Van & RV equipment · United States
Alternator & DC-DC Charging
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Read the buying guide
The part most conversions leave until last, and the one that decides whether the build works in February.
The problem
A UK van roof produces very little between November and February. Short days, a low sun angle and a flat mounting position combine to cut yield to a fraction of the summer figure. That is exactly when the heater is running and the nights are longest.
The answer is not more solar. It is charging from the engine, which you were going to run anyway.
What the numbers look like
Based on a full time daily draw of 850Wh.
| Source | Power | Driving time to replace one day |
|---|---|---|
| Cigarette lighter socket | 120W | 7 hours |
| DC charging enhancer | 500W | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Charger 1 | 560W | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Charger 2 | 1,200W | 45 minutes |
Which one for your van
A 1,200W draw needs alternator headroom. A standard Transit or Sprinter alternator runs 150A to 180A at 14V, which is 2,100W to 2,500W total, and the engine takes a share of that for itself. On a smaller alternator, or a van doing mostly short urban trips, the 560W unit is the better fit and puts less strain on the vehicle.
Tell us the vehicle and we will confirm which one suits it.
Installation
These connect to the starter battery with heavy gauge cable, fused at both ends, sized for the actual run length rather than a number off a forum. Most auto electricians fit one in under two hours. We can specify the cable gauge and fuse rating for your vehicle before you order.