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Subject Topic: 12 volt power in the tent. Post Reply Post New Topic
08/8/2008 at 1:50pm
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Hi all
So for reasons know to yourself,you do not want to be tied to an EHU but you would like a few small electric Items in case of rainy days,Small 12volt TV, DVD player, laptop,
Recharge your batteries, Razor, laptop, phone. Use 8 or 16 watt strip lights in the tent and see to read without eye strainand you also have decided not to go down the Solar panel and battery route.
Well there is still a way you can do it, and the thanks must go to Macaw one of our learned members.
We build our selves a portable charging box that is put in the car to go away with and plugged into the auxiliary 12 volt output or cigar lighter socket.
What I consider is Ideal, is to buy two 12volt 85amp hour batteries so one can be in use, the other on charge in your car every time you drive off. this way you have power for as long as you are away.
What you need to do. first I would recommend you buy a large battery holding box Towsure no B213.
The you will buy a split relay charger the correct 30amp wire and fuses two battery crocodile clips heavy duty
and a heavy duty cigar lighter plug.
All these Items can be purchased on line.
I use the Smart com split relay as it dose not require fitting to the vehicles alternator and to make it portable to use from any 12 volt vehicle, pick up the power through the cigar socket saves running a wire through the car.

It really is very easy to make up, it can be built in the top of a battery holding box if you want to use the 110 amp hour batteries or next to the battery using the supplied separator.

I have put a photo of the one I use in my gallery I will also put the simple wiring diagram I used. one of our tecy friends may put it on the post(please)
all the best
Rex
PS Never discharge a standard leisure battery to bellow 11.8 volts as this will seriously reduce the life of your battery buy a cheap multimeter and check regular and change battery's well before.

You will also require an 150 watt inverter for some Items

Post last edited on 08/08/2008 13:56:11

Post last edited on 08/08/2008 16:54:02

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"Be the person your dog thinks you are" (BM)


08/8/2008 at 4:55pm
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Hi
I hate to see the little blue fella crying

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"Be the person your dog thinks you are" (BM)


09/8/2008 at 3:05pm
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Hi again
Last bump on this one before I change my Gallery back.
Rex.

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"Be the person your dog thinks you are" (BM)


09/8/2008 at 8:36pm
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Hi Rex,

You Know these 12v Power pack things with the lighter socket and sometimes compressor and Jumpleads. Have you any idea how long they would last on a full charge. Would it be a viable option to take instead of EHU for lighting etc. The etc being phone chargers and the likes.

Im thinking that they'd be great for sites that dont offer tenters EHU - Castlerigg Hall in particular, which is a great site but for the lack of EHU in my situation.


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Always forgive,Never forget;Learn from mistakes,But Never regret;People change,Things go wrong;Just remember life goes on

Cool campers use Delta Pegs.

The happiest people aren't the ones who have everything they are the ones who make the most of everything they have


09/8/2008 at 8:48pm
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Hi dezzie
I know the item you mean but I don't know how many amp hour battery they have installed.
Maybe someone as got one, and could let us know then we could work out how long they would last.
Regards
Rex.
Hi again
You can buy a 85 amp leisure battery for under £40 this would run 2 8watt strip lights for 30 hours so in summer you could run the lights chargers and a radio for a week with do problem.
Regards
Rex.

Post last edited on 09/08/2008 21:03:00

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"Be the person your dog thinks you are" (BM)


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10/8/2008 at 12:07am
 Location: Notts
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Very interesting stuff Rex, I always try to recommend people get a second battery rather than a solar pael, but everyone seems to think it is sexier to have a weak charge than actual power!

A good addition to your system would be an audible alarm that went off when the battery dropped to 11.8 volts, maybe.

Regarding the powerpack style, I used to use one but the battery died, I did think about replacing it but never got round to it. You can tell from the pack size that the battery must be very small, used to do our lights for a week no problem though (but you only use the lights for a couple of hours a night).



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A wise man learns from his own mistakes - a genius learns from the mistakes of others


11/8/2008 at 8:01pm
 Location: North West
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Hi Rex
Very interested in 12 v electric in tent but cant find the wiring diagram or picture of the one you use?? Can you help?


11/8/2008 at 9:27pm
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Quote: Originally posted by greggo on 11/8/2008
Hi Rex
Very interested in 12 v electric in tent but cant find the wiring diagram or picture of the one you use?? Can you help?

Hi greggo
Hi will put my system photos in my gallery for you if it will help.
Rex


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"Be the person your dog thinks you are" (BM)


11/8/2008 at 9:43pm
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Hi again Greggo.
I have put all my 12 volt system in my gallery I can now go away for as long as my batteries accept a charge and my money lasts, and always have a TV, Radio, 2 8 Watt strip lights, I have a 150watt inverter to charge camera, phone, razor batteries
The only thing I can not use is a TEC cooler and a electric heater. But I have a three way cooler and a double element gas fire.
All the best
Rex

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"Be the person your dog thinks you are" (BM)


12/8/2008 at 6:23pm
 Location: North West
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Hi again
Thanks for that really gives me something to think about all we had on our 1st trip was a coolbox that ran from the car lighter shell island so no electric hookup.

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Greggo



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