Things are coming together, I hope to have some progress worth photographing soon.
My intentions for the electrics are simple.
Solar panel, Maximum Power Point Tracking regulator, deep cycle battery, fuse block.
3 lights in cabin, 1 or 2 in the galley depending what I can find.
power outlet in cabin, another in the galley.
I built the frame in the roof for the super duper vent with fan, but what is going there for now is one dome light.
So three circuits at the moment. Reading lights and power/usb outlet above the pillows, Dome light in middle of the ceiling, lights and fridge power outlet in kitchen.
Maybe a fourth circuit if we get serious about fitting a TV and a 5th if I find porch lights I like.
I was keen to fit an air conditioner, but the missus pointed out that if it was hot enough that we needed an air conditioner to sleep at nights, she was staying home with the house air conditioner, the shower and the toilet!
Looks like "three seasons camping" in Oz is going to be Autumn, Winter, Spring.
No shore power/AC circuits.
The Engel is supposed to draw less than 4 amps. Closer to 3 probably. They are considered extremely efficient, and well insulated.
The three cabin lights are currently fitted with incandescent bulbs and I like the idea of sticking with that. I don't mind LED, but I still find the light somewhat "unnatural" somehow.
So, I'm sorta prepared to sacrifice a couple of amps. If I can get away with it.
So call the fridge 50 watts, and perhaps 60 watts of lights.
110 watts at 13 volts = 8.5 amps or so if everything is running.
The solar panel is 250 watts - it is only just going to fit on the flat section of the roof.
It's got an MPP voltage in the low 30V range at MPP amps of 8 amps.
With a MPPT regulator at say 75% efficiency, I hope to be able to push in 12 amps or so in full sun.
So, I reckon the solar panel will be capable of replacing anything we use over night.
Which brings me to my latest conundrum.
Battery.
Depth of discharge is the concern.
A panel able to replace the power used is one thing.
Discharging your battery too far is another thing entirely.
I'm not fond of lithium just yet.
(Warren Buffet says he only buys businesses he understands. I'm the same with technology.)
I can buy a 105 amp hour flooded lead acid battery for $200.
I figured it would be big enough to ensure DOD was less than 50%, given I don't stay up that late, and generally don't have everything running all the time.
Or, the local Aldi store has 80 amp hour AGM batteries for the same price. Label says Made in Australia.
Tempted to replace all the bulbs with 3w LEDS, currently 15w incandescents, and reduce the draw considerably.
The reason I'm tempted - VRLA AGM means unlikely to spill electrolyte, no top up of the electrolyte, etc.
Who has had good/bad experiences with AGM?