The Camping Thread

[Trevor 57]

Using the water analogy is quite common when talking about power as the flow and pressure is similar

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

Using the water analogy is quite common when talking about power as the flow and pressure is similar

Sure is Trev, and if it were one person relaying it i think it would have presented easier to follow but with the two of them discussing it, first half a sentence referred to ah's and then they'd finish off with litres and then go back again.
The principal makes perfect sense, the delivery was lacking.

[blueoval]

Thanks heaps lads. Some weekend reading I'll do to get myself up to speed with this tech. Appreciate it.

[raised by monkeys]

Been doing a little reading. Am i right that i cun run solar panels into a smart solar controller and monitor usage/recharge with a BMS and convert 12v to 240v using an inverter?

I have an AGM battery at home, a 100 or 120ha, may need to buy a second, but i need to work out roughly how much power we will be drawing. Ill be converting all lighting to LED's. I will install a TV too.
We do plan on installing an AC but that may draw too much power when off grid.

was looking at this example as a guide, but the red arc gear is quite expensive.

[Beastie]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

Been doing a little reading. Am i right that i cun run solar panels into a smart solar controller and monitor usage/recharge with a BMS and convert 12v to 240v using an inverter?

I have an AGM battery at home, a 100 or 120ha, may need to buy a second, but i need to work out roughly how much power we will be drawing. Ill be converting all lighting to LED's. I will install a TV too.
We do plan on installing an AC but that may draw too much power when off grid.

was looking at this example as a guide, but the red arc gear is quite expensive.

You are right.

We run two solar panels into a controller and have two 100ah batteries.

We run a 12v fridge, tv / dvd , lights (all led) and we have a 12v hot water system.

I'll post up some pics tonight.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

Been doing a little reading. Am i right that i cun run solar panels into a smart solar controller and monitor usage/recharge with a BMS and convert 12v to 240v using an inverter?

I have an AGM battery at home, a 100 or 120ha, may need to buy a second, but i need to work out roughly how much power we will be drawing. Ill be converting all lighting to LED's. I will install a TV too.
We do plan on installing an AC but that may draw too much power when off grid.

was looking at this example as a guide, but the red arc gear is quite expensive.

You can, but you need to realise that everything has its limitations and converting 12v to 240v via an inverter will only provide you with so much as many 240v appliaces draw heaps of watts and will leave you with a depleted battery in no time, i doubt you'll be running an A/C long enough to be effective if at all.
Ontop of that, buying everything as individual items, battery box, dc-dc charger, invertor etc. soon adds up which is what was explained to me when i first investigated it and why i went down the Arkpak route as its all included in one easy to move/install package.
It has its limitations, one being only a 300w inverter, but that will run smaller 240v items and wont have you killing your $300 battery in the first 10 minutes.

For off grid use you really need to work out whats important to use and what you can do without before you start getting big idea's and spending even more only to discover it isnt that easy.

Also, just looking at that link you provided, its ok to throw in 2 lithium batteries, a charger, an invertor and 4 panels on the roof but ALL of that reduces your available payload for other items like food, clothing, dinner and cookware, utensils etc. etc. so you need to workout your available weight capacities

[Beastie]

A few pics from our resto.

Solar Panels




Solar Controller




Hot Water System




To Sink



To Ensuite



Water Tank (80ltrs)



12V Fridge / Freezer




And the finished product (well alomost)...









It's a pretty basic caravan, but it does the job for us. We won't be travelling around Aus in it, but it's great for a couple of weeks away.

We've done a few trips to QLD & VIC and our next trip is planned for the South Coast of NSW.

[prydey]

Looking very smart Beastie, nice work.

[Beastie]

Originally Posted by prydey

Looking very smart Beastie, nice work.

Thanks Mate.

We are happy with it and considering it looked like this when we bought it...

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Beastie

A few pics from our resto.

Solar Panels

image
image

Solar Controller

image
image

Hot Water System

image
image

To Sink

image

To Ensuite

image

Water Tank (80ltrs)

image

12V Fridge / Freezer

image
image

And the finished product (well alomost)...

image
image
image
image
image
image
image

It's a pretty basic caravan, but it does the job for us. We won't be travelling around Aus in it, but it's great for a couple of weeks away.

We've done a few trips to QLD & VIC and our next trip is planned for the South Coast of NSW.

Good work mate but youre a braver man than me drilling holes in the roof, especially those 4 side brackets which look like theyre in the troughs where water will pool.
People often mount them on frames and limit the roof holes.

Working in a van yard ive seen so many that have eventually leaked through and ruined ceilings.
when we were looking for a van we found a nice 1 owner, but whoever had replaced the awning guide on the pop top positioned it too far in and so the tek screws went on the inside of the skirt, didnt penetrate the inside ceiling skin but leaked through and destroyed the pannelling after only 2yrs.

[Beastie]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Good work mate but youre a braver man than me drilling holes in the roof, especially those 4 side brackets which look like theyre in the troughs where water will pool.
People often mount them on frames and limit the roof holes.

Working in a van yard ive seen so many that have eventually leaked through and ruined ceilings.
when we were looking for a van we found a nice 1 owner, but whoever had replaced the awning guide on the pop top positioned it too far in and so the tek screws went on the inside of the skirt, didnt penetrate the inside ceiling skin but leaked through and destroyed the pannelling after only 2yrs.

Sometimes you just have to take the plunge. You've got no idea how much silicon I used...

We have had it for 3 years now and so far so good, including the recent week long drenching we had in NSW.

[raised by monkeys]

interested in the hot water system. Does that mean you run 2 taps or a mixer?
Im trying not to go overboard, and could just as happy boil water and add to the sink for dishes and camp shower.

[Beastie]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

interested in the hot water system. Does that mean you run 2 taps or a mixer?
Im trying not to go overboard, and could just as happy boil water and add to the sink for dishes and camp shower.

The hot water system is for showering only as it takes a few hours to get to operating temp off 12v (which needs to be planned in terms of power use). It only holds 10l too, so quick showers are in order...

We boil water to do the dishes.

If I did it over, I would install a gas hot water system.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

interested in the hot water system. Does that mean you run 2 taps or a mixer?
Im trying not to go overboard, and could just as happy boil water and add to the sink for dishes and camp shower.

You can have both or a mixer depending on space but personally if youre looking at off grid applications id go built in gas, or even better as it allows for ease of manouvrability, a good quality portable setup like a Joolca Hot tap etc.
I just boil water in our van as im not prepared to start chopping up the walls and interior.
I also have a portable gas hot water system for showering and keep it away from the van to avoid making a mess around it.

[.:4:.]

What about a petrol generator to plug into the shore power van inlet for 240v stuff, and use the 12v for lighting? On site at my old job we would use a portable honda genny to power lights and things like power tools and it was quiet and wouldnt use much fuel over 12 hours of getting worked pretty hard. So you'd only really need to run it when you need 240v. If the stuff like lighting is 12v, the battery can do that, also if say you have an overcast day and a solar setup wont charge the battery, a 240v battery charger could be used.

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by .:4:.

What about a petrol generator to plug into the shore power van inlet for 240v stuff, and use the 12v for lighting? On site at my old job we would use a portable honda genny to power lights and things like power tools and it was quiet and wouldnt use much fuel over 12 hours of getting worked pretty hard. So you'd only really need to run it when you need 240v. If the stuff like lighting is 12v, the battery can do that, also if say you have an overcast day and a solar setup wont charge the battery, a 240v battery charger could be used.

Problem with generators is that considerate people don’t run them after dark or maybe 7.pm during summer.A 240v pulls over 2000w so you nearly need something like a Honda E30i which comes at a cost in excess of $3000.On a hot night even with 3 kva you couldn’t run an AC unit and boil a kettle or make toast at the same time.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by .:4:.

What about a petrol generator to plug into the shore power van inlet for 240v stuff, and use the 12v for lighting? On site at my old job we would use a portable honda genny to power lights and things like power tools and it was quiet and wouldnt use much fuel over 12 hours of getting worked pretty hard. So you'd only really need to run it when you need 240v. If the stuff like lighting is 12v, the battery can do that, also if say you have an overcast day and a solar setup wont charge the battery, a 240v battery charger could be used.

So long as your aware of regulations for where ever youre camping as some places, national parks etc. dont allow gen sets as if everyone was running them the noise would add up.

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

You can, but you need to realise that everything has its limitations and converting 12v to 240v via an inverter will only provide you with so much as many 240v appliaces draw heaps of watts and will leave you with a depleted battery in no time, i doubt you'll be running an A/C long enough to be effective if at all.
Ontop of that, buying everything as individual items, battery box, dc-dc charger, invertor etc. soon adds up which is what was explained to me when i first investigated it and why i went down the Arkpak route as its all included in one easy to move/install package.
It has its limitations, one being only a 300w inverter, but that will run smaller 240v items and wont have you killing your $300 battery in the first 10 minutes.

For off grid use you really need to work out whats important to use and what you can do without before you start getting big idea's and spending even more only to discover it isnt that easy.

Also, just looking at that link you provided, its ok to throw in 2 lithium batteries, a charger, an invertor and 4 panels on the roof but ALL of that reduces your available payload for other items like food, clothing, dinner and cookware, utensils etc. etc. so you need to workout your available weight capacities

We dont plan on running an AC off 1 or 2 batteries. We would only be using an AC on mains power at a park. The biggest 240v would be TV, if i don't convert to 12v, and fridge. Maybe something on charge but not likely.

I'll be sure to keep weight in the back of my mind.

[Beastie]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

We dont plan on running an AC off 1 or 2 batteries. We would only be using an AC on mains power at a park. The biggest 240v would be TV, if i don't convert to 12v, and fridge. Maybe something on charge but not likely.

I'll be sure to keep weight in the back of my mind.

This is very important as is weight distribution. I didn't post a pic of my batteries, but at 33kg each, I have them mounted over the axle with one on either side of the van.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Beastie

This is very important as is weight distribution. I didn't post a pic of my batteries, but at 33kg each, I have them mounted over the axle with one on either side of the van.

Doesnt take much either, the people who owned our van had fitted a shallow but 1m long checker plate box on the back as theres no room up front.
Great for storage but loaded with anything other than our BabyQ stand , awning anti flap kit and hoses/power cord and it seriously effects the way it tows, not to mention what it cuts into payload.
I've gradually moved things like the battery permenantly and table, tv, forward of the axle line during transport which has fixed the towing issue and am still in 2 minds whether to ditch the storage box altogether.
Only reason i havent yet is it doubles as support for the foldout rear bed base and as were both a bit tubby it has its benefits.
Im taking it in for a wheel alignment soon and want to get the springs reset as the door side is 20mm lower so the plan is to discuss an axle weight upgrade.

[prydey]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

We dont plan on running an AC off 1 or 2 batteries. We would only be using an AC on mains power at a park. The biggest 240v would be TV, if i don't convert to 12v, and fridge. Maybe something on charge but not likely.

I'll be sure to keep weight in the back of my mind.

12v compressor fridges are very efficient these days but hard to beat a two way or three way fridge for versatility.

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by prydey

12v compressor fridges are very efficient these days but hard to beat a two way or three way fridge for versatility.

Agreed, if anything goes wrong with your 12v supply atleast with a 2 or3way you can run it on gas, although a naked flame burning away inside a timber/ tin box leaves me uneasy come bedtime..lol
Doesnt happen often but if you knew my luck you'd understand.

[Trevor 57]

that is why we run a CO meter in the van, they cost about $60 from Bunnings or Annaconda. If you are running anything gas or diesel in an enlcosed space, even though that it should be exhausting outside, you need to have one

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by Trevor 57

that is why we run a CO meter in the van, they cost about $60 from Bunnings or Annaconda. If you are running anything gas or diesel in an enlcosed space, even though that it should be exhausting outside, you need to have one

Thanks Trev, might call down the local Bunnings and grab one this afternoon.
Cheap insurance really.

[sgt_doofey]

Shav, this guy tries to overload the Kings 3000W inverter in his video. It looks like it's impressed him!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0TFWUBpOuk

[Tassie f100]

Originally Posted by sgt_doofey

Shav, this guy tries to overload the Kings 3000W inverter in his video. It looks like it's impressed him!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0TFWUBpOuk

Yeah it was a 1500w inverter which seemed to work alright up to about its capacity!but I don’t know why he was prattling along about it being such a good thing he had a lithium battery and suggesting that a lead acid wouldn’t be able to handle the power draw.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by sgt_doofey

Shav, this guy tries to overload the Kings 3000W inverter in his video. It looks like it's impressed him!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z0TFWUBpOuk

He reckons they are good for the money but wasnt sure about long term results. I'd want to see if they stack up after 12months of regular use.

[sgt_doofey]

Yeah, being cheaper things, it's always a lottery with the Kings things as to whether or not they'll last.
I've got a few things of theirs that aren't really used on a regular basis, but they're all a few years old now and still working well.
- Kings 60L Fridge
- Kings 6x3m gazebo
- Kings 5x LED strip camp lights
The only thing that I've had an issue with so far is the camp lights. One of the connections on one of the strips started to short out. I fixed it by just re-soldering the wires back on.
Apart from that, I've so far had good experiences with their things.

I reckon if you're only an occassional camper, then their gear will work ok for you and you'll probably get a reasonable longevity out of it as long as you look after it. If you're using it all the time, then I reckon it won't last anywhere as long as the more expensive, quality brands.
The Kings stuff if probably ok for the budget minded person that doesn't camp too often.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by sgt_doofey

Yeah, being cheaper things, it's always a lottery with the Kings things as to whether or not they'll last.
I've got a few things of theirs that aren't really used on a regular basis, but they're all a few years old now and still working well.
- Kings 60L Fridge
- Kings 6x3m gazebo
- Kings 5x LED strip camp lights
The only thing that I've had an issue with so far is the camp lights. One of the connections on one of the strips started to short out. I fixed it by just re-soldering the wires back on.
Apart from that, I've so far had good experiences with their things.

I reckon if you're only an occassional camper, then their gear will work ok for you and you'll probably get a reasonable longevity out of it as long as you look after it. If you're using it all the time, then I reckon it won't last anywhere as long as the more expensive, quality brands.
The Kings stuff if probably ok for the budget minded person that doesn't camp too often.

You're right Sam. Im one of those seasonal campers. Really it will be 3-4 times a year and not for long periods at a time either.

Im at the point where I want to have some camping luxuries without forking out mega dollars for big named brands. Kings seem to fit that criteria pretty well.

I want to run this unit if I can from the 100aH battery and if possible, the 1500w inverter

https://www.philips.com.au/c-p/LM801...coffee-machine


Power consumption brewing
1450 W
Power consumption stand-by
<0.5 W

Brewing time one cup
30 sec
Capacity water tank
1 L
Capacity water tank
up to 8 cups
Cord length
0.8 m
Frequency
50-60 Hz
Max. cup height
120 mm
Pump pressure
19 bar
Voltage
220-240 V
Water boilers
1
Brewing time two cups
<60 sec

Do you think the Kings 1500W inverter could handle this?

https://www.4wdsupacentre.com.au/kin...-campsite.html

[prydey]

Originally Posted by blueoval

Do you think the Kings 1500W inverter could handle this?

Shav, can't really answer that however here is the discussion I started on caravanners forum
https://www.caravanersforum.com/view...66096#p1366096

not sure if you need to be a member to read it. There's not a lot of discussion there but those who say it can be done, recommend an inverter around 1600w to 2000w. I guess it allows for a bit of tolerance in case the appliance draws slightly more than advertised??

This brand got recommended by a couple of members who have used it successfully for a number of years
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Pure-Sin...frcectupt=true

Bit dearer than the Kings one but I can't say whether or not a 1500w would be big enough. I guess you could message 4wdsupercentre direct and hope for an honest answer rather than someone trying to push a sale.