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electrical:12v:power_mix [2023/09/26 12:18] frater_secessus [generator] |
electrical:12v:power_mix [2024/06/30 10:54] (current) frater_secessus [alternator] |
For this reason the solar + alternator combination is the most common and effective charging approach for vehicle dwellers. But there are times when one of these (or some other source) might do the majority of heavy lifting, or other forms of charging might be best suited to your particular use case. | For this reason the solar + alternator combination is the most common and effective charging approach for vehicle dwellers. But there are times when one of these (or some other source) might do the majority of heavy lifting, or other forms of charging might be best suited to your particular use case. |
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| Note: [[electrical:12v:multipoint_charging|charging concurrently from multiple sources]] is normal and generally beneficial. |
===== alternator ===== | ===== alternator ===== |
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[[electrical:12v:alternator|Alternator charging]] is usually the biggest bang-for-buck charging offgrid.((bulk stage charging, at least)) It is automatic((unless you are using a manual switch, not recommended)) and will charge whenever you are driving. **Consider the alternator as the backbone of your charging if you drive daily or near daily**. | [[electrical:12v:alternator|Alternator charging]] is usually the biggest bang-for-buck charging offgrid.((bulk stage charging, at least)) It is automatic((unless you are using a manual switch, not recommended)) and will charge whenever you are driving. **Consider the alternator as the backbone of your charging if you drive daily or near-daily**, or live in an area of poor [[electrical:solar:output|insolation]]. |
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| For many people [[electrical:12v:alternator#combiners|a plain combiner]] (relay, solenoid, VSR, "isolator") will be cheap and highly effective for [[electrical:12v:charging#bulk_stage|Bulk charging]]. Direct charging like this will often be most efficient in early morning [[electrical:12v:alternator#charging_current_patterns|when bank voltage is the lowest]]. |
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For many people [[electrical:12v:alternator#combiners|a plain combiner]] (relay, solenoid, VSR, isolator will be cheap and highly effective for [[electrical:12v:charging#bulk_stage|Bulk charging]]. | |
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However, some cases suggest a more expensive [[electrical:12v:b2b|DC-DC charger]] setup: | However, some cases suggest a more expensive [[electrical:12v:b2b|DC-DC charger]] setup: |
* mandatory if you have a "smart" (variable voltage) alternator, common in Europe on recent models | * mandatory if you have a "smart" (variable voltage) alternator, common in Europe on recent models |
* mandatory if you have a large house bank (of any chemistry) compared to [[electrical:12v:alternator_details#current|your alternator's output rating]] | * mandatory if you have a large house bank (of any chemistry) compared to [[electrical:12v:alternator_details#current|your alternator's output rating]] |
* suggested if you want a more predictable charge rate | * suggested if you want a more predictable charge rate; DC-DC charge rates are typically consistent all the way through Bulk stage, no matter what the bank voltage is. |
* suggested if you want more of a hands-off approach | * suggested if you want more of a hands-off approach |
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| **Alternator-only charging** [[electrical:12v:mandatory_solar|can work with lithium banks]] but for technical reasons solar or shore-power charging is usually required with lead batteries. |
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| ==== the ciggy port ==== |
| {{ https://www.motorbiscuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/A-typical-12-volt-car-power-outlet-socket.jpg?125}} |
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| The vehicle's factory 12v outlet ("cigarette lighter") is typically fused at 10A, so it can provide ~120w of power before the fuse pops (12v x 10A = 120w).((Since chassis voltage will likely be at least 13.6v the actual power available is probably 136w or greater. But it's best not to push it unless one has a spare fuse handy.)) |
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| **Consider the ciggy port as a backbone of your charging setup** if you drive enough, time-wise, to harvest enough energy to run your small loads. |
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| 120w is much lower than the power a normal [[electrical:12v:alternator|alternator charging setup]] or [[electrical:12v:b2b|DC-DC charger]] can provide so we have to make maximal use of every opportunity to charge. To paraphrase [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glengarry_Glen_Ross_%28film%29|Glengarry Glen Ross]]: "ABC. A, //always//. B, //be//. C, //charging//." |
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| If you are maxing the outlet at 120w and you drive for half an hour you an harvest 60Wh of energy from the ciggy port. (120w x 0.5 hours = 60 Watt-hours) For comparison, on the same drive a 50A DC-DC charger would harvest ~675Wh. |
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| Still, it's present on most cars so it's free and no installation is required. DC-DC are $$$ and require some work to install. |
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===== solar ===== | ===== solar ===== |
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Some [[electrical:solar:gentle_intro|solar]] should probably be included in every build; it is a silent, long-lived charging source that can output whatever voltage your batteries need. | Some [[electrical:solar:gentle_intro|solar]] should probably be included in every build with [[electrical:12v:mandatory_solar|few exceptions]]; it is a silent, long-lived charging source that can output whatever voltage your batteries need. |
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==== mounted solar ==== | ==== mounted solar ==== |
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| Having panel permanently mounted on the vehicle can be a quality of life upgrade; it is charging anytime the sun is falling on them. |
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| **Consider mounted solar as a backbone of your charging if you spend a lot of time emplaced in open areas** with good insolation. Camping in non-forested areas, for example. |
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* works poorly - in partial shade | * works poorly - in partial shade |
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Having panel permanently mounted on the vehicle can be a quality of life upgrade; it is charging anytime the sun is falling on them. | |
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**Consider mounted solar as a backbone of your charging if you spend a lot of time in open areas**. Camping in non-forested areas, for example. | |
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| ==== portable solar ==== |
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| [[opinion:frater_secessus:portable_panels|Portable solar]] can work alone, can augment the mounted panel((separate controllers)), can be placed in sun, and can usually be angled for maximal harvest. |
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==== portable solar ==== | **Consider portable solar as a backbone of your charging if you spend a lot of time emplaced in areas of shade adjacent to areas with clear sun**. In a forest with canopy openings, for example. |
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* must be set out to work | * must be set out to work |
* works well - when set out in the sun, especially when tilted toward the sun. | * works well - when set out in the sun, especially when tilted toward the sun. |
* works poorly - when not deployed | * works poorly - when not deployed, like for people who move a lot or who do not diligently set up / take down the portables. |
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| One way to **predict if you will reliably set up the portables**: how full is your vehicle's gas tank and your phone battery right now? If you are a "never let it get low" type you will likely set out portables consistently. If you are a "always running on [E]mpty" type you are less likely to set out the portables. This is a not a moral judgement, but rather a way to help assess whether or not portables would be a good source of power for your use case. |
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Portable solar can augment the mounted panel, can be placed in sun, and can usually be angled for maximal harvest. | |
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**Consider mounted solar as a backbone of your charging if you spend a lot of time in areas of shade adjacent to areas with clear sun**. In a forest with canopy openings, for example. | |
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Having access to [[electrical:shore_power|shore power]] (grid power) is like winning the vandweller lottery. It is cheap and practically unlimited. As long as you can keep your demand under ~1500w you can do practically whatever you want. Run a space heater? Microwave? Induction cooktop? Charge your batteries? Sure (just not all at the same time). | Having access to [[electrical:shore_power|shore power]] (grid power) is like winning the vandweller lottery. It is cheap and practically unlimited. As long as you can keep your demand under ~1500w you can do practically whatever you want. Run a space heater? Microwave? Induction cooktop? Charge your batteries? Sure (just not all at the same time). |
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**Consider shore power charging to be the backbone of your charging system if you regularly have access to shore power**. E.g. you live in a house, rent RV spots with pedestal power, "moochdock" in driveways with access to an outdoor outlet. Even if you have to pay for the use of the power it will still be cheaper than off-grid approaches. | **Consider shore power charging to be the backbone of your charging system if you regularly have access to shore power**. E.g. you live in a house, rent RV spots with pedestal power, can use power at school/work, "moochdock" in driveways with access to an outdoor outlet. Even if you have to pay for the use of the power it will still be cheaper than off-grid approaches. |
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You can get away with a very simple, low-power, single-stage [[electrical:converter|shore power charging setup]] | You can get away with a very simple, low-power, single-stage [[electrical:converter|shore power charging setup]] |
You will need to spend money on a more powerful charger if your time is limited (only a couple hours each day). A multistage charger will be important for charging lead banks without solar. | You will need to spend money on a more powerful charger if your time is limited (only a couple hours each day). A multistage charger will be important for charging lead banks without solar. |
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| More information [[electrical:converter#choosing_a_converter|in this article]]. |
===== generator ===== | ===== generator ===== |
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