Dual battery noob question

[Surnturf]

I have a DC-DC for the Jeep and another for the Caravan
The beauty of this set up is I can turn the DC-DC off and on while driving from my phone,I can see what the caravan solar is making and if I need to charge via the jeep or just use the solar.

[drover]

My van charges itself by solar only and is usually fully charged by the time I hook up with only a 12v run from Jeep direct to van fridge. I set up mine for fully off grid so solar has to do its job for days/weeks at a time, no way of charging from Jeep anyway only have a 240v charger, rarely used and a very good MPPT solar reg with near 500w on the roof ...
My previous rig I had 12v to van to charge it but found I didn't need it so this time didn't even bother with it, seen a lot of expensive set ups that are not needed, a solar set up thats keeps everything going for weeks off grid doesn't need any help from a tug when towing and to use your vehicle to charge batteries in camp is just dumb..... and have seen vans set up that just do parks so no need at all .....
But if I ever need an aux battery in Jeep certainly fit out as I said earlier, making it portable is the way to go but the weigh bridge ticket on mine doesn't leave any room for another 30 kgs of gear..

[Lazy-Ferret]

Originally Posted by drover

My van charges itself by solar only and is usually fully charged by the time I hook up with only a 12v run from Jeep direct to van fridge. I set up mine for fully off grid so solar has to do its job for days/weeks at a time, no way of charging from Jeep anyway only have a 240v charger, rarely used and a very good MPPT solar reg with near 500w on the roof ...
My previous rig I had 12v to van to charge it but found I didn't need it so this time didn't even bother with it, seen a lot of expensive set ups that are not needed, a solar set up thats keeps everything going for weeks off grid doesn't need any help from a tug when towing and to use your vehicle to charge batteries in camp is just dumb..... and have seen vans set up that just do parks so no need at all .....
But if I ever need an aux battery in Jeep certainly fit out as I said earlier, making it portable is the way to go but the weigh bridge ticket on mine doesn't leave any room for another 30 kgs of gear..

Yeah Yeah, rub it in... just cos you get some of that stuff... what's it called... oh yeah, I think I remember... Sun?

I have 300w of solar on the roof of our caravan, doesn't even run the heater fan for a whole day without help.

[Surnturf]

I have a split system A/C in the caravan with inverter compressor. Have 540 watts of solar , Can run the A/C all day (21 degrees with ambient at 35C) with batteries hovering at 95-97% that's with a fridge 2C and freezer at -15C ,A/C uses 32amps when operating on econo mode 43 amps not.

I dont usually use the A/C during the day as im hopefully catching fish. June this year we stayed in the Pilbra and night temps can be warm,ran it all night to stay comfortable (wife hates it)
Next day batteries are charged ready to go again,cant beat lithium,3000w-6000w inverter and inverter split A/C as they are the most efficient at the moment

[SouthernComfort]

Interesting topic although so far I've done nothing to rig up extra battery dc/dc etc. I don't really think I need it, but then we don't do extremes or long periods off grid. Van keeps it's battery charged on the solar, car runs the van's full size fridge when on the move, that's the only fridge we use. All lighting is LED. My boss also hates the inverter a/c at night. Have wired in 12v cooling fans at the end of kitchen aimed towards the bed (not behind it as on some rigs I've seen) for hot nights, they're silent and work brilliantly keeping the breeze moving.

[drover]

Originally Posted by Lazy-Ferret

Yeah Yeah, rub it in... just cos you get some of that stuff... what's it called... oh yeah, I think I remember... Sun?

I have 300w of solar on the roof of our caravan, doesn't even run the heater fan for a whole day without help.

thats why I have a 3kw diesel heater, it can run for 15 hrs a day when we visit the Gkids in Canberra in July, bloody cold place, I even have to wear boots and jeans ...... can even bluddy well snow, though my Canadian DinLaw laughs at what I call snow.

I laugh at folk who run the AC during the day because its too hot, so why are they there in a caravan, I'm sitting in the creek/river but then 40 deg is getting warm for me......... like when its too cold, too wet or just crap I move, unless I'm visiting Gkids then I have to make do....... But of course the rig is prepared for all these adverse conditions, I can just set up the LRPS if need be, will run everything and does a good job of keeping folk from parking next to me like we are in a van park......or we need to do the washing .... When I'm camping if I want cold or I want heat, I have it available but I don;t have to get another mortage.......

[phulli3]

thanks guys for all the replies and advice.

Ended up getting myself a DCDC on the black friday sale,

How hard is it to DIY or do you recommend just outsourcing? This is for someone with no idea on electricals, so will be youtubing instructions etc...

Looks like the 100ah battery is the way to go from what I have been reading for basic use and also consistant sizing to fit under the passenger seat.