Planning a Summer of Van Dwelling
Hey vandwellers! I'm trying to figure out the electrical system for my van conversion for this summer, and wanted some advice on my setup. I'm outfitting it for a summer of living, then will adjust for winter living it I like this summer enough. My current thought is a dual-battery setup for my 2006 Odyssey. I'm thinking of an approach that combines fixed and portable power.
Core System Plan:
I'm thinking about three LiTime 100Ah LiFePO4 batteries as the main house battery, combined with a Jackery 2042Wh as a supplemental/portable unit.
Charging Setup:
Here's where it gets interesting - I'm thinking about dual charging paths:
- A DC-DC charger from the alternator to the LiFePO4 battery (the Odyssey puts out around 130A)
- That won't be enough, so I'm thinking a Jackery 2000 as a B2B charger that I'll charge at the office and plug into the van system at lunch.
My usage pattern: 45-minute commutes daily and usually a 2-hour drive on Sundays. I'll be in Northern Virginia dealing with max summer temps around 92°F and an average of 85°F.
Load Estimations:
- Dometic CFX3 45 fridge
- MaxxFan
- Main LED lighting
- Device Charging
I've calculated around 2,575Wh daily usage during peak heat. Between my commute (480Wh) and Sunday drives (1,280Wh), plus the dual battery setup, I should have ample power(?).
The key questions I have:
- Has anyone tried running both a fixed LiFePO4 and portable power station with B2B instead of solar?
- Any issues charging the LiFePO4 with both the DC-DC from the Odyssey's alternator and the Jackery?
- Any experience with the LiTime batteries specifically?
- Am I overcomplicating what could be a simpler setup?
Thanks for any insights, particularly from those who've done complex battery setups or Odyssey builds!