Dant wrote:
I wish someone had answered you. I have the same request, a simple DC system. Since I do not plan to stay at an RV park, I'm not installing any AC system.
All I need is a simple way to charge my house bank while driving, then disconnect when camping and use the house bank. I'll eventually put in solar panels to supplement, but I will only need power for low demand items like a fan, lights, recharging things like an electric tooth brush and tablet computer, ipods and the like.
caseydog wrote:A forum moderator requested that I post up how I made the super-simple electrical system for my minimalist teardrop. It's cheap. It's easy. It works.
You will need a Marinco 150BBI.RV RV On-Board Charger Inlet, available at Amazon.com for about twenty bucks. You also need a one-to-three short power cord, available from HD or Lowes, a hole saw for your power drill, some wire cutters/strippers, and a screw driver.
If you want, you can opt for a GFCI equipped short cord, like mine.
Drill the hole for your Marinco charger inlet.
Cut the three-prong end off of the power cord, and separate and strip the three conductors to attach to the charger inlet.
Slide the rubber cover from the charger inlet over the cord, and poke the wires through the hole in your wall from the inside to outside.
Attach the three conductors securely to the charger adapter. Slide the rubber cover up to cover the insides of the charger inlet and connections.
Insert the power inlet into the hole in your wall, and secure it with the three mounting screws that come with the inlet. A rubber gasket with a cap for the inlet comes with the inlet to keep it watertight.
You now have a super simple system that can handle 15 AMPS. I plug my Heater or AC into one outlet depending on the season. In my galley, I mounted a surge-protecting power strip. I plug that into another outlet. I have one open outlet for use as needed.
CD
Dant wrote: Prob'ly use a small inverter for things that are made for 120 VAC, but have minimal draw.
Richard A. wrote:VERY minimal I hope. You realize that an inverter can draw considerable 12v current. For every 100 watts of AC you draw about 10 AMPS of 12vdc.
absolutsnwbrdr wrote:Your post makes me feel as though you oppose the use of inverters. I have a "little" 400w inverter that I use all the time when I'm boondocking. Its maximum power output is 3.48A (AC), which would draw approximately 34.8A (DC).
So what? It takes less than an amp of either to kill a human.
You have to take safety precautions whether you are working with AC or DC.
cpinetree wrote:Here is way to make a super simple AC to DC converter, to run fantastic fans, lights, etc.
You likely can build from old computer power supplies you or someone you know has.
It would be a good idea to add fuses in line, appropriately sized for the device being run.
link 1: http://www.wikihow.com/Convert-a-Computer-ATX-Power-Supply-to-a-Lab-Power-Supply
link 2 long, slow video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7k1-xwwURJc&feature=related
pohukai wrote:This is exactly what I plan to do as well; use old power supplies and computer case fans and 12v lighting. Who cares that it doesn't have a fancy painted case; they're out of sight anyway. I just plan to use a power resistor instead of the light bulb to fake the load of a motherboard.
Jim
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