I have a mercedes camper. Small fridge and led lights powered by a leisure battery. Probably around 5 years old and its dead. Have never charged it which is a whoopsie on me.
What are the pros and cons of
1 new battery and foldable solar panels to charge (and bring battery in to charge to keep it good )
Something like a jackery power bank.
Don't necessarily want to put fixed panels on top as its a high top van (cleaning is not easy) so foldable is my best option for panels.
I do use EHU but also like to go off grid for maybe 3 days at a time in summer and run the mini fridge for milk, cheese, butter, meat etc. If I start with chilled food and a couple of ice blocks I can not have to run the fridge for a day or so, which works ok so far.
So, who has used what and what are my best options please? New battery will cost about 200, then add solar panels and leads so probably around 350 ish i reckon.
Any other ideas please?
Tanya are another popular supplier, but I had problems getting a refund when their poor choice of courier (Yodal) damaged the battery in transit, so not impressed by my experience with them!
The needs of your 'fridge' depend on what type it is. Compressor fridges can often run off a leisure battery for days, but absorption types (typically 3-way, gas/240v/12v) and Peltier/Thermoelectric types, it's only hours before they discharge battery to damagingly low levels, unless they have a 'battery protection' feature to turn them off before that happens.
Jackery type power banks are a very expensive way to buy simple battery capacity! You need to have a use of built in features like USB sockets, inverters etc. to justify the cost over a simple leisure battery.
Solar panels can be great for the sunnier times of year, but generate very little energy in dull winter months. Remember they only generate worthwhile energy for around 8 hours/day when sunlight falls directly on them, so you have to ensure they can significantly recharge depleted batteries within that short window of time, 2/3 of your time per day is draining power from the battery unaided by the solar panel. Also the solar panel has to be large enough to BOTH charge the battery AND supply power for any demand you place on the electric system.
Generators are often banned on many conventional camp sites, sometimes tolerated on rally fields. Don't believe the 'silent' sales pitch, they may be quieter than others, but still noticeably noisy to both you and any neighbours, and as the hubbub of daytime life (even just wildlife and livestock) quietens into the eve., they become even more intrusive. Apart from the noise, you often get wafts of exhaust fumes if wind in wrong direction (for you and/or neighbours), I've used them and we only tended to run them for max circa 8/10 hours during the day. Often overlooked, you have to keep them fuelled - Fuel consumption varies with power output/load, but usually around or in excess of 1 litre per hour or two for a smallish one. You either have to carry a significant stock of fuel for your stay, of go out to restock near daily! Also, you need to be aware of fire risk, turn off to refuel, and don't place direct onto combustible surfaces like grass where hot exhausts can dry and ignite grass etc. (experience of that!!!). They have their uses, but can be an inconvenience as well.
Interesting food for thought!.
I looked in halfords for the leisure battery an HLB700 and was 216.
Yes its a little generic fridge, one that you would use in a bedroom sort of fridge.
I did error as I have never brought the battery in to charge, just kinda guessed the alternator would offer enough. Its about 4 or 5 years old so hasn't done too badly.
I use ehu in winter but like an off grid place sometimes in summer maybe 3 nights, so its looking to cover keeping food chilled for that time period and what best options I have, hence would a solar panel keep the battery topped up enough for a 3 day stay? And obviously have learned and would charge battery between longer uses!
Halfords are quite expensive for batteries. I bought one from Tanya last year and it cost way under £200. Only thing was that the courier took it back to their depot twice before finally delivering it after I complained. I got a notification that it was "out for delivery" two days running but it never arrived. For some reason it went back to the depot each time. It wasn't Tanya's fault, they dispatched it quite quickly, but I don't think the courier wanted to lift it as they are quite heavy. That's the only thing I can think of as to why it wasn't delivered the first two times.
Regarding the fridge, only a compressor type fridge is suitable for running off a leisure battery, as Monty rightly says, the other sort can kill a battery in just a few hours. I found out the hard way many years ago!
Ok I will check what type of fridge it is. Make etc. It was ok running for about a day and a half or so previously so I may need a compressor fridge and a new battery is a definite. I brought the van with the fridge in situ (absolve responsibility here lol)
Thanks for your help!
I've just had a little google about mini fridges vs compressor fridges. Wow, a huge difference!
Think its get new leisure battery and a compressor fridge is the way to go for longer use/better battery health!
Need to get measurements to see what will go where. Thanks all
is the fridge that came with the van a three way Gas/mains electric/12v electric. I have 120amp lead acid battery with led lighting throughout three way fridge and regularly do up to ten nights away off grid, we are low power users only use tv occasionally we also move quite frequently so batt gets topped up from both 120w solar and vehicle alternator.
Hi no I think its just a mini fridge, generic type. Definitely not a triple use one.
Think I need a new battery and a compressor fridge from what ive read. It loses its cool and struggles with hot temps outside so definite needs to go and get replaced so I can use it more. I dont have a TV, just some LED lights.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Campervan power
via mobile 14/1/2026 at 3:45pm
