Langtoftlad]

My system doesn't require hoiking outside, hoiking back in again, and receives all the solar and alternator charging possible without juggling cables. That sounds like less faff to me.

Mine lives inside, no "hoiking". Plugging into solar etc if required is worth the £1k cost saving imo

 

[Guigsy]

Mine lives inside, no "hoiking". Plugging into solar etc if required is worth the £1k cost saving imo

So you've done some installation works to make it more convenient?

It's not that much harder to install a lithium setup. And if you are DIY capable, it's not even that much more money to get considerably more capacity.

It's a trade-off. I paid a bit more (certainly less than £1k) to not have to worry about whether I had to charge my rolling powerbrick.

I did consider the home power cut use case. I had an Uninterruptible Power Supply on my desktop PC. It literally failed yesterday. I've had it since 2019. The stats on its logs show I've not had a single power cut since. I'm not sure a battery pack would add much at home anyway. Other than a hernia of trying to shift the loaded fridge-freezer out of its cubby to get to the socket to plug it in to the powerbank.

 

[bigtwin]

I am liking the sound of these more and more.

Well, before your liking turns into infatuation, have a think about how you will recharge it.

But unlike an onboard battery, it won't get continuous charging from your roof solar or get charged while you're driving unless you plug it in. So it's easier than installing an onboard lithium setup, but requires more faff to use it.

This

A power bank can be charged whilst you drive.

Indeed, SLOOOWLY (unless you end up buying another box (alternator to battery charger)).

Ian

 

[Landy Andy]

Indeed, SLOOOWLY (unless you end up buying another box (alternator to battery charger)).

Yes, slowly via 12v socket, or, £280, (or wait for a sale) and recharge your bank with 800W. Flat to fully charged 1.3hrs. With just two connections onto your van battery

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[zen1th]

Well, before your liking turns into infatuation, have a think about how you will recharge it.

This

Indeed, SLOOOWLY (unless you end up buying another box (alternator to battery charger)).

Ian

With a solar panel.

Thinking of extended trips away.

 

[headlight]

Sorry to jump on the thread, but mind if I ask a couple of questions?

Are these power banks a more efficient (and easier) way of powering 240v devices, compared to lithium batteries and inverters etc?

Thanks.

If you can install yourself then I think that a lithium van set up is cheaper than power banks and will give you more power.

 

[Richard n Ann]

My recent lithium install cost me £397 plus another £119 for the optional battery monitor.
I could reuse the solar charger though.

In my opinion it's bonkers buying a box to plug in when everything you need is there in the van - just upgrade it if you want more. in a power cut you can use the van's electric system

 

[headlight]

My recent lithium install cost me £397 plus another £119 for the optional battery monitor.
I could reuse the solar charger though.

In my opinion it's bonkers buying a box to plug in when everything you need is there in the van - just upgrade it if you want more. in a power cut you can use the van's electric system

Exactly.
How much would a 200AH power bank with built in 2,000 watt inverter cost ?

 

[zen1th]

My recent lithium install cost me £397 plus another £119 for the optional battery monitor.
I could reuse the solar charger though.

In my opinion it's bonkers buying a box to plug in when everything you need is there in the van - just upgrade it if you want more. in a power cut you can use the van's electric system

Was this replacing an existing lead acid battery set up?

Were you able to use existing wiring, or does lithium batteries need different wiring?