Tvanners with induction stoves

[Chris Golding]

If you're the owner of a new model Tvan with an induction stove, or have converted an older one, how's it going? How long can you go without sunshine or driving before you run out of charge?

I'm interested in converting my van but am worried about the draw on my batteries. I currently have 200AH lithium setup. I'm thinking I'd add another 200-300AH to this system to run the stove.

Given the new vans come with 400AH, I'm hoping this would do us.

Cheers
Chris

[OZ LT]

Hello Chris,

We took our Tvan Lightning out last weekend. 500ah of lithium, 400ah usable. The induction stove top is super fast and efficient and made cooking time much quicker than gas. When the stove top was on it was pulling up to 140 amps according to the Redarc Redvision display. This is a lot however it's not constant depending on the heat of the pot and the temperature setting. Overall we'd use about 3-5% of total battery power for a cookup. We had the van/solar panels facing easterly direction (not ideal for solar) on a semi overcast day. With no effort put into conserving power and using all power outlets, inverters and pumps during the 2 1/2 days we were using about 18% battery a day but generating just over 20% through solar. If the suns out and with some battery management we don't think we'd run out of power. Would probably take 4 dark overcast days to get into trouble. Our solar panels are 360 watts combined. Didn't see them generating over 250watts at any stage.

Power aside, the cleanliness of an induction cooktop compared to gas is fantastic. I'd do it just for that.

Hope this helps. My first post on the forum.

Cheers
Leighton

[Chris Golding]

Awesome response Oz. Thanks. That gives me a lot to work with.

[Mattv]

Hi Chris,
I have recently converted my mark 3 to induction.
i ripped out the 2 fullriver batteries and put in 2 180ah DCS lithium.
I have had a custom stainless sunken support where the old gas cooker was.
I have a 3000w kings inverter in the drivers side storage box and a remote control at the electrical board.
had to run large copper from the batteries to cope with the current.
i have a 50amp redard dc to dc under the side of the bed.
it works super well. i have a westinghouse double induction cooktop. i use around 10-15 percent on an average cookup with rice and say a curry. have had both burners on full (2400w) and it does suck the juice but it works well. I have a double GPO under bed and above kitchen and a changeover switch on the switchboard - external power-off- inverter power.
can send pics if needed.
also i have installed a kings flexible 160w panel on the white hatch so when its up it pumps in up to 12amps of solar.
good luck!