12v charge and supply ?

[kirkman]

OK lets see if I can ask this right.
I bought a new TT and I want to install a 12v charger that is a no brainier. One that supply's and charges or can I just install some thing that will keep up with the use of lets say the fantastic fan, one 12v florescent light, and a couple led lights, maybe charge some cell phones also. HELP! What do you guys recommend.
Thanks
Jason

[michaelwpayton]

Something like this http://www.progressivedyn.com/power_converters.html.

[Toytaco2]

Here's the charger I used in my build:
http://www.amazon.com/CTEK-Multi-7002-Battery-Charger/dp/B000FRLO9Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341194223&sr=8-1&keywords=ctek+7002

I have no doubt its the best charger for my application. I have a similar setup to yours with a Fantastic Fan, 2 florescent lights inside, one in the galley and a porch light on either side. This charger has something called a "supply mode" which delivers 12 volt power even without a battery in line. Its recommended for keeping the electronics going in the new vehicles while the battery is changed out and running 12 volt equipment up to 7 amps (see their website here: http://smartercharger.com/products/battery-chargers/ctek-multi-us-7002/. It seems to power my fan and lights just fine with no battery. I haven't run it for more than an hour or so this way, but, it seems to work fine and doesn't overheat. So long as I'm using the battery, this charger can be connected and charge the battery faster than the few fixtures that I have can drain it down. This is one thing I did in my build that I'd definitely do again.

Good luck,

Mike

[Dale M.]

At the simplest, least complex level, add up the current draw in amps (requirements) for all the devices you will have on at any given time, ( fan, light, power to laptop, etc:) and get a "basic charger" that will meet that requirement .... This will allow you to run devices with out running down battery because input to system from charger will "carry" the load... Thusly battery will always be at full charge, so if you end up at a location and you do not have shore power to plug into battery will be "fresh" at least when you park...

IF you load total is something like 7-8 amps, then a 10 amp (minimum) charger would work,,, IF load is like 12 amps, then get a 15-20 amp charger... When I say charger I am talking basic auto parts store type charger.. Again at minimum level.... Any more sophisticated charger/inverter with all the optional stuff would obviously be better but also more costly...

Dale

[kirkman]

Thanks guys!

[MceeD]

If your a bit crafty you can hack a computer power supply rather cheaply to provide 12vdc and 5vdc power for your project.

It would not provide a charging current for a battery but the right power supply can easily keep up with all the other 12v power.

You can see one done here.

http://www.tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=35970&p=655093#p655046

[eamarquardt]

I think that one could use a power supply and an inexpensive solar charge controller could be a viable cost effective charging system.

Cheers, Gus