Bluetti EB70

[Moped]

Sorry for not replying sooner, appreciate all the comments. A few points I should mention, my fridge is a compresser type so gas isn't an option, also the gas locker is only big enough fo a camping gaz 907. I would have liked to get a bigger power pack but space is limited, the EB70 will fit nicely in a cupboard for travelling. My mobility scooter is a Atto Sport with a 249Wh lithium ion battery, it has a range of 20 km. Up to now I've only once got down below 50% so that is an idea how much I use it. As for security for the power pack it would be inside the van (the side sliding window will lock partially open) as for the panel I would secure it with cable lock but restrict use if we had doubts. I thought about fixed solar panel but even then I would need an extra battery, a have a cheap 700 watt inverter that will charge scooter but costs are about same.
We aren't planning doing trips of probably more than 2 to 3 days so no big trios planned.
Took the plunge & ordered the Bluetti EB70 + PV120 solar, they had a sale on & I also found a code to get an extra £80 off.

Given the van spec, single scooter battery to charge, and storage available to be honest I would probably have done similar. But gone for a bigger 200w solar panel maybe if storage permitted.

We have 2 e-bikes with a total battery capacity of around 1000w so needed something bigger battery wise.

The only concern I have is the running of the fridge. Daytime pass through with solar charging you will be OK and you could also top your scooter battery up during this period. When the sun is low in the sky morning and evening and at night the fridge could say draw 600w at around 45w an hour over say a 14 hour period. Assuming the draw is around 45w. For the 8 hours of peak charging you will be OK. Better in high summer of course but then the fridge works harder to offset this. The draw of the fridge needs to be calculated.

Fill it with ice packs before you go away to reduce its energy demands.

Still think fitting a solar panel to the van roof to charge the onboard leisure battery, which presumably runs the fridge, would be worth considering. It will offer you increased flexibility and help to extend your time away.

Is it worth considering a 12v cooler box? Don’t know but their power consumption might be less than the onboard compressor fridge.

Basically see how you get on with the EB70 and solar panel. You can always do further upgrades as and when if needed.

Just curious but how have you managed the fridge power usage before the EB70 purchase?

 

[Helzie]

We used to have a converted Alphard with pop-top roof and a compressor fridge. We fitted a flexible 120W solar panel to the pop-top and that really helped to keep the leisure battery topped up. Doing that would mean that the Bluetti could be kept for your scooter.

 

[Kontiki]

Did consider the 200watt panel but saw somewhere which says max input on Bluetti is is 160w. We are only planning on keeping fridge on low setting (not coldest), we always fill up spare space fridge with the small cartons of frozen orange juice found they last as well as ice packs plus you can use them. No room for coolbox.
As for managing we haven't used the van yet, that said we aren't novices we've had campers - motorhomes of various sizes since the 1980's. Done a lot of travelling mainly in Europe but old age & medical issues make it difficult. Got the VW to use as daily run about & for the odd days out & short stay of a couple of nights mainly with family.

 

[Moped]

Just for clarification the Bluetti EB70 spec on their website does state up to 200w of solar may be used and they do a package deal with their PV200 solar panel as well as the PV100. It may be that a third party seller specified it incorrectly.

This does raise a point however. When comparing similar sized battery packs from a number of manufacturers the focus these days seems to be speed of charging.

Now I have noticed that for a given watt hour battery size the maximum rating for solar panel size does vary from one manufacturer to the next and for those off grid this is more important than speed of mains charging (in my view anyway).

So for those looking at these types of product, as well as checking mains charging speed, check out the maximum solar panel charging wattage. With solar, speed of charging is determined by the sun, panel size and quality of the cells, and the panels positioning. The mains charging speed is not relevant.

Generally larger battery packs support larger panel sizes but there are still differences between manufacturers even so. It may be worth considering a larger battery which supports a larger panel if you want to maximise your solar harvesting during the day. You don’t necessarily have to fully charge your battery. Just top it up. But for the gloomier 6 months of the year you can’t beat having the biggest solar panel you can accommodate, and being portable you can face it towards the sun even when it is low in the sky. This makes a big difference relative to a horizontal roof panel.