Power In Your Van

[les2476]

Hi guys,
Can anyone explain to me how the power in the van works. eg. 240V and 12V, what is the difference and what runs what. I ordered a battery and solar panel system, not sure what amp, not even sure if I should be using amp, and I'm wondering what runs what. I also ordered a hot water system with external shower, how will this effect the power?

Thank you in advance, sorry for stupid questions.

 

[crackacoldie]

No such thing as a stupid question. All of your lighting and exhaust fan run on 12v, the Microwave, hot water service, fridge and aircon run on 240v. The 240v also runs the battery charger and voltage reducer, so in caravan parks will run everything, when off power, the battery will take over. The Hot water and fridge will also run on gas when off power. The solar panel will charge the battery.


hope this helps

Cheers Cracka

 

[les2476]

No such thing as a stupid question. All of your lighting and exhaust fan run on 12v, the Microwave, hot water service, fridge and aircon run on 240v. The 240v also runs the battery charger and voltage reducer, so in caravan parks will run everything, when off power, the battery will take over. The Hot water and fridge will also run on gas when off power. The solar panel will charge the battery.


hope this helps

Cheers Cracka

Very much so thank you... Does the water system use much gas?

 

[crackacoldie]

I only turn our on when required, takes about 20 minutes tu fully heat, if you leave them on all the time the do burn a bit extra.

 

[chartrock]

Very much so thank you... Does the water system use much gas?

Les, we traveled 3 months through WA of which half would have been free camps or national parks where we used the gas on the fridge and hot water. We used one 9kg gas bottle and started on the second for the whole trip. Very happy with the gas usage.

 

[les2476]

Les, we traveled 3 months through WA of which half would have been free camps or national parks where we used the gas on the fridge and hot water. We used one 9kg gas bottle and started on the second for the whole trip. Very happy with the gas usage.

Wow thats amazing. So the fridge runs of gas too?

 

[chartrock]

As long as it is a three way fridge, you can select 12 VDC, 240 VAC or gas. Gas is probably the most efficient but shouldn't be used while travelling.

 

[les2476]

As long as it is a three way fridge, you can select 12 VDC, 240 VAC or gas. Gas is probably the most efficient but shouldn't be used while travelling.

Thank you ill keep that in mind.

 

[Xpandafan]

We tend to take a decent lunch break when on the road and simply pop the fridge on gas for an hour top up.
Have to turn gas on to boil the kettle. It's a simple routine. Don't normally have it on at all while travelling and it stays cold, freezer frozen.

 

[chartrock]

HI Xf, we are a bit lazy that way and fill a thermos in the morning before we break camp and just rely on the fridge staying cold for our smoko and lunch breaks. That way I don't forget to turn anything off.