12V and 110V in 4x4 Van - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Stumpalump · 01-25-2009, 08:37 PM

I'm starting with a 2002 E350 V10. It has a Dana 60 4X4 conversion, built in Onan 5500 watt generator but the Inverter and extra batterys were removed. It has roof air. It was a Goverment computer/camera van so I had to practacly gut the inside. It will be a mult use tow rig /adventure camping rig.

I'll run the generator for a 110V hotplate stove, microwave and rooftop AC/heat unit but only want to run the geny for the big stuff when I have too. It uses 1 galon per hour. I will split use between 12v and 110v geny.

Do you think one nice 12V batt will be enough for interior lights ,laptop and small DVD TV or do I need two? What size inverter/charger would you use? The RV inverter/ chargers with the built in transfer switch get pricey real fast and I only want to buy what I will use. I also plan a swich to the main engine battery so I can charge it with the Inverter. Is that OK without hurting any of the Ford factory stuff like the computer?

Any tips or sugestions on how you would outfit a 4x4 van in any way would be helpfull.

jperecko · 01-25-2009, 11:01 PM

Have a second deep cycle battery, in addition to the regular starting battery. Get some 12v LEDs for lighting. For your laptop, they make direct 12v to laptop converters... this saves you the trouble of wasting energy with an inverter and then using your stock laptop converter to put back to DC.

Try to get as much to run off 12v as possible, only using inverter when needed. You can run a deep cycle dry without doing damage while a regular car battery will not like that. Also, assuming you did not drain it, you will have a backup starter battery if your factory one fails. As far as charging, just get a high quality 120v to 12v battery charger and have it hardwired in.

Stumpalump · 01-28-2009, 08:25 PM

Gotcha. I think I'll just wire up a whole secondary 12V system for the back and use the geny to charge it. I guess I can just run my regular car battery charger off the 110V. It came with the geny built in so I need to utilize it. Does any body have a good source for 12V led lighting or other quality 12v stuff?

The Adam Blaster · 01-28-2009, 10:33 PM

I started asking about one of those higher-end Engel fridge/freezers for my rig.
Apparently they draw very low current compared to many other off the shelf electrical coolers, but they will still drain the average car battery in about 1.5 days.
Your electric hot plate would probably draw A LOT of juice compared to an Engel, and you're talking about running a number of electrical devices as well...
I'd suggest looking at what everything draws combined, and then figure out how many extra batteries you'll need.
Maybe a system with some solar panels to help recharge the batteries as well?

Good score on the van though.

Check out sportsmobiles to see what can be done to a f/s van to make it a true expedition vehicle.

jperecko · 01-29-2009, 09:07 AM

Got my 12v laptop charger off ebay for cheap... (read <25)

As far as specific vendors of 12v lighting, cannot really help out. All I can say is to look around and see what would work for you.

You can also have a battery isolator for the second battery/bank of batteries so that your alternator can charge them while driving. But yeah, if you are planning on doing any cooking or stuff like that, have your generator ready.

a2b · 01-29-2009, 09:09 AM

post pics of van please....cuz they are just cool to begin with

Stumpalump · 01-29-2009, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Adam Blaster

I started asking about one of those higher-end Engel fridge/freezers for my rig.
Apparently they draw very low current compared to many other off the shelf electrical coolers, but they will still drain the average car battery in about 1.5 days.
Your electric hot plate would probably draw A LOT of juice compared to an Engel, and you're talking about running a number of electrical devices as well...
I'd suggest looking at what everything draws combined, and then figure out how many extra batteries you'll need.
Maybe a system with some solar panels to help recharge the batteries as well?

Good score on the van though.

Check out sportsmobiles to see what can be done to a f/s van to make it a true expedition vehicle.

Ive been drooling over Sportsmobile vans for two years. I found a nice used one for 115,000! Yikes! I scooped mine up with 55k miles for 10k but I spent two days gutting it and still am working on wiring. I may go with 2 batterys because I forgot about the fridge. Check out the two/zone option for Engel/ARB 35 and 45 units:http://www.i-m-d.com/engel/1Accessories.htm As far as a hot plate or other energy hogs I'll just fire up the geny. It's built into the side and has inside starting. The geny charges the engine battery and uses it to start. Do you need a red star to post picts?

Edit: better link to the two zone:http://undefinedjourneys.wordpress.c...rtment-review/

The Adam Blaster · 01-29-2009, 12:20 PM

You do need a red star to post.
And I'm aware of the Engels, REALLY nice units, but pricey.
That's a purchase I've been considering for this year, but I know I will only use it on one trip in the summer.
I'll probably get by this year with the old ice chest for now.

baldfatdad · 01-31-2009, 08:20 AM

solar panels!!! I lived in a motorhome for 8 years. Only put 185 hours on the generator. 12v tv's are available, find one digital for the change over. Don't get one, go fishing or read a book. Propane for cooking and frig. Find RV junk yard and get a lot of the stuff. At least two batteries one for engine, one for house. Two 6 volts golf cart for the house work better and last longer. Water is your biggest problem. There are good water filter systems now you can get through back country camping places. I would get rid of the onan. Sell it trade it for a smaller honda, kawasaki. THey are lighter and quieter.If you throw away the roof air. Vents and screens. Learn to sweat. You can probably eliminate the gen. You can get a catalytic propane heater that mounts on the wall. I never slept with the heat on. Too much danger of fire, CO poisoning. You can make a 12v generator out of 3hp engine and alternator. Made my first one for about $40. Rummage sale lawn mower, junk yard alternator, hardware store drive pully, old v belt and hunk of plywood. Called it hoppy. Had to tie it to something or it took off. It will be fun!!!

Stumpalump · 02-06-2009, 07:34 PM

The Onan needs to stay. It's built into the side of the van plus it's all wired into breaker box with outlets inside. Just push a button inside and it runs off of the vehicle gas tank. It's heavy but this is a 1 ton van. I need to decide on a house battery and charger. I'll probably just run a Engel 45 12v frige and some interior lighting. I'll be watching the other fridge thread on that. I'm thinking going with just a regular size battery for house. Solar.... that sound good if for nothing else than to keep the batts heathy when it's not being used for a month. Can you use a small 15watt unit and wire it right onto the center tap of the battery isolator?

01-25-2009, 08:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
Stumpalump Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Member # 90316 Location: New River, Arizona Posts: 233	12V and 110V in 4x4 Van I'm starting with a 2002 E350 V10. It has a Dana 60 4X4 conversion, built in Onan 5500 watt generator but the Inverter and extra batterys were removed. It has roof air. It was a Goverment computer/camera van so I had to practacly gut the inside. It will be a mult use tow rig /adventure camping rig. I'll run the generator for a 110V hotplate stove, microwave and rooftop AC/heat unit but only want to run the geny for the big stuff when I have too. It uses 1 galon per hour. I will split use between 12v and 110v geny. Do you think one nice 12V batt will be enough for interior lights ,laptop and small DVD TV or do I need two? What size inverter/charger would you use? The RV inverter/ chargers with the built in transfer switch get pricey real fast and I only want to buy what I will use. I also plan a swich to the main engine battery so I can charge it with the Inverter. Is that OK without hurting any of the Ford factory stuff like the computer? Any tips or sugestions on how you would outfit a 4x4 van in any way would be helpfull. Last edited by Stumpalump; 01-25-2009 at 08:40 PM.

01-28-2009, 10:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
The Adam Blaster Registered User Join Date: Aug 2000 Member # 1479 Location: Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta Posts: 4,271	I started asking about one of those higher-end Engel fridge/freezers for my rig. Apparently they draw very low current compared to many other off the shelf electrical coolers, but they will still drain the average car battery in about 1.5 days. Your electric hot plate would probably draw A LOT of juice compared to an Engel, and you're talking about running a number of electrical devices as well... I'd suggest looking at what everything draws combined, and then figure out how many extra batteries you'll need. Maybe a system with some solar panels to help recharge the batteries as well? Good score on the van though. Check out sportsmobiles to see what can be done to a f/s van to make it a true expedition vehicle. __________________ Just call me Humpty Dumpty.

01-29-2009, 09:09 AM	#6 (permalink)
a2b Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Member # 22547 Location: everywhere Posts: 4,091	post pics of van please....cuz they are just cool to begin with __________________ -Hobie GOTPROPANE.COM HI-DESERT DRIVELINE IS THE BEST DRIVELINE EVER!

01-29-2009, 12:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
The Adam Blaster Registered User Join Date: Aug 2000 Member # 1479 Location: Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta Posts: 4,271	You do need a red star to post. And I'm aware of the Engels, REALLY nice units, but pricey. That's a purchase I've been considering for this year, but I know I will only use it on one trip in the summer. I'll probably get by this year with the old ice chest for now. __________________ Just call me Humpty Dumpty.

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01-25-2009, 11:01 PM	#2 (permalink)
jperecko Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Member # 121833 Posts: 326	Have a second deep cycle battery, in addition to the regular starting battery. Get some 12v LEDs for lighting. For your laptop, they make direct 12v to laptop converters... this saves you the trouble of wasting energy with an inverter and then using your stock laptop converter to put back to DC. Try to get as much to run off 12v as possible, only using inverter when needed. You can run a deep cycle dry without doing damage while a regular car battery will not like that. Also, assuming you did not drain it, you will have a backup starter battery if your factory one fails. As far as charging, just get a high quality 120v to 12v battery charger and have it hardwired in.

01-28-2009, 08:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
Stumpalump Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Member # 90316 Location: New River, Arizona Posts: 233	Gotcha. I think I'll just wire up a whole secondary 12V system for the back and use the geny to charge it. I guess I can just run my regular car battery charger off the 110V. It came with the geny built in so I need to utilize it. Does any body have a good source for 12V led lighting or other quality 12v stuff?

01-29-2009, 09:07 AM	#5 (permalink)
jperecko Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Member # 121833 Posts: 326	Got my 12v laptop charger off ebay for cheap... (read <25) As far as specific vendors of 12v lighting, cannot really help out. All I can say is to look around and see what would work for you. You can also have a battery isolator for the second battery/bank of batteries so that your alternator can charge them while driving. But yeah, if you are planning on doing any cooking or stuff like that, have your generator ready.

01-31-2009, 08:20 AM	#9 (permalink)
baldfatdad Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Member # 128317 Posts: 134	solar panels!!! I lived in a motorhome for 8 years. Only put 185 hours on the generator. 12v tv's are available, find one digital for the change over. Don't get one, go fishing or read a book. Propane for cooking and frig. Find RV junk yard and get a lot of the stuff. At least two batteries one for engine, one for house. Two 6 volts golf cart for the house work better and last longer. Water is your biggest problem. There are good water filter systems now you can get through back country camping places. I would get rid of the onan. Sell it trade it for a smaller honda, kawasaki. THey are lighter and quieter.If you throw away the roof air. Vents and screens. Learn to sweat. You can probably eliminate the gen. You can get a catalytic propane heater that mounts on the wall. I never slept with the heat on. Too much danger of fire, CO poisoning. You can make a 12v generator out of 3hp engine and alternator. Made my first one for about $40. Rummage sale lawn mower, junk yard alternator, hardware store drive pully, old v belt and hunk of plywood. Called it hoppy. Had to tie it to something or it took off. It will be fun!!!

02-06-2009, 07:34 PM	#10 (permalink)
Stumpalump Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Member # 90316 Location: New River, Arizona Posts: 233	The Onan needs to stay. It's built into the side of the van plus it's all wired into breaker box with outlets inside. Just push a button inside and it runs off of the vehicle gas tank. It's heavy but this is a 1 ton van. I need to decide on a house battery and charger. I'll probably just run a Engel 45 12v frige and some interior lighting. I'll be watching the other fridge thread on that. I'm thinking going with just a regular size battery for house. Solar.... that sound good if for nothing else than to keep the batts heathy when it's not being used for a month. Can you use a small 15watt unit and wire it right onto the center tap of the battery isolator?