Power ShiftPower Shift
By: ig
First, we gathered wood, then we bottled gas, later we hauled heavy batteries… so, what comes next?
Every Bond villain is obsessed with it, 90’s Eurodance duo ‘Snap’ had it and He-Man loved shouting about it… we’re talking about POWER! And, the kind to which all the above were obviously referring, is the serious matter of charging the smart phone, brewing to tea or keeping the beer cans cool when camping!
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Whether it’s on-board entertainment, keeping warm at night or campervan cooking, remote power has shaped the camping and campervan scene ever since Fred Flintstone first fell asleep in his stone wheeled car at the drive-in with an undercooked Brontosaurus rib in his lap! It’s true, watch any vintage Hollywood camping scene, and simpler times do seem nostalgic; fishing for supper on the lake then tending a campfire of logs freshly cut from the forest, before lighting a Kerosene lamp as the sun goes down.
Yet, real life camping tends not to come with quite the same old-time charm. Modern life campers rely more on modern tech. And so, as the inception of the original Volkswagen ‘Camping Box’ was leaps ahead of early covered wagons, likewise the modern nomadic home away from home has continued to evolve instep with owners’ needs and expectations… mostly!
For portable power though, things have stalled. Sure, friends gathered round a campfire is a romantic symbol, but clean, reliable and instant energy is needed for daily outdoor living. Short of holding a mighty sword aloft and calling on ethereal lighting to give ‘the power’ (last Master of the Universe ref’… promise), off-grid power solutions have been stuck in a rut for decades… until now!
“The Clayton packs so much punch that there’s even a Jump Start feature, (who hasn’t left a parking light on overnight?)”
Old skool… not so cool?
Electrical hook-ups help to a point, but only for a nightly premium; not to mention being corralled into a segregated pitch, with little if any say over where you camp, who you’re next to or indeed how close you are – which is often quite claustrophobic, as many modern sites like to pack ‘em in tight! Is navigating crossed guylines or enduring next door’s snoring really a good 240 V trade-off?
Leisure batteries then? Yes, you’re ‘cordless’, but still limited. Once ensconced in that secluded sea-view spot, you’re then constantly checking charge levels. Juggling which devices to use and for how long? The, inevitable periodic ‘top-up’ engine idles, and ensuring the web of wiring, inverters and split charge relays are all working… not to mention the space they take up and that added weight.
Gas anyone? Ah, that cosy hiss as flame brings brew to boil… burning a fossil fuel… in a confided space! And, are you really cool to run that three-way fridge or night heater off it? When was the matrix of pipes behind the cabinets last serviced? Better crack a window just in case… did you definitely turn that valve off? Such is the OCD routine of gas… oh, and the space/ weight thing again!
“Lithium batteries maintain full capacity almost right to the end of their charge life – which is also dramatically longer… good for 10 years”
Thinking inside the box
The ‘box’ in question is the truly game changing LPS II 3000 from Danish tech wizards Clayton Power. Their second generation LPS (Lithium Power System) ushers in an essential piece of gear specifically designed to handle the evolving power needs of modern day campervan users. Not only does the compact Clayton provide plentiful power effortlessly, but is light, portable and highly adaptable.
The Clayton’s beating heart is its powerful ‘LiFePO4’ battery; this stands for Lithium Iron Phosphate. Not to be confused with the older style ‘Lithium Ion’ batteries, these latest generation LiFePO4 versions are even safer and more reliable. And, with this pocket size powerhouse, your outdoors energy needs will finally flow flawlessly, with all the power you need instantly on tap.
Clayton have been perfecting lithium technology for over twenty years, with their latest product evolution surging to suit portable power needs perfectly. For example, at 2 kWh, their newest LPS II 3000 W delivers twice the battery capacity and significantly higher output than its predecessor. And, having over 35’000 units in use across 18 countries already, the tech is thoroughly tried and tested.
Flexible function + fast charging
With the Clayton, no need to fettle about connecting extra ancillaries, as the on-board LiFePO4 battery also comes with its own 230V Sine Wave Inverter, all inside the same compact unit. This means the built-in ability to power higher demand appliances. So now you can run your fridge and induction hob… and simultaneously charge your mobile devices whilst cooking the breakfast bacon.
And, whether you’re recharging from 12, 24, 240 Volts, or harnessing the power of the sun, the Clayton gets up to power promptly, going from 0-80% in about 120 mins from DC and mains, or just 48 minutes from the vehicle’s alternator, with rapid charging while driving. Plus, 400 W recharges from solar panels in 240 mins – and you can monitor progress on the LPS unit’s display. In fact, so versatile is the Clayton, that you can even combine charging sources at the same time for an even faster recharge.
Speaking of fast charging; if your vehicle has an alternator of 150 Amps up, then the Clayton’s ‘Super Charge’ function doubles the charging power from the alternator to 90 A (approx. 1000 W), so even short drives get you fully operational with no engine idling required; an especially handy feature if touring multiple locations.
“Traditional limited power solutions are a bit like a contract for an outmoded phone; you’re tied in to keep spending on refills, replacements or maintenance…”
All the power all the time
The LPS II is also as rugged as it is reliable, being able to operate in wide temperature extremes, adding another layer of safety and reliability and making the unit an essential for any camper setup, from day vans and coastal weekenders, to full on expedition vehicles. And, for added peace of mind when out in the wilds, the Clayton packs so much punch that there’s even a Jump Start feature, should you – or a fellow camper – manage to somehow flatten the main vehicle battery (who hasn’t left a parking light on overnight?).
For true versatility, different connector types offer several charging options, including a Booster to recharge from your vehicle (for 12 or 24 V systems), Intelligent Charge function, including Relays for charging from mains, plus the 400W MPPT Charge Controller for use with solar panels… which Clayton can also supply. And for even more convenience, there’s even an optional remote control.
Better still, whereas alkaline batteries lose voltage over their lifespan, lithium batteries maintain full capacity almost right to the end of their charge life – which is also dramatically longer… up to 10 cycles longer in fact, actually averaging of 2’000 cycles, which means they’re typically good for 10 years. Plus, there’s no need to replace or refill anything, ever… with the Clayton, you only spend once!
“No need to rough it anymore with old inefficient energy options… or to have to tether yourself to a ‘hook up’”
No compromise on performance… or value
Really, traditional limited power solutions are a bit like a contract for an outmoded phone; sure, less up front, but then you’re tied in to keep spending on refills, replacements or maintenance… a false economy making them far more expensive over their lifespan!
Consider also the perspective of key investments for any good camper conversion. A good bed/ rear seat might cost upwards of £2k… before installation. A pop-top roof? Not much change from £4k for a good one. How about units and appliances? these are givens, right? Equally then, no sense cutting corners with the other cornerstone of any conversion – a reliable and efficient power supply.
So, no need to rough it anymore with the old space hogging, weight bearing, inefficient energy options… or to have to tether yourself to a ‘hook up’ – if ever a device summed up the phrase ‘small but mighty’ the Clayton LPS is it… and, it’s available right now!