CNC rg
Member
So I've been doing some watching videos of van builds and also doing some searches for information on power in a van. I've been unable to find an answer to this particular question, so this seems like possibly the best place to pose it and create a discussion and see what everybody thinks or does for their situation.
I want to preface this post by stating that I am most certainly not a professional in the area of electrics/electronics, my experiences are more towards mechanical/machining/fabricating/R&D.
I see almost every van build using a single inverter up around the 3kW size to power all the 110v appliances used in the van either simultaneously, or by intention based on their purpose and draw. I have also heard it mentioned in many of those videos that regardless of the wattage draw of the plugged in appliance, the current draw will still be enough to power anything up to the maximum of the inverter (please correct me if I am mistaken).
I will break out my question into a list to make it easier to read instead of an obnoxious text for reading comfort, as well as referencing with responses (hopefully).
Modular System:
Thank you,
rg
![1723565151829.png 1723565151829.png](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/vanlivingforum/data/attachments/41/41384-ac776508d80fef3f36ce60b1c79ed165.jpg)
I want to preface this post by stating that I am most certainly not a professional in the area of electrics/electronics, my experiences are more towards mechanical/machining/fabricating/R&D.
I see almost every van build using a single inverter up around the 3kW size to power all the 110v appliances used in the van either simultaneously, or by intention based on their purpose and draw. I have also heard it mentioned in many of those videos that regardless of the wattage draw of the plugged in appliance, the current draw will still be enough to power anything up to the maximum of the inverter (please correct me if I am mistaken).
I will break out my question into a list to make it easier to read instead of an obnoxious text for reading comfort, as well as referencing with responses (hopefully).
- If the build budget allows, wouldn't it make more sense to use a more modular system with multiple inverters sized (with safety factor) to specific plugs/outlets labeled specifically with the maximum wattage draw for that run?
- For example, in my case, I would be building a van with a workstation so I could do tech work from the road. This means I would need an outlet for my laptop of 300W (my brick is 230W) specifically for this device, a second outlet for monitors with their own inverter matched to their power needs. Both outlets would be labeled with the devices they are for and also the maximum wattage available for each outlet.
- For devices for example a toaster oven, microwave, refrigerator, heated flood pad 110v, etc. These would be higher wattage outlets wired to where they will specifically be used and labeled/designated as above.
- As an example I am looking at using electric floor under the finish floor, the electric floor mat I am leaning towards is 110v and has a draw of 540 watts and a single point of power supply (The mat is 20" wide by 13.12' long, no need to heat where I can't put my feet) In this instance I would want a single outlet/switch GFCI outlet where the mat originates near the back of the van close to the whole power system. I would most likely want to have this single run use a 600W pure sine power inverter just for this system. During warmer season, or warmer geographic locations, this whole system could be shut down so no draw/loss would occur.
- Ideally, I would want to use as many 12v appliances as possible and would integrate 12v outlets in many locations with integrated USB-A plugs as seen in the image below ($22).
Modular System:
- Con: Increases cost due to needing multiple inverters
- Pro: Being modular, if any of the inverters fail the remainder of the system is unaffected
- Pro: Smaller inverters are relatively cheap to replace versus a single 3kW full system inverter
- Pro: When a system isn't needed it can either be turned off at the breaker, or a switch near the outlet
- Con: More wire needed to fully complete the build from individual inverter runs
- Pro: More efficient use of the available power in the vehicle power bank
- Con: The multiple inverters will use a little more space because of more components along with the single high wattage inverter
Thank you,
rg
![1723565151829.png 1723565151829.png](https://cdn.imagearchive.com/vanlivingforum/data/attachments/41/41384-ac776508d80fef3f36ce60b1c79ed165.jpg)