self powered for extedned stays?

milo · Guru

self powered for extedned stays?

Sheba · Guru

Milo, I have 1 Solar Panel, & 1 House battery. I've only been away for 1 week at a time so far, but I run DVD Player, Lights, and Engel Fridge.   Don't use the Micro-wave at all.

I have a small Camping Stove, from the warehouse, $15.00. Butane Cartridges can be bought from Bunnings for $4.95 per 4 Pack. They run for 1 1/2 hours.   I boil a jug of water, and have a Thermo-jug which holds what I don't use after making a cup of Coffee.   That way you get at least 3 or 4 cups [depending on size] without having to use more gas.

Haven't tried the 12V TV yet, but it should run off the Battery, no problem. So far I don't need an inverter.   Everything that runs on 12V only, can plug straight in to the battery.

I don't use caravan Parks, and don't plan to either.

This is the Fridge.

Cheers,
Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 6th of March 2011 05:13:34 PM

Happywanderer · The Master

Hi Sheba, I have just started a post about inverters. You say you don't have one and everything you use plugs straight into the battery. Does that mean you have some cig lighter plugs set up for that, or how do they plug in.
Myrtle has the front cig lighter plus at least another 4 around the van, but if I don't get an inverter I will have to get adjusters/adaptors to plug everything into the cig leghter plug as they are all wired for mains plugs.
It would be cheaper to just get an inverter than adaptors for everything, wouldn't it?

Sheba · Guru

Hi Marj,
I have a Cable coming from the battery with a 12V inlet Socket. I also have a Triple adapter, which was not expensive. I believe you can also get 5 Socket ones.

Cheers,
Sheba.

Firefly · Guru

What size solar panel do you have Sheba, if you don't mind me asking and is it the briefcase style that stands on the ground?

Sheba · Guru

Sorry Firefly, I have no idea at the moment. It is quite large, and mounted on the roof. Will try and find out tomorrow, and let you know. Should check Battery size too I suppose, but I don't want to pull everything apart. Will see if I have Paperwork in the console tomorrow.

Will try and get high enough to take a better Pic of Panel as well, and post later. You can get a bit of an idea from this one. Mine is the one on the left the High-top.

I forgot to mention that I've got an adaptor to run the Lap-top with as well. Still shouldn'tneed an inverter.

Cheers,
Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 6th of March 2011 05:46:01 PM

Happywanderer · The Master

So the triple adaptor you have in the photo is for cig lighter style plugs? And you have adaptors for the 3 pin power plugs to the cig lighter plugs? Is that right?

So if thats the case I don't need an inverter, I already have at least 4 cig lighter plugs set up around the living area of the van plus the one in the driving compartment. The ones in the living area are permanent built in ones so I won't need a triple adaptor like you have. Just an adaptor for from power plug to cig lighter plug and it can be used for anything electrical I have in there?

That means I can get a new radio as Myrtle only has an old AM one. I want a am/fm with cd player.

Happywanderer · The Master

Just rang S.in.L to check all that out. Yes I will need an inverter for the TV. It won't run on a 12 volt so have to have the inverter to change it to 240. Everything else will run on the 12 volt though. Can also run the laptop on the inverter as I will have it anyway.
So still need the inverter and getting a new car radio as well.
Going shopping tomorrow. Yippee, thats a start while waiting for Myrtle.

milo · Guru

just out of interest for you guys with the hi ace styled campervans, how much do they cost to fill up?
and how many k's a tank do you get?

Happywanderer · The Master

Thats still for me to find out milo. I don't even know what size tank it is yet. Sheba will know, hers and mine look the same. I only know it will be a lot more than my little Hyundai I used to have.

Firefly · Guru

Thanks for that Sheba, don't go to too much trouble though, just wondering. smile

We just bought a 120watt solar briefcase style and was curious to know how that type and size would perform.

We have yet to take it for a trial run though.

milo · Guru

thats the same im thnking hw, i have a mazda 2 which i can run on $20 a week if i want too...
thats why i wanted to find out how different the fuel is

Sheba · Guru

milo wrote:

just out of interest for you guys with the hi ace styled campervans, how much do they cost to fill up?
and how many k's a tank do you get?

Hi Milo, I'll give approximates for Cost and Tank size for the moment. Too wet to go out and get the Owners' manual at the moment.

Depending on how much is left in the Tank, and current prices, it costs me somewhere around $60-$75 to fill up fortnightly. I think the tank is either 60 or 70 Litres.

I'm getting 100K's to 9 litres of Deisel, and at least a third of that is City driving.

Pretty sure it's around 645 K's to the Tank.

The High-ace is a heavy vehicle, and mine is the Extra Long Wheelbase, so take that into account when making comparisons Milo.

Cheers,
Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 6th of March 2011 08:10:55 PM

Happywanderer · The Master

Mine is the same as yours Sheba, Long Wheel Base but is on petrol, so the tank should be the same size.

milo · Guru

i guess the hi tops would be a bit more heavier too?

Sheba · Guru

milo wrote:

i guess the hi tops would be a bit more heavier too?

Not sure about that Milo, but I prefer Pop-tops, 'cause I think you would have too much wind-drag, there-fore use more Fuel.

I can still manage to push up the Pop-top, but will be getting Air Lifters in the not too distant future. Cost under $1000., and will be much easier. [I'm 70 this year.]

Check out this link.

http://www.rvairlifters.com.au/

Cheers,
Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Monday 7th of March 2011 12:52:58 AM

DeBe · Guru

Firefly wrote:

Thanks for that Sheba, don't go to too much trouble though, just wondering.

We just bought a 120watt solar briefcase style and was curious to know how that type and size would perform.

We have yet to take it for a trial run though.

Hi Firefly, Im only using a 100Watt panell & it keeps up with my 80Litre waeco fridge in the van, so i dont think you will have any problems.

Firefly · Guru

Thanks DeBe.

Ma · Guru

FF, we have the same set up as you re: solar panels.

Just been away three weeks and only used the genny for 8 minutes to zap some vegies in the mickywave.

Certainly lived up to all our expectations.

Even when it was overcast we still had a charge trickling into the batteries.

Firefly · Guru

Well that is good to know Ma, we are now almost self suffecient mate. smile

jimricho · Guru

I note the use of cig lighter plugs and sockets in the pictures above. Experience has taught me to have little faith in these plugs for critical applications such as a car fridge or for loads that draw significant amps, inverters often being a case in point. The contacts can be "dicky" at the best of times and can easily overheat if the amperage is significant, especially when using double/triple adaptors such as those above. Devices such as phone chargers, GPS, etc draw very little current and aren't a problem.

I've found the old fashioned "Clipsal" style two pin "T" plugs the best of them all. These are the one's that look a bit like ordinary three pin plugs.

DeBe · Guru

These are what Jim is talking about. I use them in the vehicle / caravan & boat. For an Inverter of 300Watt & more they shouild be hard wired to the battery, 300W is capable of atleast 30Amp draw.

jimricho · Guru

Thanks for the piccy (above) Daryl. Yep, that's the one.