Best Auxiliary Power Systems for Overlanders

Overland Malta
Jun 20
3 min read

Stay charged, stay connected — no matter how remote your journey.

When you're off-grid for days (or weeks), having reliable power is essential — not just for convenience, but for safety. Whether you're running a fridge, lights, cameras, or GPS, an auxiliary power setup ensures your rig becomes a self-sufficient adventure basecamp.

In this guide, we break down the best auxiliary power systems for overlanders, from simple dual battery setups to advanced solar rigs — ideal for journeys across Malta, Europe, and beyond.

🔌 1. Why You Need Auxiliary Power

While your vehicle's main battery can run basic functions, relying on it for everything puts you at risk of being stranded with a dead engine.

An auxiliary power system lets you:

✅ Run devices without draining your starter battery

✅ Power a fridge 24/7

✅ Recharge devices & lights

✅ Stay longer off-grid — and in comfort

🔋 2. Dual Battery Systems (The Overland Staple)

A dual battery system is the go-to solution for most overlanders. It uses a secondary deep-cycle battery (AGM or lithium) to power your gear.

🧰 Key components:

Starter battery (main)
Deep cycle battery (auxiliary)
DC-DC charger or isolator
Fuse box or power hub

🛒 Recommended Kits:

👉 Victron Energy Orion XS Smart

👉 Renogy Dual Battery Kit

⚙️ Best for: Long-term builds, fridge setups, vehicle-mounted systems

☀️ 3. Solar Power Systems (Clean, Silent, Infinite)

Solar is the most sustainable and quiet solution for long-term power, especially in sunny destinations like Malta, Sicily, and Southern Italy.

You can run solar in two ways:

A) Vehicle-Mounted Solar

Rigid panels on your roof rack or canopy
Always charging while parked or driving

B) Portable Solar Panels

Foldable or briefcase-style panels
Easy to reposition for max sun exposure

🛒 Recommended Panels:

👉 Jackery SolarSaga 100W

👉 Renogy 100W Portable Kit

💡 Tip: Use a solar charge controller to regulate current and protect your batteries.

🔋 4. Lithium Power Stations (Plug & Play Simplicity)

Perfect for minimalists or weekend adventurers, lithium power stations offer an all-in-one solution — no wiring required.

Features usually include:

AC & USB ports
12V output
LED display
Solar input

🛒 Top Picks:

👉 Jackery Explorer 500 or 1000

👉 EcoFlow River 2 Pro

⚙️ Best for: Weekend trips, digital nomads, camp cooking setups

📚 Related post: Recommended Camping Tips for Your Next Adventure »

🔌 5. Inverters (For 230V Power On the Go)

An inverter lets you convert 12V DC battery power into standard 230V AC — useful for laptops, drones, cameras, and other electronics.

🛠️ What to look for:

Pure sine wave inverter (cleaner for electronics)
300–1000W for most needs
Built-in low voltage cutoff

🛒 Recommended:

👉 BESTEK 300W Pure Sine Inverter

👉 Renogy 1000W Inverter

💡 Tip: Only run high-power items (coffee machines, kettles) with the engine running or high-capacity batteries.

🔧 6. Wiring & Safety Must-Haves

Whatever system you choose, always protect your gear and vehicle with the proper setup.

✅ Don’t forget:

Fuses and breakers
Quality wiring
Battery monitor (like Victron BMV or shunt)
Heat protection & secure cable routing

🛒 Victron SmartShunt Battery Monitor

🧭 Overland Malta’s Power Setup (Example)

Here’s what a balanced setup looks like for 5–14 day trips across Europe:

Component	Example
Auxiliary Battery	100Ah AGM or Lithium (Renogy/Battle Born)
DC-DC Charger	Victron Energy Orion XS Smart
Solar Panel	120W Rigid Roof Panel + 100W Portable
Power Station (Optional)	Jackery 500 for basecamp needs
Inverter	300W Pure Sine Wave
Monitor & Safety	Victron SmartShunt, inline fuses

⚠️ Pro Tips for Power Success

✅ Test your setup at home before heading out

✅ Always carry a spare fuse kit & voltmeter

✅ Don’t rely solely on one system — redundancy is your friend

✅ In hot climates, lithium batteries perform best

📦 Shop Our Recommended Power Gear

Explore our full list of tested gear for overlanders and remote explorers:

👉 www.overlandmalta.com/gear

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