Vans, who's got a van just for adventuring?

[thebarber]

View attachment 19453 Here's my setup. I can charge the leisure batteries from solar, the van engine and also from a hookup on a campsite etc using the charger on the right.
I've got 2 batteries as I run a fridge in the van, I reckon you could get away with one as an ebike charging station, you just need the right size invertor.
My charger is 2.5amp @ 230 (Shimano) so 2.5 X 230 = 575 watts minimum, so I got an 800 to be safe.
I'd be wary of cheap invertors as they rarely give the rated output and might give a dirty signal that causes issues with electronics.

I had my ebike charger on test to see exactly what it was drawing and never went over 0.8 not sure if that's volts or ah now.
Either way it's nowt

 

[routrax]

I had my ebike charger on test to see exactly what it was drawing and never went over 0.8 not sure if that's volts or ah now.
Either way it's nowt

That's probably amps. It was probably that low because the battery wasn't empty, as the battery gets charged it will draw less as it's harder to charge.
It should say on the charger what the max draw is and you should really spec any system for that.

 

[thebarber]

It only had 1 light left on

 

[Lee]

0.8 amps is about right for ~240 volt uk supply as it's around 190 watts.

The charger will accept a voltage range input, probably 100 - 240 and has a max amp draw of 2.5, the max amps is drawn when at the lowest voltage as the energy required is in watts, therefore 100v may draw towards 2.5 amps but at 230/240 volts the amps will be a lot less.

These chargers generally seem to be charging (output) a 42v pack at up to 4 amps meaning it requires around 168 watt plus inefficiencies in the charger and inverter if used.

I tested my charger at home and the maximum it drew was 175 watts which was 0.75 amps at 234 volts. a 250/300w inverter should be more than enough to run one of these chargers.

 

[papab]

I have a promaster (ducato) set up for camping and bikes. I'll post some pics when I get a few minutes. I just added another battery and solar panel. Now I have 390W solar, and 200+ amp hours of 12V battery. 2000W xantrex true sine inverter.

I've measured the shimano charger at 175-180W.

 

[thebarber]

Papab, what type are your batteries,
Lithium, or agm ?
I was contemplating lithium but cost stopped me so bought an AGM 130 with intention of another when I'm ready which in reality still only gives me about 150ah and wondering if it's enuff

 

[papab]

AGM. A 200 ah Renogy. Thats about 2400 watt hours. With 2 500 wh e-bike batteries, I should be able to charge those up in the morning and stay above 50% state of charge on the AGM battery and if it's sunny, or I drive the van I'll get the AGM recharged on the same day. If you only have 1 e-bike to charge up the 150 ah should be enough. Try to get it charged up everyday though, lead acid batteries sulphate if they are not at 100%.

 

[gelfy666]

I've got a Renault Tragic for taking bikes about... But would love to make it like this one.

 

[118]

View attachment 19488

Has it got a winch? "let's off road" .. "gripped"..

 

[routrax]

I've got a Renault Tragic for taking bikes about... But would love to make it like this one.

View attachment 19488

That looks like a proper beast!
Is that actually 4wd or just jacked up?

 

[gelfy666]

That looks like a proper beast!
Is that actually 4wd or just jacked up?

I believe it's 4x4

 

[Doomanic]

I don't think so, as far as I can tell only the first Gen Traffic was available as a 4x4.

 

[gelfy666]

I don't think so, as far as I can tell only the first Gen Traffic was available as a 4x4.

From what I can remember reading about this build, I think only the body is Trafic, everything else was a 4x4. I'll try and find it.

 

[Titch mortimer]

Anyone got a 13amp 240v socket in the van for Charging ebikes?

A good leisure battery and 2000w inverter does fine in my van

 

[Parrychops]

I've just bought a transit custom panel van for the sole use of me and my Mrs to increase adventure time by piling it with bikes tents, and the odd motorbike ?
Anybody else do van adventuring? Looking for ideas for rear storage and different configurations for carrying bikes and making life a bit easier, 12v power point in the rear for a pressure washer etc ???

I have a VW transporter for my work (photographer) but could really make do with an estate car. I mainly use it for lugging bikes, surf boards etc around. I recently watched a review of an ebike on you tube and the guy rocked up to the trail in a van and he had this ingenious contraption installed against the bulk head. So simple, just a rack where the front tyres locked in. Have you ever seen this before? Have t been able to find anything similar online. I guess you could have one made.

 

[118]

I recently watched a review of an ebike on you tube and the guy rocked up to the trail in a van and he had this ingenious contraption installed against the bulk head. So simple, just a rack where the front tyres locked in.

any links to the YT review?

 

[Baron]

I’ve got a LWB VW Caddy, good compromise between car and full size van.

got a pic of the set up with bikes inside

 

[mark1a]

got a pic of the set up with bikes inside

Here you go, front wheel in one of these, and bike held by straps to the ringbolts in the floor.


Caddy is also my daily drive, rear seats can be folded down or forward, or removed completely.

 

[Baron]

I like that a lot. Caddy Maxi ?

 

[mark1a]

I like that a lot. Caddy Maxi ?

Yep, Caddy Maxi Life (Maxi = LWB, Life = MPV version). Preferred this over a standard Caddy panel van and then retrofitting glass & seats. The Life already has them and also classed M1 not N1 on the V5 by DVLA so car speed limits apply too.

Mine’s slightly non-standard, I’ve got 18” GTI alloys, 60mm lowering, sportline sidebars, front splitter, remapped to 190bhp and various other mods.

 

[Binhill1]

I've just bought a transit custom panel van for the sole use of me and my Mrs to increase adventure time by piling it with bikes tents, and the odd motorbike ?
Anybody else do van adventuring? Looking for ideas for rear storage and different configurations for carrying bikes and making life a bit easier, 12v power point in the rear for a pressure washer etc ???

I've a Toyota Alphard converted to camper. I sometimes go kayaking or hill walking so leave bike inside van dismantled. A garage at back of van would be handy Ebikes an expensive item to leave on rack out in remote areas.

 

[Beanieuk]

I when down the MWB Vw Crafter route, converted it myself into a camper with room to store my motorbike and E bike. Installed a 2000w inverter to charge the bike

 

[Jay]

I when down the MWB Vw Crafter route, converted it myself into a camper with room to store my motorbike and E bike. Installed a 2000w inverter to charge the bike

View attachment 19791

That's exactly what I'm about to do.

 

[Funkeydunk]

Yep, Caddy Maxi Life (Maxi = LWB, Life = MPV version). Preferred this over a standard Caddy panel van and then retrofitting glass & seats. The Life already has them and also classed M1 not N1 on the V5 by DVLA so car speed limits apply too.

Mine’s slightly non-standard, I’ve got 18” GTI alloys, 60mm lowering, sportline sidebars, front splitter, remapped to 190bhp and various other mods.

This looks ace, is it similar to the touran ? Sharan? Can’t remember the VW car that looks like this.

 

[mark1a]

This looks ace, is it similar to the touran ? Sharan? Can’t remember the VW car that looks like this.

Thanks - from 2004 - 2011, the mk3 Caddy was loosely based on the Touran, and many of the interior parts can be retrofitted. From 2011, it was no longer based on the Touran but shared many parts with the Golf mk5 & mk6. However like most VW/Audi/Skoda/Seat models, much of the VAG parts bin applies.

The Caddy Maxi Life as I have is basically a van derived car, so a Caddy 2K mk4 van with factory rear seats & glass

 

[Funkeydunk]

Thanks - from 2004 - 2011, the mk3 Caddy was loosely based on the Touran, and many of the interior parts can be retrofitted. From 2011, it was no longer based on the Touran but shared many parts with the Golf mk5 & mk6. However like most VW/Audi/Skoda/Seat models, much of the VAG parts bin applies.

The Caddy Maxi Life as I have is basically a van derived car, so a Caddy 2K mk4 van with factory rear seats & glass

Fab, looks like a contender, the VW transporters are too expensive.

 

[routrax]

Fab, looks like a contender, the VW transporters are too expensive.

They're based on a Golf. The maxi-life model ain't cheap!

 

[Bean]

Have a Peugeot Expert Mk2 on a 65 plate. Use as my day vehicle and for towing a caravan, been a huge upgrade for biking and towing. Getting 40mpg out of it and with a 6 spd box it's great for motorways, was cheapest for insurance for me as wanted as a private and commuting vehicle.
Using a Bikestow for holding the bikes in place and shelving was in it when we bought it.

 

[Funkeydunk]

Have a Peugeot Expert Mk2 on a 65 plate. Use as my day vehicle and for towing a caravan, been a huge upgrade for biking and towing. Getting 40mpg out of it and with a 6 spd box it's great for motorways, was cheapest for insurance for me as wanted as a private and commuting vehicle.
Using a Bikestow for holding the bikes in place and shelving was in it when we bought it.

View attachment 19807

View attachment 19808

View attachment 19809

That’s cool

 

[OldGoatMTB]

I like the sound of 240v charging in the van. I'm no electrician so was wondering how to do that? Any tips and websites fot kit and instructions?

I think these "solar generators" may be a good solution for a weekend warrior like me. I have a van but don't want to do a full solar/electrical system. I think a couple of solar panels and a solar generator may be the ticket.