ELECTRICAL
Batteries: (2) centennial 224Ah 6V deep cycle sealed lead acid AGM - wired in series.
Double 6 volts in series are far superior over double 12’s in parallel. Since the double 6 volt series circuit keeps each battery perfectly “level” with one another, the battery charge cycles can achieve 3 times the number to that of a double 12 parallel circuit.
Don’t use flooded lead acid if you are placing inside a van. They can leak.
Lithium Ion batteries are great inside a tight space - with higher energy density than AGM. Be prepared to pay a extra.
Charger: 100A Battery Doctor Isolator
Battery Doctor 100A Isolator: A battery isolator is an “ok” method of charging batteries. It exposes house batteries to the vehicle alternator voltage of about 14V. The batteries consistently achieve 12.6V after driving. This charges AGM batteries to about 80%. To effectively charge to 100%, install a solar charge controller & panels.
Inverter: Xantrex 2000 Watt PROwatt pure sine wave inverter.
If powering sensitive equipment such as: laptops or camera equipment, install a true/pure sine inverter rather than a modified sine wave inverter. The Xantrex powers my Vitamix (1400 watts).
This Renogy 200 watt Solar System Premier Kit works like a dream. I have not had one single issue. The alternator charges the batteries as I drive. The Renogy solar set-up charges the batteries while parked. I purchased the kit with the Eclipse panels. They are more expensive, yet more efficient. Honestly, the real reason I went with the Eclipse panels - they are slightly smaller and fit on my roof best with limited space due to the Thule Cargo Box.
Lighting: Acegoo Surface Mount LED Ceiling lights
I would not buy these lights again due to cheap quality. For efficiency reasons, anything that can be 12 volt inside the van should be 12 volt. Lights can draw loads of power if done incorrectly. Wild has 8 dimmable 2W small LED puck lights -pulling about 1 Amp. The lights are controlled by touch screen 12V LED dimmers. I would not buy these dimmers again. The touch sensor activates easily - car headlights, radio frequencies - randomly turning on the lights at all hours.
