Ive recently built a small camper and bought a 2008 Prado VX 120 Series D4D Diesel to do some weekenders and a few future longer term trips.
I plan on putting a 120ah AGM battery in the van, and running an Older 40L Engel Fridge (5amp), some LED lights, water pump and car stereo off it.
From the research i've done, the below is the most cost effective setup to achieve 100% charged batteries with a decent lifespan:
*Install a booster diode to accomodate for the low voltage output of the alternator.
*Solenoid next to the crank battery.
*Run 6 B&S wire to rear of vehicle to 12-pin plug.
*Run 6 B&S wire through the camper to battery.
*Connect Engel Fridge straight to van battery.
*Install a 20A mppt solar regulator next to the van battery.
*Stick repositional/removable solar panel/s on the roof of the van.
The theory is, With the above setup i can get bulk charge into the battery plus run the fridge from the alternator while driving. The solar panels running concurrently can add to the bulk charge plus kick in at absorbtion and float stages to bring it up to 100% and maintain it. The solar regulator can also maintain the battery when the van is unused at home (outside) or a 7-stage 240v if stored undercover.
Questions:
1.\ Can the solar regulator be hooked directly to the van battery, as well as the direct alternator feed? Any protections needed?
2.\ Can the fridge be run straight off the battery effectively, while charging the van battery from the alternator feed?
3.\ Will the heavy pins (35amp) of a 12 pin plug be sufficient to handle the load from the alternator?
4.\ Should i go with one big solar panel, or a number of smaller panels?
5.\ What sort of cost-effective isolator should i get that will protect both batteries? Is a VSR really needed or can a simple solenoid be used?
Any other suggestions on tweaks to this setup welcomed.
Cheers,
Pete
I plan on putting a 120ah AGM battery in the van, and running an Older 40L Engel Fridge (5amp), some LED lights, water pump and car stereo off it.
From the research i've done, the below is the most cost effective setup to achieve 100% charged batteries with a decent lifespan:
*Install a booster diode to accomodate for the low voltage output of the alternator.
*Solenoid next to the crank battery.
*Run 6 B&S wire to rear of vehicle to 12-pin plug.
*Run 6 B&S wire through the camper to battery.
*Connect Engel Fridge straight to van battery.
*Install a 20A mppt solar regulator next to the van battery.
*Stick repositional/removable solar panel/s on the roof of the van.
The theory is, With the above setup i can get bulk charge into the battery plus run the fridge from the alternator while driving. The solar panels running concurrently can add to the bulk charge plus kick in at absorbtion and float stages to bring it up to 100% and maintain it. The solar regulator can also maintain the battery when the van is unused at home (outside) or a 7-stage 240v if stored undercover.
Questions:
1.\ Can the solar regulator be hooked directly to the van battery, as well as the direct alternator feed? Any protections needed?
2.\ Can the fridge be run straight off the battery effectively, while charging the van battery from the alternator feed?
3.\ Will the heavy pins (35amp) of a 12 pin plug be sufficient to handle the load from the alternator?
4.\ Should i go with one big solar panel, or a number of smaller panels?
5.\ What sort of cost-effective isolator should i get that will protect both batteries? Is a VSR really needed or can a simple solenoid be used?
Any other suggestions on tweaks to this setup welcomed.
Cheers,
Pete
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