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electrical:12v:intro [2019/05/07 23:17]
frater_secessus [sources of house power] |
electrical:12v:intro [2019/12/06 23:03]
frater_secessus [things you can run in the van] |
| * [[electrical:12v:chassis power|chassis power]] is the electrical system in the vehicle itself. Starter, alternator, headlights, etc. | * [[electrical:12v:chassis power|chassis power]] is the electrical system in the vehicle itself. Starter, alternator, headlights, etc. |
| |
| | The two are usually separate systems, except when actively [[electrical:12v:alternator|charging from the alternator]].((or doing something exotic like [[electrical:solar:shallow_cycling|shallow cycling]])) |
| | |
| | ===== what you can run in the van ===== |
| | |
| | Things that are run off the van's power are called [[electrical:12v:loads|loads]]. Unlike a wall socket where you can run pretty much anything you want, using power you make yourself is a series of choices and compromises. Some things are easy to run off off-grid; some things are harder and require more infrastructure, planning, and money. |
| | |
| | * easy/cheap to run |
| | * phone and tablet charging |
| | * [[electrical:12v:laptop|laptop]] charging/use if you do it when the sun is shining |
| | * ventilation |
| | * harder and more expensive to run |
| | * laptop charging/use if you do it a night |
| | * hard to run |
| | * heating or cooking with electricity, which is why we use propane |
| | * [[hvac:solar_ac|air conditioning]], which is why we go where it is cooler |
| | * electric coffee makers, which is why we use propane((see the pattern?)) |
| ===== sources of house power ===== | ===== sources of house power ===== |
| |
| | [[electrical:generator|generator]] | can make 1000w+ of 120v \\ can run for days \\ inverter models are quieter | can be expensive ($1000+) \\ maintenance \\ needs to be stored when not in use\\ noisy \\ not allowed in some areas/times | | | [[electrical:generator|generator]] | can make 1000w+ of 120v \\ can run for days \\ inverter models are quieter | can be expensive ($1000+) \\ maintenance \\ needs to be stored when not in use\\ noisy \\ not allowed in some areas/times | |
| |
| [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|Alternator & solar charging]] enhance each other when used together. The investment in solar can be significantly reduced. | [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|Alternator & solar charging]] enhance each other when used together. Adding alternator charging to solar can significantly reduce [[electrical:solar:sizing|the amount of solar required]] to meet your needs. |
| |
| Note: So-called [[lifestyle:faq_solar_generator|solar generators]] **do not generate power**: they are battery banks, usually AGM or lithium. See below. | Note: So-called [[lifestyle:faq_solar_generator|solar generators]] **do not generate power**: they are battery banks, usually AGM or lithium. See below. |
| ^ ^ Pro | **Con** | | ^ ^ Pro | **Con** | |
| | [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery#flooded_lead_acid|Flooded lead-acid]] (FLA) | cheapest per Ah \\ most tolerant of abuse | lowest current throughput \\ maintenance ("watering") required \\ can only use 50% of rated capacity((or longevity suffers)) | | | [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery#flooded_lead_acid|Flooded lead-acid]] (FLA) | cheapest per Ah \\ most tolerant of abuse | lowest current throughput \\ maintenance ("watering") required \\ can only use 50% of rated capacity((or longevity suffers)) | |
| | [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery#agm|Sealed lead-acid]] (SLA, AGM) | able to charge/discharge more current than FLA | more expensive per Ah((~2x the price of FLA)) \\ cannot check or replace electrolyte | | | [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery#agm|Sealed lead-acid]] (SLA, AGM) | able to charge/discharge more current than FLA\\ no maintenance required | more expensive per Ah((~2x the price of FLA)) \\ cannot check or replace electrolyte | |
| | [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery#lifepo4|LiFePO4 (LFP) lithium]] | very close to normal 12v ranges \\ available as "drop-in" replacements for lead-acid\\ current throughput \\ can be more deeply discharged than lead-acid | most expensive upfront per Ah\\ cannot be charged in freezing temperatures | | | [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery#lifepo4|LiFePO4 (LFP) lithium]] | very close to normal 12v ranges \\ available as "drop-in" replacements for lead-acid\\ current throughput \\ can be more deeply discharged than lead-acid | most expensive upfront per Ah\\ cannot be charged in freezing temperatures | |
| | [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery#non-lifepo4_lithium-ion|Non-LFP lithium]] | cheaper than LFP per Ah \\ current throughput | thermal runaway \\ voltage not well-suited for 12v systems | | | [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery#non-lifepo4_lithium-ion|Non-LFP lithium]] | cheaper than LFP per Ah \\ current throughput | thermal runaway \\ voltage not well-suited for 12v systems | |
| |
| The battery bank is sized to meet your [[electrical:solar:gentle_intro#daily_power_needs|daily power needs]] and as well as any extra margin you might like. | The battery bank is sized to meet your [[electrical:solar:gentle_intro#daily_power_needs|daily power needs]] and as well as any extra margin you might like. |
