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    1. · Registered
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      Discussion Starter · #1 ·
      Finishing up my electrical system, and thought i would seek some last minute confirmation/advice.

      My diagram: http://imgur.com/a/hyo2p + attached

      parts:

      Ctek d250s dual : http://smartercharger.com/products/dcdc/ctek-d250s-dual/

      fuse box : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001P6FTHC/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

      30 A fuse + holder : https://www.amazon.com/Baomain-ANL-...id=1495317258&sr=8-4&keywords=30+amp+fuse+anl

      Battery: https://www.amazon.com/Universal-UB...F8&qid=1495317559&sr=8-1&keywords=agm+battery

      My questions are:
      1) Do I have the correct fuse and wire sizes (for the lights they have 22 gauge already on them so I would just use the same to go to the fuse box (with a switch to turn them on/off)) **More stuff will be run off the fuse box, just put the lights in for an example to make sure i understand correctly how to size the fuse and wires (Using https://www.oznium.com/forum/topic15761 as a basis for Gauge and Max Amps)

      2) the inverter/charger is a down the road install disregard it unless you have some input on it. *Might just go with a smart charger and separate inverter - haven't priced shopped them yet

      3) Any thoughts on the battery? I would prefer sealed over the 6v golf cart batteries and this seems to be a good price.

      4) any recommendations on meters to monitor the battery charge/draw etc?

      Thanks for any input!
       

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    1. · Registered
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      312 Posts
      I bought a Yeti 3000 for my van and wanted to provide some feedback.

      Summary: Convenient, compact, expensive

      I bought the Yeti 3000 at REI using the 20% off coupon. At the same time I bought the link module.
      Note that you will also need to buy the cable kit to wire it up to the alternator.

      It's charged two ways, either using the single 60A CCP via the Link module or, when parked, the ability the charge from shore power. This seems to work well for my situation because I generally move campsites each night and don't like to park and stay at a location.

      While the Goal Zero Link cable is quite short (2 feet?), it will reach to the Yeti if you use the CCP on the driver's seat and have the Yeti placed immediately behind the driver seat which isn't a bad location. The CCP is a bit awkward to access but otherwise is a short and easy install.
      Note you will need to buy the nuts for the CCP and ground point.

      Later, I installed the Yeti in a cabinet, both to clean up the cabling as well as making it harder to steal. I took off the wheels and bolted some 8020 around it so a thief would need to be just slightly more determined than the opportunistic type.

      I installed this on the rear bumper as shown by others in the forum.
      NOCO power plug inlet and extension cord
      It was easy to install and looks good. The extension cable routes up through the van body without any new holes. I plugged it into an octopus to get multiple shore power plugs inside the van.

      When shore power is available, I can plug in two wall chargers (both included in the 3000) which will recharge the 3000 if I leave it overnight. If we are on a longer trips, the captain want a hot shower every couple days so we will hit a campground and usually get shore power there.

      From an output perspective, you will need to push a button to use the 120V ports, or another button to use the USB ports, or (finally) another button to use the 12V ports. You can easily see the continuous drain from the 120V inverter even if you don't have anything plugged in.
      Likewise you see a smaller draw if you open up the USB ports (smaller inverter) even when you don't have anything plugged in.
      If you leave the buttons pushed, they will slowly drain the battery due to the inverter load.
      There is no draw on the 12V outlets if there is nothing plugged in because there is no inverter used.

      In a previous van I had some trouble figuring out what was draining the battery so I like these buttons to effectively disconnect the battery from any loads.

      Over the holidays, I parked it for 2+ months, turning off the wifi and lighted panel on the front, and it held its charge without any loss.

      I used this cable
      Anderson to ring cable
      to go to a Blue Sea distribution
      and then all my 12V accessories get fed through that.
      Super easy and pretty clean.

      The iPhone app is convenient since I have it buried in a cabinet.

      The 3000 manual is here.

      Irritations:
      Besides the cost which was known at the start but gets reinforced every time you buy a cable, I was disappointed that you can't install the Link module (alternator charging) at the same time as the MTTP (solar charging) module. While there are two accessory slots in the Yeti 3000, both theses modules need to occupy the right accessory slot. In my perfect world, I'd have both installed so if I decided to park in a field for a week I could charge with solar. Now I just have the MPPT module sitting in a box.
      At some point, if I went solar, it would take me ~15 minutes or so to switch the modules.

      I can see why they are coming out with a more powerful inverter for the newer version of the 3000. At times, the 3000 won't power some items like an old circular saw due to the peak load on start. We need to be somewhat careful as I add items like a blender, microwave or toaster oven.
       
    2. · Registered
      2018 350 XLT 3.5L
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      305 Posts
      I bought a Yeti 3000 for my van and wanted to provide some feedback.

      I used this cable
      Anderson to ring cable
      to go to a Blue Sea distribution
      and then all my 12V accessories get fed through that.
      Super easy and pretty clean.
      I like this approach! Do you have any pictures you can share?

      I'm wondering if there is a way I can wire it up so that my cooler/fan can run on car 12v when driving and/or when the YETI is not installed, but then off YETI when parked, without changing the outlet the device is plugged into?
       
    3. · Registered
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      312 Posts
      I like this approach! Do you have any pictures you can share?

      I'm wondering if there is a way I can wire it up so that my cooler/fan can run on car 12v when driving and/or when the YETI is not installed, but then off YETI when parked, without changing the outlet the device is plugged into?
      I don't have great pics but I followed the broad outline on wplate on this forum. He put together a useful video here youtube video

      I used this cable from the 12V output on my Yeti to the BlueSky Fuse block. Then I attach all my 12V appliances to this fusebox. While the pic doesn't show all that attached devices, they include USB charges, Maxxfan, lights.

       

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    4. · Registered
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      130 Posts
      Correct.

      I started with a power strip into the GZ when parked at a remote location, and then when at a location that I could run an extension cord to a building, I would unplug the power strip from the GZ and then plugin the power strip into the extension cord plugged into a building.

      I wanted to automate it so that when I had access to outside electricity (from a building, etc), I could just plug one end of the extension cord to the building and the other into an inlet at my rear bumper and all my power needs would be directly satisfied from that building.

      It is fairly common for people to setup their system so that any AC outlets/powerstrips inside the van get power from the GoalZero (house) system, and then when you have access to outside electricity (shore power) to have those AC outlets/powerstrips instead get their power from shore power.

      So, I inside the van I have a DC fuseblock and I have an AC distribution panel that powers the AC outlets (like a powerstrip) and DC accessories.

      By default, these are all powered by the GoalZero (DC output & AC output on the front of the GZ). When I have access to outside electricity (e.g. running an extension cord to a building), my system is setup so that it senses that and automatically switches the DC fuseblock and AC distribution panel to use the power from the outside electricity instead.

      Here are some of the items from my build:

      https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00153EYTO
      https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075DHT7X2
      Bussmann HEB-AA Tron In-line Breakaway Fuse Holder - - Amazon.com
      https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AXNUY
      https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F6132JR
      https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KDZSQ11
      https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton...Function-Outlet-White-R92-AGTR1-0KW/206804820
      https://www.goalzero.com/shop/archive-accessories/yeti-fast-charge-25-amp-power-supply
      https://www.goalzero.com/shop/yeti-accessories/yeti-12v-car-charging-cable
      https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000THQ0CQ
      https://www.ebay.com/itm/321508054214
      https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Z9X4GLW
      https://www.goalzero.com/shop/mountable-solar-panels/boulder-100-solar-panel/

      Again, lot's of people have been doing similar using different components. But hopefully you get the idea of what I did in my van.

      Just want to make sure I'm not missing anything. Without shore power, the only way to have an AC outlet in the van is by running it from an inverter, correct. In my case I'm using a sort of extension cord that looks like an outlet on one end but is plugged into the GZ inverter outlet on the other.

      Conference Recessed Power Strip Socket 9.8Ft Cord,Desktop Power Grommet Power Strip with 2-Outlet & 2 USB Ports

      Not sure what a power brick is ,does that feed your 12v fuse block when you have shore power?
       
    1. · Registered
      2020 High-Extended AWD EcoBoost Cargo with windows
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      5,279 Posts
      Discussion Starter · #150 ·
      Fuse block? Hm. I have this one as our 24VDC bar. And this fuse block was the old one we used (sitting in my garage - free if you want it). It has been replaced with this smaller fuse block (chosen for size and layout plus the lighted "bad fuse" function) and this relay / fuse block (chosen to get the relay switch setup and nice to have lighted "bad fuse" functions and a good layout).

      Here's how that 12VDC setup looked previously:


      and here's how it looks now:


      and here's how it actually looks with the panel on it. ;)
       
    2. · Registered
      2022 T350HD #11000 Avalanche Gray
      Joined
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      901 Posts
      Fuse block? Hm. I have this one as our 24VDC bar. And this fuse block was the old one we used (sitting in my garage - free if you want it). It has been replaced with this smaller fuse block (chosen for size and layout plus the lighted "bad fuse" function) and this relay / fuse block (chosen to get the relay switch setup and nice to have lighted "bad fuse" functions and a good layout).

      Here's how that 12VDC setup looked previously:
      View attachment 166374

      and here's how it looks now:
      View attachment 166375

      and here's how it actually looks with the panel on it. ;)
      View attachment 166376
      I see heat pads for water and batteries. Which pads are you using? I know they do not cost much and have thought about adding them to my build.
       
    1. · Registered
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      130 Posts
      Look forward to hearing how you like it. Seems like a great solution if it is reliable.
      Im working in supplying power from the CCP2. Will be using an inverter to supply 110V power to the Bluetti, up to 500W. Using the 12V cigarette lighter power is weak sauce for charging with van running topping out about 100W.

      Will also be adding 12V power distribution to several areas with a Blue Sea Systems 5025 ST Blade Fuse Block - 6 Circuits. This will power my roof fan, some lights, water pump, some small 12V appliances like a fridge, USB charge points around the van.

      I’m planning the layout in the van right now to figure out exact where everything will be located and route nicely.

      Plan to add solar in the spring. Will probably go with 2-3 200Watt panels in series.
       
    1. · Registered
      2020 High-Extended AWD EcoBoost Cargo with windows
      Joined
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      5,279 Posts
      ...
      Thanks… I created a digram and list of items I plan to install. Any help creat the shopping list of items needed including wire gauges and what not?
      Sure. Move the GZ to the driver's side since that's where the power-source from the van is (off the side of the driver's seat) AND that's where your fridge is. Then just use the 12VDC power cord that comes with the fridge directly into the GZ or pretty much straight off of a fuse-block (it has a built-in fuse, so fuse not technically necessary). Then don't bother with an outlet if you only want one - you'll have it directly in the GZ. Or just run one of these plugged in.

      Everything else is pretty low draw and not technically difficult. Put your fuse block on that same driver's side. Run #10 good-quality speaker-wire or SOOW (depending how you want to route it) for the 12VDC outlets in case you pull some power (though #10 isn't enough to run the fridge on a long run - too much voltage drop).

      Puck lights, #14 or even #16 or #18 pairs are fine - low power per puck. Pull them back and tie them to each other then into a controller. I like these controllers - you can run multiple controllers with one RF remote (or multiple RF remotes). Or you can run an RGB controller and get three circuits of control for the price of one.

      Here's three fuse block alternatives that I have used (only speaking for what I've used):

      Also an option to run one of those on the driver's side and another on the passenger side. If you go that route, the smaller ones make plenty of sense.

      I'd skip the hard-wired switches and go RF and IR remotes for the fan and the lights. We stick them to the walls with magnets. And then even less need for anything on the passenger side.

      Oh... puck lights. These work.
       
    2. · Registered
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      50 Posts
      Discussion Starter · #13 ·
      Sure. Move the GZ to the driver's side since that's where the power-source from the van is (off the side of the driver's seat) AND that's where your fridge is. Then just use the 12VDC power cord that comes with the fridge directly into the GZ or pretty much straight off of a fuse-block (it has a built-in fuse, so fuse not technically necessary). Then don't bother with an outlet if you only want one - you'll have it directly in the GZ. Or just run one of these plugged in.

      Everything else is pretty low draw and not technically difficult. Put your fuse block on that same driver's side. Run #10 good-quality speaker-wire or SOOW (depending how you want to route it) for the 12VDC outlets in case you pull some power (though #10 isn't enough to run the fridge on a long run - too much voltage drop).

      Puck lights, #14 or even #16 or #18 pairs are fine - low power per puck. Pull them back and tie them to each other then into a controller. I like these controllers - you can run multiple controllers with one RF remote (or multiple RF remotes). Or you can run an RGB controller and get three circuits of control for the price of one.

      Here's three fuse block alternatives that I have used (only speaking for what I've used):

      Also an option to run one of those on the driver's side and another on the passenger side. If you go that route, the smaller ones make plenty of sense.

      I'd skip the hard-wired switches and go RF and IR remotes for the fan and the lights. We stick them to the walls with magnets. And then even less need for anything on the passenger side.

      Oh... puck lights. These work.
      All great info.
      I bought:
      8 puck lights, 12 V, 3W
      Blue Sea ST ATO/ATC Fuse Block

      What gauge wire should I use to run these in parallel?
      What size fuse amp should I use?

      ALso any suggestions on a conduit or cover to protect the wire as it runs through behind the walls?

      Thanks,
       
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