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--- electrical:12v:mandatory_solar [2018/10/13 22:11]
frater_secessus [Is solar mandatory?]
+++ electrical:12v:mandatory_solar [2024/02/09 18:21] (current)
frater_secessus reorder
@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 ====== Is solar mandatory? ======
-Solar isn't //mandatory//, but it is incredibly useful for nomads.  There should be a good reason why one would plan a build without //some// solar.  Even just [[electrical:solar:builds#w|a small amount]].  Some reminders:
+Solar isn't //mandatory//.  Here are some cases where it might not be worth the trouble:
+  * the camper has Lithium, carbon-foam, or similar battery chemistries that are not bothered by sitting at [[electrical:12v:psoc|partial state of charge]] and there is enough charging capacity to meet needs.
+  * the camper has lead batts but will be sitting on [[electrical:shore_power|shore power]]
+  * the camper has lead batts but  is equipped with a [[electrical:12v:b2b|DC-DC charger]] will be driven for several consecutive hours at least a couple times a week.(([[electrical:12v:directcharginglfp|an isolator might suffice]] for lithium banks))
+The rest of this document assumes the camper is equipped with normal lead-chemistry batteries (flooded, AGM, gel etc).
+Solar is incredibly useful for nomads with lead-chemistry batteries. There should be a good reason why they would plan a build without //some// solar.  Even just [[electrical:solar:builds#w|a small amount]].  Some reminders:
-  * solar is silent and can be discreet
-  * solar works when the sun shines
-  * solar doesn't wear out or get used up in the normal sense.  No maintenance required!
   * solar brings higher voltages to battery charging, which is healthy for them.  Lead-acid batteries that don't get a full, higher voltage [[electrical:12v:charging#absorption_stage|Absorption stage]] will not be fully charged.  Which will [[electrical:batterycide|kill them]].
   * Absorption stage is high voltage and decreasing current, which is exactly what solar does well
   * This higher-voltage solar charging [[electrical:12v:alt_and_solar|can be combined]] with the higher-current nature of alternator/isolator charging for maximum power and minimum expense.
+  * solar is silent and can be discreet
+  * solar works when the sun shines
+  * solar doesn't wear out or get used up in the normal sense.  No maintenance required!
 ===== getting by without solar =====
@@ Line 18: / Line 28: @@
 [note: this section is based on [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/9nvg9h/van_dwelling_without_solar_capacity/e7pdlcs/|a reddit post]]]
-An isolator will do the heavy lifting, but is unlikely to get/keep the house battery fully charged snce the voltage isn't high enough.
+An [[electrical:12v:alternator|isolator]] will do the heavy lifting, but is unlikely to get/keep the house battery fully charged snce the voltage isn't high enough.
 There are a couple of ways around the low voltage issue:
-  * use a battery chemistry that doesn't care about partial state of charge (PSoC), like lithium or carbon foam. Bring lots of money.
+  * use a battery chemistry that doesn't care about partial state of charge (PSoC), like [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery#lithium_chemistries|lithium]] or [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery#carbon_foam_agm|carbon foam]]. Bring lots of money.
-  * use an isolator that boosts alternator voltage to a voltage that has a chance of fully charging the bank, given enough time. The [[https://amzn.to/2CILqZE|CTEK D250]] does this, and marine grade stuff like sargent and sterling definitely do.
+  * use a [[electrical:12v:b2b|b2b charger that boosts alternator voltage]] to a voltage that has a chance of fully charging the bank, given enough time.
   * Augment with shore charging when possible unless you are driving for several hours 1-2x/week.

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