Living in a van as a photographer is a dream come true. The open road, the ability to shoot in unique locations, and the flexibility to work anywhere. However, there's a major challenge that many van lifers face—keeping your gear powered up while you're out in the wild, far from the conveniences of a plug-in outlet.

I’ve been living and working out of my van for quite some time now. As a photographer, I need constant power for my camera batteries, laptop, phones, and other gear. Initially, I thought a 500W solar panel setup on the roof would be enough. Coupled with a set of lead acid batteries, I figured I was good to go. I couldn't have been more wrong. So keep reading to the end for the results AND a cheeky discount code too!

The Initial Setup: 500W Solar & Lead Acid Batteries

My solar system initially consisted of 500 watts of panels installed on the roof of my van. The idea was simple—harness the power of the sun to charge everything I needed. And, while that part worked well enough when the sun was shining, the real issue was the battery storage.

I started with lead acid batteries—cheap, easy to find, and familiar to many van lifers. The problem? Lead acid batteries are heavy, inefficient, and don’t have the lifespan of other more advanced battery types. Over time, they deteriorated, losing their charge capacity. After 2 years of running my laptop for photo editing, keeping my camera batteries charged, and keeping my phone on standby for navigation and communication, the batteries lost their punch. Power ran out faster than expected, especially on cloudy days or when I was parked in areas without ample sunlight, and definitely no charging anything overnight.

As a photographer, I can't afford to let my gear run out of juice in the middle of a shoot, or be unable to have long editing / admin days on the laptop. I needed a solution—and fast.

The Struggle of Van Life Without Reliable Power

When you're living in a van, every inch of space counts, and so does every watt of power. The power struggle became real when I found myself having no option but to go on campsites to get charged up and having to stay there while I wrote magazine articles, worked on my website or had editing days. Even with 500W of solar power, if the batteries couldn't hold the charge efficiently, I was back at square one.

Lead acid batteries take longer to charge and don't last nearly as long as lithium batteries. This created a vicious cycle where I needed to constantly monitor power levels and adjust my workflow - and as a photographer sometimes taking on last minute work, that wasn’t going to cut it. The reality of trying to run my whole setup on limited and unreliable battery power started to take a toll on my productivity and creativity.

The Upgrade: Fogstar Drift Eco 305Ah Lithium Battery – A Game Changer

After struggling with my old system for far too long, I finally decided to make a major upgrade—switching out the old lead acid batteries for the Fogstar Drift Eco 305Ah Lithium battery. And let me tell you, it’s been nothing short of a game changer.

The transition to lithium has been incredible. First and foremost, lithium batteries are far more efficient than their lead acid counterparts. The Fogstar Drift Eco battery holds more charge, lasts longer, and charges much faster. The 305Ah capacity has transformed my setup and taken the stress out of power management. Now, I can go longer without worrying about running out of power in the middle of editing or shooting. I can also rely on my van’s solar setup to do its job without constantly checking if I’m getting enough charge. We installed back in Mid Jan - the depths of winter! We really put it to the test with a week of barely driving, grey skies AND using the air fryer everyday - YES we have an airfryer!!! The batteries dropped to 70% at worst. Absolute game changer! Now the suns made its early spring re-appearance, we’ve been at 100% capacity most days!

What Makes the Fogstar Drift Eco 305Ah Lithium Battery So Special?

Increased Capacity and Efficiency: With 305Ah, the Fogstar Drift Eco battery stores much more energy than the lead acid batteries I had before. This means I can run my laptop for photo editing, charge multiple camera batteries, keep my phone powered, and even use some additional accessories without constantly monitoring power usage.
Faster Charging: Lithium batteries charge faster than lead acid, which is a huge plus when you're in a rush or when sunlight is limited. No more waiting hours for a partial charge—this battery gets me back up and running quickly. This can come from the sun through our inverter or through driving with our b2b charger.
Longer Lifespan: One of the biggest benefits of lithium batteries is their longevity. While lead acid batteries degrade over time, losing charge capacity, lithium batteries last much longer, saving me money in the long run and sparing me the headache of constant replacements.
Deep Cycle Capability: The Fogstar Drift Eco 305Ah lithium battery can handle deep discharges without compromising its performance. This means I can use the power more freely without worrying about damaging the battery by draining it too low.

The Real Difference: Peace of Mind

Since upgrading to the Fogstar Drift Eco 305Ah Lithium battery, I’ve experienced an overwhelming sense of freedom and peace of mind. We don’t have to keep checking the apps to see what power level we are at! I don’t have to panic when my laptop is at 20% or when I’m working long days on photo edits. I can be in remote areas for days and still have power to spare for my devices. The upgrade has allowed me to focus more on creating, rather than stressing about where I’ll find my next power source.

In conclusion, for anyone travelling around in a van, especially fellow photographers, a reliable power system is essential. If you’re stuck with old lead acid batteries, the upgrade to a high-quality lithium battery like the Fogstar Drift Eco 305Ah is an absolute game changer. It’s an investment that will not only improve your work but also give you more freedom to roam, explore, and create without limits. Trust me, once you make the switch, you won’t look back.

Huge thanks to Fogstar for the upgrade!

Interested in an upgrade for yourself? Get a discount on all Fogstar products!

Thats right, I’m super excited to share a code that will get you a 5% discount! Just CLICK HERE or use code endean at the checkout!

Happy shooting—and may your batteries always be full!

As a Photographer on the Road: The Power Upgrade That Changed Everything