REAL POWER
Clearly, the 48V Projecta system is a major drawcard. This is no cheap and cheerful setup. To give you an idea, the system alone retails for $ 27,000. It includes two 48V 105Ah chassis-mounted batteries but because they’ re 48V, this battery is equivalent to an 840Ah 12V battery bank. Just think of the weight savings.
Further, it includes a 4000W inverter-charger and 1400W of roof-mounted solar – there’ s barely an inch of spare real-estate on this van’ s roof. However, the solar capacity is reduced to 965W and 875W on some smaller models. These are dedicated 48V system panels, by the way. Across the range, combined rooftop and expandable solar inputs can deliver up to 30A charging at 48V( equivalent to 120A at 12V) via the MPPT solar controller. The system will also automatically charge via its inbuilt 30A DC-DC charger, but while on mains it’ ll charge at 70A( equivalent to 280A at 12V).
If, in the very unlikely scenario, 1400W isn’ t enough, MDC has included three Anderson plugs that will allow you to expand your solar setup by hooking up compatible portable panels.
The Intelli-Grid system does much more than just monitor your battery. It includes a 10in display screen inside the van that provides almost complete control over the van’ s circuitry and some appliances, and of course there’ s an app for your smartphone and, I might add, the system features a built-in tyre pressure monitoring system as well as a van-levelling sensor.
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