ramblinChet
Well-known member
@Mekcanix - Feel free to use this as you wish. Although most assembly information for these components was sourced from manufacturer manuals and professional publications, download and review the originals yourself. This provides deeper insight into component expectations, limitations, and interactions. When performance deviates or behavior changes abruptly, knowing where to start troubleshooting is essential.
Below are rough rules of thumb for an average system:
Below are rough rules of thumb for an average system:
- Identify your primary power source
- Solar: wild camping in open areas
- Shore power: campgrounds
- DC-DC: multi-hour drives for weekend camping
- Size the system to your requirements
- Battery bank
- 50–100 Ah per day of camping
- 50 Ah for light loads with alternate sources (solar, shore power, etc.)
- 100 Ah for heavy loads with no or limited alternate sources
- Solar system
- If primary source: 2–4× battery bank capacity
- Example: 200 Ah battery bank with 500 W solar (2.5×)
- Shore power
- Basic system: 15–20 A
- Heavy system (AC, microwave): 30–50 A
- DC-DC
- Backup to solar or shore power: 30–50 A
- Primary for weekend camping: 50–100 A
- Battery bank
- Premium products and services yield higher performance and safety
- Components: Victron, REDARC, etc.
- Wire and lugs: ANCOR, Pacer, etc.
- Accessories: Blue Sea Systems, Marinco, etc.
- Use the correct tool for each task
- Engage top-tier installers (rare but available)
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