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electrical:12v:intro [2023/08/25 21:02]
princess_fluffypants [Calculating daily power requirements] 		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;  this article intends to lay out the basics.+Making, storing, and using power wisely is important for happy vandwelling. Power issues can seem overwhelming and confusing;  this article intends to lay out the basics.  If you would like a refresher on basic electronics, see [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTvXx9tBkuU|the AltE Intro to Electronics for solar]] video.
  
 Before you spend money on making/storing power in your vehicle, be sure to leverage other sources: Before you spend money on making/storing power in your vehicle, be sure to leverage other sources:
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      * <=100w loads from [[https://amzn.to/3u4Qm1g|small inverters]].  Note that most small, inexpensive inverters are [[electrical:inverter#modified_sine_wave|modified sine wave]] and not appropriate for all [[electrical:12v:loads|loads]].      * <=100w loads from [[https://amzn.to/3u4Qm1g|small inverters]].  Note that most small, inexpensive inverters are [[electrical:inverter#modified_sine_wave|modified sine wave]] and not appropriate for all [[electrical:12v:loads|loads]].
      * very small loads (like a cellphone) might be run off the ciggy/USB port [[https://www.reddit.com/r/urbancarliving/comments/v42jvw/is_it_safe_to_charge_your_phone_in_car_while_its/ib5k2u5/|without the engine running]].      * very small loads (like a cellphone) might be run off the ciggy/USB port [[https://www.reddit.com/r/urbancarliving/comments/v42jvw/is_it_safe_to_charge_your_phone_in_car_while_its/ib5k2u5/|without the engine running]].
-  * **Easy to run** off a [[lifestyle:faq_solar_generator|portable power pack]]((which you will have to recharge somehow))+  * **very small loads**  like phone charging can be run off [[https://amzn.to/47X2Ziy|USB power bricks]].  See [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1sjqaRll2s|this testing video]] by Project Farm.  Recharge the brick[s] from the cigarette lighter while driving, at cafes, etc.  
 +  * **Easy to run** off a small [[lifestyle:faq_solar_generator|portable power station]]((which you will have to recharge somehow))
       * Phone/Tablet/small laptop (MacBook Air, Chromebook) charging while parked       * Phone/Tablet/small laptop (MacBook Air, Chromebook) charging while parked
       * Fan       * Fan
       * Small 12v LED lights       * Small 12v LED lights
       * [[https://www.cpap.com/blog/cpap-camping/|CPAP]] - especially with humidification turned off       * [[https://www.cpap.com/blog/cpap-camping/|CPAP]] - especially with humidification turned off
 +      * Note:  there are power stations available in all the sizes described below.
   * **Average loads** - small ($) house power system:  Example:  200w of solar and 100Ah of battery.    * **Average loads** - small ($) house power system:  Example:  200w of solar and 100Ah of battery. 
       * Small [[food:refrigeration|12v compressor fridges]] -- they use little power and run intermittently       * Small [[food:refrigeration|12v compressor fridges]] -- they use little power and run intermittently
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 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's rated max wattage even on a clear 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's rated max wattage even on a clear day.
 +
 +For a more exact estimate based on time/place, see [[electrical:solar:pvwatts|this article on solar harvest modeling]].
  
 === Putting it all together === === Putting it all together ===
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 ===== higher bank voltages ===== ===== higher bank voltages =====
 +
 +
 +
    
 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:
electrical/12v/intro.1693011723.txt.gz · Last modified: 2023/08/25 21:02 by princess_fluffypants

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