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opinion:frater_secessus:prebuilt_van [2024/04/03 18:50] frater_secessus created |
opinion:frater_secessus:prebuilt_van [2024/05/12 19:20] (current) frater_secessus [chargers] |
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+ | DRAFT | ||
+ | |||
====== Help: the power in my pre-built van doesn' | ====== Help: the power in my pre-built van doesn' | ||
- | This is a difficult problem, since neither you nor the people who want to help you know how your system is put together or designed to do. Coulda/ | + | This is a difficult problem, since neither you nor the people who want to help you know how your system is put together or what it is designed to do. Coulda/ |
Let's see if we can get you on your feet first, then we can worry about doing things the right way. | Let's see if we can get you on your feet first, then we can worry about doing things the right way. | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== TL;DR ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | if it ever worked before and doesn' | ||
+ | |||
+ | * an electrical connection is compromised: | ||
+ | * something was inadvertently turned off by physical switch or app setting | ||
+ | * something has failed or worn out((like batteries)) | ||
+ | |||
+ | If it's never worked then perhaps | ||
+ | * something is installed but not hooked up or turned on (see above) | ||
+ | * it wasn't installed | ||
+ | * it failed before you bought it and the seller didn't know or didn't say | ||
+ | |||
+ | It's also possible that it's working fine but you don't know it. Example: | ||
+ | |||
+ | ===== get a handle on the symptoms ===== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Pay attention to what is happening so you can describe it clearly and accurately to people who want to help //but who cannot see your van.// | ||
+ | |||
+ | * useful information: | ||
+ | * "My inverter gives a E3 error and stops working when the battery monitor says voltage is below 11v" | ||
+ | * My inverter worked as expected until yesterday | ||
+ | * my inverter has never worked | ||
+ | * ok information: | ||
+ | * useless: | ||
+ | |||
+ | When describing charging/ | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
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I encourage you to make a text document on your phone or PC to hold info on what we find in this section. | I encourage you to make a text document on your phone or PC to hold info on what we find in this section. | ||
+ | Sources of information: | ||
+ | |||
+ | * the sales listing from when you bought the van | ||
+ | * communications with the seller or manufacturer | ||
+ | * receipts and other paperwork (manuals?) that came with the van | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | Personal note: here is [[http:// | ||
==== general approach ==== | ==== general approach ==== | ||
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* Do you see any charging guidelines on the lable? | * Do you see any charging guidelines on the lable? | ||
+ | |||
+ | ==== solar panels ==== | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[electrical: | ||
==== chargers ==== | ==== chargers ==== | ||
- | We recharge our battery banks almost every day, so there is probably at least one charger present. | + | We recharge our battery banks almost every day, so there is probably at least one charger present. |
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | In order of most common to least common | ||
=== solar charge controllers === | === solar charge controllers === | ||
+ | The [[electrical: | ||
+ | |||
+ | Common brands are Victron, Renogy, EpEver. | ||
+ | |||
+ | The lowest end of the market is flooded with [[electrical: | ||
+ | |||
+ | |||
+ | === alternator charging === | ||
+ | |||
+ | [[electrical: | ||
+ | |||
+ | - [[electrical: | ||
+ | - [[electrical: | ||
+ | |||
+ | === combination DC-DC + solar charging === | ||
+ | There are are some [[electrical: | ||
+ | === shore power charging === | ||
+ | This is the least common form of charging since few vanfolk have the luxury of access to [[electrical: | ||
+ | When present, shore power chargers might be [[electrical: | ||
+ | Sometimes people use shore power chargers that might not be made for vans/ | ||
+ | ===== going forward ===== | ||
+ | Once the crisis is over | ||
+ | - adjust your cut/paste parts document anytime you add or change a component | ||
+ | - observe the system in normal operation so you know how it should act when everything works |