Fair to say it’s been a bit of a weekend in the UK with Storm Darragh making its presence known and it’s a time where I’m grateful to have a battery power bank in the form of the AllPowers R600, and yes one day I’ll have that video edited.
Read moreAuthor: Orange Van Guy (page 1 of 5)
Getting down and dirty in this video with the Mercedes sprinter van build, although it’s more of a van destruction as I take on the nemesis, the battery guard 3000.
Every van build has to start somewhere. Without a clue, tools, guidance or a care in the world, I start my first ever solo van build with my Ex British Gas Cadent Mercedes Sprinter 313.
Alright, let’s get into it. This is the beginning of my journey converting a Mercedes Transporter into a fully functional home on wheels. For those with an ex-British Gas van, you’ll appreciate the rugged base these vehicles provide for a conversion. Here’s a look at what the first day entails.
Getting Down to Business
I’ve got my trusty DeWalts on, the drill is charged, and it’s time to get serious. This isn’t just any project—this is my first full-on van build, and I’m tackling it solo. There’s a mixture of anticipation and a bit of apprehension, but mostly, I’m ready to transform this van into something incredible. No more faffing about; it’s time to put in the hard work.
Today’s Mission
The goal today is clear: gut the van. If you’ve ever dealt with an ex-British Gas van, you know they’re built to withstand just about anything. This toughness is great for durability, but it also means there’s a lot to strip out before the real work begins. From shelves to partitions and old wiring, everything that doesn’t fit into the new vision must go. It’s not glamorous, but it’s a vital step in the process.
The First Step
First things first, a quick prep session in the back of the van. Making sure everything is lubricated and ready to go is crucial. Then, it’s straight into dismantling. The old setup needs to come out piece by piece, and it’s not always easy. There’s plenty of unscrewing, prying, and sometimes a bit of frustration when things don’t budge. But this is all part of the journey.
The Big Tear Down
This is where the transformation begins: tearing down the interior. Every bolt, every panel, and every fixture that doesn’t serve the new plan is removed. It’s like peeling back layers to reveal the potential underneath. Care is taken with anything that might be useful later, but everything else is discarded. This stage is chaotic, but it’s a necessary chaos that paves the way for creativity and progress.
Aiming for Excellence
For those with an ex-British Gas van, you know how tough these vehicles are. They’re built to handle almost anything, making them perfect for a conversion project. The enthusiasm comes from knowing that every effort now will pay off massively in the long run. This isn’t just about creating a living space; it’s about building something unique and personal.
Looking Ahead
Once the van is stripped down, the next steps will be planning the layout, insulating the walls, and starting the build process. This is where the vision starts to take shape. But for now, it’s all about laying a solid foundation.
Final Thoughts
Starting from scratch is daunting, yet exhilarating. There’s a long road ahead, but every step forward brings this project closer to reality. Sharing this journey adds another layer of purpose and connection. I’ll be transparent about the highs, the lows, and everything in between.
In the next episode, we’ll get into the details of planning the layout and kicking off the build process. If you’ve got tips, insights, or just want to share your thoughts, leave a comment. This project is as much about community as it is about the build.
Until next time, keep dreaming, keep building, and savor every step of the journey.
Catch you later.
Feature,Specification
Battery Capacity,299Wh
Output Power,600W (Surge 1200W)
Battery Type,LiFeP04
Weight,5.6 kg (12.3 lbs)
AC Input,(100~120V)4A Max, (220240V)~2A Max, 50Hz/60Hz
Solar Input,(12~60V)=8.8A, 220W Max
Car Charger Input,12V/24V DC
AC Output,2 x AC outlets (100-120V/220-240V, 600W Max)
USB-A Output,3 x USB-A (5V=3A, 9V=2A, 12V=1.5A, 36W Max)
USB-C Output,1 x USB-C (5/9/12/15V=3A, 20V=5A, 200W Max)
Car Socket Output,1 x Car socket (12V=10A, 120W Max)
DC5521 Output,2 x DC5521
Wireless Charger,15W Max
Total Output,700W Max (AC + DC)
Battery Protection,High/Low temperature, Overcharge, Over-discharge, Overload, Short circuit, Over current protection
Operating Temperature (Charge),0°C to 40°C (32°F to 104°F)
Operating Temperature (Discharge),-10°C to 40°C (14°F to 104°F)
Storage Temperature,-20°C to 40°C (-4°F to 104°F)
Certifications,UL, CE, FCC, RoHS, IC, UKCA, PSE
ALLPOWERS Portable Power Station R600 Review: The Ideal Power Solution for Van Life
Introduction
Van life enthusiasts often face the challenge of maintaining a reliable power supply while on the road. Portable power stations offer a versatile and convenient solution, providing electricity for charging devices and powering small appliances without the need for a full solar setup. In this post, we’ll review the ALLPOWERS Portable Power Station R600, exploring its features, performance, and how it compares to other products on the market.
Product Overview
The ALLPOWERS Portable Power Station R600 is designed to be a compact yet powerful solution for those needing reliable power on the go. It boasts a 299Wh capacity, a 600W output, and a durable LiFePO4 battery, known for its safety and longevity. The R600 offers multiple charging options, including AC outlets, USB ports, and a DC car port, making it a versatile companion for any van lifer. Notably, it also includes wireless charging, a feature not commonly found in other power stations at this price range.
Key Features:
- LiFePO4 Battery: Safer and longer-lasting compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
- Multiple Outputs: AC outlets, USB-A, USB-C, and a DC car port.
- Wireless Charging: Convenient for smartphones and other compatible devices.
- Portable Design: Weighing just 10 lbs, it’s easy to carry and store.
Performance and Capacity
Understanding how many times the R600 can charge your devices is crucial for planning your power needs. Here’s a breakdown:
- iPhone 13: Approximately 24 full charges.
- iPad Pro 11: Around 10 full charges.
- Laptop: Roughly 6 full charges.
- GoPro: About 60 full charges.
Charging the power station itself is also efficient. With a 150W solar panel, you can expect the R600 to be fully charged in about 2-3 hours under optimal sunlight conditions. Using the AC adapter, it can take up to 400W input, charging the power station in just about an hour. Using a car charger, it takes approximately 5 hours.
Who Is This Aimed For?
The ALLPOWERS Portable Power Station R600 is aimed at van life enthusiasts, campers, and outdoor adventurers who need a reliable, portable power source. It is particularly suited for those who:
- Do not have the budget or space for a full solar power setup.
- Require a compact and lightweight power solution.
- Need to charge multiple devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and small appliances, while on the road.
Balancing Outlets and Battery Capacity
One of the notable features of the R600 is its multiple outlet options, including AC outlets, USB-A and USB-C ports, and a DC car port. While the variety of ports provides flexibility, it’s important to consider the battery capacity in relation to the number of devices being charged simultaneously.
With a 299Wh capacity, the R600 can efficiently handle the charging needs of small to medium devices. However, users should be mindful that running multiple high-power devices simultaneously can deplete the battery quickly. For example:
- Charging a laptop (50Wh) and a smartphone (12Wh) together would significantly reduce the number of available charges compared to charging each device individually.
Despite its ample outlets, the R600 is best utilized for charging low to medium power devices rather than high-demand appliances like electric grills or large refrigerators, which require larger battery capacities.
Comparison with Competitors
When comparing the R600 to other portable power stations, it stands out for its balance of capacity, output, and weight. For instance:
- Jackery Explorer 300 offers a similar capacity (293Wh) but with a lower output (300W) and slightly lighter weight (6.83 lbs). However, it takes longer to charge via solar power (100W).
- Goal Zero Yeti 400 has a higher capacity (400Wh) but is significantly heavier (17 lbs) and also takes longer to charge.
- EcoFlow River Pro provides a much larger capacity (720Wh) and comparable output (600W) but is almost twice as heavy and more expensive.
All-in-One Solution vs. DIY Solar Setup
Creating your own solar power solution with charge controllers, batteries, and cables can be more cost-effective for larger setups. However, for van life enthusiasts with limited space and technical know-how, an all-in-one solution like the R600 offers significant advantages:
- Convenience: No need to source and assemble multiple components.
- Portability: Compact and easy to transport.
- Simplicity: Plug-and-play operation without the need for technical expertise.
- Reliability: Pre-built systems are often more reliable and easier to troubleshoot.
Use Cases and Benefits for Van Life
For van life enthusiasts, the R600 offers several practical benefits:
- Flexible Charging: Charge phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, and even small appliances.
- Portable and Compact: Easy to store and transport, fitting seamlessly into your van setup.
- Quick Recharge: Efficient solar recharging ensures you’re never without power, even on longer trips.
Whether you’re working remotely, capturing adventures with your camera, or simply enjoying the comforts of home on the road, the R600 provides reliable power without the need for a complex solar installation.
Conclusion
The ALLPOWERS Portable Power Station R600 is a robust, versatile, and efficient power solution for van lifers. With its high capacity, multiple output options, wireless charging, and quick recharge capabilities, it stands out among competitors, offering great value for its price. For those seeking a reliable power source without the hassle of a full solar setup, the R600 is an excellent choice.
Meta Title: ALLPOWERS Portable Power Station R600 Review: The Ideal Power Solution for Van Life
Meta Description: Discover the benefits of the ALLPOWERS Portable Power Station R600 for van life. Learn about its specs, performance, and how it compares to other portable power stations on the market.
AllPower R600 Conslusion
Conclusion
So who’s this for and what’s my overall thoughts. It’s taken me some time to reach this conclusion and well, it depends if you’re charging it whilst out on the road.
Providing you have a solar setup or when you get to your destination there’s a chance of driving around to get some juice into the unit, it’ll happily meet your weekend warrior needs. Charge most things during when the unit is on (solar – Allpower Solar Panel Review) and you could keep a small fridge running for a few hours at nigh
If you’ve got solar or you’ll be driving so you can charge from the 12v socket during a relatively sunny day I’ll happily power your gadgets. Charging phones and laptops as night it’ll cope with or keep a small fridge going for a few hours at night.
If you’re weekend warrioring say as a solo, couple or maybe young kids with tablets it’ll see you through a weekend of charging devices but you’d probably not run a tele off it for prolonged periods of time. Unless you’ve a stupidly expensive 12v so you aren’t loosing efficiency via the ac plugs.
Downsides.
The amount of juice holes could lead to thinking it’s more capable/ powerful than it is. By this I mean it “just” has a 300w battery. Those ac sockets means you loose z26% efficient but fair plays to allpowers they are up front with this and even have a calculator for the inevutvale “how long will this run for” you’ll see on almost every van life related Facebook group.
It’s been a long while since I’ve done a winter stealth camp let along a winter road trip. The last time I did this was in winter during the time of covid when working in the welsh vallies and yet somehow I didn’t get the dreaded pox.
And now in the winter of 2023 I’m getting to realise a dream, the uk version of Benidorm because I’m off up north to hit Blackpool, but before I get there I’ve a few stops to make.
Read more: The Next UK van Life Road Trip PT1First up it’s going to be Swansea for work purposes. The intent is to leave around 9am as there’s no blinking point in leaving earlier. This was demonstrated to me jsut the other day that leaving the house 45 minutes earlier resulted in getting onsite a whole 15 minutes earlier than leaving later.
Trip time to Swansea 1hr 40
After Swansea it’s then a trip up to Wrexham to meet a bloody good friend of mine who the universe has allowed me to connect with for a second time.
Trip time: 3hr 4
Miles: 143
It’s always amusing when friends say bring a sleeping bag and a pillow and you can crash here. Then when I go I’m all good sleeping in my van they find it weird. A few months ago I crashed on a friends driveway in Enfield (before that stupid charge), went out for the day, had good, a few good beers, found my way back and remember watching AEW collision, having a few beers, warm, comfortable and it felt like my happy place.
After Wrexham it’s a trip to Southport for work, standing a very good chance of being sober as the Wrexham trip will NOT involve any Ale.. ok thats a lie as no way am I not going into the boozer featured in Welcome To Wrexham.
Wrexham to SouthPort
Trip time: 1hr 11mins
Miles: 60
Liverpool.
Next up is Liverpoooooolll. A city that I have yet to go to. According to old internet whipsers and legends a city to rival Newcastle on a night out, with the 2nd sexiest accent in the uk following geordgie. There’s a slight problem with this as I’ve not been ot on a proper staff party in almost 10 years, least one with the average age being half my / zambuca drinking age. At least a hotel is being provided to offer a slight relief from washing with a wet wipe. Plus a lay in without fear of being moved on will be nice
Southport to Liverpool
Trip time: 50mins
Miles: 40
Illuminations
Don’t ask me why but there’s always been a curious fascination with the Blackpool illuminations. I was there in 2023 for the airshow where I’d never seen so many bodies crammed so close together for so many hours to watch all manner of aircraft flying over head. I’d also spent 5 days in the same parking spot, having an Alan Partridge style meltdown tho those £1 burgers were bloody tidy.
The Blackpool Stealth Park is inspired by a van that I walked past right on the sea front, outside of a disbanded hotel. Aparently that couple had been coming there for years, at least Covid had one upside for someone. I’ll be happy to pay for a nights parking there… but then as it’s the Christmas period, what is my rush to get home? Now if the dart’s is still on at the Blackpool gardens I can do that as well, failing that I’ll be in the best boozer in Blackpool.
Liverpool to Blackpool
Trip time: 1hr 10mins
Miles: 57
Where to next?
Do I go home? Do I go to a client site for work? Do I go to the office? What way should I go home? Should I try and do a night in Cardiff. For now let’s go with I take the hit on a Sunday and start to drive “home” with no reason to go home.
Blackpool to Aberwyswyth
Trip time: 3hr 30mins
Miles: 177
I REALLY dont like this route. if I go down the coastal route I’d get to see some really nice views, from behind someone who can’t drive more than 30 miles per hour
Of I can go the longer route down half of it but then there’s no rest stops or anywhere to stop and park for a brew let alone getting a bacon butte.
Or I can go even more miles but then it’s motorway miles which is dull as anything. If I really wanted to go “home”
Trip time: 5hr 30mins
Miles: 240
In my latest van life adventure, I hit a new level of “oops” when a flat tire strikes on a quiet Saturday night, in the most remote spot possible, with no garage for miles. Talk about bad timing – this happens right before my first day at a new job, and I’m supposed to be there by midday. Then, as if on cue, the weather turns sour, adding a stormy twist to my already chaotic situation. It’s one of those moments where you have to laugh to keep from crying, a true test of my van life resilience and a reminder that sometimes, you just have to roll with the punches (or flat tires, in this case).
It’s a van life thing when winter hits, topping up your batteries with solar is a thing. I’ve got my eyes on the LMENGER 200W Foldable Solar Panel, and I’m here to share my unfiltered thoughts, influenced by some intriguing reviews I found from Amazon’s Vine program.
Read more
It was one of those days where the universe seemed to conspire against every attempt to move forward. A simple drive home turned into an odyssey of frustration, beginning with a distracted moment and a merciless curb.
The van, my trusty companion, had just been fine-tuned, ready to cruise the open roads without a fight. But in a blink, we were back in the trenches, wrestling with unexpected troubles.
Read moreIt’s with a certain sense of irony that the last van life event of 2023 was at the same location as my first van life event at the Stratford Upon Avon racecourse back in 2023.
Organisation and Parking.
Couldn’t have been easier. Rock up to the front gate with the friendly staff, scan the QR code, follow the track around and park up. I was lucky that once again Heather had kept a spare space for me and there’s no better moment of rocking up seeing your mates, grabbing a chair, settling down with a drink, or even better being offered a brew when you arrive. It’s those moments when you haven’t seen your van life mates for months that make that 4 hour drive disappear into the either.
Spaces were nicely marked out, plenty of space around us all and the ground nice and level for the most. I did spot some vans with the ramps and all that yet overall the ground seemed nice and level.
There were plenty of vans in the main attraction area pumping out tunes, live music but never so much to permeate into the sleeping areas and best of all I had no idea what time the music stopped. The quietness ended naturally for the event it felt unlike other events where the hammer went down at 10am (looking at you Warner group).
The Cost.
For 3 days of camping, plus talks, live music, showers and facilities was around £80 for 3 days. A price given the cost of living you really cant complain at. There are campsite which will charge more just to park on a bit of grass in Pembrokeshire that charge a lot more for a lot less.
What was on offer was a nice mix, the usual trade stands where you can buy a van starting from 20k, fancy a roof box for 2k or how about a total cool over priced solar panel or fridge for £200? You were covered but what I personally liked was the jumble sales. A change to get bits and bobs that you might need and I ended up taking a chance on a battery for my van just costing me £20. Will it work im not entirely sure but I’ll take a punt to support people who turn up.
The downside was the location of the jumble, being in the concourse of the racecourse with only one crossing point going over the raceway to the jumble area. This would of been better placed over with the tanks on the far side of the walking about and mooching area rather than a protracted walk to get there.
Back to costs
Beer and cider £5
Fish and chips £12.50
Pint of Pimms £10
Curry Goat £12
Coffee £3.50
1/4 Burger £7.50
Over the three days there was a definite pattern of food traders being dead during the day and then picking up early evening onwards. The cost of living has put pay to “cant be bothered to cook, let’s eat out”. Now it’s more people choosing to have a treat night than anything else.
Even during the last of the summer weather on Friday where it was baking, there was never a queue for the bar even when the late night acoustic bands were in effect. No fault of the event more a combination of the cost of living and the artificially inflated prices of holding an event at a racecourse.
The Traders Feedback
Like I’ve mentioned there was a nice little mix of those selling vans, expensive trailers and new heating equipment through to those handy bit’s and bobs for a few quid. People were mooching around yet to me it seemed more like something to do rather than spend money. That being said quirky bar b cues were oft seen being carted around the site and who could blame anyone with summer seemingly having an agreement with autumn to finish a few weeks early and let it take up the slack.
I always try and speak to traders how they have done. It’s more common for the majority to say we have covered costs, made fuel money and it’s great to see their enthusiasm still there for these events. Do bear in mind this being a smaller event the same was said from traders at the bigger van life events.
There has been some feedback on the disappointment of traders lacking on a Sunday. A valid point but have some sympathy for them, a severe weather warning was in place for Sunday and I would say the majority were there till 3pm.
Overall.
Had Friday’s sunny balmy blitz continued onwards through the weekend I have no doubt this would have been heralded as a a punctuation for the end of the season. No doubt in my mind if the Indian summer had prevailed it would have been a completely different experience. That’s not to say it was bad at all.. More a case of what if.