Lithium battery power lifts the spirit of adventure for Mercedes Camper owners
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Campervan adventures are often portrayed as the ultimate freedom; you can go anywhere, anytime, off the tourist trails and do and see things you would never see on a regular holiday.
Van life can be one of the most amazing and rewarding ways to live, it requires dedication and hard work to achieve. And, like any way of life, it comes with its problems.
The best power for campervan living
Husband and wife team Simon and Joan Mansell are long-distance travellers and have been on many adventures in their Mercedes camper. Their 1990’s Mercedes 1120AF (4x4) Swiss Fire Truck, named Babo, is equipped for their extensive trips across continents with varied terrain and diverse weather conditions.
They live in Spain but don’t seem to settle there for long as they always have a packed itinerary for the months ahead. Most recently travelling across Australia, Morocco and Europe, they encountered sunshine, wind, thunderstorms, hail, sleet and fog.
This year, they’ve racked up countless miles in the hardy camper. The couple have travelled from Queensland into New South Wales, visiting relatives and attending a wedding in Huskisson stopping at the snowy mountains of Thredbo and then on to the highlands of Victoria. Next stop Devon, across the Prince of Wales Bridge into Wales and their first visit to Cardiff.

Which battery is best for van life?
Onboard, Simon and Joan have necessities for daily life and leisure activities. All this needs power. There are two fridges and a TV, and they have their gadgets consisting of laptops, phones, iPads, and not forgetting the essential router and lights,
With long-distance travel, they are faced with needing power for off-grid services and stop-offs. Solar panels charge the onboard batteries as they are off the grid for long periods.
Simon had used Energy Solutions on numerous occasions for van-related purchases, including the van’s inverter, and approached Energy Solutions for advice on a good choice of battery for their long trips. They were using gel batteries and were disappointed with them. When in Australia, the couple experienced some very rough terrain which meant that the gel batteries were shaken to bits and leaked. Not an experience they want to repeat.
The couple were looking to be on the road full-time and wanted a battery system that would last for years to come. Victron Energy 24v lithium batteries were the solution they needed and with the batteries came the Victron VRM Remote Monitoring System with Bluetooth capabilities, a bonus when you want to check on your battery system wherever you are!
What are the benefits of lithium batteries?
Powering onboard appliances, tools, media and amenities is a vital part of the design for vehicle converters whose customers are looking to run increasing technology, and work equipment, for mobile comfort even when their generators or engines are not running.
Lithium batteries have emerged as the preferred choice for powering vehicles due to their numerous advantages, a few are listed below:
- Lithium batteries have exceptional energy density, which allows them to store more power in a smaller and lighter package. This makes them an ideal solution for vehicles where weight and space are at a premium.
- Lithium batteries have an extended lifespan. Compared to lead-acid batteries, which typically last around 3-5 years, lithium batteries can maintain their performance for up to 10 years or more with proper care and maintenance.
- Lithium batteries boast superior charge and discharge efficiency, allowing them to be recharged quickly and deliver consistent power output throughout their use.
For further reading visit Lithium Power Systems
“Having lithium batteries has given us great power efficiency and we can be confident that they will power on throughout our future adventures. We will be visiting Energy Solutions again should we need further assistance for our travels.”

The battery resolution for onboard power
Simon and Joan needed a battery for their campervan that was going to last and was efficient. They are delighted that they can run down the battery power to 20% with little consequences and with trips distancing 15-18,000km, they can be confident of battery longevity.
The Victron lithium batteries installed will last almost twice as long as the gel batteries that were previously used in the van, so they will not need to be replaced as quickly, increasing the cost efficiency of their system.
Simon was also keen to share a tip with fellow camper travellers or indeed refurbishers. “There is an issue encountered by overlanders visiting sites in the USA. Campers can't ‘plug in’ on a campsite and try to connect a UK RV to a 110V USA RV site. Transformers resolve this issue of compatibility, and we were amazed at the amount of people not aware of this.”. Great tip Simon!
He added – “Having lithium batteries has given us great power efficiency and we can be confident that they will power on throughout our future adventures. We will be visiting Energy Solutions again should we need further assistance for our travels.”
Their next adventure? They are off to Cape Town, driving down the west coast of Africa. The Energy Solutions team is looking forward to hearing all about it.
Are lithium batteries the future for onboard power?
Lithium batteries have emerged as a game-changing solution for powering vehicles and providing reliable onboard power. Their exceptional energy density, extended lifespan, and superior charge/discharge efficiency make them an increasingly attractive choice for a wide range of vehicle applications, from electric cars and recreational vehicles to marine vessels and off-grid power systems.
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