Dual Battery System

In my opinion, a built in dual battery setup is always going to be the better long term solution. It will be more expensive upfront but cheaper in the long run as you will get more use out of it.

Think of it this way the Jackery is a consumer product, not a purpose built expedition/overlanding system.

My 2 cents!

Thanks Chris. The further I go down the rabbit hole with Jackery the more I end up in dual battery territory.

To play devil's advocate here, my brother Just bought an EcoFlow Delta 2 in his 80 for R15k. The cost of a simple 105ah AGM battery, battery box, and install was going to be roughly R18k at a trusted outfitter here in Cape Town. The thing is, with AGM, you can't deplete the battery less than 50% otherwise you compromise the cells. Therefore if you don't have solar, you average sized AGM battery won't last a full weekend whereas the Ecoflow Delta 2 will (just). I agree with Chris that if you have the bucks, the dual battery system is a better long term solve particularly with a robust installation, but I would then invest properly and go with a Lithium battery as well as a 200wh solar panel. But for that level setup you're looking at roughly R30k (including a battery box housing) which is steep for an early entry into overlanding like in my brother's example. I understand this is not a concrete answer but hoping this comment shares more data for you to make your final and informed decision. Cheers

Thanks Craig. I like the flexibility of the Jackery / EcoFlow as one can remove it from the vehicle and use it in different scenarios. But long term, it makes sense to go for a lithium and solar setup. Shot for the insight!

Hi We did our first proper trip into the desert with an EcoFlow Delta 2 power station in each vehicle. The extreme heat made the units overheat and not run very smoothly. They also struggled to charge effectively. We got by somehow but later installed full Victron systems with LiFePO4 batteries that have run flawlessly over the next few trips. Definitely more robust and efficient in the long run

Thanks Zahir - Dual Battery System it is!

Very informative thread. Question from my side. I use an older National Luna Battery box with lithium LiFePO4 battery and it is very useful as you can move it around for different applications. I find that is takes up unnecessary space which I could have used for other storage. I'm also considering a Dual Battery System, but is it wise to build a Lithium battery setup in the engine bay (where I have unused space). I'm scared of the extra heat which we know is not suitable for the lithium batteries

Casper, I would definitely advise against placing a Lithium battery in the engine bay. The heat the engine generates isn't suitable at all so best to place it low down, in the boot of the vehicle, unless you have space elsewhere. Fortunately Lithium batteries are nearly half the size for the same capacity as the older AGM batteries so there is a space saving there . I have a twin drawer system in the back of my Cruiser and the entire dual battery system sits very neatly down the one side, next to the two drawers. You can view it here if interested: www.ovrlndr.co.za/builds/gunnar.