how many batteries is enough in a mobile home, at the moment I have one, but I have a massive second battery but Im beginning to think it wont be enough, I have a 24 foot Austin Bus Im converting, it has piddly generator on the engine, im changeing this to an Alternator, to explain the situation a little better, we plan to stay in van parks as much as possible where we can hook upto 240v and be happy, there will off course be times when we will be out in the sticks with no 240v access, what I have to run is a small 140 litre fridge which is 240v, my internal lighting is 12v and 240v, I also have a microwave oven, the aircon wont run off an invertor, I have a 1000w invertor, my A/C is 3.5kw its 240v only for it,
I have to fit a dual batter charger set up so I can charge both batts while its on the road and if we have to stop for a while Im hoping solar panels will help to keep the batts charged, more interested in opreserving the batteries themselves rather then consuming the 12v power, Im even thinking of a wind generator running an alternator to assist, I do have a generator as well though wont run this at night, dont wanna be bombarded by Wombat and his beer bottles,
What size alternator is preferred? I have a brand new Bosch 55amp alternator, I can get a 110v alternator too, I dont think a power overload with the bus electrics is gonna hurt it theres no heater, it will have driving lights and fog lights and the usual running lights so Im figuring a 55amp alt should pack enough punch to keep the system charged, open to ideas on any of this
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I assume that the 110v alternator you refer to is in fact a 110 amp alternator. My opinion is that the 55 amp would be barely adequate. Can you also give an indication of the approximate amphour capacity of the "massive" second battery. If you're unable to determine this, an indication of the physical dimensions would help.
You mention your intention to mostly stay on powered sites. By foregoing a few luxuries when off "ground" power you can conserve your battery power for essentials such as lighting and the fridge, and maybe a small 12v/240v TV/DVD combo. It's unlikely that the 1000 watt inverter would be adequate for the microwave, an 800 watt microwave requires 1300-1400 watts to run it.
Keep in mind that a 240v fridge powered from 12v via an inverter will most likely draw significantly more current than a similar 2way 12v/240v unit. This may not be a big issue if mostly staying at powered sites.
Subject to more info about the "massive" battery a this stage I'm inclined to think it would be adequate but time may prove otherwise in which case you can review the situation then.
-- Edited by jimricho on Wednesday 15th of February 2012 07:52:24 AM
I would also suggest you consider being prepared for whatever lifestyle changes may come along. i.e. Maybe in the future you might like the idea of free camping or want to go remote where there are no CP's and 240v. So, when you set up you van keep this in mind and it may save you a lot in the future.
I have 2 x 75amp/watts? deepcycle batteries and 190 watts of solar as well as the vehicle battery with smart charger (isolated). 100ltrs fresh water and 80ltrs grey. 90ltr 12v compressor fridge. Really, the 240v acts as a generator charging the batterys when I am in CP's.
I found that I could do with more battery capacity as they will only last about two days if there is no sun for the solar. Otherwise in sunny conditions it will last indefinately. I have more capacity from the solar than I use during the day. Overnight I generally run the laptop, 12v TV/DVD, a light and the fridge. If I get really worried, I can restrict myself to the fridge only. The Microwave, airconditioner and other 240v appliances I save for when plugged in.
I have also found that 100ltrs of water is somewhat inadequate for more than about fives days using it sparingly. I guess you have to consider the cost of "moving" larger amounts of water though.
The battery is very large 4wd battery, I would guess 16 plate min, Im a heft lad and Ill be buggered if i can carry it easily ill check the details on it tomorrow and get back to yas, yeah its a 110amp alt sorry.
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I figured you were talking amps not volts but I just wanted to "clear the air" As I implied earlier my preference would be for the 110 amp unit as you know this will do the job.
(as an aside, I got caught out some time back when a poster referred to 12v/24v volt "house" supplies in his rig. I assumed a typo and that he was talking about a 12v(dc) and a 240v (mains ac) supplies. He was in fact talking about 24v (dc) as well as 12v (dc), hence my query)
Re the battery, just a rough ("eyeball") idea of the dimensions (mainly length) will do, subject to that information, I would suggest a "suck it and see" approach and try it out before committing yourself to a lot of hard earned "readies" for a bank of expensive deep cycle batteries. It's most likely a starting battery rather than a deep cycle but given its large size it may well work ok as a house battery. The theoreticians on the forum will most likely disagree but it's your money not theirs they're spending. One assumption here is that the battery is in good condition and has always been kept fully charged. If it has been stored uncharged or only partly charged its best place would be at the scrap metal dealer's.
Before the days of modern AGM batteries, a former professional 4WD tag along tour operator I know and travelled with, used to use and recommend Yuasa "Overlander" (4WD starting) batteries in preference to deep cycle types for auxiliary (house) use in 4WDs. One advantage was a quicker recharge time from the alternator. His views on this were based on extensive "real world" practical experience with both types.
You mention you intend to install a dual battery system to enable both batteries to be charged from the engine. This is essential and will ensure both batteries are charged from the alternator and that the house electrics will not discharge the starting battery. It will also give priority charging to the starting battery. (you're probably aware of this but I mention it anyway)
Not mentioned is the need for an suitable 240v "smart" charger for when you are on a powered site. You may already have this matter in hand.
I'll leave it to the solar experts to comment on that aspect of your set-up.
In summary: Go for the 110 amp alternator, try the "massive" battery before assuming it may not be suitable.
The battery is very large 4wd battery, I would guess 16 plate min, Im a heft lad and Ill be buggered if i can carry it easily ill check the details on it tomorrow and get back to yas, yeah its a 110amp alt sorry.
Hi
That raises another question, is it a deep cycle battery????
That inverter would be unlikely to run the micro wave, unless it is very small
Also would need to be a PURE sine wave inverter for most microwaves
All I can say about the battery is its a Century and its 760CCa, on the subject of alternators my mate was saying why dont u fit two alternators theres room for them, not a silly idea really, two 55 Amp alts gives me potentially 110Amps to play with but running as seperate systems I can use one for the necessary 12V stuff in the cabin, my invertor is pure sine wave 1000Watts, the second alternator will do what an alternator does and run the other stuff, guess I could wire it so one could be used or changed to the other in the event of an Alt failure and it happens, brushes wear, diodes pop etc, but what say you people?
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