Newbie, mind is fried, I'm new & I don't know what to do...

[Slapmackie]

Kudos if you got the Joe Dirt reference!

Ok, I'm currently working on a van conversion (2007 chevy express 1500 awd) and I'm just about to wrap up the exterior. I haven't done anything to the interior yet because I'd like to get everything mapped out and wired in before I start constructing. I've been reading and trying to learn what I can but I still feel like a bumbling idiot when it comes to solar (I was hit in the head a lot as a child, self inflicted). Anyways, I'd like to list everything I'll be using and what I plan on powering everything with. If I'm off or going about this completely wrong, please chime in and possibly save me from doing some serious damage, lol...

My plan is this, travel around the U.S. scattering my Mothers ashes at beautiful locations along the way. Without her, I would never be in the position to be able to do this and I want this to be a tribute to her. So I will be doing a lot of driving and hope I can harness the power from my alternator to help charge the batteries I install in the van. Here are my power needs, I'll include links to the product I plan on buying:

-Fan, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002OW5JI...lid=389L9LSIZJU1N&coliid=I123MN1D1UGWTA&psc=1
-12v fridge, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00SZ7XJ8...olid=389L9LSIZJU1N&coliid=IMH1DUV1V62ZA&psc=1
-lights, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ODSAQB...TF8&colid=389L9LSIZJU1N&coliid=I1S5ALGF1NZHBB
-water pump, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DLKT4O...TF8&colid=389L9LSIZJU1N&coliid=I1G46FU2JLD8NE
-Laptop, no link, still trying to figure out which one I need
-TV 12v, maybe a movie at night before bed, around 2 hrs use daily https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BCS1EM...lid=389L9LSIZJU1N&coliid=I3G8YJ53B1LQFW&psc=1
-various other small items like phone, camera small portable radio etc...

So here are the things I have picked out that I hope will be enough to do the job:

-(2) 100w solar panels mounted on van roof, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AQQAAQW/ref=twister_B00VKV940U?_encoding=UTF8&th=1
-(2) 155ah batteries, https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DDYM1U...TF8&colid=389L9LSIZJU1N&coliid=I36ISQV9E1TKXY
-charge controler, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YCI48F4/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_10?ie=UTF8&smid=A2P9F29Y7BYBUO&th=1
-meter for charge comtroler, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GHY270Y/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_9?ie=UTF8&smid=AKFT4PQP7TOX5&th=1
-2000w inverter, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004JPMJD8/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2TGMCZ4O2P52Z

If there is anything I'm missing or you recommend, please feel free to enlighten me. I'll continue to read up on these forums but it's hard for me to not get overwhelmed. You guys have some very impressive setups! Thanks for reading...Cheers

 

[DiploStrat]

Try reading this and see if it makes any sense to you. If it does, then read the other documents on the page. They may help.

https://cookfb.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/plan-electrical-system.pdf

Beyond sizing your load and then your battery and then your recharge, a few comments:

-- Don't buy your meter and charge controller from different vendors.

-- Stick with known brands, I know good things about Morning Star and Blue Sky, others can offer comments on other brands.

-- Minimize your 110v loads, use 12v whenever possible.

-- A 2000w inverter is huge, especially as you don't show any 110v loads.

Finally, you're local - come to Overland Expo East and take my three classes. Between that and the chance to look at many, many vehicles and products you will find your trip prep easy.

 

[Slapmackie]

Try reading this and see if it makes any sense to you. If it does, then read the other documents on the page. They may help.

https://cookfb.files.wordpress.com/2016/09/plan-electrical-system.pdf

Beyond sizing your load and then your battery and then your recharge, a few comments:

-- Don't buy your meter and charge controller from different vendors.

-- Stick with known brands, I know good things about Morning Star and Blue Sky, others can offer comments on other brands.

-- Minimize your 110v loads, use 12v whenever possible.

-- A 2000w inverter is huge, especially as you don't show any 110v loads.

Finally, you're local - come to Overland Expo East and take my three classes. Between that and the chance to look at many, many vehicles and products you will find your trip prep easy.

Thanks Diplostrat! I'm printing off your docs now. As far as 110v, I will be charging a laptop periodically. Also, I'm sure there will be times I'll need 110, hopefully it wouldn't be anything that draws too much!? Would you recommend just going down to a 1000w or perhaps even lower?

 

[DiploStrat]

Do come to Overland EXPO - you'll have a wonderful time.

As to inverters, I actually use two, a 2800w model for the microwave/air conditioner/ induction cooktop/ Nespresso machine. And, the secret weapon, a 300w Morning Star unit for the MacBooPro, camera batteries, etc.

Cell phone, iPad, etc. are all 12v.

Quick tip: Get in the habit of charging your big loads when you are driving and the alternator can do the work or on very sunny days, when you can do it with solar.

If you have a PC laptop that can take a 12v charger, then you may not even need an inverter at all. If you do, the Morning Star (which replaced a cheap, no-name unit that failed) is very nice.

This is what I use for small loads. Note that it has a large surge capacity.

https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Star-SI-300-220-Morningstar-Suresine-300/dp/B007TNRJWS/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1475420152&sr=8-7&keywords=morning+star+inverter

 

[Slapmackie]

Do come to Overland EXPO - you'll have a wonderful time.

As to inverters, I actually use two, a 2800w model for the microwave/air conditioner/ induction cooktop/ Nespresso machine. And, the secret weapon, a 300w Morning Star unit for the MacBooPro, camera batteries, etc.

Cell phone, iPad, etc. are all 12v.

Quick tip: Get in the habit of charging your big loads when you are driving and the alternator can do the work or on very sunny days, when you can do it with solar.

If you have a PC laptop that can take a 12v charger, then you may not even need an inverter at all. If you do, the Morning Star (which replaced a cheap, no-name unit that failed) is very nice.

This is what I use for small loads. Note that it has a large surge capacity.

https://www.amazon.com/Morning-Star-SI-300-220-Morningstar-Suresine-300/dp/B007TNRJWS/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1475420152&sr=8-7&keywords=morning+star+inverter

If I didn't already have plans I would totally hit up the expo, looks like my cup-o-tea!
I do like that Morning Star inverter, massive surge capacity indeed. I think I'll just go with that and if I end up needing more I guess I can always replace it.
I read the doc you posted, started making notes of everything I plan on using and the amp hours as well. That was very helpful, thank you for sharing!
I also went with Solarepic for both meter and charge controller. I'll be ordering everything real soon, keep you posted on the (hopeful) progress, thanks again!

 

[DiploStrat]

Take a look at the other documents as well, all are revised or new for 2016.

Three make up a sort of mini-course that I am presenting:

-- Design your system,
-- Understand Lead Acid batteries and how to charge them, (for Lithium, you are on your own, call AM Solar in Oregon.)
-- Select the right dual battery set up for your vehicle.

Questions, comments, and feed back are most welcome as these three have not yet been class room tested.

 

[dwh]

Use the laptop for movies and you can leave out the TV.

 

[DiploStrat]

Use the laptop for movies and you can leave out the TV.

Given the quality of our 12v TV vs. a good PC or Pad, this makes a LOT of sense.

 

[dwh]

BTW DiploStrat,

Best wishes on the Expo presentations.

Better you than me, pal.

 

[jonyjoe101]

Get a small efficient laptop or even a netbook. I can use my netbook 24/7 if I wanted, they are very efficient. My large 15 inch laptop uses up to 7 amps of power, I use that only when the sun is out.

For a meter I recommend you get LED, thats what I have 90 volt 30 amp combo meter (cost about 20 dollars). You can read these even in daylight from a distance. With lcd you need to get up close to read them. All you need is voltage/amps anyway, those readings tell you if your solar is charging properly. The LED meter I leave it running 24/7, at night you can see what the battery condition is, power use is insignificant for the meter. If you need to know how much amps something uses get a dc wattmeter (cost about 15 dollars).

I have an small astrovan and was able to easily fit a 240 watt (36 volt) solar panel on there (bought use for 200 dollars). 1 large panel is better and easier to install than 2 small ones if you can do it. I get about 12 amps of power with an ecoworthy 20 amp mppt controller (cost 100 dollars).

For connectors to plug everything together I use the xt60 connectors, they can handle up to 60 amps and are easy to connect disconnect. Cost about 8 dollars for 10 sets.

led meter

dc wattmeter with xt60 connectors

 

[DiploStrat]

BTW DiploStrat,

Best wishes on the Expo presentations.

Better you than me, pal.

I like presenting, did it all my career. Would appreciate your acid review of the slides. Obviously, there are some parts that are presented orally, but I would like them to be as accurate and complete as possible.

 

[dwh]

I like presenting, did it all my career. Would appreciate your acid review of the slides. Obviously, there are some parts that are presented orally, but I would like them to be as accurate and complete as possible.

Might not be in a place to use my netbooks for a week or more, and the phone is a PITA. So I will if I can, but unlikely in the near term.

 

[DiploStrat]

Agree on phones. I will be revising after Overland EXPO (assuming we don't get Matthewed out). Any comments at any time always welcome.