[1]The original poster posed a simple and straight forward question and appropriate simple and straight forward responses was all that were required.
The poster was simply enquiring on the merits of having 12v, a perfectly reasonable and sensible question. Fortunately there were a couple of sensible responses before the compulsive pedants hijacked the thread.
[2]Many members without technical backgrounds will come here to seek advice and we should respect them with responses they can understand rather than hijacking the thread with pedantic and irrelevant posts such as those above.
[3]For folks new to 12volt issues in caravans and RVs the terminology can be a little mysterious and a simple and respectful explanation of the difference between an amp and an amphour that can be understood by non-technical people was all that was required.
[4]Lacking technical knowledge does not make a person dumb or stupid and it is ill mannered and disrespectful to imply they are, even indirectly. It is also ill mannered and disrespectful to hijack a thread such as this and in this manner before it may have "run its race".
Hi Jim
[1]Yes the poster did ask a simple question.
Unfortunately a reply had a basic & misleading error
the poster of that error had it pointed out to him with the suggestion he correct it
He did not follow that suggestion but tried & still tries to justify it ., despite ALL atempts to explain why it is wrong
So who is the pendent???
[2]Yes many do come here seeking advice & IMHO it is important that they recieve CORRECT advise
Not misleading advise or info
But when someone continues to justfy their incorrect advise ,WHO is the pendent??
The above posts are very relevant to that incorrect info
[3] Yes , I ,for one always attempt to do that, but sometime the message can be very hard to get through to some one who is not prepared to or is unwiiling to even think they may wrong!! As IN THIS CASE
[4]I agree, lacking knowledge on any subject does not make a person dumb but when some one refuse to accept they are wrong ,despite the evidence ,is that stupid, dumb, obstinate etc???????
Peter
IMHO, the time to correct an error is when it is first made, otherwise more errors can evolve
Finally IF someone claims to have some expertise in a particular area[in this case, low voltage DC & solar etc] they should be prepared for their peers to comment [GOOD OR BAD]
[1]The original poster posed a simple and straight forward question and appropriate simple and straight forward responses was all that were required.
The poster was simply enquiring on the merits of having 12v, a perfectly reasonable and sensible question. Fortunately there were a couple of sensible responses before the compulsive pedants hijacked the thread.
[2]Many members without technical backgrounds will come here to seek advice and we should respect them with responses they can understand rather than hijacking the thread with pedantic and irrelevant posts such as those above.
[3]For folks new to 12volt issues in caravans and RVs the terminology can be a little mysterious and a simple and respectful explanation of the difference between an amp and an amphour that can be understood by non-technical people was all that was required.
[4]Lacking technical knowledge does not make a person dumb or stupid and it is ill mannered and disrespectful to imply they are, even indirectly. It is also ill mannered and disrespectful to hijack a thread such as this and in this manner before it may have "run its race".
Hi Jim
[1]Yes the poster did ask a simple question.
Unfortunately a reply had a basic & misleading error
the poster of that error had it pointed out to him with the suggestion he correct it
He did not follow that suggestion but tried & still tries to justify it ., despite ALL atempts to explain why it is wrong
So who is the pendent???
[2]Yes many do come here seeking advice & IMHO it is important that they recieve CORRECT advise
Not misleading advise or info
But when someone continues to justfy their incorrect advise ,WHO is the pendent??
The above posts are very relevant to that incorrect info
[3] Yes , I ,for one always attempt to do that, but sometime the message can be very hard to get through to some one who is not prepared to or is unwiiling to even IMHO, the time to correct an error is when it is first made, otherwise more errors can evolve
Finally IF someone claims to have some expertise in a particular area[in this case, low voltage DC & solar etc] they should be prepared for their peers to comment [GOOD OR BAD]
I think you may have meant "pedant". "Pendent" relates to pending.
I have never heard such pedantic, although accurate crap. As a trade qualified & practising electrician in both electrical distribution/transmission and mining for 46 years as well as holding an Associate Diploma of Electrical Engineering I'm actually ashamed that others with presumably an electrical background could so ridicule the author of a post that to me, whilst technically inaccurate, was quite understandable to the average person. LW was merely trying to help and if the way this topic has gone turns out to be indicative I'll be moving elsewhere.
Darrell
__________________
Love the bush & our native environment. Conservationist, not a bloody Greenie.
Hubby and I debating ? over whether 12 volt is necessary .We will be free camping where possible
Thanks
Forget to add we will have a generator as well
-- Edited by chrisnchris on Thursday 9th of August 2012 08:36:19 AM
Hi Chris
Sorry for your question being buried
Now to your question
YES if you expect to do a lot of free camping ,A good 12v set up is essential.
But I would suggest it be based on 12v equipment & solar
Generator are useful in an emergency but are expensive to run as a main source & you may have problem in some areas such as National parks where they are often banned & with neighbours in other areas'
You should use gas for ALL heating & cooking
Forget about trying to run anything like that from your solar & batteries unless you spend BIG money
I would also suggest you forget about inverters ,they have inbuilt inefficiencies & are potentially dangerous unless the 240v side is permanently wired into the van system IN THE CORRECT MANNER
What you need to do is sit down & list :-
[1]what appliances you wish to use
[2]how long per day you expect to use each of them
[3]the WATTAGE rating of each
[4]Multiple the hours of daily use of each by IT'S Wattage rating
Add up all in [4]
That will give you your expected DAILY requirement of ENERGY[Watt Hrs]
Then determine the period that you may wish to free camp without other means of recharging the batterries
From that the solar panel requirements can be caculated
You may be able to use the geny for emergency recharging subject to location but you would need to have a large capacity charger for fast charging [NOT THE 12V output of the generator]
If you do frequent driving while free camping ,your vehicle alternator can also assist
"Power Stream " can help in that area
Lots of points are required to be considered before you will have a set up that will meet all your needs
Others include:-
importance of cost recovery .
What are you prepared to spend
actual annual use
how long you may wish to follow the lifestyle with the same van
Then specific items of eqipment need to be considered including the advantages & disadvantages of each
The most contraversial is the FRIDGE type[absorption3way ,or compressor type]
Compressor type involves considerably more investment in solar & battery capacity for long term free camping
Peter
We are here to help
Some here are qualified to answer any further questions,so do not hesitate to post with more questions
Hopefully ALL the replies, to YOU, will be based on well known & correct terminology to avoid ANY confusion
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 15th of August 2012 09:35;00 AM
Hi Chris
Did you see the above post amongst all the crap put up to support incorrect info ??
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Wednesday 15th of August 2012 09:36:12 AM
Just logged on to check for any more info on my 12 volt question . Holy crap, simple answer for a simple question . Seems it wasn't so simple after all Thanks anyway . Cheers
Hi Peter Yes I did see your last post and it was very informative , thank you . We now have some idea of what we need re power supply . One step at a time and its easy peasy Cheers