Spinifex Caravans are now building Fully Electric, GAS-FREE Caravans using the SAFIERY 48V battery system.
Once again, the Spinifex team is keeping up with technology by introducing the Safiery 48V battery management system using a combination of Safiery batteries and Victron components.
The power generated by this system allows it to eliminate all gas appliances throughout the van and rely totally on battery power to run everything in the caravan.
This idea was first proposed to Spinifex by customers Paul and Monique some twelve months ago when they suggested building a caravan that uses no gas. After quite a bit of research, they decided to partner up with pioneer Australian technology company Safiery, who already had all the testing of the 48V system with proven reliability. The key advantage of the 48V system is that it works far more efficiently than a 12V system. When you are charging your batteries at 48V, the inverter uses 48V to convert to 240V, and the 48V power is then stepped down to 12V to power everything within the van.
Paul and Monique`s family van
THE 48V BATTERY SYSTEM
The system they decided on for their 22’6″ Nomadix family 2x bunk van was 800Ah at 12V, via 4x 48V Canbus batteries with the Victron 5000VA inverter charger, with 1600 watts of solar on the roof to replenish the system. This system will easily run the A/C, induction cooktop, air fryer and more all at the same time. They have chosen an electric hot water system and a diesel heater with a Bushman 285L compressor fridge to complete the package.
If the weather turns bad and the sun is not running the solar to capacity, Safiery has the answer with their in-vehicle charger, Scotty. The Scotty unit wired into their tow vehicle will be able to charge the system alongside the solar component with some incredible figures.
SAY GOODBYE TO YOUR GENERATOR
Spinifex recently tested a Scotty unit installed on a Dodge Ram 2500 using the standard alternator with no modifications on another full electric van they are building that runs the same system. At idle, the vehicle charge from the Scotty was putting in 1,500 w, and at fast idle or driving conditions, it was putting in almost 3,000 w plus another 800 w from the solar. This was on a cloudy day, so this last figure could be a lot higher. An hour or so down the road, your batteries will be back at full charge.
It is time to sell the generator; there’s no need for it. Just hook the vehicle up at idle, and your system will be back to full charge in no time. This is especially handy in places where you are not allowed to run a generator, such as some national parks.
Paul and Monique, along with Spinifex, believe that this type of system is the way of the future for caravanning in Australia—so much so that Paul and Monique plan on documenting their two-year adventure around Australia on YouTube, showing how well everything can work while leaving little to no carbon footprint. Their adventure is due to start later this year, so keep an eye out for it.
