Enerdrive vs Redarc: Best 12V Setup for Off-Grid Touring?

Two brands dominate the conversation at every campfire, every caravaning Facebook group, and every 4WD accessories shop in the country. If you've spent more than five minutes researching a 12V off-grid setup, you've already come across Enerdrive and Redarc, and you've probably already asked yourself: which one's actually better?

The honest answer? Both are excellent. But they're not the same, and the right choice really does depend on your setup, your touring style, and how much you want to tinker. Let's break it down.

Quick Answer

• Both brands are quality Aussie companies with decades of off-grid experience
• Redarc is manufactured in South Australia and is renowned for rock-solid durability and integrated systems
• Enerdrive (now part of Dometic) is Brisbane-based and shines for its flexibility, display-driven controls, and value
• Redarc suits set-and-forget tourers; Enerdrive suits those who like full control
• Neither is "better"; it comes down to your rig and how you camp

The Brands: A Bit of Background

Redarc Electronics was founded in 1979 by electronics engineer Robin (Bob) Mackie in South Australia, starting out making vehicle ignition systems and voltage converters. Today, Redarc employs over 350 professionals across Australia, New Zealand, North America, and Europe, and operates from an advanced manufacturing facility — all still in South Australia.; Redarc designs, engineers, and manufactures on home soil.

Enerdrive's story began in 2003 as Advance Trident Limited, serving the marine industry in Australia, before transforming into Enerdrive in 2008 and pivoting hard into the caravan and 4WD market. In May 2021, Enerdrive became part of the Dometic organisation, a global leader in mobile living solutions, but day-to-day operations remain Brisbane-based, with strong local tech support.

Both companies are legitimately Australian. Both know the Outback. But their approaches to 12V power are meaningfully different.

How They Compare for Off-Grid Touring

DC-DC Chargers

This is where the two brands most often go head-to-head. The Redarc BCDC range has been around for decades. The circuit board is encased in epoxy resin, making it essentially waterproof and well-suited to under-bonnet mounting where it'll cop mud and creek crossings without complaint. It's a plug-it-in-and-forget-it unit.

The Enerdrive DC2DC, by contrast, allows you to adjust almost every setting very easily — battery type, charge rate, and individual charge rates for each charging stage. This is vastly different to the Redarc units, which have almost no adjustment at all. The Enerdrive also features a display that shows voltage, amperage, charge source, and stage, which is handy if you want to know what's going on with your system.

Battery Management Systems

Redarc's Manager30 (and the newer Manager Alpha) is an all-in-one unit. It combines a DC-DC charger, a 240V AC charger, an MPPT solar regulator, a dual-battery isolator, a load-disconnect controller, and a remote battery monitor into a single product. For those who want everything managed in one place with minimal fuss, it's hard to beat. The solar-first charging logic makes practical sense off-grid and works well with LiFePO₄ batteries equipped with an internal BMS.

Enerdrive takes a modular approach. You mix and match their DC2DC charger, AC charger, inverter, and battery monitor to suit your exact needs. More components, more flexibility. An all-Enerdrive combination can deliver 40A DC and 40A AC charging simultaneously, significantly more charging capacity than the Redarc BMS30's combined output.

Lithium Batteries

Both brands produce solid lithium camping batteries for off-grid use. Enerdrive's 200Ah slim lithium batteries are compact, boast a 5-year warranty, and offer superior energy density with a lightweight profile, which is a real plus when every kilogram counts on a long trip. Redarc's lithium range is well-regarded too, though it typically carries a premium price tag.

Which One's Right for You?

Go Redarc if:

• You want a single-brand integrated system that's been battle-hardened across 45+ years of Australian conditions
• You're not interested in fiddling with settings — you want to set it up once and trust it
• Under-bonnet installation is your priority (the BCDC is practically bulletproof)
• Budget is secondary to reliability and brand heritage

Go Enerdrive if:

• You want more control and visibility over your system via a display
• You're building a larger setup with multiple charging inputs. The DC2DC handles up to 850W of solar and up to 45V input, so you can run higher-voltage portable solar panels and camping solar blankets more efficiently
• You want strong value. You tend to get more amps per dollar compared to equivalent Redarc specs
• You're pairing with a camping inverter and want everything from one ecosystem

It's also worth knowing that plenty of serious tourers run a hybrid setup. Redarc for the battery management side, Enerdrive lithium storage, for example. The two brands play well together.

A Note on Custom Builds

If your rig has unique power requirements, such as oversized battery banks, unconventional layouts, or specific amp-hour needs, off-the-shelf solutions from either brand might not be the best fit. That's where custom lithium batteries come into the picture, built to spec for your exact setup.

Where to Get Set Up

At Outback SafeTrack, we stock Enerdrive across batteries, chargers, and inverters, and our team knows these systems inside out. Whether you're putting together your first serious off-grid build or upgrading a rig that's done a lap or two of the country, we're happy to help you spec the right setup. Browse our full range online or give us a call on 1300 902 361.