Hi, first post, I’m a newbie, not terribly technical, apologies if this has been asked elsewhere! I contacted Bluetti to ask for suggestions, with the power load listed below, and they recommended this Elite V2 model. I just wanted to run my queries past the wider community, for more opinions and confidence, before I buy.
This will be used in my Ford Transit Custom LWB. I’m not a heavy power user. I just want to future proof it a wee bit, by slightly over speccing it! This will be used to power:
a (probably) 5kW diesel heater
a 12V fridge, eventually, when funds allow
phone and laptop charging
LED lighting
Maybe… a single or double induction hob in the distant future…
I’m also planning to install 100W/200W? (not yet researched!) flat, magnetic solar panels on the roof, for a constant trickle charge.
My mate has an Apex 300, but that looks like it could handle Armageddon, too much for my needs, methinks.
@Haze First point, I have had 3 caravans with a diesel heater, the 2nd was an 18’ solid top, current a 15’ off road pop top. All have had a 2kW diesel heater which would turn the caravan into a Sauna if high enough. To give you an idea, the 18’ long van was 7’ 6" wide and 6’ 6"+ high = 877 sq ft of volume. Yes there are, cupboards, the bed, kitchen and shower taking up space, but I assume your Transit will have a similar space. My heater 2kW Webasto pulls around 8.5A on startup and 1-2A running at a certain noise level for 1-2 litres for 10hours use. I have friends here in AU with 5kW heaters, that sound like a jet taking off, use more fuel and exceed the 10A output limit of most power stations.
Excepting the 5kW heater an Elite 100 v2 will do what you want re lights n fridge. My caravan has 200Ah of LFP installed, I use the E100 for its 240VAC outlets i.e. microwave, induction cooktop, toaster etc with numerous outlets and hard wiring.
There are 2 cautions I’ll give
The 12V E100 outlet is rated at 10A. A 12V fridge can draw between 3-7A when cycling, LED lights 2-3A depending on amount and type, again within the E100 limit. However add close to 10A for a heater and you overload.
Re the heater, when set to an overnight temperature, its thermostat will cut in and out. i.e. I set mine to 14C as the bedding takes care of the rest. It might raise the temp to 15-16C, then cut out until the temp drops to something like 12-13C then start back up, much like a fridge. When this occurs, it again energises the glopin, drawing a high load until it self ingnites the diesel. A run load of 2A will use around 20Ah over 10 hours = 560Wh of battery.
So, your limits are 2 fold - 1. The 10A output limit of 12V and your actual energy needs in Wh to assess battery size. The newer nominal 3kW Bluetti is the Elite 300v2. It has a 2600W inverter that will run anything you might need, also a 30A RV outlet at 3 times most other portable power stations. And, 3,000Wh of battery, equivalent to 230+Ah. Unfortunately, the only way to assess your purchase is to look at the 3 things that limit you; Look at load ratings of everything you want to use, then multiply each of those by the time you use them. This will equal the Wh (or Ah) of battery capacity you need. The other is; in what combination of multi device use is your maximum amp draw, this will tell you the rating of any output port.
