| Both sides previous revision
Previous revision
Next revision
|
Previous revision
Next revision
Both sides next revision
|
electrical:12v:intro [2022/08/06 19:16]
frater_secessus [storing power] |
electrical:12v:intro [2023/02/06 12:30]
frater_secessus [Table] |
| 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)) |
| |
| ^ ^ 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 | |
| | [[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 | | | alternator (ciggy port_ | available on all vehicles | typically limited to 10A (120-150w). | |
| | | [[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. 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. |
| Power //production// tends to be heaviest during the day while power //use// tends to be heaviest overnight. This means power needs to be stored when power is abundant so it can be used later. The most common storage for power is in a [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery|deep cycle battery bank]], aka "house bank", "house battery", or "auxilliary battery".(("leisure battery" for our UK friends)) | Power //production// tends to be heaviest during the day while power //use// tends to be heaviest overnight. This means power needs to be stored when power is abundant so it can be used later. The most common storage for power is in a [[electrical:12v:deep_cycle_battery|deep cycle battery bank]], aka "house bank", "house battery", or "auxilliary battery".(("leisure battery" for our UK friends)) |
| |
| ^ ^ 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\\ no maintenance required | 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 | |
| | | [[lifestyle:faq_solar_generator|"solar generators"]] | convenient | relatively expensive\\ non-repairable\\ designed for generic needs, not your specific needs\\ typically slow to charge\\ typically limited solar input limits and performance | |
| |
| 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. |
