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We have provided a list of all the items that we have purchased and are using in our Toyota Coaster motor home. As we continue to build our new home we will keep this list updated to help anyone wanting to use similar items.
- Electrical
- House Battery – LiFePO4 12V 200AH Fusion Lithium Deep Cycle
- Inverter/240v Battery Charger – Victron Multiplus Compact 24v/2000va
- Solar Controller – Victron SmartSolar 150/30 MPPT Charger
- Solar Panels – Q CELLS 305W Q.PEAK G5 Monocrystalline Solar Panel
- Power Inlet – Clipsal 15a External Waterproof Power Inlet
- External Power Outlet – Clipsal 10a External Waterproof Power Outlet
- Fuse Block – 6-way Fuse Block with Bus Bar
- Starter Battery – SuperCharge GoldPlus Battery 720CCA x2
- Plumbing
- Appliances
- Structural
Electrical
House Battery – LiFePO4 12V 200AH Fusion Lithium Deep Cycle
https://www.roamingonrubber.com/ebay/Battery-HouseWe knew early on that we wanted to go lithium batteries instead of agm. Lithium are significantly lighter, have better discharge limits, more efficient charging and longer life. This all comes at a price, with lithium batteries being 2-4 times more expensive.
We were not confident enough to build our own lithium bank, so a drop in battery was required. Care must be taken with drop in lithium batteries, especially from unknown brands, as they have a current draw maximum. Fusion batteries sit somewhere in the middle at 70amps, with lower quality ones usually being 50amps and higher end ones at 100amps or more. Combining two doubles this limit, so you could have 140amp @12v, or 70amp @24v.
We have 2 of these batteries, and went 24v for our house system. This allows for easier charging from our bus batteries as they are also 24v, allows for smaller/cheaper wiring and a smaller/cheaper mppt solar charger.
Inverter/240v Battery Charger – Victron Multiplus Compact 24v/2000va
https://www.roamingonrubber.com/ebay/Victron-Multiplus-Compact-InverterVictron gear is second to none for quality. A reliable power system was a must due to us wanting to live off grid as well as requiring power for me to work 3+ days a week.
The multiplus elegantly combines a inverter and charger into one. It features a pure sine wave inverter (modified sine wave inverters will cause issues with sensitive devices), power assist and uninterrupted power supply.
Power assist – in the event that overload would occur due to limited AC power the charger will automatically reduce battery and if required will boost the output of the AC power with power taken from the battery
Uninterrupted power supply – when shore power (or generator) is disconnected the inverter is automatically switched back on. This happens so quickly (less then 20 milliseconds) that computers and other electronic equipment is not disrupted
This is connected to a Victron ‘Digital Multi Control, allowing us to view the status and controller the inverter from a control panel located away from the device.
The multiplus comes in 12v and 24v versions and models: 800VA, 1200VA, 2000VA, 3000VA and 5000VA
Solar Controller – Victron SmartSolar 150/30 MPPT Charger
Victron SmartSolar MPPT 150/35 Solar Charge ControllerVictron again. A MPPT charger is nearly a must for a motor home these days. A MPPT charger can be considered a ‘smart charger’ compared to a PWM. A PWM charges at a voltage just above the battery voltage, where a MPPT charges at the panels maximum voltage. A MPPT charger can also adjust its voltage based on bulk, absorption and float, whereas a PWM controller must switch on and off to manage the power delivered. PWM chargers are cheaper if price is absolutely critical, but the above makes a MPPT charger much more efficient and therefore the recommended choice for motor homes.
The first number is for voltage and the second for amps. Chargers are generally more expensive bass on the amperage maximum. Due to our panels being in series, we were able to use a cheaper charger that covered the total voltage of all our panels joined together.
Solar Panels – Q CELLS 305W Q.PEAK G5 Monocrystalline Solar Panel
Note: Our 305 watt panels have now been replaced with 310 watt panels.
https://www.roamingonrubber.com/ebay/Solar-PanelsFree camping and solar are a match made in heaven. With our calculations we worked out we would need around 1000w of solar. This was because we wanted to avoid a generator but also wanted to be able to run a split system air conditioner.
We originally looked a cheaper unknown brands from eBay but read too many horror stories about them outputting nowhere near their claimed maximum output.
Therefore due to our reliance on power and our off grid requirements we decided we needed to go with a quality and reliable panel. There is also limited space on a coaster roof.
This left us with 3 requirements, a monocrystalline panel, a reliable brand, and the most wattage in the smallest package.
Q Cells are a world leading solar panel manufacturer and offer high efficiency panels at a reasonable price. Their 305w panels were just wide enough at X that we could fit them horizontal without overhang (they overhang the flat part of the roof but not the curve). This allowed us to fit 3 panels along with our roof vents to give us 915w of total power.
Monocrystalline vs Polycrystalline: The cells of Monocrystalline panels are made from a single crystal of silicone, which reduces the resistance on the electrons that flow through allowing for increased efficiency. This makes monocrystalline panels the premium option but at an added cost. Polycrystalline panel cells are made from multiple crystals of silicone, making them less efficient but a cheaper option for the budget conscious.
Note: Warranty for solar panels is made void when installed on the roof of a motor home.
Power Inlet – Clipsal 15a External Waterproof Power Inlet
Clipsal 15amp External Power InletPower was one of our main priorities, so we built in multiple ways for us to be able to charge. Our external inlet connects to our Victron Multiplus Charger and allows us to plug into mains power. We have rarely used it but love the safety it allows us, knowing if we get a run of bad weather, we can plug in and continue working.
External Power Outlet – Clipsal 10a External Waterproof Power Outlet
Clipsal 10amp External Power OutletAn external outlet gives us a 240v outlet on the outside of our bus powered by our inverter.
Fuse Block – 6-way Fuse Block with Bus Bar
https://www.roamingonrubber.com/ebay/fuse-blockA fuse block protects each device as it is powered by your battery. Each 12v or 24v appliance is connected to the fuse block which then goes through to our battery bank. Our battery connects to one fuse block, which powers a 24v to 12v converter, connected to another fuse block to power our 12v appliances.
Starter Battery – SuperCharge GoldPlus Battery 720CCA x2
https://www.roamingonrubber.com/ebay/Battery-StarterPlumbing
Water Tank – Custom Coaster Conversation Water Tanks X 3
Water tanks from Custom Coaster conversions fit well under the body of a Toyota Coaster. They are made from food grade poly and carry approximately 70L of water. A Toyota Coaster can fit 4 of these water tanks, behind and in front of the rear wheels. We installed 2 behind for 140L for fresh water and 1 in front of the drivers side rear tyres for grey water.
140L of water allows us to go around 4 days between filling up tanks. Having a Grey water tank also allows us to be classed as self contained, which allows us into stricter parks/campsites around Australia.
Water Pump – Shurflo 24v 4009 Water Pump 11.3 LPM / 30PSI
Shurflo 24v 4009 Water PumpThe Shurflo 4009 is the most common water pump used in recreational vehicles and has been nothing but reliable for us. It does not require accumulator, which means it provides a consistent flow on its own. The pump is designed to be super quiet and offer top performance and a long life.
We wired the water pump to a switch in the living area to easily be able to turn on and off our water pump when required.
For valid warranty the Shurflo pump must be installed with a Shurflo filter.
Lockable Water Filler x 2
Lockable Water FillerWe have two lockable water fillers installed on the external of our bus to allow us to install each water tank individually. This water filler also contains a 10mm breather which greatly improves the speed the tank fills, as well as indicates when the tank is full.
Shurflo Mains Pressure Regulator Water Inlet
Shurflo Mains Pressure Regulator Water InletA water inlet allows us to connect our bus up to a mains water supply to use instead of our water tanks. The Shurflo Mains Pressure regulator water inlet regulates the incoming water pressure as our hot water system requires a pressure of no more than 50psi.
Appliances
Fridge – Evakool DC175
Evakool DC175 Upright FridgeFew RV fridges are built with Australia’s climate in mind. One of the leading brands in Australia is Evakool, who make a range of popular fridges and coolers. Our 12/24v Evakool fridge has performed spectacularly even in 40+ degree days. Evakool fridges don’t come cheap, but you get what you pay for; we have heard stories of cheaper fridges that struggle to keep food cold in the heat. We were surprised with how well the freezer performed, being able to freeze ice cubes and have ice cream without issue.
Originally we planned to have a 3-way fridge to also run off gas, but learnt that they consumed a lot of gas, then were very inefficient on 12v power. We live in the bus full time so needed a full sized fridge, and have found the 175L to be the perfect size for us. The Evakool platinum range also comes in 95L, 110L and 210L.
Oven – Thetford Caprice MK3 Fan Forced
Thetford Caprice MK3 Fan Forced OvenWe love to cook our own meals, and typically meal prep for a few days at a time. We wanted a oven, grill and cooktop just like a home, which the Thetford Caprice Mk3 provides. We chose the dual fuel option so we had redundancy if we ran out of gas. We also opted for the fan forced model for more consistent cooking.
It features a stylish and contemporary design with a beautiful mirrored finish. A glass lid also provides extra bench space when not in use.
Washing Machine – Camec 3KG Top Loader
Camec 3kg Compact RV Washing MachineA washing machine in a motor home? What a great idea we thought. Unfortunately we ended up removing our washing machine and replacing it with a laundry hamper and hanging storage which we didn’t previously have.
Other then the limited space, we had nothing bad to say about the Camec 3Kg washing machine. Water Usage is approximately 20L on low and 26L on high. It’s the only machine in its class to offer a hot wash cycle using cold water, although we never took advantage of this feature. It also has a led light to help you find items hiding in the tub. It’s no louder then a typical washing machine although did have a tendency to shake a bit more than a traditional machine.
Microwave – LG MS2596OB NeoChef 25L 1000W Inverter Black Microwave
https://www.roamingonrubber.com/ebay/LG-NeoChef-MicrowaveThe LG NeoChef range of microwaves use inverter technology that offers a number of benefits for off-grid applications compared to conventional microwaves.
An inverter microwave means there is no spiking start-up voltage which is perfect to run off your battery system and inverter. It also means that when reducing the power it actually reduces the current draw (a conventional microwave lowers its power by turning on and off, but drawing at max current when on). This same technology allows for more even heating and defrosting.
The LG NeoChef has a sleek minimalist design, hiding its touchscreen buttons behind the door. It features 24 cooking/heating presets, with 25L being on the larger end of the perfect Size for an RV.
Structural
Custom Door Frame and Aussie Traveller Caravan Door
https://www.roamingonrubber.com/ebay/Coaster-Door-FrameA shell custom made to fit in the doorway of the Toyota Coaster, it allows anyone to be able to replace their door with a caravan door, such as the Aussie Traveller door we have.
We had to replace our bifold door to be able to comply with regulations register our bus as a motor home. The Aussie Traveller door features a tinted acrylic panel and security screen. Even if a new door is not a requirement, it should definitely be a consideration. Being able to open the main door and still keep a screen door closed has been invaluable.
