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electrical:12v:intro [2024/12/24 14:58]
frater_secessus [avoiding beginner mistakes] added further reading |
electrical:12v:intro [2026/08/12 04:31] (current)
princess_fluffypants [sources of house power] |
| ===== sources of house power ===== | ===== sources of house power ===== |
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| | >> A. B. C. \\ A - always. \\ B - be. \\ C - charging. \\ Always be charging. //Always// be charging. -- [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yz246_Pjjkc|Glengarry Glen Ross]] (paraphrased) |
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| 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 'dwellers use [[electrical:solar:gentle_intro|solar]] combined with another charging source, usually the [[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)) |
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| 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: |
| | [[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 | can result in [[electrical:12v:psoc|chronic undercharging]] of lead-acid\\ should not [[rv:idling|idle]] to charge\\ pulling wire can be challenging | | | [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator]] | automatically makes power when driving\\ about 1/10th the cost of solar for the same current output\\ Can produce a LOT of power very quickly, especially on newer vehicles.\\ Great for getting some bulk charge into deeply discharged lead or lithium batteries | can result in [[electrical:12v:psoc|chronic undercharging]] of lead-acid\\ should not [[rv:idling|idle]] to charge\\ pulling wire can be challenging | |
| | alternator ([[electrical:12v:ports|ciggy port]]) | available on all vehicles | typically limited to 10A (120-150w, see [[electrical:12v:alternator#isolator_without_a_house_battery|this end-around]]). | | | alternator ([[electrical:12v:ports|ciggy port]]) | available on all vehicles | typically limited to 10A (120-150w, see [[electrical:12v:alternator#isolator_without_a_house_battery|this end-around]]). | |
| | [[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: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 | |
