Boosting the power on the move. Or Mr Fix It strikes again

Having enough stored battery power at the end of a day's travel is pretty important to us. We like to have water pumped by the 12v pump, to see by the 12v lights, maybe watch the 12v TV or make coffee. (Ok coffee is the most important, but you get my drift) This is only possible if the batteries have got enough juice to run things.


We have camp in one place power well under control. We have ample capacity for solar power generation; two 200 watt panels in a carry case on the back of the van, one 40 watt on the roof and another 80 watts packed away for long stays. And we can always give in and run the generator.

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Solar panels and wind generator

We also have a small wind generator for windy days and nights. This is brilliant at the beach, but not so reliable in hilly places where the wind swirls.

Whilst travelling, the car's electrical system has to charge the cranking battery and the second car battery which will have the two camping fridge freezers plugged in, as well as run whatever is on in the car AND charge the caravan batteries.

So K has decided to help the poor car out by connecting the roof mounted solar panel, and by mounting this device on the wind generator pole while we travel. If we did this with our normal wind generator it would blow apart as it is not designed for car type speeds.

 He has connected a whirly gig extractor fan, the kind you see on the top of dog trailers to remove heat, to a car alternator which will go round and round driven by the fan as we motor along. Since the alternator is designed to go round really fast driven by the speed of the car motor, I  am assured that it will work just as if the car was running it. It will all be managed by our charging system which was seriously upgraded this summer.

 

There is a lot more maths and science to this than I can hope to understand, as well as lots of research into safety and such.

The contraption is ready for a road test attached to the car and an isolated battery this weekend on the airstrip. Be interesting to see how well it goes.

If you interested in customised 12 volt set ups try this article. It appears that the need to tweak things in a caravan is a common affliction.

Cheers Sue

A Ferg  the Move