The Dispatch | Expert | Scudo Hub

PieCaptain

Member

Registered: 2015-05-04

Posts: 5

Van Electrics

Hi All,
I've been trying to get my head around the electrical systems I want to put into my van.

I work away from home so am going to be in the van Sunday night thought to Thursday morning.

Typically driving 100 miles on the Sunday night, then minimal driving until Thursday night when I drive home (another 100 miles)

I'll be eating at work, so I don't need to cook or refrigerate food. (though I want to account for potential to upgrade at a later date, probably with a second leisure battery)

All I need is some internal lighting, and the ability to power my laptop, tablet and smart phone.

So far, the sites I've read all talk about using an inverter to convert the 12V feed to 230/240V, however, it seems a little pointless to invert to 230, only to plug the laptop power supply in which will take it back down again

I'm wondering whether to just use one of these for the laptop, but remove the cigaretter lighter jack

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Charg … B00279H9IS

and something like this for the phone/tablet

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Vktech-Double-D … B00CTGB24G (thought this gets poor reviews so will find a better alternative)

For the lighting i was thinking about using a couple of these for lighting specific areas

http://www.kiravans.co.uk/campervan-par … att-silver

Along with this for ambient lighting

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Auraglow-5050-S … B009E9TPCW

I'm thinking i'll use 57.63 amp hours per day
(based on calculations here - Power consumption calculations)

Which leaves me with how to charge the batteries.

Obviously I need a split charge relay to charge the battery from the alternator

i found a kit on amazon

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Leisure-Battery … 00LVQ6ACE/

but, I also want to expand to solar charging in the future, along with installing an external hookup as i'm not sure whether 10 minutes max of driving per day will charge the batteries up enough!
I also want to add a solar panel, which may pick up the slack

I guess i'll worry about a 230V circuit later...

Any advice/Tips?

PieCaptain

Member

Registered: 2015-05-04

Posts: 5

Re: Van Electrics

Over kill?

Solar Panel Kit