Paralysis by Analysis

[[email protected]]

I will get busy on the google sheets right away. I will provide a link that you can access.

I am a bit different when it comes to power in our van. Everything in our van runs off 12V DC instead of having a big inverter to convert 12V up to 120V and then back down to whatever voltage the device uses. It keeps things simple too. We do have an exterior electrical connection on the van that feeds an inside power strip so when we are somewhere that has shore power, we can take advantage of it. There again, it would be to charge our batteries or run a small electrical heater. My resources on electrical are more where I go for purchasing or learning. I came from a low voltage background for 30 plus years so I was already familiar with wiring and battery plants.

I really like the following for ordering wiring:

Powerwerx Fantastic customer service but a bit more $$ then say Amazon.
Renogy Quality solar and power products and reasonable pricing

Helpful info:

www.diysolarforum.com Great forum that has a vehicle category. Usually get great responses quickly. Will Prowse runs the forum. Youtube search: Will Prowse Solar He is very knowledgeable and covers everything form basic to advanced.


If you could help provide some detail on what you are looking for too? (what devices you will be using, how many days you want to be without shore power, what is most important in powering...etc) I agree for living in it, it is so nice to be able to stand up. We first used our van without the high roof and we loved it but being able to stand has really made it nice. We still duck inside because we were so used to having to duck with the low top. LOL

Sierra Van Campers is just what we call ourselves. I could never do a van build to sell. LOL While I know electrical, when it comes to woodwork and custom interior work, I would have to give it away.

 

[[email protected]]

Before I went to bed last night I saw that you had posted the Google sheets. I don’t see them anymore. Did something happen to the poster am I just missing something here being a newbie?

Thx!

 

[frater secessus]

Thanks! Good thoughts.
You did a separate alternator for charging?

If you're asking me, I use a voltage sensing relay (battery doctor) with the stock 180A alternator.

 

[[email protected]]

If you're asking me, I use a voltage sensing relay (battery doctor) with the stock 180A alternator.

Thx.

 

[[email protected]]

Opinions are like--- well you know. You need facts, plain and simple. Fact: diesel engines last longer than gas engines, If you can afford the greater cost of maintenance. Fact: Nation wide, Diesel fuel costs more than gas due to taxes.
Fact: Diesel mechanics cost more when things do go wrong, as do parts for even simple repairs
Fact: Diesel engines make more noise than gas engines.
Is that enough or do you need specifics.
Been driving diesel semi trucks for over 60 years nation wide. They are fine for that purpose. Smaller ones not so much.
Ken

How do you think a short schoolie with a Diesel engine would be for maintenance? Would I just be running in in to the same issue of finding a mechanic that can work on one and do it within a reasonable budget?

Thx.

 

[[email protected]]

Very interesting approach to your electrical. Must be working well for you.
Thanks again for the Will Prowse link
and to your vendors.

 

[SierraVanCampers]

Hey Yowza,

I PM'ed you the google sheets link. Check your messages at the top right (picture of a letter icon) You should be able to click the link and open and update the document. If not, just let me know.

 

[Freelander]

I

have two Renogy Bluetooth 100AH batteries.
Renogy 50 amp DCDC charger (it does inverter charging and PV charging)
and a Renogy 3000 watt inverter
If I did it over again now, I'd go all 24V since it halves the thickness of your power cables and is more compatible with the output of PV panels.
Renogy gets a bad rap, but I couldn't find a better charger for my needs at that price point. All the others have terrible power connection terminals. The DCDC50 has the same kind of lugs as the batteries. None of this bare wire into a surface mount screw terminal nonsense.
I still need to spend about $350 putting in a shore power hookup, $700 on a few panels and $1000 or so on 2 more batteries.
So I'll be at about $4000 when I finish, but I'm going to penny pinch and try and push that closer to $3500.

I dont know where Renogy gets there bad rap from I have 4 100 watt panels an a 40 amp Rover controller and it all works fine, I have no problems or complains about any of it.

 

[Calaverasgrande]

I dont know where Renogy gets there bad rap from I have 4 100 watt panels an a 40 amp Rover controller and it all works fine, I have no problems or complains about any of it.

Apparently their customer service was really bad a while ago. I've gotten answers from them within 24 hours most times. Not always the answer I sought, but at least accurate.
One thing I like about Renogy is they are diversified. Not just a battery company, or just a solar panel company. I have more confidence in them still being around in a couple years then the 3 dozen battery companies on Ebay right now.
Of course it bears mentioning that you can buy a lot of battery capacity for much less if you don't want Lithium batteries.
Lead acid, gel and AGM are all a lot cheaper. But they have drawbacks in terms of how far they can be discharged, and how many cycles they will endure before they need to be replaced.
I actually went with LiFePo4 because it doesn't normally outgas at all, has a longer life and more usable capacity. I also had more money last summer and underestimated what I was going to spend on other parts of my van. Insulation cost more than I thought, and I hadn't anticipated needing shore power.

 

[Calaverasgrande]

It sounds like you’ve got a good handle on it. I thought about the 24 V quandary before. Interesting to consider.

Yes, I have the tendency to overbuild as well. Obviously everything has to work together. Doesn’t do me any good to overbuild on one part and then under build on the other.

So you’ll end up with 400ah of batteries?

And solar panels?

Thx!

I need at least 400ah not for capacity, but to provide enough output amperage for the big inverter.
My long term plan is to have enough power capacity to be able to run my AV computer rig with peripherals.

 

[frater secessus]

Apparently their customer service was really bad a while ago

I suspect it's a customer expectation mismatch as much as anything.

Renogy operates in the value end of the spectrum and must rely on (rather good IMO) web and product manual documention for mass support. But since the price point is low the brand attracts a lot of first-timers and other "low information" customers who need (or just prefer) individual support.

Folks who want/need individual support might ultimately be happier paying 2x-3x for a higher-end product that has enough margin to provide that expensive service. I am thinking Victron, Morningstar, etc.

 

[Freelander]

The way I see it, is that all the parts come from the same factory, but when you put your name on it, you can raise the price. I have seen this many, many times. One factory can produce the same products other several different name. It doesn't make a difference what you buy.

To add a movie quote here:

"Components? American components, Russian components, all made in Taiwan!"

- Lev Andropov, 'Armageddon'.

 

[GntlStone]

Just came across this Amublance. I've no experience with diesel engines, but have heard that they are usually good except for the Ford 6.0. For that price you would have over 10k to upfit it with a huge solar and battery system and anything else you would want to do.

(Info copied from listing)
2013 cheve c4500 dooley duromax.diesel Allison transmission fully loaded great for a Mason dump or a service truck all compartments inside and out for storage 85000 miles runs and drives 100 percent new tires and brakes just pass a full inspection $12700 obo

 

[[email protected]]

Just came across this Amublance. I've no experience with diesel engines, but have heard that they are usually good except for the Ford 6.0. For that price you would have over 10k to upfit it with a huge solar and battery system and anything else you would want to do.

(Info copied from listing)
2013 cheve c4500 dooley duromax.diesel Allison transmission fully loaded great for a Mason dump or a service truck all compartments inside and out for storage 85000 miles runs and drives 100 percent new tires and brakes just pass a full inspection $12700 obo

Thanks for the heads up. I’ll check it out!

 

[[email protected]]

$5k is rather generous for a solar power setup. Though I assume you are including a shore power connection and cutover switch in that figure which can be more expensive than you may think.
My set up is all Renogy stuff and is less than $2k. Though I haven't actually installed panels yet. They one I want keep selling out!
The batteries are easily the biggest chunk.

What is the vehicle you’re using?
Thx!

 

[[email protected]]

Yeah, My tendency is to overbuild. I want to have plenty of power on board, both solar panel and batteries.

That you were able to do it for under 2K is promising!

What batteries are your going with, and how much power?

Thanks!

My tendency is to ivervu

Apparently their customer service was really bad a while ago. I've gotten answers from them within 24 hours most times. Not always the answer I sought, but at least accurate.
One thing I like about Renogy is they are diversified. Not just a battery company, or just a solar panel company. I have more confidence in them still being around in a couple years then the 3 dozen battery companies on Ebay right now.
Of course it bears mentioning that you can buy a lot of battery capacity for much less if you don't want Lithium batteries.
Lead acid, gel and AGM are all a lot cheaper. But they have drawbacks in terms of how far they can be discharged, and how many cycles they will endure before they need to be replaced.
I actually went with LiFePo4 because it doesn't normally outgas at all, has a longer life and more usable capacity. I also had more money last summer and underestimated what I was going to spend on other parts of my van. Insulation cost more than I thought, and I hadn't anticipated needing shore power.

Good thoughts. Yeah, the LiOns are expensive but really seems like the way to go. I’d rather spend a bit more amd do the electrical right, rather than having to do it over sometime in the future. Have heard good things about LiFePo4.
What rig do you have?
Thx!

 

[[email protected]]

I suspect it's a customer expectation mismatch as much as anything.

Renogy operates in the value end of the spectrum and must rely on (rather good IMO) web and product manual documention for mass support. But since the price point is low the brand attracts a lot of first-timers and other "low information" customers who need (or just prefer) individual support.

Folks who want/need individual support might ultimately be happier paying 2x-3x for a higher-end product that has enough margin to provide that expensive service. I am thinking Victron, Morningstar, etc.

Interesting thought? Yeah, how much is good service going to be worth to me?
Thx!

 

[[email protected]]

Don't overlook a box van or ambulance either. Ambulances have great built in storage and insulation. Box vans are easy to build in because of square, flat sides.

Where are the best links for finding ambulances? Craigslist, government websites, etc,?

 

[Calaverasgrande]

My tendency is to ivervu

Good thoughts. Yeah, the LiOns are expensive but really seems like the way to go. I’d rather spend a bit more amd do the electrical right, rather than having to do it over sometime in the future. Have heard good things about LiFePo4.
What rig do you have?
Thx!

I've got the DCDC50 charger. It is an alternator charger and PV charger. I've been relying solely on alternator charging for the last 4-5 months or so. The higher wattage flexible panels have been sold out for months, so I'm biding my time.
My battery bank is two Renogy 100AH bluetooth batteries.
They are a lot cheaper than the ones that plug in to a head unit by RJ45. Both per unit, and also because you don't need a hub and a head unit to monitor them. You just use an app.
I also have their 3000 watt inverter.
If I did it over again I'd probably go with a 24V or 48V system instead. It's more compatible with the output of solar panels, and your cabling will not need to be as thick. I also would probably go with a smaller inverter. The one I got was on sale and only a bit more than the 2000 or 1000.
However it does slowly sip power even when not outputting anything. The larger the output capacity the more it does that.
Also wish I'd gotten 1 200AH cell. That would make expansion in banks of 200AH possible. So 4 cells for an 800AH bank. Instead of 8 cells.
I know that is a lot, but I come from an engineering background where future expansion is always one of the top concerns. So I can't stop thinking that way with everything I touch.

 

[GntlStone]

Where are the best links for finding ambulances? Craigslist, government websites, etc,?

I would highly suggest watching this video by Campulance Man on how/where to find them. His channel is pretty informative.

GovDeals.com has them, as well as school busses and vans, but it's an auction and many of the vehicles are high mileage.