hammy
New Member
Posts: 22
Likes: 7
Currently Offline
|
Post by hammy on Jun 3, 2021 21:34:04 GMT -8
We are looking to wire in a 12v system to our 58 Airflyte so that we can do some boondocking. Currently there is only a few lights, refrigerator and a vent fan in the trailer which are supplied by 110v shore power.
My biggest concern is that I will have to replace all the existing lights and fan with 12v units, as I do not see a DC converter anywhere. This way, we could power everything (minus fridge) with a 12v source and use the shore power for the fridge and battery charging.
Another option would be to wire in an inverter to the 12v system so that it could still power the existing lights, but that seems overly complicated and would likely be pretty inefficient.
Does anyone have thoughts on the best route to go here? I want to make sure I do it right the first time. Also my neighbor said I should run 2 6v batteries in series instead of one 12v, which will result in longer runtime, can anyone confirm this logic?
|
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Jun 3, 2021 22:00:07 GMT -8
Are you sure the vent fan is 110? It's been many years since I've seen one.
The easiest way to accomplish what you want is to ADD an entirely new and separate 12 volt system. Battery on the tongue, fuse block in the dinette and circuits out from there. You can add 12 volt lights either on the ceiling or under the cabinets, a cigar outlet, water pump? and possibly a Fantastic Fan.
Keep the original 110 system if it all works; the lights, outlets and anything else powered on the grid. The trailer stays original but you have the added 12 volt system for boondocking.
I would not go with 6 volt batteries. There are lithium batteries available today that are much lighter and hold their power well enough to last just as long. Do some research on an "RV lithium battery" system and study before you buy. You can also add solar panels.
|
|
|
|
Post by wisconsinjoe on Jun 4, 2021 6:43:13 GMT -8
Why not convert everything to 12 volt dc? Use the existing 120 volt wiring, but separate it from the 120 volt source and reroute the 120 volt to a new outlet to plug in a charger/converter connected to a battery (deep cycle AGM if placed under dinette seat). The battery power goes (through fuses) to the original 120 volt wires. Replace those 120 volt lightbulbs with 12 volt LED versions. Or, replace light fixtures with new LED ones with dimmers built in.
Now, when connected to shore power you are charging the battery that is sending the 12 volt power to everything. When boondocking, you use the battery power.
If you must, send 120 volt power to the fridge with new wiring if needed. But then you will always need to be plugged in. That's why I think it's worth it to buy a 2 way or 3 way fridge that runs off both propane or shore power. Propane is very efficient. With that set-up it is easy to boondock for a long weekend or more, especially if you avoid high energy devices.
Avoid using an inverter for boondocking (to turn that 12 volt into 120 volt). It is inefficient and the high energy device that you would plug into it will quickly eat up your battery reserve.
If you need to boondock for longer, you can carry a generator and run it to re-charge your battery.
|
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Jun 4, 2021 9:20:48 GMT -8
Don't bother with a 3 way fridge. The 12 volt element is not run with a T'stat-it's always "ON" which is to keep it cool when traveling. Really not worth it, IMO. I agree propane is the way to go with a trailer fridge. Very sparing on propane; many will run 3 weeks on a small tank.
|
|
turbodaddy
1K Member
Posts: 1,086 
Likes: 462
17' 1965 Fan "Sunseeker"
Currently Offline
|
Post by turbodaddy on Jun 4, 2021 19:30:13 GMT -8
I agree with vikx,
"Keep the original 110 system if it all works; the lights, outlets and anything else powered on the grid. The trailer stays original but you have the added 12 volt system for boondocking."
Propane refrigerators are really great...quiet, efficient and able to keep stuff cold when off the grid. We keep ours on propane even while driving. Once in a while the pilot light gets blown out, but most of the time it isn't a problem.
A 12VDC wiring system is really easy to install (and as vikx said) battery technology has advanced a lot in recent years. LED lighting also greatly reduces battery depletion. Our major 12 VDC energy hog is the furnace that I wouldn't ever consider getting rid of. It has allowed for extended cold weather trips that would never have happened without heat.
We usually only run it in the morning for 30 minutes or so and again in the evening while having dinner and preparing for sleeping.
|
|
|
|
Post by brandon428 on Jun 5, 2021 7:46:25 GMT -8
Why not convert everything to 12 volt dc? Use the existing 120 volt wiring, but separate it from the 120 volt source and reroute the 120 volt to a new outlet to plug in a charger/converter connected to a battery (deep cycle AGM if placed under dinette seat). The battery power goes (through fuses) to the original 120 volt wires. Replace those 120 volt lightbulbs with 12 volt LED versions. Or, replace light fixtures with new LED ones with dimmers built in. If you must, send 120 volt power to the fridge with new wiring if needed. But then you will always need to be plugged in. That's why I think it's worth it to buy a 2 way or 3 way fridge that runs off both propane or shore power. Propane is very efficient. With that set-up it is easy to boondock for a long weekend or more, especially if you avoid high energy devices. You have to be careful with high current items like refrigerators if you go this route. The original 120 volt wiring is likely 14 gauge. If your fridge takes 10 amps, 14 gauge will carry that well over 100 feet at 120V, but only around 10' at 12V. |
|
|
|
Post by vikx on Jun 5, 2021 9:32:50 GMT -8
These days, the little fridges don't draw many amps luckily. A lot say 2 amps. I know my "old" one is very greedy-and it gets twice as cold. It can double as a freezer. The compressor is bigger than my main fridge...
|
|
|
|
Post by brandon428 on Jun 5, 2021 11:49:05 GMT -8
Understood. The old ones take a lot more as you said. I really just wanted to make sure anyone who took that advice understood the implications and was aware of the current draw of whatever they hooked up to it.
|
|
hammy
New Member
Posts: 22
Likes: 7
Currently Offline
|
Post by hammy on Jun 7, 2021 7:17:21 GMT -8
Thank you all so much for the input, this is very helpful advice. I will ponder what is the best option for us as we finish up some of the interior work. We are covering our bench seats with Pendleton fabric this week, very excited!
|
|
