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electrical:12v:intro [2023/08/24 23:00] princess_fluffypants [Real-world(ish) examples] |
electrical:12v:intro [2024/02/21 13:44] (current) frater_secessus [higher bank voltages] |
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====== Powering your vanlife ====== | ====== Powering your vanlife ====== | ||
- | Making, storing, and using power wisely is important for happy vandwelling. Power issues can seem overwhelming and confusing; | + | Making, storing, and using power wisely is important for happy vandwelling. Power issues can seem overwhelming and confusing; |
Before you spend money on making/ | Before you spend money on making/ | ||
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* <=100w loads from [[https:// | * <=100w loads from [[https:// | ||
* very small loads (like a cellphone) might be run off the ciggy/USB port [[https:// | * very small loads (like a cellphone) might be run off the ciggy/USB port [[https:// | ||
- | * **Easy to run** off a [[lifestyle: | + | |
+ | | ||
* Phone/ | * Phone/ | ||
* Fan | * Fan | ||
* Small 12v LED lights | * Small 12v LED lights | ||
* [[https:// | * [[https:// | ||
+ | * Note: there are power stations available in all the sizes described below. | ||
* **Average loads** - small ($) house power system: | * **Average loads** - small ($) house power system: | ||
* Small [[food: | * Small [[food: | ||
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Note: devices that have [[electrical: | Note: devices that have [[electrical: | ||
- | ==== Calculating | + | ===== Calculating power, battery, and solar requirements |
The following is a guide to calculate battery storage and solar needs. **Be honest** about what loads you want/need to run and how long you plan to run them. You can also check out [[https:// | The following is a guide to calculate battery storage and solar needs. **Be honest** about what loads you want/need to run and how long you plan to run them. You can also check out [[https:// | ||
- | No one has ever complained about have too much battery capacity or too many solar panels, so rounding up is always a good practice. | + | A general guide is to have **200w of solar for every 100ah of 12v lithium battery**. |
=== Calculating your battery size === | === Calculating your battery size === | ||
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* **Calculate your //total// daily draw** in watts by adding the individual watts for each device together. | * **Calculate your //total// daily draw** in watts by adding the individual watts for each device together. | ||
* Assuming you'll be utilizing a 12 volt LiFePo4 battery bank and wanting a 25% buffer to protect the longevity of your battery bank, use the following equation to get your minimum battery bank capacity in amp-hours: (total daily watts * 1.25) / 12. | * Assuming you'll be utilizing a 12 volt LiFePo4 battery bank and wanting a 25% buffer to protect the longevity of your battery bank, use the following equation to get your minimum battery bank capacity in amp-hours: (total daily watts * 1.25) / 12. | ||
- | * Jot the result down down -- **this is the minimum battery bank capacity in watts** (or watt-hours, Wh, if you want to be pedantic) | + | * Jot the result down down -- **this is the minimum battery bank capacity in amp-hours** that you'll need to power your devices for a single day. |
=== Calculating Solar Size === | === Calculating Solar Size === | ||
- | Solar panels only operate at "peak capacity" | + | Solar panels only operate at "[[electrical: |
As a general estimate, assuming ideal weather conditions, but worst-case charging time, **divide the result of your minimum battery bank capacity by four**. This result shows how many total watts of solar you'll require to fully charge your battery bank each day. | As a general estimate, assuming ideal weather conditions, but worst-case charging time, **divide the result of your minimum battery bank capacity by four**. This result shows how many total watts of solar you'll require to fully charge your battery bank each day. | ||
The chances of getting the full yield out of your panels are slim to none. In the North American winter, for example, you might only get up to 50% of your panel' | The chances of getting the full yield out of your panels are slim to none. In the North American winter, for example, you might only get up to 50% of your panel' | ||
+ | |||
+ | For a more exact estimate based on time/place, see [[electrical: | ||
=== Putting it all together === | === Putting it all together === | ||
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===== higher bank voltages ===== | ===== 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: | 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 someone stumbles into a great deal on a higher-voltage pack (Leaf battery fell off a truck) | * 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 | * when the vehicle has a 24v alternator, as found in some commercial vehicles like buses or box trucks | ||
+ | * when wiring and solar charge controller expenses need to be reduced | ||
Challenges: | Challenges: |