Living off-grid brings freedom, flexibility and the chance to really feel at home wherever you travel. Whether you live in a campervan, motorhome or boat, your energy system should be just as adaptable as your lifestyle. There’s nothing worse than feeling powerless. 

Discover why your current setup might not be keeping up, the signs it’s time to upgrade, and how Onboard Energy can help power your adventures to come. 

 

Why your current off-grid setup might be holding you back 

Do you find you’re running out of juice by the evening? Are you struggling with inconsistent power delivery? Does your inverter struggle whenever you plug in a kitchen appliance? This could be a signal that you’ve outgrown your original off-grid power system. 

But there isn’t anything to stress about. These challenges are common, and it’s simply part of your off-grid living journey.  

Your lifestyle just requires more energy than your current setup can provide. Luckily, it's easy to build a trusted ecosystem that scales with your needs. 

Extra devices being added increases your demand more than you might realise: working remotely with a laptop, charging multiple phones at once, or using power tools for DIY upgrades all adds up! 

Signs you need a power upgrade 

  • Your battery depletes faster than expected
  • Your inverter struggles with high-demand appliances
  • Your monitoring and control options don’t match your usage
  • Your system isn’t easily expandable 

How to approach power upgrades 

Upgrading your off-grid energy system doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Think of it as a three-step process: 

1. Start with an energy audit 

Before buying new hardware, calculate the power you actually use. Track your usual usage patterns for a week, noting peak demand times and seasonal variations. This will determine if you need more storage, power generation, or both.

2. Choose the right components 

Once you know your needs, assess whether your current components are performing as they should. Sometimes software tweaks or optimising parts is enough but other times, upgrading completely is the smarter choice.  

Victron Energy’s configurable products fit any energy system, making them ideal for improvements or upgrades. You should consider: 

  • MultiPlus-II Series: The backbone of reliable off-grid systems. It seamlessly integrates your solar, batteries and backup generator, with the flexibility to scale from single units to parallel configurations.
  • SmartSolar MPPT Controllers: These maximise your solar harvest and give you advanced tracking and monitoring via Bluetooth.  

A complete system will usually include:

Not sure which components to pick? Onboard Energy can design and install a system tailored to you. 

 

 

3. Plan for future expansion 

Wouldn’t it be convenient to have an off-grid energy system that starts off small to suit your initial needs, to then be built upon without replacing core components?

Victron Energy provides exactly that structure. Its modular design makes it simple to scale up – either for beginners that might have just bought their first campervan, or experienced boaters updating their power.

Whether it’s your first install or you’ve done a handful before, you should consider: 

  • Whether you have the space for additional batteries or panels
  • If your inverter/charger can support higher demand in the future
  • How your lifestyle might evolve in the next few years 

How to add a second leisure battery 

Adding a second leisure battery can be the most impactful power upgrade for motorhomes, campervans and narrowboats.

It doubles your energy capacity, helps you manage higher power demands if you’re out and about more often, and provides you with confidence that you won’t run out unexpectedly. 

  • Always connect identical battery types in parallel to avoid imbalance and performance issues. They should also be a similar age.
  • Keep the interconnecting cables the same length and thickness, and wire in parallel for efficient capacity. 
  • Distribute connections evenly by spreading charging and load connections across both batteries so they charge and discharge at the same rate.  

You can also add solar panels to help boost your power needs. Read about the benefits of upgrading your solar PV system, here.  

Common energy upgrade mistakes 

When upgrading your off-grid power system, avoid these traps: 

  • Component compatibility issues: Mixing mismatched parts can cause inefficiencies or even damage. 
  • Installation mistakes that cost money: Poor wiring or setup can be costly in the long run (let someone else handle this for you!)
  • Long-term planning oversights: Choosing components that can’t scale with you often means replacing them sooner than you’d like. 

 

 

That’s why investing in reliable, well-manufactured products from a manufacturer with over 50 years of experience, like Victron Energy, is a money-saving move. Think of those extra pennies when you’re on your next road trip! 

 

 

Book your power installation with Onboard Energy 

 

 

Ready to upgrade your off-grid power? Onboard Energy can design, supply and install an energy system built around your leisure needs. All you have to do is put your foot down or stick your feet up. The choice is yours. 

 

Speak with our team today at 02477 286807 or fill out a contact form.