⚡️ VANILLA: THE MOBILE POWER STATION ON WHEELS

How my campervan became a fully independent, multi-layered energy ecosystem

(A Nix-approved, grey + orange deep dive)

There’s something quietly satisfying about knowing your campervan can power almost anything you throw at it. Whether you’re frying bacon on a clifftop in Cornwall, running the Nebula projector under the stars in Glen Etive, charging drone batteries in Ullapool, or brewing espresso in a windswept Stafford car park after a night shift — Vanilla always has the juice.

Over the past year, I’ve built up a complete, reliable and rather nerdily impressive power setup inside my Indium Grey chariot. This isn’t just “a campervan with electrics.” This is a rolling power grid — a proper, thought-out, belt-and-braces system designed for comfort, reliability, and adventure.

Here’s the full inside story of every power system that lives inside Vanilla, how they work together, and why they make off-grid life feel effortless.

🟧 THE FOUNDATION — VANILLA’S BUILT-IN POWER SYSTEMS

Every good campervan starts with a solid electrical backbone, and Vanilla’s is engineered for consistency and ease of use.

The Engine Alternator

Whenever Vanilla’s engine is running, the alternator becomes a moving power plant. It feeds the entire 12V system and delivers a healthy 76W from the cigarette lighter socket — perfect for charging up portable stations on the go.

This keeps the whole van’s electrical network alive and ready before you’ve even reached your next stop.

The Exide EZ850 100Ah AGM Leisure Battery

This is Vanilla’s “house battery.”A tough AGM unit that powers:

• The Webasto diesel heater

• The 50L compressor fridge

• All 12V lighting

• USB outlets

• 12V sockets

• Interior accessories

It’s the reason Vanilla stays warm at 3am in the Highlands, and the fridge stays icy cold on hot summer days.

Victron Orion Smart 12/12–30A DC-DC Charger

This is the clever part.

The Orion takes alternator power and turns it into beautifully regulated 30A battery charging, using the perfect AGM profile: 14.4V absorb / 13.5V float. That means your battery lasts longer, charges faster, and always behaves.

Short run into town? It still charges.Long haul through Glencoe? You’ll be full by lunch.

Pop-top Solar: XINGCO 120W Mono Panel

Seamlessly bonded into the pop-top roof is a 120W semi-flexible monocrystalline panel. IP67 rated, lightweight, and always working silently in the background.

In good sunlight it delivers 7–8 amps, which is enough to sustain the fridge and top off the leisure battery through the day. This is true off-grid independence.

Eco-Worthy 30A Solar Controller

The solar panel feeds into a professional-grade charge controller set to:

• 14.4V boost

• 13.5V float

• Correct AGM temperature compensation

• Balanced charging to avoid conflicts with the Victron

This ensures your solar input stays safe, steady, and smart.

Sargent EC155 — The Electrical Nerve Centre

This unit handles all 12V distribution and all 240V mains hookups. It’s the system that:

• Routes power to lights

• Manages your fridge

• Controls USB ports

• Protects from overload

• Charges the AGM when you're plugged in

A rock-solid base that keeps everything tidy and dependable.

240V Mains Hook-Up

Plugging in at a campsite transforms Vanilla into a tiny apartment.

• The Sargent charger tops up the AGM

• 240V sockets become active

• You can run toaster, air fryer, microwave, projector, laptops — you name it

EHU gives you the luxury option. Everything else gives you freedom.

🔋 PORTABLE POWER — THE MUSCLE OF VANILLA

These are the units that give Vanilla true flexibility. They let you cook anywhere, watch movies anywhere, and stay charged without touching the leisure battery.

🟧 Jackery Explorer 1000 V2 — The Heavy Lifter

This is the king of portable power in my van.Capable of running:

• Air fryer

• Nebula projector

• Espresso machines

• Induction hobs

• Drone chargers

• Starlink

• Laptop setups

• Heating pads and fans

With its pure sine wave output, fast charging, and reliable performance, this is the portable power foundation of my adventures.

🟧 Jackery Explorer 240 V2 — The Daily Driver

Small, light, and incredibly useful.

It powers:

• Drone batteries

• Phone and iPad charging

• Lanterns

• Router

• Projector

• Cameras

• Lights

And it charges straight from the front 12V socket at a clean 76W.Ideal for evenings when you want power without noise, fuss, or heavy lifting.

🟦 Anker SOLIX C200 — The DC Specialist

A neat, compact LiFePO₄ unit that excels at:

• LED strips

• Projectors

• USB-C devices

• Routers

• Fan units

• Photography gear

Perfect for subtle indoor evenings or when you want a separate power reserve.

🟧 Anker 165W Power Bank (25,000mAh)

The laptop charger, drone-topping, travel-proof workhorse.

🟦 Anker Nano Power Bank (10,000mAh)

Perfect pocket power with a built-in USB-C cable.

🟧 EMNT QC 3.0 Power Bank (10,400mAh)

A handy backup that keeps smaller gear topped up.

🟦 YABER 4000A Jump Starter Pack

A big, rugged emergency booster that also doubles as a USB power source.This permanently lives in Vanilla for peace of mind.

🔌 POWER OUTLETS INSIDE VANILLA

These are the points where everything comes together.

12V Cigarette Socket (Front)

Delivers a fantastic 76W while driving.Perfect for charging the Jackery 240 or Anker SOLIX C200.

Rear 12V Sockets

Power your:

• Webasto

• Compressor fridge

• Lighting

• USB hubs

• Anything low-power and essential

USB Ports (Cab + Rear)

Phones, tablets, torches, speakers — everything small lives off these.

240V Sockets (EHU Only)

When plugged in, Vanilla becomes a cooking and entertainment hub:

• Toaster

• Air fryer

• Microwave

• Coffee machines

• Projector

• High-power chargers

12V LED Lighting System

Beautiful, atmospheric, and extremely efficient.

• Dimmable black Transporter HQ 69mm spots

• Under-counter LED strip

• Map lights

• Reading lights

Low power draw, high comfort.

💡 VANILLA’S PORTABLE LIGHTS & GIZMOS

These aren’t power sources, but they depend on the ecosystem — and add to the ambience.

• BioLite 500

• BioLite 250

• BioLite Alpenglow Mini

• BioLite SiteLights

• Vango Star 500

• Solidline ST7R

• Blukar torch

• Nebula Capsule 3 (“Beamy”)

• Fire Stick 4K (“Blazey”)

• ZTE Link mobile router

Paired with the Jackery 240 or C200, they create effortless evenings inside Vanilla.

⚡️ THE RESULT — A TRUE ENERGY ECOSYSTEM

This entire system gives Vanilla:

• Alternator charging

• Solar charging

• Mains charging

• AGM stability

• Three portable power units

• Redundancy

• Flexibility

• Safety

• Quiet low-draw evenings

• High-power cooking sessions

• All the entertainment and lighting you need

Vanilla isn’t just a place to sleep.It’s a miniature off-grid power station, fine-tuned for long trips, weekend escapes and the daily comforts that make campervan life feel like home.

If you'd like this turned into:

⭐ a PDF-style magazine layout⭐ a Grey + Orange infographic⭐ or a “Vanilla Power Specs Poster”

I can build that too.