Off grid power questions...

[jsb223]

So I’m in the middle (long process) of doing a van conversion to tiny camper.

My house bank for power will consist of 200ah of LiPo. I want the ability to charge
from solar (currently 100 watt, plan to and one more panel) when off grid and not
moving, 110 when available, and when rolling down the road.

I bought a isolator to charge from my alternator but have since found out it not
compatible with the battery charging requirement and I surely don’t want to cook
my battery pack. I found a 20amp LiPo compatible changer that can do the job
while on the move. Kind of expensive.

It looks like the largest load will be 5amps at 12 volts when my fridge happens
to kick into “max cooling mode” so I decided not to go with a 24 volt bank
and keep it at 12 volts. Makes things a lot easier

Between the fridge, a radio/mp3, a fan if it’s warm, a couple of led lights
during the evening and keeping my phone and laptop topped off
I “THINK” I can get 3 days without having to charge at all.

If solar will give me half of my consumption back I can get 6 days.

Luxuries like video and a/c will have to be relegated to when I’m plugged in.

So what am I asking?

Am I completely underestimating my power requirements?

Most likely never camp more than two nights in a spot unless I using that as a
base camp and hiking / riding the area or it just happens to be a fantastic spot.

Last time I camped in a van it was pre phone days and “power” was Coleman fluid.

 

[rruff]

Between the fridge, a radio/mp3, a fan if it’s warm, a couple of led lights
during the evening and keeping my phone and laptop topped off
I “THINK” I can get 3 days without having to charge at all.

The fridge will be "on" all the time. Those typically use ~350 Wh per day in average temperatures, but you should measure yours. Your batteries have ~2600 Wh total when fully charged. Put everything in Wh as an energy unit, and add up your use. Then add up what you can reasonably expect for charge input. I have a 200W folding portable as my sole charger. I can get 1,500 Wh/day easy if it's sunny.

I don't have a fridge, but a power-hog of a laptop that I use quite a bit, and phone hotspot, charging flashlights, bike computer, etc. I average 300-400Wh per day I think, and have the same battery capacity as you. I camp where it's usually sunny, so I have plenty of capacity and charging.