My plans are still evolving and may change at a moments notice. If anyone has any advice or would like to make equipment recommendations, I'm all ears.
First I'll lay out what I want to be able to do, then I'll tell you about what I already have, finally what I am planning to get.
So here is what I want to be able to do:
Power various 12 volt loads, some continuously (IE electric cooler), some on demand.
Power assorted 120v loads on demand.
Be able to charge 12 volt system with engine, solar and shore power
Make everything as stealthy as possible. No one standing near or riding in the van should be able to tell that anything weird is going on. The solar panel(s) will be the main thing that are likely to get noticed.
Sounds simple right? :shrug:
Currently I have Yakima tracks mounted on the top of the van. I've successfully made my own "Nuts" that will slide up and down the tracks and are tapped for 1/4" 20 bolts. I have 1", square tube, aluminum bars that can be mounted across the top of the van to hold ... various things to be determined.
I have a 1' x 4', 40 watt solar panel. It has an integrated aluminum frame. I also have a cheap solar charger that was purchased with this panel 20 years ago. I know that I will want more (different) solar power eventually, but I figure I will start with what I have.
I have a Coleman 400 watt continuous, (800 peak) power inverter. Again, I'll probably want a bigger, pure sine wave inverter at some point, but I already have this now. I'm considering mounting thus under the driver seat, on top of the EBCM "bulge" in the floor. I would mount the solar charger in the same area so it will not require a separate power run.
I am considering buying a 12v trolling motor quick disconnect socket/plug and mount it on the roof. This will allow the solar panel to be removed/installed without any wiring difficulties. I would like to mount this in the roof, near the roof rack track, and have the wires come down just behind the drivers door, hidden within the side panels. This way I can easily remove the solar panel and increase the "stealthiness" factor.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00434SEKC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1YUR915BM42I1
I am also considering attaching a "Shore Power" socket to the trailer hitch. When not is use (cover in place)it should look similar to a 7 wire trailer hookup. This will connect to both a power strip (inside the van) and an on-board battery charger.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NI38MG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Next is the on board charger. I'm looking at a NOCO, 1 bank, 10 amp charger. It will be attached to the shore power hook up.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003JSHQW0/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
I have not even touched on batteries yet. I know that the starting battery won't last long with any kind of load on it. I may start by upgrading it to a decent AGM, but what I really want is at least 100 amp/hrs of additional, hidden battery.
OK, that's all I can type for now...more to come soon. Hopefully with pictures.
First I'll lay out what I want to be able to do, then I'll tell you about what I already have, finally what I am planning to get.
So here is what I want to be able to do:
Power various 12 volt loads, some continuously (IE electric cooler), some on demand.
Power assorted 120v loads on demand.
Be able to charge 12 volt system with engine, solar and shore power
Make everything as stealthy as possible. No one standing near or riding in the van should be able to tell that anything weird is going on. The solar panel(s) will be the main thing that are likely to get noticed.
Sounds simple right? :shrug:
Currently I have Yakima tracks mounted on the top of the van. I've successfully made my own "Nuts" that will slide up and down the tracks and are tapped for 1/4" 20 bolts. I have 1", square tube, aluminum bars that can be mounted across the top of the van to hold ... various things to be determined.
I have a 1' x 4', 40 watt solar panel. It has an integrated aluminum frame. I also have a cheap solar charger that was purchased with this panel 20 years ago. I know that I will want more (different) solar power eventually, but I figure I will start with what I have.
I have a Coleman 400 watt continuous, (800 peak) power inverter. Again, I'll probably want a bigger, pure sine wave inverter at some point, but I already have this now. I'm considering mounting thus under the driver seat, on top of the EBCM "bulge" in the floor. I would mount the solar charger in the same area so it will not require a separate power run.
I am considering buying a 12v trolling motor quick disconnect socket/plug and mount it on the roof. This will allow the solar panel to be removed/installed without any wiring difficulties. I would like to mount this in the roof, near the roof rack track, and have the wires come down just behind the drivers door, hidden within the side panels. This way I can easily remove the solar panel and increase the "stealthiness" factor.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00434SEKC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1YUR915BM42I1
I am also considering attaching a "Shore Power" socket to the trailer hitch. When not is use (cover in place)it should look similar to a 7 wire trailer hookup. This will connect to both a power strip (inside the van) and an on-board battery charger.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NI38MG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
Next is the on board charger. I'm looking at a NOCO, 1 bank, 10 amp charger. It will be attached to the shore power hook up.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003JSHQW0/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER
I have not even touched on batteries yet. I know that the starting battery won't last long with any kind of load on it. I may start by upgrading it to a decent AGM, but what I really want is at least 100 amp/hrs of additional, hidden battery.
OK, that's all I can type for now...more to come soon. Hopefully with pictures.