AC and DC ??

[dpjeansonne]

The majority of the time I will be using my CT at sites that have AC power and even plan on buying a portable generator. My question is do I need to provide a minimal DC service for a few critical lights and accessories? Do I use a small inverter? Do I go with or without a battery?

I am trying to get other points of view so I don't miss the obvious. What are the key decision points that you see in picking your power source(s)? What is the downside of not having any DC at all?

[asianflava]

Mine is, for the most part DC, but I also have a charger built in so that it will float the DC circuit when plugged in. Also, when plugged in the Air conditioner and microwave will work. When on battery, only the fantastic fan works.

[eamarquardt]

If you are NEVER going to be without a/c power why bother with a battery, charger, and separate dc system. If you need a bit of light when the a/c isn't working (yer unplugged or your generator is off) a flashlight will do.

I kinda think in the opposite direction though. Everything I use will be/is generally dc powered. If ac is available I can run the battery charger off of it using an extension cord. If I ever require air conditioning, a microwave, or other 120 volt goodie an extension cord will suffice.

The less there is, the less you have to maintain.

Cheers,

Gus

[GerryS]

It's easier to have both now than add it later.

We use a shore line 99% of the time. I do have a small quiet generator as well, but really hate lugging it about unnecessarily. Even though we have 120 almost everywhere we go, I'm still glad I have battery. I can't run my AIr Conditioner on it, but not having that isn't the end of the world, the 120 outlets typically charge phones and a space heater in the winter. That's it. All of my lights, television and refrigerator run on 12 volt all the time, the battery is continually charged by an on board charger.

Remember, most camp grounds are in the middle of nowhere, so when the line power is cut, the utilities typically take a while to respond....especially if there is a large event where the local town is darkened. Your campsite will be one of the last who see electricity.

If strikes me as funny when the power fails, the near unison "awh..." You hear across the campground. My lights don't even dim. I just make sure I turn off the porch lights and economize slightly. I've got a solid 2 days before my lights go dark. And I can always hook up my TV to change my battery via the 7 pin if I have to.

Adding both now costs a few bucks. Later it's a redesign....

That's my $.02 worth...

[Shadow Catcher]

I am with Gus! Most trailer stuff is 12V, lights, radio, fans... One thing to remember is that where you are now, (thinking in terms of having 120AC all the time), may not be where you will be in the future. Most of our camping this summer was with out 120AC available. Next year we plan on a trip to Teddy Roosevelt National park which does not have anything more than pit toilets and water and Yellowstone so we will be off grid. If in the future you were to sell your trailer the presence of 12V will be a plus.

[hankaye]

dpjeansonne, Howdy;

I live (fulltime), in an RV. The other night the power went out due to a transformer
down the road dropping off line. Right in the middle of the Dodgers/Cardinals game .....
just moved the plugs from the Sat. receiver and the tv to the inverter I have standing-by,
just for such instances, and only missed one player's at-bat. Sure is nice to have both systems.

hank

[jwhite]

I like to have both I have a Honda generator but I don't see the point to run it just to watch a movie at night so I plug into my 1100 watt inverter and it works perfect, I have 2 gold cart batteries and they last quite a while.
If your going to use a 12volt water pump your going to need 12volts anyway plus stereo lights ect ?
But when I have power plugged in I use it that way.

[working on it]

dpjeansonne, Howdy;

I live (fulltime), in an RV. The other night the power went out due to a transformer
down the road dropping off line. Right in the middle of the Dodgers/Cardinals game .....
just moved the plugs from the Sat. receiver and the tv to the inverter I have standing-by,
just for such instances, and only missed one player's at-bat. Sure is nice to have both systems.

hank

+1 You never know what you'll need, so have options available! I've only camped with the trailer once so far, but on the first night, someone (or something) disconnected my parkpower line (I suspect the kids in the next site). I used the opportunity to use/test my 12vdc lights and air circulating computer case fans (I could've used the inverter to go back to ac fans and lights, but chose not to). I didn't have use of the air conditioner after the dis-connect, but that's camping! PS, I also have an on-board generator, if I really need it.

[orcadigital]

Mimicing some others here, i agree that both is nice to have. I am in the same boat, where AC power, either direct or to a generator is pretty much guaranteed. That being said, I bought a WFCO converter (there are several other recommended brands here as well) that has fit the bill perfectly. It gives me the AC breakers that I wanted, as well as a built in DC power converter and battery charger. I am not currently wiring it to use a battery, but the ability is there. I have AC outlets wired throughout for various items, as well as a 20A circuit for an air conditioner. My interior and exterior lighting is all DC, and I am running some other DC circuits for my RC chargers (the secondary use for my trailer). Everything works off the main AC power cord coming in, and i have the ability to go to a battery system later if I want (for lighting, etc).

I bought the 55A converter for under $120. The amperage is overkill for normal use, but I have some chargers, tire warmers, and tire truers that can pull 20+ amps so I went heavier then necessary. I have DC power supplies I can run off the AC as I normally so also, but this just gives me more options. Tossed in some circuit breakers and fuses, and it has worked like a champ. Confirmed all of the DC lights working last week. Inside lights are LED's, outside just regular incandescents. Wiring was simple (I figured it out), and it gives me a lot of options.

I have images on my thread, but I can take more if you want to see anything specifically.

[roadinspector]

It's always good to have options. You literally ain't left in the dark if power goes out in the park which can happen.
Earnest

[Prem]

I put both in my trailer. Solar panels on the roof keep the one big battery charged, which runs the interior LED lights and occasionally a 12v fan. An inverter plays a boom box, charges cell phones, runs a blender. Wiring goes everywhere for the DC. The AC is obtained by running an extension cord in thru two, small water-tight flaps. Rarely use it.