4wc electrical, Bluetti all in one vs individual components ala Victronk

[snipepod]

I've got a 76K5 Blazer and a 4WC blazer camper from around 1990s. The K5 has a 144amp Alt. I thought I would purchase separate Victron pieces like solar controller, battery isolation, group 24 LIFO batteries. Then I purchased a couple of Bluetti 3b3a for off grid. I really like the Bluetti's, and am now thinking about just going super big Bluetti instead of Victron components and separate batteries. I am concerned that I will not be able to fast charge from my 144 alternator to a Bluetti, but other than that, this maybe a simpler options. I would love hear others share their thoughts.

 

[Jon R]

I've got a 76K5 Blazer and a 4WC blazer camper from around 1990s. The K5 has a 144amp Alt. I thought I would purchase separate Victron pieces like solar controller, battery isolation, group 24 LIFO batteries. Then I purchased a couple of Bluetti 3b3a for off grid. I really like the Bluetti's, and am now thinking about just going super big Bluetti instead of Victron components and separate batteries. I am concerned that I will not be able to fast charge from my 144 alternator to a Bluetti, but other than that, this maybe a simpler options. I would love hear others share their thoughts.

I just noticed nobody has replied to you, probably because most others here are using more complex, built-in systems and they figured others with relevant experience would respond.

I am one of those running a built in system in my FWC, but I’ve been thinking about how I will set up my newer 4runner for trips to places where the full size truck and camper aren’t practical. I think a self contained all-in-one system that meets your electrical needs is a great way to go. Keeping it simple has its merits. I’ve been thinking my approach will be a large battery charged up before i leave that meets my needs for two or three nights without any charging, and have an arrangement to charge it at a decent rate from the vehicle alternator when needed for longer trips.

The main load and primary reason for bothering with an electrical system at all would be a small top loading compressor fridge. Other loads once I have a power system would be a fan for when I sleep in the car, lights and electronics charging.

I suspect a 100 ah battery would be more than enough. I would probably make my own self contained portable battery/charger/connections assembly because I’m a DIY person, but a factory made unit that meets your needs and is well packaged could be a great way to do it.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Interesting! I’m considering purchasing or building a small system similar in function to what both Jon and snipepod are pondering. The only load will be my Engel freezer/fridge in my trucks. My inclination is to go with the self contained unit.

 

[JWL]

I have been doing kind of a combo. In the beginning I just had one AGM, I installed solar on the roof, but when I finally ditched my ice chest and got a fridge I didn’t trust my AGM (it was dicey from the start) so I got a Bluetti EB 70s primarily to run the fridge but also to charge phones, iPads and the occasional ac needs. I now do have a 100 AH lithium battery but I still use the Bluetti for all the above uses and it is cheap insurance for the refer incase I ever have battery problems.
I did just see that Bluetti now has a rapid dc-dc charger to run off of an alternator. That might be a nice option.

 

[pods8]

There is an elegance to an all in one and there is also redundancy in the systems with separate components. "Two is one and one is none" kinda thing. IE two 100ah batteries versus one 200ah battery. Seperate solar controller and DC-DC converter versus a combo unit. Electronics can and absolutely do fail, esp. over the lifespans these campers get. Quality lithium batteries are robust now but they have a BMS circuit board in them that can have a failure that either prevents use or puts them in a safe mode. They aren't just a big dumb lead acid battery. Same with the chargers used with them, they aren't just a wire from the alternator (typically). I would be far more worried about a circuit board having an issue that the overall system taking a crap (IE the circuit boards on an era of secop compressors were faulty but never recalled and had a high failure rate, the mechanicals of the fridge were just fine still but a new control module was needed).

Long story short it depends on how you're camping and what longevity you want in the system, etc. If I was running a truck shell with a compressor fridge in it I wouldn't hesitate to use an all in one solution.

A camper being used on a longer trip or a remote trip I personally wouldn't want to be locked into an all in one solution. Aside from out of the gate failures the reality is that at some point that all in one system will fail due to a circuit going down or such inside and it won't likely be easy to trouble shoot. If you camp in a manner that its okay if a trip is canceled/cut short while you seek repairs/replacement of an all in one solution then its less of a concern.

SO personally on my build it will be (2) lithium batteries, (1) solar MPPT, (1) DC-DC charger, (1) 120v lithium charger, and likely I'll have a small AC inverter.

 

[craig333]

If I were to carry a fridge in my Jeep I'd consider it but that is unlikely. The other thing to consider is that its generally more expensive to go with an all in one unit.