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electrical:12v:mandatory_solar [2018/10/13 18:10] frater_secessus created |
electrical:12v:mandatory_solar [2020/04/02 17:58] frater_secessus [Is solar mandatory?] |
====== Is solar mandatory? ====== | ====== Is solar mandatory? ====== |
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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: |
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| * 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 will be sitting on [[electrical:shore_power|shore power]] |
| * the camper is equipped with a [[electrical:12v:b2b|DC-DC charger]] will be driven for consecutive hours at least a couple times a week. |
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| The rest of this document assumes the camper is equipped with normal lead-chemistry batteries (flooded, AGM, etc). |
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| 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: |
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* solar is silent and can be discreet | * solar is silent and can be discreet |
* solar doesn't wear out or get used up in the normal sense. No maintenance required! | * 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]]. | * 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. | * 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. |
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[note: this section is based on [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/9nvg9h/van_dwelling_without_solar_capacity/e7pdlcs/|a reddit post]]] | [note: this section is based on [[https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/9nvg9h/van_dwelling_without_solar_capacity/e7pdlcs/|a reddit post]]] |
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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. |
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There are a couple of ways around the low voltage issue: | There are a couple of ways around the low voltage issue: |
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* 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. | * Augment with shore charging when possible unless you are driving for several hours 1-2x/week. |
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