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opinion:frater_secessus:prebuilt_van [2025/04/28 17:42]
frater_secessus [going forward] |
opinion:frater_secessus:prebuilt_van [2025/04/28 18:10] (current)
frater_secessus [figuring out what you have] |
| ===== figuring out what you have ===== | ===== figuring out what you have ===== |
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| The first step is figuring out what you have, both for your understanding and so others might be able to help you. Knowing what you have helps you [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes#failure_to_ask_good_questions|ask productive questions]]. | The first step is figuring out what you have, both for your understanding and so others might be able to help you. Knowing what you have helps you [[opinion:frater_secessus:beginner_mistakes#failure_to_ask_good_questions|ask productive questions]]. Remember, the people you are asking for help cannot see inside your van. You are their eyes and ears. |
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| **Pro tip**: if you are mounting new panels take a pic of the label //before// mounting them where you can't see it. | **Pro tip**: if you are mounting new panels take a pic of the label //before// mounting them where you can't see it. |
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| ==== chargers ==== | ==== charging and chargers ==== |
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| We recharge our battery banks almost every day, so there is probably at least one charger present. All chargers have settings of some kind: battery type, charging voltages, etc. Look at your manual to see what the defaults are, and cycle through any displays/apps to see if the configuration differs from those defaults. | We recharge our battery banks almost every day, so there is probably at least one charger present. All chargers have settings of some kind: battery type, charging voltages, etc. Look at your manual to see what the defaults are, and cycle through any displays/apps to see if the configuration differs from those defaults. |
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| | When charging the voltage will tend to rise and when discharging it will tend to fall. The amount of this rise or fall is related to charge/discharge current and other factors in the setup. Watch for patterns rather than specific numbers. For example, if bank voltage rises when you start then engine then alternator charging is likely in play. If bank voltage falls when a dark cloud obscures the sun then solar charging decreased (or stopped) for that reason. |
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| === solar charge controllers === | === solar charge controllers === |
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| The [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|solar charge controller]] will have wires coming into it from the solar panels, assuming they are permanently mounted. The other set of wires goes out to the battery bank. | The [[electrical:solar:charge_controller|solar charge controller]] ("SCC", "controller") will have wires coming into it from the solar panels and out of it to the battery bank. There may also be [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#using_load_output|LOAD terminals]] but these are rarely used in van setups. |
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| | Common controller brands are Victron, Renogy, EpEver. Morningstar and Blue Sky were premium controllers that are not as common in vans nowadays. There are also many rebranded inexpensive-but-functional controllers from SRNE, BougeRV, Eco-Worthy, etc. The two main [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#using_load_output|types of controller]] are PWM and MPPT; they are different ways of getting power from the panels into your battery bank. As long as your solar is working the type of controller is not particularly important at this stage. |
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| Common brands are Victron, Renogy, EpEver. Morningstar and Blue Sky were premium controllers that are not as common in vans nowadays. There are also many rebranded inexpensive-but-functional controllers from SRNE, BougeRV, Eco-Worthy, etc. | |
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| The lowest end of the market is flooded with [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#single-stage_chargers|very cheap controllers]] (often incorrectly called "MPPT") in the $10-$20 range. These can work if you understand their limitations. | The lowest end of the market is flooded with [[electrical:solar:charge_controller#single-stage_chargers|very cheap controllers]] (often incorrectly called "MPPT") in the $10-$20 range. These can work if you understand their limitations. |
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| - [[electrical:12v:alternator#combiners|combiners]], simple and inexpensive. Includes switches, relays, voltage sensing ("smart") relays, usually mounted near the starter battery.((possibly under the hood of the vehicle)) This type of device is basically a pass-through for whatever the battery bank wants / the alternator can give. Often no name on the device at all, although VSR do sometimes carry labels like Stinger, Smart, Battery Doctor, etc. | - [[electrical:12v:alternator#combiners|combiners]], simple and inexpensive. Includes switches, relays, voltage sensing ("smart") relays, usually mounted near the starter battery.((possibly under the hood of the vehicle)) This type of device is basically a pass-through for whatever the battery bank wants / the alternator can give. Often no name on the device at all, although VSR do sometimes carry labels like Stinger, Smart, Battery Doctor, etc. |
| - [[electrical:12v:b2b|DC-DC chargers]], more complex and costly chargers that can regulate current and/or voltage. Usually mounted quite close to the battery bank. Common brands include Victron Orion, Sterling, Renogy, etc. | - [[electrical:12v:b2b|DC-DC chargers]], more complex and costly chargers that can regulate current and/or voltage. Usually mounted quite close to the battery bank. Common brands include Victron Orion, Sterling, Renogy, etc. Since 2024 less expensive versions have come to market from China, including Li-Time, Etaker, etc. These tend to have less extensive documenation. |
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| === combination DC-DC + solar charging === | === combination DC-DC + solar charging === |
