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Showing results 1 to 23 of 23
Search took 0.01 seconds. Search: Posts Made By: DavidEM
Forum: Batteries, Univolts, Converters & Inverters 09-04-2020, 05:56 PM
Replies: 24
Views: 7,661
Posted By DavidEM
It should work, but there are some things to...

It should work, but there are some things to consider:

The standard converter on your trailer won't charge the last 15% very effectively. Not such a big deal, but you lose some of your capacity...
Forum: Sprinter and B-van Forum 08-28-2020, 06:06 PM
Replies: 2
Views: 810
Posted By DavidEM
This topic was discussed on a couple of other...

This topic was discussed on a couple of other forums. RV installers seem to charge outrageously high prices and may not do such a great job.

Marine electricians have been dealing with solar panels...
Forum: Generators & Solar Power 08-25-2020, 10:39 AM
Replies: 26
Views: 4,258
Posted By DavidEM
Well, it is a lot, lot more expensive than DIY,...

Well, it is a lot, lot more expensive than DIY, buy the parts on Amazon. For example:

2-100 watt Renogy panels $250
Renogy PWM controller, about $50 but as others have said get a MPPT controller...
Forum: Sprinter and B-van Forum 08-23-2020, 08:01 AM
Replies: 22
Views: 3,606
Posted By DavidEM
Battery voltage is only a very approximate...

Battery voltage is only a very approximate indication of state of charge (SOC) and can be wildly off. It is best when the batteries have been at rest with NO amperage draw for at least an hour....
Forum: Refrigerators 08-12-2020, 07:15 AM
Replies: 12
Views: 1,220
Posted By DavidEM
I assume that this is a three way fridge: 110V,...

I assume that this is a three way fridge: 110V, 12V and propane. First DC provides a fraction of the cooling of the other two sources. Why not run on propane while on the road? It works fine.

David
Forum: Sprinter and B-van Forum 08-03-2020, 11:50 AM
Replies: 100
Views: 34,354
Posted By DavidEM
Titus: You should be good on both sides of...

Titus:

You should be good on both sides of your controller given the distances you stated. But if you ever add more panels, particularly if they are divisible by two, consider wiring them in...
Forum: Sprinter and B-van Forum 08-03-2020, 07:52 AM
Replies: 100
Views: 34,354
Posted By DavidEM
Titus: I think you got your series/parallels...

Titus:

I think you got your series/parallels mixed up. But no matter, how far a wiring run do you have from the panels to the controller. At a 20' one way run you will see about 0.5 volt drop at...
Forum: Sprinter and B-van Forum 08-02-2020, 05:40 PM
Replies: 18
Views: 4,171
Posted By DavidEM
And many times the GFCI breaker itself fails....

And many times the GFCI breaker itself fails. They are cheap to replace.

David
Forum: Sprinter and B-van Forum 08-02-2020, 11:17 AM
Replies: 100
Views: 34,354
Posted By DavidEM
It is definitely possible and 12 gauge is way too...

It is definitely possible and 12 gauge is way too small for 4-100 watt panels. If you wire them in series/parallel which is what I would recommend, then #10 wire will keep the voltage drop down to...
Forum: Sprinter and B-van Forum 08-01-2020, 04:44 PM
Replies: 100
Views: 34,354
Posted By DavidEM
Well a fuse in the positive wire is essential for...

Well a fuse in the positive wire is essential for any device connected to the battery. But it should be very near the battery. That fuse looks like it is near the inverter which means all of the wire...
Forum: Sprinter and B-van Forum 07-27-2020, 06:22 PM
Replies: 100
Views: 34,354
Posted By DavidEM
It insn't safety because 10 gauge can easily...

It insn't safety because 10 gauge can easily carry the current from 400 watts of panels. It is voltage drop and the efficiency and possibly charging penalty that that exacts.

400 watts is roughly...
Forum: Sprinter and B-van Forum 03-23-2020, 04:30 AM
Replies: 20
Views: 8,070
Posted By DavidEM
Yes, unless the DEF level sensor has failed in...

Yes, unless the DEF level sensor has failed in which case it is a multi thousand $ visit to a Sprinter service station.

David
Forum: COVID-19 Discussion Zone 03-20-2020, 09:13 AM
Replies: 475
Views: 81,885
Posted By DavidEM
We do plan to do a lot more camping this season,...

We do plan to do a lot more camping this season, if for no reason to get out of the house until this mess settles down.

We normally dry camp in USFS, NP, SP and other public campgrounds. The only...
Forum: Generators & Solar Power 03-19-2020, 01:17 PM
Replies: 6
Views: 934
Posted By DavidEM
A couple of other suppliers of DC to DC chargers...

A couple of other suppliers of DC to DC chargers are Sterling and Redarc. The Redarc has two inputs: one for DC from your chassis battery or alternator and another for a solar panel. Since a DC to DC...
Forum: Batteries, Univolts, Converters & Inverters 03-16-2020, 11:18 AM
Replies: 86
Views: 18,292
Posted By DavidEM
Yes I am sure that they are talking about a Li...

Yes I am sure that they are talking about a Li battery with no BMS. I would never, ever buy one with no built in BMS.

Used with its controller the Renogy panel system will switch to float at 13.6...
Forum: Electrical - Systems, Generators, Batteries & Solar 03-15-2020, 07:17 AM
Replies: 13
Views: 2,137
Posted By DavidEM
You can do a lot of looking at solar insolation...

You can do a lot of looking at solar insolation maps, latitude adjustments, panel efficiencies, flat angle adjustments, math to make all this happen. Or just follow these guidelines:

A flat panel...
Forum: Electrical - Systems, Generators, Batteries & Solar 03-15-2020, 05:15 AM
Replies: 13
Views: 2,137
Posted By DavidEM
I would reconsider changing to a home type...

I would reconsider changing to a home type refrigerator. If you want to change from your absorption (LPG) fridge consider an RV/Boat compressor fridge. These use a very efficient Danfoss...
Forum: Sprinter and B-van Forum 03-12-2020, 06:14 AM
Replies: 20
Views: 6,810
Posted By DavidEM
InterBlog: I think one of the points you...

InterBlog:


I think one of the points you are making is that a Sterling regulator can put increased stress on the stock alternator which leads to premature failure and I certainly agree with...
Forum: Sprinter and B-van Forum 03-11-2020, 08:17 AM
Replies: 20
Views: 6,810
Posted By DavidEM
That is a very interesting chart. I presume it is...

That is a very interesting chart. I presume it is a mix of compressor and absorption refrigerator users.

I was particularly interested in the zero or low solar guys. Most used the chassis...
Forum: Sprinter and B-van Forum 03-11-2020, 04:56 AM
Replies: 20
Views: 6,810
Posted By DavidEM
Ahhh! So that .535 power factor is all from the...

Ahhh! So that .535 power factor is all from the inverter. Ok so inverters are about 80-90% efficient (on an RMS power basis) so the actual DC amphours you are using for the compressor fridge is...
Forum: Sprinter and B-van Forum 03-10-2020, 04:53 PM
Replies: 20
Views: 6,810
Posted By DavidEM
I don't understand all of your data items, but...

I don't understand all of your data items, but one item should be simple: cummulative KWh. So for 12.5 hours the fridge/freezer used .91 KWhr or 910 watt hours.

I don't understand the...
Forum: Sprinter and B-van Forum 03-10-2020, 03:12 PM
Replies: 20
Views: 6,810
Posted By DavidEM
Also, can anyone tell us how many amps the OEM...

Also, can anyone tell us how many amps the OEM chassis alternator will charge a well discharged coach battery bank at moderate, ie 1,500 rpms.


My TV will only charge my trailer at about 10-15...
Forum: Sprinter and B-van Forum 03-10-2020, 02:21 PM
Replies: 20
Views: 6,810
Posted By DavidEM
Boondocking with a compressor fridge

I have years of experience camping with no hookups in a small travel trailer with an absorption fridge. I use about 10 amp hours each day with no furnace or fan use and maybe a few more Ahs for the...
Showing results 1 to 23 of 23

 

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