battery charging basics
i'm planning a 6 month trip in a minivan staying mostly in nat parks, probably with no hookups since i think hookup sites cost a lot more i need a bit of power for my electronics mostly and maybe a...
Forum Discussion
There are so many provisions and restraints in the "requirements" the word COMPROMISE! just jumps up and screams.
You cannot use a generator in most national parks. The difference in charge rates between different "vans" is astonishing. One single battery can accept around 40 amperes charge rate and it needs to accept this (maximum) charge rate if you plan on recharging the battery during your lifetime.
TWO HUNDRED WATTS OF SOLAR and a roll of 10 gauge SJO wire would be the way to go. But most newer panels are high voltage low amperage and need an EXPENSIVE MPPT type controller to extract the power out of the panels. How many DOLLARS does three hours of idling cost? How much FASTER would an AGM battery charge?
And it all gets trashed in the end. Why does the word FUTILE! keep flashing in front of my eyes? Sort of like seeing a notice NEED TO GET TO HONG KONG CHEAP WILL ACCEPT STEERAGE. It's gonna cost more than an airline ticket.
The best IGLOO seven-day ice chest, an excellent regulated LED lamp and swapping the car battery for an AGM may be the most cost effective way to go here. So what, you need ice? DRIVE! Charge the battery. Got extra money? Get a solar panel. But no matter how you cut it 48 watts is 4 amps. Times 24 hours is A LOT OF BATTERY. Nothing fits here. Time to fall back five and punt.
You cannot use a generator in most national parks. The difference in charge rates between different "vans" is astonishing. One single battery can accept around 40 amperes charge rate and it needs to accept this (maximum) charge rate if you plan on recharging the battery during your lifetime.
TWO HUNDRED WATTS OF SOLAR and a roll of 10 gauge SJO wire would be the way to go. But most newer panels are high voltage low amperage and need an EXPENSIVE MPPT type controller to extract the power out of the panels. How many DOLLARS does three hours of idling cost? How much FASTER would an AGM battery charge?
And it all gets trashed in the end. Why does the word FUTILE! keep flashing in front of my eyes? Sort of like seeing a notice NEED TO GET TO HONG KONG CHEAP WILL ACCEPT STEERAGE. It's gonna cost more than an airline ticket.
The best IGLOO seven-day ice chest, an excellent regulated LED lamp and swapping the car battery for an AGM may be the most cost effective way to go here. So what, you need ice? DRIVE! Charge the battery. Got extra money? Get a solar panel. But no matter how you cut it 48 watts is 4 amps. Times 24 hours is A LOT OF BATTERY. Nothing fits here. Time to fall back five and punt.
