Power station and Leisure Batteries

[Kevstar]

Hi guys,
Does anyone know if it’s possible if a portable power station like a Bluetti on AC mode through the AC hookup socket on the MH charge ( or part charge) the 100ah leisure battery onboard?
Many Thanks

 

[Boris7]

I think I understand the question, I have an EcoFlow and yes it’s easy to connect the ac output to the EHU socket to charge the leisure batteries.

I actuallyy have the EcoFlow permanently wired in through an auto switch over. That way as soon as I turn it on it supplies ac power to the van and charges the batteries, when on EHU the batteries and the EcoFlow charge with no messing about with cables.

Personally I think you better off with more Lithium and not using a power station, but in my case the EcoFlow and extra EcoFlow batteries were free.

 

[Kevstar]

Many thanks for the info.
My situation is I don’t have a MH yet and am finding my feet with hiring (different sizes and set ups).
This said I’m trying to get an idea of what rated power a power station would need to be to either charge (or part charge) a 100ah or a 200ah leisure battery without having anything else in the MH switched on and maybe how long this would take.

 

[molly 2]

I often connect my bluettie too hook up only problem I have is I get a wrong polarity warning light on controle box ,i phoned my supplier thay said that was normal.,any problems phone your supplier.

 

[Geek]

Hi guys,
Does anyone know if it’s possible if a portable power station like a Bluetti on AC mode through the AC hookup socket on the MH charge ( or part charge) the 100ah leisure battery onboard?
Many Thanks

I refer the honourable member to the answer I gave to this question on a sister site.

 

[molly 2]

I think I understand the question, I have an EcoFlow and yes it’s easy to connect the ac output to the EHU socket to charge the leisure batteries.

I actuallyy have the EcoFlow permanently wired in through an auto switch over. That way as soon as I turn it on it supplies ac power to the van and charges the batteries, when on EHU the batteries and the EcoFlow charge with no messing about with cables.

Personally I think you better off with more Lithium and not using a power station, but in my case the EcoFlow and extra EcoFlow batteries were free.

On my van it would be an issue to go to lithium as nothing is compatible

 

[Geek]

I simply added one Lithium battery in parallel with the AGM ones. Works a treat.

 

[Kevstar]

I often connect my bluettie too hook up only problem I have is I get a wrong polarity warning light on controle box ,i phoned my supplier thay said that was normal.,any problems phone your supplier.

Is that the control panel inside your MH you get the warning light come up or on the bluetti?

 

[trevskoda]

I simply added one Lithium battery in parallel with the AGM ones. Works a treat.

Two different voltages and charge from altanator, not a good idea.

 

[molly 2]

Is that the control panel inside your MH you get the warning light come up or on the bluetti?

Yes Sargent 328 system control box ,I plug into hook and can use all 240 v in van including microwave I charge bluetti from 200 w portable excel folding solar panel ,

 

[Nabsim]

Two different voltages and charge from altanator, not a good idea.

hybrid works ok Trev, the lifepo4 just becomes bulk storage

 

[Geek]

Two different voltages and charge from altanator, not a good idea.

Says you. Myself, I've been using this setup for well over five years with no problems at all.

 

[Geek]

only problem I have is I get a wrong polarity warning light on controle box

Why is that a problem?
With no conection to the local earth or to the substation earth, the concept of live and neutral is meaningless.
It's like saying your football is upside down.

 

[trevskoda]

hybrid works ok Trev, the lifepo4 just becomes bulk storage

I was under the impression one has a lower voltage and must be charged at a slower rate.
And a float charge from solar regulator set for lead acids can shorten lifespan.
Wildbus will know more than me.

 

[Boris7]

It's like saying your football is upside down.

 

[merl]

Two different voltages and charge from altanator, not a good idea.

Assuming a dumb alternator the voltages are fine Trev. Current may be an issue but that will depend on cable resistances.

 

[trevskoda]

Assuming a dumb alternator the voltages are fine Trev. Current may be an issue but that will depend on cable resistances.

My one is the old school, for all the time i spend overnight in my van standard lead acids do me as all set up for it, been working no bother almost 12 years, hab batteries all good, starter one lossing maybe a few points on the volt meter but still working.

 

[vindiboy]

I had my previous van for 10 years with only a hook up which we seldom used as wild camped or aires all over managed with 12 volt and gas easily 2 leisure batteries and twosolar pamels kept them charged we generaly move after a few days so engine charger kept all bateries in good order. No tv or any electrical stuff used all run on gas ,but we now have a smaller van Adria twin single leisure battery I do not know what sort it is as not got round to getting at it yet but have slept in the van for 25 nights now and all worked well , we ,or rather my wife has got her mind set on a power pack but new to me us all this us so unsure what to get we met a lady in Spain 2024 a wild camp member and she had a power pack which my wife drooled over and has wanted on since so I guess we will get one but which ,?we would only maybe use it for an electric kettle and maybe an air fryer so around 1800 watts I would geueus probably max but would like a bit spare ? more usualy 1500 watt usage generaly ,not bothered about telly ,or internet really whilst away as our phones cover our needs for that phone chargeing comes with a power pack I know but that is 12 volt I guess but also 230 volt socket too I guess . We do not have a lot of spare storage space and some power packs we have seen are pretty big and heavy ,so wondering if any of you could reccomend a good power pack that might suit our needs please I know it will need a recharge at times and have seen some folks use a fold up solar panel for this not really idea when wild camping due to restrictions on stuff outside the van when doing this so another conundrum shows up ?

 

[trevskoda]

I had my previous van for 10 years with only a hook up which we seldom used as wild camped or aires all over managed with 12 volt and gas easily 2 leisure batteries and twosolar pamels kept them charged we generaly move after a few days so engine charger kept all bateries in good order. No tv or any electrical stuff used all run on gas ,but we now have a smaller van Adria twin single leisure battery I do not know what sort it is as not got round to getting at it yet but have slept in the van for 25 nights now and all worked well , we ,or rather my wife has got her mind set on a power pack but new to me us all this us so unsure what to get we met a lady in Spain 2024 a wild camp member and she had a power pack which my wife drooled over and has wanted on since so I guess we will get one but which ,?we would only maybe use it for an electric kettle and maybe an air fryer so around 1800 watts I would geueus probably max but would like a bit spare ? more usualy 1500 watt usage generaly ,not bothered about telly ,or internet really whilst away as our phones cover our needs for that phone chargeing comes with a power pack I know but that is 12 volt I guess but also 230 volt socket too I guess . We do not have a lot of spare storage space and some power packs we have seen are pretty big and heavy ,so wondering if any of you could reccomend a good power pack that might suit our needs please I know it will need a recharge at times and have seen some folks use a fold up solar panel for this not really idea when wild camping due to restrictions on stuff outside the van when doing this so another conundrum shows up ?

To honest a lipo4 200ah and a inverter will be a lot less in cost and because sep parts if one bit goes down it can be replaced.

 

[Robmac]

To honest a lipo4 200ah and a inverter will be a lot less in cost and because sep parts if one bit goes down it can be replaced.

I would agree Trev except in this case they are not relying on it as an essential source of power so they have contingency with regards to running the fridge, cooker etc.