Expedition Portal - Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/ Discussion of auxiliary power systems as they relate to expedition travel. en Sun, 19 May 2013 05:38:51 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/images/misc/rss.png Expedition Portal - Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/ ARB fridge with LiFePO4 in a dual battery setup http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/110727-ARB-fridge-with-LiFePO4-in-a-dual-battery-setup?goto=newpost Tue, 14 May 2013 04:24:47 GMT My new ARB 50 quart should be in tomorrow, and am planning to use a dual battery setup in my SUV. The goal is to run the fridge on battery for 3 days, without recharging, so minimum 120Ah lead battery will be necessary. Problem is, my SUV has not much of space for a 120Ah battery. It will be... My new ARB 50 quart should be in tomorrow, and am planning to use a dual battery setup in my SUV.
The goal is to run the fridge on battery for 3 days, without recharging, so minimum 120Ah lead battery will be necessary.

Problem is, my SUV has not much of space for a 120Ah battery. It will be big and very heavy. My experience with LiFeP04 (used them in RC Heli) has been very good. They are half the weight of Lead batteries, twice the life, very stable and safe, fast charging and useful capacity is over 80% (compared to 50% of Lead). Nowadays they are not very expensive compared to Lead acid battery, if the life and cycles are factored in.

I am thinking of battery isolator pushing current to the LiFeP04 via protection circuit (meeting LiFePO4 requirements). But would also like to keep Solar as an option in future. Anyone tried this before? There are not any isolator+LiFePO4 chargers like the ones CTEC has for Lead packs. ]]> Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. soul http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/110727-ARB-fridge-with-LiFePO4-in-a-dual-battery-setup portable CPAP battery for 45 day trip. http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/110706-portable-CPAP-battery-for-45-day-trip?goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 23:44:20 GMT I need to build a throw away portable battery for my CPAP machine. (CPAP only no humidifier.) It draws .14 amps at 120 volts so accordingly it should draw 1.4 amps at 12 volts. Factoring a aprx 90% efficient inverter I am rounding up to 1.6 amps. Assuming an average of 5-6 hours use, that comes... I need to build a throw away portable battery for my CPAP machine. (CPAP only no humidifier.)
It draws .14 amps at 120 volts so accordingly it should draw 1.4 amps at 12 volts. Factoring a aprx 90% efficient inverter I am rounding up to 1.6 amps. Assuming an average of 5-6 hours use, that comes to aprx 9.6 AH. I know that AGM batteries don't like to be drawn down more then 50% so I am estimating a 18AH battery should work. This will be charged off via the vehicle during the day and used during the night when AC power is not available. I am trying to keep the weight down so I want the minimum battery size that works for a 45-60 day trip.

Anyone done something similar? Comments or Suggestions?

One possibility is to purchase a quality Car Battery jump starter with (22AH battery) and use it to power the CPAP at night and recharge it via inverter during the day while driving. Another possibility is to just run off my vehicle battery and have the jump starter in case it draws down the battery in a remote area.

Thanks
Rick ]]> Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. chuppie http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/110706-portable-CPAP-battery-for-45-day-trip Power Questions http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/110691-Power-Questions?goto=newpost Mon, 13 May 2013 21:15:41 GMT I had my trailer lights connected straight to the battery but was going to be adding some extra lighting and have a power inverter hard wired. I didn't want everything taking up space in the already cramped battery post location. Instead I used an old xm radio dock and made a power dock for my 12 v connections. The positive is connected to the engine fuse box and grounded on the firewall.
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Is this plastic ok for the connections? Will it overheat?

I want to run a heavy wire to the rear of the vehicle then attach the power inverter, after market lights, and a 12 v plug. Is 8 gauge heavy enough? Should aftermarket lights and my power inverter be attached directly to the battery?

I probably should have asked these questions before I started....er finished.
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]]> Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. unabashedpraise http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/110691-Power-Questions power film charging http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/110399-power-film-charging?goto=newpost Sat, 11 May 2013 15:59:02 GMT A few years ago I purchased a bunch of powerfilm stuff and have not had time to use it. I have a 15 and two 5 watt solar panels, female cig sockets, solarguard charge controller and a daisy chain for hooking the panels together. I'm prepping for a group trip down into Havasupai and would like to keep peoples camera's and stuff charged in the canyon. I also own a couple goal zero Sherpa 120 and 240 battery packs. I will get the adapter to go from the Powerfilm to the goal zero batteries. I tried to use individual and daisy chainede panels today to charge my Ipad at home but the Ipad recognized that it was plugged in but said it was "not charging". My Iphone would not charge either. I tried doing it with and without the Charge control unit. Any ideas what I'm doing wrong? I was getting 19v off the 15watt panel. The light was on on the cig adapter for the ipod. When I first bought the panels I swear I tested them charging my driod phone. any ideas?
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]]> Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. cruisertoy http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/110399-power-film-charging Storing portable generator in Van http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/110055-Storing-portable-generator-in-Van?goto=newpost Fri, 10 May 2013 03:06:23 GMT What's the best way to store a portable honda generator in a van?
Does it need to be in a sealed compartment thats vented to the outside?

thanks ]]> Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. chadlanc http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/110055-Storing-portable-generator-in-Van Battery Minders solar charge controller? http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/110048-Battery-Minders-solar-charge-controller?goto=newpost Fri, 10 May 2013 02:25:12 GMT Anyone here use a Battery Minder Solar Controller? I've been looking at this one to handle a fixed panel on a pop-up camper application. Planning a 150watt +/- panel. Most of the powered items in my camper were designed for the RV park not the backcountry. They eat the battery alive when "shore" power is not available.

http://batteryminders.com/details.php?prod=SCC-180

I like the push button battery status display. Easy for the wife to see what the health of the system is. Currently I have a single group 31 flooded battery but will add a second AGM 31 down the road. ]]> Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. Corbet http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/110048-Battery-Minders-solar-charge-controller Converter swap - need help http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/110010-Converter-swap-need-help?goto=newpost Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:05 GMT I just had to swap out my fried ELX25 for a WF8725-P and am having some problems. I have connected all of the 12v wiring on the back of the new unit in the same order as the old one but I have no power making it to the appliances. If I test for power at the fuses on the converter and use the main... I just had to swap out my fried ELX25 for a WF8725-P and am having some problems. I have connected all of the 12v wiring on the back of the new unit in the same order as the old one but I have no power making it to the appliances. If I test for power at the fuses on the converter and use the main battery ground at the back of the converter I show full power. However, if I test for power at the the appliance using the immediate power and ground I get no power readings. I am thinking ground problem somewhere but I have everything connected that came apart and I can't seem to figure it out. The main chassis ground is connected to the buss bar where indicated. I tried plugging it into shore power and still no power to the appliances. Anybody have any suggestions? I am supposed to be heading out in two weekends so I need to get this sorted soon. ]]> Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. xtremexj http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/110010-Converter-swap-need-help Custom battery/inverter box http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/109492-Custom-battery-inverter-box?goto=newpost Thu, 09 May 2013 01:43:03 GMT This design has gone through 4 different setups, started life as a battery and a loose power inverter, second year installed all of it and a second battery into a red tool box, had some problems with my 250w inverter so in the third year it was replaced with a 1000w inverter......barely got used,... This design has gone through 4 different setups, started life as a battery and a loose power inverter, second year installed all of it and a second battery into a red tool box, had some problems with my 250w inverter so in the third year it was replaced with a 1000w inverter......barely got used, broke my leg in the summer that put me on the sidelines for 6 months. Went to clean, repair and charge it up and it was on its last legs, both batteries were gone and the tool box had so much corrosion that the bottom of the steel was so thin I didn't think it would support the batteries. So last Sunday I took all the pieces to work (including newish batteries) and built a new, better, stronger and shiny new box.

Case, 16ga stainless steel welded and polished, double lip and weather stripping for water protection, handles also double as vents for the inverter, wiring and orerhangs to protect against water intrusion, stainless piano hinge with a nice little locking catch (not pictured, I installed and finished the wiring after the pics were taken)

All in all, spent 5-6 hours to design, program, laser, form, weld, polish, install parts and wire......that is a good day

Jer
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]]> Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. coppertop_01 http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/109492-Custom-battery-inverter-box Night time 120 v need http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/108749-Night-time-120-v-need?goto=newpost Tue, 07 May 2013 00:45:08 GMT A few years ago, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea...all is good now, but every night I sleep with a CPAP.

Unfortunately, it has cut down considerably on my camping, and quite honestly I miss it. Now I have three children and a wife that I'd like to share my love of camping with. So, my middle son and I have been kicking around the idea of a expo trailer. Now comes the question....

Is there a way that I can quietly (at night) get 120v to power my CPAP, while camping in a remote location?

Thank you ahead of time for any and all help. ]]> Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. flyfisheraa573 http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/108749-Night-time-120-v-need 12v power calc confused http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/107482-12v-power-calc-confused?goto=newpost Thu, 02 May 2013 13:19:47 GMT I am confused on something simple. I have an Engel MT-45, running dual battery setup. My 2nd battery is a new Duracell AGM group 34 and the fridge is wired direct using 10 gauge wiring. Battery is charged using a DirtyParts dual battery/isolation kit. CCA - 775 Res Cap - 120 Ref CA - 955 20... I am confused on something simple. I have an Engel MT-45, running dual battery setup. My 2nd battery is a new Duracell AGM group 34 and the fridge is wired direct using 10 gauge wiring. Battery is charged using a DirtyParts dual battery/isolation kit.

CCA - 775
Res Cap - 120
Ref CA - 955
20 AH rate - 55

If my MT-45 draws 0.5-2.5AH how long would my dedicated battery last.

I tried a online calculator and it indicated 2.9 hours. That just seems so short considering the low ah draw.. Or am I missing something? ]]> Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. ebg18t http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/107482-12v-power-calc-confused Anyone actually broke their solar panels on a roof rack? http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/106672-Anyone-actually-broke-their-solar-panels-on-a-roof-rack?goto=newpost Tue, 30 Apr 2013 00:05:29 GMT So in my single 24v panel vs 2-4 of the 12v panels folks talk about having more than 1 panel is good in case things break.....but how often do these panels break? I had 2 panels on top of my 10ft tall Sportsmobile and here in the desert southwest I often had tree branches rubbing the panels but... So in my single 24v panel vs 2-4 of the 12v panels folks talk about having more than 1 panel is good in case things break.....but how often do these panels break?

I had 2 panels on top of my 10ft tall Sportsmobile and here in the desert southwest I often had tree branches rubbing the panels but never a break.

Anyone actually break a panel?

Right now a single 24v 220watt panel will fit just fine for $150...or 4 40watt 12v panels for $232 if I go that route.

Thanks in advance.....or an this will be a perm install that lays flat...if I get crazy I might make a tiltable frame but I doubt it :) ]]> Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. 1leglance http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/106672-Anyone-actually-broke-their-solar-panels-on-a-roof-rack 120V power in a trailer. Should I? http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/106298-120V-power-in-a-trailer-Should-I?goto=newpost Sun, 28 Apr 2013 23:57:59 GMT Hey everyone, I'm building a custom "teardropish" trailer. In it, I'm debating whether to put a power inverter and a 120V receptacle in the trailer. I already have a power inverter in my tow vehicle that really doesn't get used much when camping (mainly to pump up our mattress pad which we won't use anymore).

My question is: who has a 120V receptacle on their trailers, and has it been worth having?

Thanks guys! ]]> Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. matthewp http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/106298-120V-power-in-a-trailer-Should-I AC lamp holder on 12v DC system http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/105888-AC-lamp-holder-on-12v-DC-system?goto=newpost Sun, 28 Apr 2013 01:55:49 GMT Hi guys,

I'm in the process of making a portable solar power station for when I'm camping, nothing big... just need it to run a 12v computer fan and charge a few phones and run a light or two at night. I have a 35W solar panel and an 18ah battery connected to a small 10amp solar controller module.

I want to hang a light globe in my tent and run a low wattage CFL or LED globe from it.

My question is, can I use a standard every day lamp holder socket from a 240v desk lamp like this:
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cut the cable, add a 12v accessory plug to the end and then connect a 12V DC LED or CFL globe to it?
or do i need a special lamp holder for a DC system??

may sound silly, but I've never actually wired one if these before and am not sure if they are anything more than a just socket.
I couldn't imagine it would matter if the circuit was either AC or DC as long as the globe is the correct type, right?

thanks in advance guys!

cheers,
Loggio
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]]> Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. loggio http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/105888-AC-lamp-holder-on-12v-DC-system Anyone used the T-max dual battery system? http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/105506-Anyone-used-the-T-max-dual-battery-system?goto=newpost Sat, 27 Apr 2013 03:19:36 GMT I don't want to fork over ther 400 for the national Luna system bless I have to. I recently came across this system. It doesn't come with a mile of cable like the nl system does, but it seems like a good deal. Any input? ]]> Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. Lanceputnam http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/105506-Anyone-used-the-T-max-dual-battery-system Thoughts on using 24v panels?? http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/104403-Thoughts-on-using-24v-panels?goto=newpost Wed, 24 Apr 2013 04:44:04 GMT So it is time to put together a solar setup on my 70 burb. I live in phoenix so gotta make use of the sun :) I already have a big Sears Plat/Odyessey battery and a dual batt system. My old burb has a cool vintage roof rack that I need to measure and will post a pic of to give folks the idea of... So it is time to put together a solar setup on my 70 burb.
I live in phoenix so gotta make use of the sun :)
I already have a big Sears Plat/Odyessey battery and a dual batt system.
My old burb has a cool vintage roof rack that I need to measure and will post a pic of to give folks the idea of my space. This system will run a 63L ARB full time, a fantastic fan part time and keep the battery happy.

When I was in Australia over the summer I noticed lots of folks using 24v panels into controllers that would take it down to 14v for the batteries. I was told the 24v panels were cheaper and more effcient.

Thoughts?

Also I am reading through lots of threads here on which controller to get so please chime in with any thoughts. ]]> Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. 1leglance http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/104403-Thoughts-on-using-24v-panels NL Split Charge and Dealerships http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/104279-NL-Split-Charge-and-Dealerships?goto=newpost Tue, 23 Apr 2013 17:23:39 GMT Begrudgingly, I need to take my Jeep JK in to the dealer for a warranty issue. It's likely they will have to disconnect the battery.

What's the best way to prepare for that instance? I was thinking I would disconnect the black wire to disable the intelligent solenoid so the system would remain inert while at the dealer and their disconnecting and reconnecting the main battery won't cause issues with the internal fuse on the solenoid?

Any thoughts would be appreciated. ]]> Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. dstock http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/104279-NL-Split-Charge-and-Dealerships 12v PC Fan - Powered from 18V 36w solar panel, can i? http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/104094-12v-PC-Fan-Powered-from-18V-36w-solar-panel-can-i?goto=newpost Tue, 23 Apr 2013 04:03:26 GMT Hi guys, Ok, i need some intelligent input on this as i have little knowlege on this stuff. Ok, so i have a 3-way portable absorption fridge i use on GAS for camping. It works great, however i have heard that adding a DC 12v PC fan to exhaust out heat from the condensor fins can increase its... Hi guys,

Ok, i need some intelligent input on this as i have little knowlege on this stuff.

Ok, so i have a 3-way portable absorption fridge i use on GAS for camping. It works great, however i have heard that adding a DC 12v PC fan to exhaust out heat from the condensor fins can increase its performance dramitically. I have a heap of PC 12v fans laying around and thought why not put them to good use.

I also have a portable 18v 36W solar panel i bought off ebay a while back and actually don't use it for anything. So i thought, why not marry the two together and let it run the fan in the fridge... then i don't have to worry about batteries.

So my question to you guys is, will this work? ... do i need to do anything special, or can i simply hook up the fan to the solar panel and it will work.

the specs of the panel are:

outgoing current: 2 A
Power : 36W
Voltage : 18V,

Output interface
DC 3.5mm

My worry is that the fan is a DC 12v fan and the solar panel is 18v 36W... I have no idea if the fan will simply only draw what voltage it needs, or if it needs to be regulated and if so, how?
will running the fan this way destroy it?

I'm sorry for my ignorance with all this, but i'm reading around and getting mixed messages from a lot of forums. A lot of the info out there is for 12v fans running on 5w or 10w 12v solar panels.

I hope someone can explain this all to me.

Thanks in advance,

Loggio. ]]> Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. loggio http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/104094-12v-PC-Fan-Powered-from-18V-36w-solar-panel-can-i <![CDATA[Intentionally mismatched bat's in dual system?]]> http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/103709-Intentionally-mismatched-bat-s-in-dual-system?goto=newpost Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:27:14 GMT I'm going to a backup battery system using eveldaves $50 cookbook thread, probably sometime this summer. I plan on having the tie-in solenoid manually switched. Charging for now is a locally rebuilt 60amp Delco 10si with the voltage sensor wire(I forget the technical term) at the primary battery. Eventually I'll go to a fully independent dual bat dual alt system, but that's down the road a ways. My primary battery is going to be the DieHard Platinum 31M Marine combo. Since the second battery will have no routine loads on it, is there a problem with using a substantially smaller (read lighter/cheaper) battery for the backup position? Can I mix AGM/flooded in this application, and/or is there a good compact AGM for that use? Basically all it need to do is crank over my V-8 on the off chance I drain the primary. The wiring is such that I can swap cables to make the smaller battery the system primary if the DHP tanks, so I could start on the secondary, then charge the primary once I'm running.

Any other thoughts/comments/pitfalls I should know about?

Thanks


Matt ]]> Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. Mobryan http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/103709-Intentionally-mismatched-bat-s-in-dual-system IBS Dual Battery System (FJ Cruiser) http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/103336-IBS-Dual-Battery-System-(FJ-Cruiser)?goto=newpost Fri, 19 Apr 2013 22:46:35 GMT So I just finished this project today. One of the last things I had to do to the FJ. The only thing left to do is a Kaymar Rear Bumper with Dual Swingout and some LED's to light up the night.

I had to fab a bracket to get the Fuse Blocks in but other than that is was pretty straight forward and didn't take to long. The 200A Relay is mounted to the side of the battery tray. Enjoy.

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]]> Power Systems: 12v, Solar, Gen. Ramjet http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/103336-IBS-Dual-Battery-System-(FJ-Cruiser)