12v or 24v for 'camper power'

[alosix]

I need to start working out the power system for the M725 project (http://picasaweb.google.com/jpower2/M725#) and possibly my M101 trailer.

It got me thinking. What voltage(DC) should I setup this system for? I'd really like to just be able to plugin a ready welder mig and roll (24v). A lot of other 24v systems seem more efficient than their 12v cousins.

Not sure how this would fly with charging (vehicle would still be 12v) and solar/wind charging.

Anything thoughts for a direction?

 

[mhiscox]

True enough, 24V is more efficient, and there is an advantage to running the smaller-diameter wires permissible with the doubled voltage. However, I don't think the advantages are enough to recommend 24V over 12V for general camper use. All of the parts you'll want to buy for the rig will be much easier to find and less expensive in 12V.

I find it instructive that the knowledgeable person who built my Unimog camper added a separate 12 volt alternator to power the cabin and the cab accessories on this 24 volt truck.

 

[alosix]

True enough, 24V is more efficient, and there is an advantage to running the smaller-diameter wires permissible with the doubled voltage. However, I don't think the advantages are enough to recommend 24V over 12V for general camper use. All of the parts you'll want to buy for the rig will be much easier to find and less expensive in 12V.

I find it instructive that the knowledgeable person who built my Unimog camper added a separate 12 volt alternator to power the cabin and the cab accessories on this 24 volt truck.

That sounds pretty reasonable. I guess its amusing that I'm working on a truck that was originally 24v, that I spent a good while converting over to 12v and rewiring it, and I'm considering throwing a 24v system back in there.

I might just need to figure out a way to keep 2 batteries in series easily to be able to run a ready welder when needed. For normal trips it probably won't be needed, but when I doing competition support work (might be wrenching king of hammers this year) its handy to have that ready to go without reworking batteries at the last minute.