Well, I got my '62 GT, and I'm quite happy, but it's going to need a lot of interior and systems work. It looks like the electrical system will need close to a complete overhaul, and I'm wondering if I should rethink the 12v/120v split.
Here is the deal, this is not intended to be a mobile airstream, rather a semi mobile cabin on some land far from any type of hookup (ac/sewer/water) The only AC this might see would be a small portable generator, the only DC it might see might be a solar cell. Looking at what's there, I could not find anything looking like a univolt. Unless it's buried under the floor, or in the wall, it's gone, or was never there. (It kind of looks more like there never was one, all the light fixtures are doubles...one
12v and one 120v)
The question is do i really want to maintain the split system? I don't know what's out there (or what I can afford) but here is my ideal system, tell me if it can be done, or if performance would be lousy:
- all internal systems 120v
- a couple of heavy duty batteries connected to an inverter supplying AC to all the plugs and lights in the trailer
- a solar cell to recharge the batteries when I'm gone during the week
- a gas generator that could simultaneously supply AC when hooked up and charge the batteries with any excess current.
- ok, this is a little pie in the sky, but wouldn't it be cool if the generator started itself up when the batteries got low? Probably real expensive.
Has anyone tried something like this? Here are some of the questions that immediately jump out at me:
-Are
12v lights significantly more energy efficient than 120v coming through and inverter? Should I keep the
12v in place for the lights?
-What type of batteries are ideal for this type of application? How many might I need to mostly last a weekend without help from the generator. It would probably run a small dorm fridge (unless I splurge for a LP model) lights, and recharge my laptop.
thanks for all the help.
Geof
'62 Globetrotter