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I'm so glad I found this forum. I've been reading a lot of posts and it's really helped me get a better grasp on solar. Thanks!
I'm in the planning stage of my van build. When I'm out in the van I plan on driving a good deal, probably around 4 hours a day. So I expect the bulk of the charging to be handled by the alternator with a Sure isolator to protect both battery banks. Then when I'm back home the van will sit between trips. I'll go out in the van for a week or two. Then be back home for three to four weeks, not using the van.
The van is an old Ford Diesel (IDI 6.9). It currently has two new starting batteries. I'll add my house battery bank, yet TBD (I'm working on figuring out my expected power usage). Even when I'm home I don't have realistic access to an AC hookup to the van. I'm thinking I'd like to throw on a 100W panel to maintain both the starter and house battery banks. Additional charging while out on trips is just an added bonus.
I've read in a post here that it is possible to charge both the starter and house battery with solar but the wiring can get a bit complicated. I'm looking for some guidance on what would be needed to do what I want. I'm also open to alternate solutions to keep both my starter and house batteries maintained while not in use without and AC connection. Would driving the van to work (20 min each way) once or twice a week be enough to keep all batteries happy and healthy? I was also looking at a 5W maintainer kit for my starter battery but since I'm adding a house battery soon I'd want to keep that maintained as well when the van's not in use.
Am I nuts or can I get some help on flushing out the details. (Ha, I've already ditched the idea of running an air conditioner off battery, even before finding this forum)
I'm in the planning stage of my van build. When I'm out in the van I plan on driving a good deal, probably around 4 hours a day. So I expect the bulk of the charging to be handled by the alternator with a Sure isolator to protect both battery banks. Then when I'm back home the van will sit between trips. I'll go out in the van for a week or two. Then be back home for three to four weeks, not using the van.
The van is an old Ford Diesel (IDI 6.9). It currently has two new starting batteries. I'll add my house battery bank, yet TBD (I'm working on figuring out my expected power usage). Even when I'm home I don't have realistic access to an AC hookup to the van. I'm thinking I'd like to throw on a 100W panel to maintain both the starter and house battery banks. Additional charging while out on trips is just an added bonus.
I've read in a post here that it is possible to charge both the starter and house battery with solar but the wiring can get a bit complicated. I'm looking for some guidance on what would be needed to do what I want. I'm also open to alternate solutions to keep both my starter and house batteries maintained while not in use without and AC connection. Would driving the van to work (20 min each way) once or twice a week be enough to keep all batteries happy and healthy? I was also looking at a 5W maintainer kit for my starter battery but since I'm adding a house battery soon I'd want to keep that maintained as well when the van's not in use.
Am I nuts or can I get some help on flushing out the details. (Ha, I've already ditched the idea of running an air conditioner off battery, even before finding this forum)
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