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electrical:12v:intro [2020/05/10 19:23] frater_secessus [what you can run in the van] |
electrical:12v:intro [2020/05/10 19:25] frater_secessus [sources of house power] |
* [[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]])) | * [[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]])) |
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Most campervans use [[electrical:solar:gentle_intro|solar]] combined with another charging source, usually the van's [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator]]. [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|This combination]] can be both cheap and highly effective((Isolators are inexpensive, and the combination allows one to run much smaller solar configurations than if one were charging by solar alone)) | |
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===== what you can run in the van ===== | ===== what you can run in the van ===== |
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Things that are run off house 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. Some things are impractical for most people. | Things that are run off house 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. Some things are impractical in vans. |
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| Here are some very general ideas to get you thinking: |
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* **trivial to run** off the [[electrical:12v:ports|cigarette lighter port]] //while driving// | * **trivial to run** off the [[electrical:12v:ports|cigarette lighter port]] //while driving// |
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===== sources of house power ===== | ===== sources of house power ===== |
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| Most campervans use [[electrical:solar:gentle_intro|solar]] combined with another charging source, usually the van's [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator]]. [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|This combination]] can be both cheap and highly effective((Isolators are inexpensive, and the combination allows one to run much smaller solar configurations than if one were charging by solar alone)) |
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^ ^ Pro | **Con** | | ^ ^ Pro | **Con** | |
| [[electrical:shore_power|shore power]] | cheapest per watt \\ simple \\ abundant power | often not available \\ if available you are tied to the outlet by your cord/adapter \\ campgrounds with outlets are more expensive | | | [[electrical:shore_power|shore power]] (outlet) | cheapest per watt \\ simple \\ abundant power | often not available \\ if available you are tied to the outlet by your cord/adapter \\ campgrounds with outlets are more expensive | |
| [[electrical:solar|solar]] | automatically makes power when the sun shines \\ makes high voltages needed to fully charge lead-acid batteries\\ silent\\ lasts for decades | most expensive per watt \\ can be complex\\ panels are large\\ output drops dramatically when shaded | | | [[electrical:solar|solar]] | automatically makes power when the sun shines \\ makes high voltages needed to fully charge lead-acid batteries\\ silent\\ lasts for decades | most expensive per watt \\ can be complex\\ panels are large\\ output drops dramatically when shaded | |
| [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator]] | automatically makes power when driving\\ about 1/10th the cost of solar for the same current output | relatively low charging voltage((unless b2b)) \\ can result in [[electrical:12v:psoc|chronic undercharging]] \\ should not idle to charge \\ most people don't drive enough to fully charge lead-acid | | | [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator]] | automatically makes power when driving\\ about 1/10th the cost of solar for the same current output | relatively low charging voltage((unless b2b)) \\ can result in [[electrical:12v:psoc|chronic undercharging]] \\ should not idle to charge \\ most people don't drive enough to fully charge lead-acid | |