Split Charge/ Mains hookup kit

[rocco1504]

Hi

Back here after a long time away; I know it's probably been answered a million times before, but I'm looking to install a Split Charge kit and hopefully a mains hookup, and I was wondering if there was a "Best" kit to get.

I'm looking to put in a system that I can run 2 - 3 things from, TV, cool box, laptop etc......Problem is I know the square root of F all about electrics, and even less about auto electrics, ( although I have built computers in the past ), But, I know a man who can, either that or a completely Idiot proof kit that has instructions in words of one syllable, it doesn't need to look aesthetically beautiful, it just needs to do what it says on the tin, and work well, And preferably not an arm and a leg to buy.

Anyway, as I say I just need to get something that works, is simple to install I.E. good quality, reliable, but most important I need everything from Battery's, Relays, Cables, Plug Sockets the whole thing so that when it's done I can just use it.

Many Thanks for looking

[kevtherev]

Tow sure sell hook up complete.

Solar power is the future now, hook up is so last century

[rocco1504]

Thanks Kev

Can you point me in the direction of a good Solar system, LOL, are they expensive ?, and again where's the best place to buy ?, not necessarily the cheapest but the ones with the most knowledge and quality kit, presumably that could be used to charge a leisure battery as well ?, is it comparable to a split charge system ?.

I've not really used this van yet, Spent loads getting it sorted so it's safe, it's a converted Transporter/ Surf bus type thing, but my son is a sport climber, who does lots of competitions and hotels are getting really expensive, so I need to get this sorted so as to save money in the long run, but I don't have much knowledge of the best stuff to get to get it comfortable and running for long distance travel/ stay overs, I'm not looking for hotel quality, just somewhere warm'ish, with a few creature comforts, electricity being one of them.

[CovKid]

Tintop? https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ca ... o_a_tintop" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[kevtherev]

Get on Ebay look for Baird 100 watt Solar panel
Then look up photonic universe 10 amp dual battery controller.
You can get a fancy meter to tell you what's going on.
Solar will charge both your batteries meaningfully from sun up to sun down
Leaving you campsite free forever.

Big thread here all about it

https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=39&t=127964" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Oh and you keep going on about kits, in this case it's best not to get a kit.
Read the links and buy what you need.
It'll be good quality and at the best price.

[rocco1504]

Hi Kev
Sorry about "Oh and you keep going on about kits" it's just I really have no idea about these sorts of things, I really don't know how Watts relate to Amps and things like that as I've never had a need for them in the past.

And Cov, yes it is a tintop, just read your link on the wiki it is just what I was after.

Really interesting stuff, I like the idea of a flexible solar panel seems less obtrusive than a hard panel and less noticeable.

As for the actual panel I was looking at this, If it's the right thing for the job, although I don't like the idea of the connector being wired on the top of the panel, http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Biard-100W-Fl ... 1619447939" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I was also looking at this, as I like the idea of knowing how much charge I've got etc. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10a-10-amp-DU ... SwfcVUHDMT" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; .......I don't know if it's compatible with the panel, but I was just using this link as an example of what I'd like to have.

Couple of other questions, one, is 100w going to be enough or do I need a couple of panels ?, Two, what other components do I need, battery connectors, cable etc., and lastly , once I've got these connected up to the batteries and charging, what do I need to get to connect up any equipment I want to use ?.

Many thanks for all your help

[kevtherev]

Links were perfect
The controller and display meter do pop up cheaper but those a fair prices

Standard cigar lighter style plugs will allow you to use usb adapters for the phone,lap top,iPad,tv etc.
12volt tvs come in many guises, some searching will bring up some good ones

[rocco1504]

Hi Guys

I just wanted to say Thanks so much for all of this, it really is a help, and I didn't realise that it was going to be so easy to sort out, even with my limited electrical skills.

Many Thanks again

[California Dreamin]

Woh! hold on Tiger! TV, cool box, laptop ..... one single hundred watt panel really?

You are going to need a couple of big leisure batteries to enjoy any sort of battery longevity and realistic expectations because you are going to kill both those leisure batteries with in one evening/overnight stay running an 8 amp cooler box.
The laptop...not so bad as I presume you are not going to sit there with it for more than a couple of hours.
TV...the same really, could be as much as an 8 amp draw depending on size but hopefully you only intend to use it for a few hours at most.
It's that cooler box that could be the Achilles heal...constant draw for very long periods.
I would definitely include a battery to battery SMART relay, at least then you can start the engine and put some charge back if things get dire.

Martin

[CovKid]

Not forgotten the man with the T5 Diesel at Stanford Hall who flattened his battery completely overnight using a mini fridge. Fridges/coolboxes and 12v are a no-no - unless you have plenty of money to buy the ultra-efficient types.

[rocco1504]

Hi Martin

Tiger ?, ?, Hmm

Thanks for the reply, your concerns I have to say are mine as well which is why I'm now looking at installing two 100w panels.

I did in fact start this thread looking at a Mains hookup setup, but Solar power was put up as an option, and it seems to be a good idea, although having an external power point as well could also be an option

Initially, I'm not overly bothered about a cool box, I just used it as an example, I'm really more bothered about having something to look at as I don't sleep too much even at home and I'm probably not going to be thinking about a laptop at first, I really just want to be able to have some light and a bit of entertainment on what I will imagine be a fairly long night until I get used to using my van.

If you have any good ideas, I'd be more than happy to listen to them, I'm always open to new suggestions.
Paul

[California Dreamin]

Tiger GRRRRR! lol.... sorry Paul, my sense of humour ...

Solar panels are a great source of free energy, however, they don't give you the energy when you most need it, which by the sounds of it for you, that's going to be late at night.
Two panels sounds like the way to go for you but you also need to store that energy when available so I would suggest two big leisure batteries...110ah units X2.
This should easily see you through the night and the two panels will give you enough power even on a cloudy day, to recover the lost energy in those batteries within daylight hours.
Trouble is Paul..this can all get a bit out of hand, the more 'independent' (off grid) that you want your setup, the more complicated and expensive the setup will need to be and this can get very expensive.
What I have described will be enough for your needs as long as you have no desire to run anything of 240 volts. Even then, an moderately sized invertor (12 volts to 230 volts) can be used but really only for low consumers and for moderate periods.
Have you got your heating sorted? propex etc? means of boiling a kettle and cooking all on gas? then you won't need mains electricity.
Lighting and all ancillaries need to all be 12 volts but running entirely without hookup is absolutely doable.

Martin

[rocco1504]

Hi Martin

Regarding the Van, I've had it for a few years, but never really got round to using it, OR doing all the bits to turn it into a proper "Camper"; when I bought it I didn't really know what I was doing, , so after £2500 of bodywork, and £500 brake overhaul, I still essentially only have a transporter with a platform built in the back, surf van style, I've been wanting to get it all done but I have an incredibly complicated life coupled with a degenerative lung condition, so have not managed to get much done, But it does MOT nicely, straight through everytime .

My problem is I just want to get it very basically sorted so I don't have to keep paying exorbitant hotel bills when my son has to travel the country to various competitions, he's one of the top 10 climbers in his age group in the South East, But I'm easy, I don't need a hotel on wheels or super heating systems just yet, I'm sorted with a camping Gaz cooker,cassette loo, and a few other bits, but just wanted a bit of Electric freedom, I was in a Tank regiment for a couple of years so I'm used to spartan living.

Thing is, like you say, the more I look into this Solar thing the more I'm mentally spending, up to about £500+ so far what with 2X panels at about £140 each, Dual charge controller £80, leisure batteries, probably £60 - £70 each plus all the bits and time needed to sort it all out, so I'm beginning to think for my needs, initially just going with a conventional split charge hookup system, it'll be cheaper, and I can sort out the Solar option over a period of time, although it's something I will sort as being not tied to campsites really suits my disposition.

Again, many thanks for everyone's input, it's been really helpful