First I want to say I hope this is in the right forum and I will try to keep this organized and to the point but there is a lot to explain.
Situation -
I could write a lot here, if anyone is interested I can expand more. Simply put I am buying a van to live out of for the next year while cramming almost 2 years of classes in less than a year so I can transfer into an Electrical Engineering program. Money and time are limited so I have to make sure they are used where it counts most. Summer starts June 6th and I need to figure out how to provide power to the van for small appliances and a computer.
The vehicle -
1991 Ford E 150 extended conversion van, comes with a 13,500 BTU A/C on top and a 2,500w industrial power inverter. The inverter was meant to replace the small generators on big rigs for power while they are camped and supposedly costs a couple thousand new, apparently it can power the A/C unit.
My goals -
- Stealth
- Be self sufficient
- Power small appliances and computer, ie a mini mini RV
- Be power efficient as much as possible, ie don't run the 5.7L engine a whole lot just to recharge batteries
Electricity use per day - expected/max -
A/C (1800w) - 0hr/1hr -
0w/1800wh
Mini fridge (42w) - 24hr -
~1000wh
PC w/monitor (~350w) - 2hr/4hr -
700wh/1200wh
Hot Plate (1500w) - 1/4hr/3/4hr -
375wh/1125wh
Toaster Oven (1500w) - 0hr/1/2hr -
0wh/750wh
Other - ??hr -
200wh/400wh
The rest of the stuff would be some lighting, cell phone, cordless power tool battery chargers, AA/AAA battery charger, occasional car vacuum etc.
Total per day - 2275wh/6275wh
Average use per hour - ~95w/~262w
---------T-105--------------T-145----------T-105---T-145---T-105-----T-145
------------------Capacity---------------------C/10 Amps--------C/10 Watts
2-(225AH/2700w)-(245AH/2940w)---22.5A---24.5A---310.5w---338.1 w
4-(450AH/5400w)-(490AH/5880w)---45A-----49--A----621w------676.2 w
6-(675AH/8100w)-(735AH/8820w)---67.5A---73.5A---931.5w---1014.3w
The plan so far -
-Purchase 2-6 used Trojan T-105(225AH@20hr)($55ea plus core) or T-145(245AH@20hr)($60ea plus core) 6v deep cycle batteries for an effective 1-3 12v deep cycle batteries.
-Possibly upgrade the alternator to a 130 or 160 amp along with the "Big Three" wires.
-Move some existing loads to the battery bank such as the radio, power inverter and lighting.
-Run most non essential vehicle loads off of the inverter, ie A/C, PC, mini fridge etc.
-Potentially install smaller secondary inverter for the PC - see questions.
Questions -
- Do I need to worry about the safety of the PC if I turn on the A/C while the PC and mini fridge are on? Those 3 items are very close to the inverters rating.
- Do I need to do anything special for the PC to protect it from start up current when other items are turned on or when the vehicle is started?
- How many batteries should I get? I think 4 of the T-145's should work so long as I have a way to recharge them, I don't see the electrical load draining the batteries more than half of their capacity from any one peak usage which would be cooking times or when the A/C is used.
- Should I avoid the used batteries I have mentioned?
- Will a UIBI set up work or do I have to worry about the battery bank pulling the starting batteries charge down to unacceptable levels once the van is started since I will only be driving short distances?
- What are the thoughts on Wal Mart deep cycle batteries since it would be very easy to exchange when they crap out and most likely not cost much?
- What are the thought on adding a solar panel or two?
I see three options - use the engine, buy and use a generator or buy and use solar panels. Solar seems the best option since it will probably be no more expensive than a generator, probably cheaper than a purpose built quiet generator, cheaper in the long run over running the van, and would be the quietest option of all. The down side is limited space, limited daylight and power recharge capacity.
- What are the thoughts on DIY solar panels over pre-made regarding total cost, time invested and functional benefits?
Other Thoughts -
I've worked at a car audio shop briefly when I was about 17, I've worked as a field tech for a cable company for a few years and as an electrician apprentice for a few years plus I had some electronics training in the Air Force. I'm not very good with designing electronic circuits but I can do all of the basic stuff, just need some help figuring out what I should be doing to accomplish these goals.