Winton Engineering

Should you consider a van with on-board power?

Winton Engineering

On vehicle power eliminates the need for costly and inconvenient generators (image: Winton Engineering)

Does your van need more power? I’m not talking about the kind of power that could get you an increased speeding fine from Monday.

I’m asking about the kind of power that forces you to carry or tow a generator to provide power for tools and equipment. Examples include road drills, hand tools, pumps, compressors and welding gear.

Although portable generators are a workable solution, they’re not ideal. Freestanding generators need fastening down in the back of the van and require you to carry fuel. Towable generators also need fuel and create licence restrictions for younger drivers. Hired equipment sometimes turns up late, or not at all.

If you’re using a daily rental van, you’ll have no choice but to use a standalone generator.

But if you’re specifying a van for long-term hire or leasing you may be able to have an on-board power system fitted to the van. Doing this means that your vehicle will be converted to take power from the engine. This can be used to provide compressed air, electricity, hydraulic power or high pressure water jetting.

Although these systems may add to the upfront cost of the van, it should also benefit the van’s residual value. Recent auction reports suggest that highly-specified and specialist vans remain in strong demand at auction. As a result, leasing a van with onboard power may not cost all that much extra on a monthly basis.

Any increase will be partly offset by savings on generator purchase or hire. And as with any convenient facility, on-board power tends to be used more because it’s always available. That tends to improve productivity.

Reputable providers of on-board power systems will install systems in line with manufacturers’ guidelines and with EU Whole Vehicle Type Approval and UK National Small Series Type Approval (NSSTA). This is often essential on new vehicles, in order for them to be compliant with all current legislation.

Specialist converters such as Winton Engineering are able to provide on-vehicle power conversions alongside extra equipment such as racking and external lights. A one-stop shop can be an advantage as the converter takes responsibility for ensuring that all work done is compliant with any relevant regulations.

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