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--- electrical:12v:intro [2021/05/20 14:56]
frater_secessus [what you can run in the vehicle]
+++ electrical:12v:intro [2021/12/29 05:18]
princess_fluffypants [what you can run in the vehicle]
@@ Line 3: / Line 3: @@
 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.
+Before you spend money on making/storing power in your vehicle, be sure to leverage other sources:
-**Before we start:**  there are two generally-separate electrical systems in your self-propelled camper((trailers don't have chassis power)):
+  * plugs at your work, church, or anywhere else you visit regularly
+  * plugs at cafes and restaurants -- ask for a table near an outlet
+  * look for outlets at bus stops, park pavilions, etc.
+It may be useful to carry a gym bag with a power strip, extension cord, and any items that need to be charged.  The power strips allows you to charge many things at once, and the extension cord helps you reach faraway outlets or outlets in inconvenient places (on a wall,  behind furniture).
+===== the Big Picture =====
+There are two generally-separate electrical systems in your vehicle((trailers don't have chassis power)):
   * **House power** (coach power, leisure power) is the (usually 12v) electrical system in the **living area**.  It runs fans, lights, etc. It's what we are discussing here.
@@ Line 15: / Line 26: @@
 ===== what you can run in the vehicle =====
-Things that are run off house power are called [[electrical:12v:loads|loads]].  Unlike a wall socket where you can run pretty much anything you want, using power you make yourself is a series of choices and compromises.   Some things are easy to run off off-grid;  some things are harder and require more infrastructure, planning, and money. Some things are impractical in vans.  Cardwelling presents additional power challenges.
+Things that are run off house power are called [[electrical:12v:loads|loads]].  Unlike a wall socket where you can run pretty much anything you want, using power you make yourself is a series of choices and compromises.   Some things are easy to run off off-grid;  some things are harder and require more infrastructure, planning, and money. Some things are impractical in vans.  Cardwelling presents [[rv:car#power|additional power challenges]].
 Here are some very general ideas to get you thinking:
@@ Line 39: / Line 50: @@
       * charging e-bikes, etc at night
   * **difficult and very expensive to run** - $thousands in solar, battery, and alternator charging.
-      * heating or cooking with electricity, which is why we use propane
+      * Cooking with electricity, which is why we use propane
+        * This includes things like insta-pots, electric stovetops, toaster ovens, microwaves, etc
       * [[hvac:solar_ac|air conditioning]], which is why [[camping:snowbirding|we go where it is cooler]]
       * electric [[food:coffee|coffee makers]], which is why we use propane((see the pattern?))
+  * **Completely Impossible**
+      * Heating the van. //Tens of thousands// of dollars in lithium batteries will barely last a day of running an electric heater. Which is why we use [[hvac:heating|propane or diesel]].
 Note:  devices that have [[electrical:12v:wallwart|"wall wart adapters"]] typically will not necessarily require an inverter.

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