[Tussah]

I'm still in the planning stages for my camper van conversion, and need some help figuring out what parts I'll need for the electrical system.

I want to be able to recharge the house battery from shore power, the alternator, and solar. Is it possible to purchase a charge controller that can handle these three power sources? Or do I need separate devices for each of them? Any recommendations?

On the output side, I will only run 110 devices when I'm actually plugged into shore power, so I don't think I need any sort of inverter. I'm planning to have an AC/DC fridge, which will run off AC when I'm plugged in to shore power, otherwise, off of the house battery (most of the time).

Other than that, I plan to use the house battery to recharge the phone and chromebook, run a few LED lights, and the Maxair roof fan.

What do you recommend?

 

[yelnam]

Sounds like you'll need separate: charger/inverter, battery isolator, and solar charge controller.

 

[Airedrifter]

You have many choices. There are several threads in this group that discuss the various options. I chose a Ctek system. It works. There are others that work too.

 

[fogartykck]

I want to be able to recharge the house battery from shore power, the alternator, and solar. Is it possible to purchase a charge controller that can handle these three power sources? Or do I need separate devices for each of them? Any recommendations?

Sounds like what I want to do. Here's a system I'm trying to get ahold of:

http://smartercharger.com/products/100a-offroad/

I will add the CTEK Multi US 7002 and I'm done. I will follow Orton's guidance on fusing and switching.

 

[orton]

There are numerous different methods of charging the house battery. One that has worked well for my application is:

A single 300 watt solar panel with a Morningstar 15 amp Sunsaver MPPT 3 stage solar controller. This is the primary method of charging.

I have a Magnum 1000 watt MS1012 house inverter/charger/transfer switch. The charger is a 3 stage charger. Shore power automatically transfers through the Magnum when it is available. Only one string of duplex plug outlets is required.

As a backup charging source there is a vehicle 12 volt powered second pure sine inverter that supplies 120 volt AC "shore power" while driving. The 120 volt AC power is sent to the Magnum to provide charging. This is seldom required.

The house battery is always charged with a 3 stage charger with the correct charge profile. Both the Magnum and the Morningstar are 3 stage chargers. The house battery is never directly connected to the vehicle battery.

 

[Tussah]

Thanks for the recommendations. I'm still at the steep part of the learning curve, but luckily my Dad is an electrical engineer, so I know that once I can figure out what products are available, and how I want the system to function, I can count on him to advise me on how to wire things together. He just isn't up to date with current products, and I'm the only one who understands what I want the end result to look like.

Orton, is your backup charging source connected to the vehicle battery, or to the alternator? What are the advantages of sending vehicle power to the inverter/charger instead of using something like a relay to connect the alternator directly to the house battery?

Fogartykck, thanks for the links. I wish these product pages didn't assume that you already know what these products are supposed to do. I will read up and get my Dad to help me figure out what each of these pieces is and how these things are supposed to work together.

I'm puzzled why there isn't a charge controller out there smart enough to manage multiple power sources.

 

[orton]

I have the three 60 amp power points on the driver seat base. I ran 3 wires to a 4 post bus bar. The 4th post is connected to a 150 amp fuse, then a battery disconnect switch and then to the positive post of the 1000 watt pure sine vehicle powered inverter.

The advantages of the second inverter over a relay are:

1. The house battery is always charged with a 3 stage charger with a correct charge profile.

2. Two different size, age, brand, mfg. date, type batteries are not connected together. (Not recommended by battery mfg.)

3. 12/3 wire cord can be used to charger instead of heavy cable for 12 volts to a battery.

4. I have 120 volt AC power available as I drive.

5. I can heat shower water electrically.

6. I can run an electric baseboard heater in rear of van as I drive.

7. The vehicle powered inverter limits the draw from the alternator.

8. I can have 120 volt "shore power" by idling the engine.

Disadvantages:

1. Slightly higher cost. Offset by lower water heating cost.

2. Can not use house battery to start vehicle. (I do not ground the house 12 volt system)

3. A shore power charger is required.

4. The vehicle powered inverter limits the draw on the alternator.

 

[Tussah]

Sounds like what I want to do. Here's a system I'm trying to get ahold of:

http://smartercharger.com/products/100a-offroad/

I will add the CTEK Multi US 7002 and I'm done. I will follow Orton's guidance on fusing and switching.

I found a youtube video that explains this system so I can follow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjqcOAjT4W4

Can I assume that the CTEK Multi US 7002 charges the house battery from shore power? Anyway, I'll go look that up now.

Thanks, Orton for providing so much technical detail. I'm going to look up your information about fusing and switching, too!

 

[orton]

The electrical drawing can be printed out:

http://www.ortontransit.info/drawings2.php

I have made some small changes so drawing is a bit out of date but might be helpful.