I just started building my first camper electrical system and picked up 660 watt hours of battery power for a great price. My setup isn't intended for heavy loads like a fridge; I'm only planning to run a couple of lights and a Maxxfan for now. I'm committed to using mostly recycled or second-hand materials to keep costs low and challenge myself.
I used to worry about going without any electric since it gets super hot without a fan, but I thought the battery was the most expensive part until today. I found a 540 watt hour Powerworks brand power station with a built-in solar charge controller and inverter, along with a smaller, unbranded 120 watt hour power station. I got the whole package for just $100! Given my tight budget, I'm wondering if I made a good choice or if I should be concerned about the quality or longevity of these batteries, especially since I lack experience with off-grid electrics.
2 Answers
It sounds like you did pretty well! While I couldn't find too much specific info on the units you got, if they work for you, that's what matters. Just keep in mind that the battery might not last as long as options with LFP chemistry, but for what you're using them for right now—lights and a fan—they should do the trick. Also, I noticed the input looks like DC 5521, which could be useful for future expansions.
You got yourself a decent setup! I checked some YouTube reviews, and people generally didn't have complaints about the performance. It does have a lower load capacity compared to some bigger units, but given that you’re just running lights and a fan, you should be fine. Just a heads up, the battery's type isn't listed, so I'd guess it's older lithium chemistry, not the new LFP type.