Ideal electrical set up???

[jgaynair]

Hi All,

I want to have an ideal and resilient electrical set up, so wondered whether anytone could make any suggestions (avoid me re-inventing the wheel)? General set up, and examples of the kit involved would be great!?

Want a resilient split charge system (??) where I can run off batteries for a good amount of time without worry, and always have a means to start and recharge the batteries.

Want a good, safe 230v hookup setup, with more than enough circuits/ outlets, ability to trickle charge batteries whilst on 230v, some good lighting throughout the vehicle, etc etc.

Any suggestions for facilities I haven't thought of yet would also be greatly appreciated? Would also appreciate any suggestions for good books that might help with this??

The bit I hope you won't laugh at too much is I'd like to do this for a reasonable budget - haven't got endless supply of funds, but will do the work myself??

Thanks in advance guys,

J.

[California Dreamin]

Can of worms spring to mind.....Let me start by saying that there are so many options and even more opinions:
From mega expensive sterling battery chargers, equally expensive traction batteries, 100amp volt sensing split charge relays and large but 'GREEN' solar panels...and I've not even scratched the surface.
I know what I would fit but it would only be swamped with the above and much more...

Martin

[trentjim]

I'm currently thinking through the same problems as you...
your first questions are how many days you want to be able to run off grid and what you want to power... big difference in requirements between someone that just runs a few LEDS and the waterpump and somebody with TV, Microwave. laptop and hair straighteners.

e.g 2X 6w lights at 12v draw 1A , if they are on for 5 hours per day thats 5 amp hours, therefore if you've got a 100AH battery & thats all you run then you are ok off grid for 20 days

now factor in a fridge which is say 75w which at 12v is 6.25 A - if we assume that its actually running around 40% of the time (im guessing here, it will be ambient temp & frequency of opening dependent) then its going to chomp through 60 or so AH per day - now your battery isnt going to last 2 days... you need to add solar or wind charging...

to convert watts to amps divide by the voltage eg 100 watts at 240v is 0.4 amps, at 12v its 8.3 amps
then multiply by the number of hours per day that the thing will be running to figure out your consumption in leisure battery terms

[VAN with a PLAN]

Maybe you could give a vague idea of your budget for these mods, that way the knowledgeable bods on here may be able to pitch you some suggestions to suit.

[billybigspud]

Get a basic system but run the wires for what you may want in the future and then add as you go. You just need a bit of fore thought

[California Dreamin]

Average setup to satisfy an average Camper user.
Mains:
15m Mains cable
Mains hookup plug
Mini consumer unit (for a Camper)
some 16amp flex and a couple of low profile 13amp sockets (ones with LED's are good to show they are powered)

12volts
2 X 85amp (a single 110amp will be OK for 2-3 days) Leisure batteries connected (fused) in parallel
10 - 12 amp multi staged leisure charger (must go to float charge)
Some kind of charge monitoring
Split charge relay and associated wiring (beef it up a bit to say a 70amp relay with 50 amp wiring)
3 strip lamps perhaps a spot reading lamp...LED's are good.
Nice to have 2 - 3 cigarette power sockets.

Martin

[kevtherev]

Traction batteries.. it's the future.
forget split charge systems spend the money on 2 Trojan T125 240 amphour batteries in series that will last for months without charge.

search traction batteries here and read what folks say

I don't need mains, all my toys are 12v.. telly dvd music heating lighting.

[centro]

Traction batteries.. it's the future.
forget split charge systems spend the money on 2 Trojan T125 240 amphour batteries in series that will last for months without charge.

search traction batteries here and read what folks say

I don't need mains, all my toys are 12v.. telly dvd music heating lighting.

You running a fridge as well?

Should be getting my Trojans in the next few weeks.

[kevtherev]

the fridge is gas

[California Dreamin]

Kev
I've no doubt that Trojans are very good but do they really last for months without charging?
At 240ah that is a heck of a lot of capacity but what makes them that much better than normal leisures.

240ah is what....5 amps for about 40hours.

I could buy two of these and have the same capacity (240ah) but for £140.00 cheaper.

http://www.batteries4leisure.co.uk/batt ... tAodqm595Q" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I also note* Trojans only have a 2 year warranty which is a bit worrying when you've paid £320.00 for a pair.

I can see that they look smaller than leisures, so are going to take up less physical space but the Two Lucas Leisures i linked to connected in parallel would have the same capacity and with Deep Cycle characteristics. so what makes the Trojans worth 40% more for the same capacity.

Martin

[jgaynair]

Thanks to all for your good advice.

One point I didn't mention but should have, is that I don't drive the vehicle every day (is often left for 4 days at a time - whilst on shift), AND, is parked at the roadside, so unable to set up a trickle charge! This presumably makes my issue even more difficult as my 12v batteries are never going to be in the best state!?

I will definitely run a decent 230v hookup (with distribution board, sockets and lighting).

With regard to my 12v system, and the above in mind, would I be better off to remove my leisure battery, and leave that on trickle charge for when I am going on a trip? This way, I won't damage that battery too??

Also, found the following link and thought I'd share it as it has some good info:

http://www.caravanandmotorhomebooks.com ... ystems.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Any further comments are welcome, and appreciated!

[kevtherev]

Kev
I've no doubt that Trojans are very good but do they really last for months without charging?

yes... ask nesty

...would have the same capacity and with Deep Cycle characteristics. so what makes the Trojans worth 40% more for the same capacity.

Martin

OK take the 6v 240 Ah Trojan T125.. look it up on this table..



put the two together to make 12v
yes it's a £300 set up, but the convenience of this awesome power is some thing to think about.
It's a different technology in there mate, if you want I can post up the insides, I saw a picture on the internet and I might be able to find it.
I know they use a paste and a different plate reinforcement the porosity of the layers is way out there

it's the future

[California Dreamin]

A sink full of water is still a sink full of water, 240ah is still 240ah...make up 240ah with traditional quality leisure batteries and they have a capacity to deliver 240ah....

Now I've read everything and I mean everything that has been written on this forum about Trojans and I haven't seen anything that has told me anything I didn't know already.
Yes these are very high quality, high capacity, rugid deep cycle batteries..That's it!
I know there are lots of fans out there and rightly so, these are good batteries but to hear you and others talk you would think that Trojans are doing something no other battery could do.
Just trying to put things into perspective Kev.
Not to mention the fact that if and when one of these batteries fails you are left with 6 volts you can't use.
Martin

[kevtherev]

to hear you and others talk you would think that Trojans are doing something no other battery could do.

taken from the Wikipedia..
Specially designed deep-cycle cells are much less susceptible to degradation due to cycling, and are required for applications where the batteries are regularly discharged, such as photovoltaic systems, electric vehicles (forklift, golf cart, electric cars and other) and uninterruptible power supplies. These batteries have thicker plates that can deliver less peak current, but can withstand frequent discharging.[9]

Some batteries are designed as a compromise between starter (high-current) and deep cycle batteries. They are able to be discharged to a greater degree than automotive batteries, but less so than deep cycle batteries. They may be referred to as "Marine/Motorhome" batteries, or "leisure batteries".

this says to me trojan will last longer than a leisure, in life and sustained power.. fact.
Like westies really, built differently, so they last longer deliver more.

[centro]

Which Trojans are you using Kev? do you have 2 x 6v or a single 12v set-up?