Electrical shopping list

[B.J]

Hi,
I've just started to put together an electrical shopping list having ripped out (carefully) my old zig unit.

So far, the only thing I've bought is a Sterling A2B 130a charger which is a good starting point.

I plan on buying a waeco cf 40 compressor fridge, http://waeco.com/en/3122_483.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

2 of these http://www.labcraft.co.uk/products/prod ... SI5%29.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

3 of these http://www.labcraft.co.uk/products/prod ... 2-1%29.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A regular car stereo, iphone, Extractor fan and Eberscacher and a electric water tap that's about it really,
I'd like to stay off grid for as long as possible and not have to rely on hook up but I'm not planning on going totally Grizzly Adams just yet

I know pretty much nothing about electrickery or batteries but I reckon with lots of help and advice from the good people of 80-90, I should be able to fit it myself
My skill level is - I can wire plugs and sockets and lights. I can solder . My eyes glaze over and palms get sweaty when folk talk of amps and voltage and watts 'n' stuff.
However, I'm determined to overcome my Elektrophobia and get on with the job.

So, on to the shopping list. What exactly will I need to get this job done? I have a few tools but I don't have a multimeter. Any recommendations on a good one please.

There's going to be wiring. Any recommended suppliers?

A Fuse box? I guess, as I pulled one out, I'm going to have to put one back in

I'll need mains charging to. I had a look at the Ctek m250/300 type chargers but at about £170+ it's a bit steep after shelling out on the Sterling. I'm trying to see the benifits of them too?
If it's only speed of charging then I'm not sure they're worth it as you rent hook up by the day. Any opinions and alternatives are appreciated.

And finally, (I think) Batteries. I have not a clue as to what is best for my needs which will be weekend trips and a month away in summer light use in winter.

That's all I can think of at the mo'.
I really appreciate help on this as I'm completely in the dark about wiring ..........I'll get me coat

[Hacksawbob]

Hi this type of multimeter would do you
http://www.maplin.co.uk/digital-multime ... unter-4407

These guys do cabling relays etc
http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/V ... mepage.php

leisure battery will be charged by alternator as well as your hookup. Some people seem to be recommending Trojan batteries they have bags of power, possibly link up a solar panel to keep them ticking over?

Take a bit of time to plan out your wiring layout, and do spend some time getting your head round the watts and amps. its not that hard and you really NEED to understand how thick a wire you need for a particular load and length of run, if you get it wrong you could have fire.

[B.J]

Thanks for the tips.
I might attempt the alternator stuff and leave the mains to an expert.
I keep seeing people talk about Lidl and aldi chargers for hook up are these only occasionally stocked?

[California Dreamin]

Thanks for the tips.
I might attempt the alternator stuff and leave the mains to an expert.
I keep seeing people talk about Lidl and aldi chargers for hook up are these only occasionally stocked?

Yes...these have proven very popular with club members but definately not as a 'hookup' type charger....they simply aren't powerful enough. To put it simply, at just three amps there is a good chance that more is being taken out than is being put back in...which means, even when hooked up there is a good chance the battery will go flat over time.

Dedicated leisure chargers tend to have an output of at least 6amps...10amps would be recommended for a two battery camper setup but even higher if the total battery capacity exceeds say 160amps.

Martin

[B.J]

Would something like this be useful as charger/power supply? I'd like to run stuff whilst charging but I'm not sure how this feature is described in the technical blurb.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sterling-Powe ... 20b5c2ec06" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[lloydy]

it will be good quality and give you ten amps, so good for most installations.
What i have got is as follows
sterling B2B charger (50amp)
2X 80ah leisure batteries from alpha batteries
1X gold distribution block http://www.sterling-power.com/products- ... bution.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
i used the above to connect the sterling and all the leisure batteries together
1X fuse box http://www.the12voltshop.co.uk/Shop/fus ... 5026b.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
compressor fridge
mains side i have a ctek mxs 25 which i will be fitting soon, i got the expensive charger as with the B2B charger when you fit a mains charger to the starter battery the sterling charges the leisures. So it will be charging over 220ah of batteries, so a 10amp charger will only tickle that really

I got some really good info from some people on here, plus doing it yourself really makes you understand how it all works. Mine looks like this (still need to tidy cables )


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[B.J]

Cheers Lloydy, that's just what I was after.
Are you going to fit a remote for the Sterling?

[lloydy]

no, no remote for me. I bought one of these to monitor battery levels, pretty cheap!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Blue-LCD-Digi ... 295wt_1092" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[ghost123uk]

no, no remote for me. I bought one of these to monitor battery levels, pretty cheap!
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Blue-LCD-Digi ... 295wt_1092" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

HEADS UP !

Test the reading of that unit against your multimeter !

I bought one the same and it was reading nearly .4 of a volt lower than against my 2 Multimeters (one of which is lab quality). Luckily there is a tiny adjuster inside that meter so I was able to adjust the readout to correct this. .4 of a volt discrepancy is really not good enough when we are using them for these purposes !!!

This is a quality control issue so your, mileage may vary as they say.

[pfield69]

Definately get a solar panel.

I use one VERY similar to those found on road signs. (They are just thrown away if the post is knocked down).

Also you will need to learn ohms law as you want to use the right cable. I have seen so many people running massive curents down too small a cable. Also remember that electricity doesn't get used up. The negative cable hase to carry the same current as the positive cable. Sorry to give you that glazed look and sweaty palms.

You may want to consider a small generator too if you are off grid for some time

[B.J]

This arrived yesterday. I'll be shopping for wire today then hopefully get something done over the holiday.
Lloydy, how much and of what size cabling did you get?