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electrical:12v:intro [2023/02/06 12:30]
frater_secessus [Table] |
electrical:12v:intro [2023/06/25 10:36]
frater_secessus [using power] added 24v section |
| 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)) | 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]] (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: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\\ [[electrical:solar:output|output]] drops dramatically [[electrical:solar:shading|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\\ [[electrical:solar:output|output]] drops dramatically [[electrical:solar:shading|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 [[electrical:12v:b2b|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 [[electrical:12v:b2b|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 | |
| | alternator (ciggy port_ | available on all vehicles | typically limited to 10A (120-150w). | | | alternator ([[electrical:12v:ports|ciggy port]]) | available on all vehicles | typically limited to 10A (120-150w, see [[electrical:12v:alternator#isolator_without_a_house_battery|this end-around]]). | |
| | [[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 | |
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| [[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. | [[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. |
| * people who weekend camp can [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/hkvuot/agm_charging_for_weekenders/|charge the batteries from shore power on their return]], augmenting with alternator, solar, or generator if needed | * people who weekend camp can [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/hkvuot/agm_charging_for_weekenders/|charge the batteries from shore power on their return]], augmenting with alternator, solar, or generator if needed |
| * people who drive hours each day (delivery, trucking, etc) may be fine with [[electrical:12v:b2b|DC-DC charging]] alone. This also applies to lithium chemistry batteries | * people who drive hours each day (delivery, trucking, etc) may be fine with [[electrical:12v:b2b|DC-DC charging]] alone. This also applies to lithium chemistry batteries |
| * people who spend long periods off-grid will probably want a robust solar install | * people who spend long periods camped off-grid will probably want a robust solar install |
| * people who want to run big loads off-grid can do it cheapest with a [[electrical:generator|generator]]. | * people who want to run big loads off-grid can do it cheapest with a [[electrical:generator|generator]]. |
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| //Using// power is the simplest part. It's so simple the newbie may find themselves overdrawing from the available power. A [[electrical:12v:lvd|low voltage disconnect]] (LVD) is one way to keep from overdischarging the bank. | //Using// power is the simplest part. It's so simple the newbie may find themselves overdrawing from the available power. A [[electrical:12v:lvd|low voltage disconnect]] (LVD) is one way to keep from overdischarging the bank. |
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| | ===== higher bank voltages ===== |
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| | Although 12v house banks are most common there are use cases where higher bank voltages (24v, 48v, etc) may be desirable: |
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| | * when some big DC load demands it (DC minisplit aircon?) |
| | * when 12v inverter size approaches 3000w((sometimes seen on propaneless "all electric" setups)) |
| | * when someone stumbles into a great deal on a higher-voltage pack (Leaf battery fell off a truck) |
| | * when the vehicle has a 24v alternator, as found in some commercial vehicles like buses or box trucks |
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| | Challenges: |
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| | * limited options charging from normal 12v alternators <-- even more niche than the inverter market |
| | * requirement to buck back down for "normal" 12v house loads |
| | * requirement for higher solar array voltages. |
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