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--- opinion:frater_secessus:prebuilt_van [2024/12/10 16:32]
frater_secessus [get a handle on the symptoms]
+++ opinion:frater_secessus:prebuilt_van [2025/03/28 13:53] (current)
frater_secessus [TL;DR]
@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 ===== TL;DR =====
-  * **observation** is a major part of both figuring out a system and of troubleshooting.  Look.  Notice.  Pay attention.
+  * **observation** is a major part of both figuring out a system and of troubleshooting.  Look.  Notice.  Pay attention.  Document.
+  * look up the manual or specs for for every component you find
   * the job of the power system is to accept charge from [[electrical:12v:power_mix|one or more sources]], store that energy, and use it for [[electrical:12v:loads|loads]] you want to run.  On average **charging must be ≥ discharging**((the "average" part is provided by bank capacity)) or you will [[opinion:frater_secessus:running_out_of_power|run out of power]].
   * a system can be working-as-designed and still not do what you want or meeting your needs
@@ Line 40: / Line 41: @@
 Caveat: If someone upgraded/changed the vehicle after purchase the VIN will not know about that....
-You can find a free lookup tool by searching ''[brand] VIN lookup``.  [[https://duckduckgo.com/?t=lm&q=chevy+vin+lookup&ia=web|Example using Chevy]]
+You can find a free lookup tool by searching ''[brand] VIN lookup''.  [[https://duckduckgo.com/?t=lm&q=chevy+vin+lookup&ia=web|Example using Chevy]]
@@ Line 98: / Line 99: @@
-==== shore power charging ====
+=== shore power charging ===
 This is the least common form of charging since few vanfolk have the luxury of access to [[electrical:shore_power|grid ("shore"). Having steady access to shore power is like winning the vandweller lottery because you can do almost anything you want, power-wise.
@@ Line 107: / Line 108: @@
+==== inverters ====
+[[electrical:inverter|Inverters]] are used if/when you need to run 120vac((in the US)) loads from 12vdc((typically)) battery banks.
+They will typically have a wattage rating labeled on them.  With more reputable manufacturers this will be the continuous duty rating.  With less-scrupulous manufacturers this might be the peak/surge output rating.
+Unless the inverter says ''pure sine wave'' or ''PSW'' on it there is a reasonable chance it is Modified Square((or Sine)) Wave.  See link above.
+==== wiring and fusing ====
+While poking about taking stock of the components, also notice the wiring and fusing.
+It can be difficult to tell the construction and gauge of wiring by externals.  If you are lucky that information might be printed on the insulation of the wiring itself.  This kind of info might be printed only on one side maybe only every few inches or feet so it might be hidden at first.  Keep tracing and looking.
+Fuses and breakers are usually labeled with their current limit
+[[https://www.bluesea.com/support/articles/Circuit_Protection/1437/Part_1%3A_Choosing_the_Correct_Wire_Size_for_a_DC_Circuit|This Blue Sea article]] describes appropriate wire gauge for a given current and circuit length.
+===== upgrades =====
+You may have to make some upgrades to meet the demands of your particular use case.  A rational approach might be:
+  - understand your use case, including [[electrical:12v:dailypowerrequirements|daily requirements]] in Watt-Hours or Amp-Hours and [[opinion:frater_secessus:run_this_load|load requirements]] in Watts or Amps.
+  - understand what the  existing system can do (see above)
+  - find the bottlenecks and open them up so it //can// meet your needs
+An irrational-but-common approach would be to [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes#buying_random_stuff|buy stuff at random]] based on impulse,  marketing, or "good deals".

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