Electrickery for camping

**ash007** · 2014/09/09, 07:16 PM

The little bit of electrical knowledge I have is from Matrix Science (ie just enough to be dangerous) Pls help me understand the necessity of the shunt better. Is the shunt only required because the amp meter must be used over a specific known resistance and distance or am I missing the plot completely.

**Fluffy** · 2014/09/09, 07:24 PM

Originally Posted by ash007

The little bit of electrical knowledge I have is from Matrix Science (ie just enough to be dangerous) Pls help me understand the necessity of the shunt better. Is the shunt only required because the amp meter must be used over a specific known resistance and distance or am I missing the plot completely.

The shunt is required to allow you to measure the current with the best possible accuracy, with the absolute minimum of interference or impact on what you are measuring.

And yes it does allow the meter to be a looong way away from the battery/load and not lose accuracy or functionality.

Shunts don't have a know resistance, all though obviously you can work it, they have a know voltage per amp that allows you to measure the voltage and calculate the current very accurately and if permanently installed, unobtrusively.

**khotso** · 2014/10/16, 01:00 PM

....subscribed...

...

**bos-toe** · 2014/10/19, 07:43 AM

Excellent post, would like some advice on solar.

Current Setup
Offroad caravan with one 105Ah deep cycle battery
2 x National Luna Weekender 50L-Twin.
Couple of leds
BushPower Kalahari 158W solar kit.

We going camping @ Tietiesbaai for 2 week in December with no power. Will the solar do the job and should I get a second 105Ah battery.

Thanks

**Eggie** · 2014/10/19, 09:51 AM

Bos-toe, your setup will work, but you are running thin. A 2nd deep cycle will help some, but you might still be running thin. I would prefer to add more solar as well.

Imagine warm, sticky weather with 2 or 3 days of cloud and lots of morning fog.

**Papsak** · 2014/10/29, 09:04 AM

Thanks Chris, (and others)

this article/sticky was of great help.

**Elders** · 2014/10/29, 09:09 AM

plesier

**bos-toe** · 2014/10/29, 09:52 AM

Thanks Eggie for advice went with 237W and second battery.

**peyperj** · 2014/11/25, 10:02 PM

Hi all, I'm looking at a Dual battery system from PBE... Which one of the options below should one go for?

PBE Standard 25 Amp Charge System to vehicle rear

PBE Fully Equipped Battery Box:

PBE Battery Box Frame and Ratchet tie down for fitment in Ford Ranger

PBE 100 Ah AGM Special Purpose Battery (25 Amp charge)

Fitment Labour + travel part to your premises

Add trailer charge to system in vehicle with high current socket set and
labour

OF jy kan upgrade na die high power system (baie vinniger laai stelsel as
enigiets anders in die mark):

PBE High Power 40 Amp Charge system to vehicle rear

PBE Fully Equipped Battery Box:

PBE Battery Box Frame and Ratchet tie down for fitment in Ford Ranger

PBE 100 Ah AGM Special Purpose Battery (40 Amp charge - kan hierdie battery
vinnig laai)

Fitment Labour + travel part to your premises

Add trailer charge to system in vehicle with high current socket set and
labour

**Fluffy** · 2014/11/25, 10:23 PM

I really hope that anybody who chooses to comment here knows his oats and the products.

I won't, it would be unfair.

Sorry bud, enough information here to hang the poor supplier, yet not enough to defend him.

Can't help, sorry.

**Elders** · 2014/11/26, 11:23 AM

Originally Posted by Fluffy

I really hope that anybody who chooses to comment here knows his oats and the products.

I won't, it would be unfair.

Sorry bud, enough information here to hang the poor supplier, yet not enough to defend him.

Can't help, sorry.

Fluffy is correct.

VERY difficult to comment on this question.

Each kit may have the best components, and it may be brilliant .... it would require very good knowledge of the products to be able express any opinion.

**Kierie** · 2014/11/27, 09:14 AM

I am urgently looking for a multi plug adaptor with a Shuko (round 2 pin) plug. Shuko to SA adaptor. Exactly the same as the below link, but I don't want to buy online as I need it urgently and would prefer a walk in shop for such a small and cheap item. This adaptor will be used to connect devices using the normal 3 pin SA plug to my inverter.

http://www.sustainable.co.za/sustain...cessories.html

**Flipside** · 2014/11/27, 12:02 PM

Most travel shops and Dis-chem will have a converter where you can plug into that plug with a normal 3point plug set of holes at the back.

**Kierie** · 2014/11/27, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by Flipside

Most travel shops and Dis-chem will have a converter where you can plug into that plug with a normal 3point plug set of holes at the back.

Thanks Flip. I am actually looking for a SA style multi plug adaptor with a short extension lead that ends in a Schuko plug. This will plug directly into the inverter, without the need for a travel adaptor. I found some online, now I need to find a sample in a retail shop, as I don't have time to wait for an online delivery.

**Flipside** · 2014/11/27, 12:41 PM

I dint think that will be easy to find.

**GERBERH** · 2014/11/27, 01:35 PM

Ook net een vragie.
Veronderstel ek het 'n dcdc laaier by die tweede battery maar die yskas is nie gekoppel nie. Moet daar sekere maatreels in plek wees of is dit veilig om die battery onbeperk te laat laai as jy rondry.

**BennvdmWhk** · 2014/11/27, 02:44 PM

Kierie, Cut the Schuko plug & a bit of cord of swambo's hair dryer or other kitchen appliance, "upgrade" it with a 3 pin plug & make your own lead by attaching normal lead double adapter. Even better is from old one, as may effect warranty if still covered.

Bushpower in Midrand has them, so can also try other solar or electrical outlets
http://www.bushpower.co.za/products.asp?pid=126

**Eggie** · 2014/11/27, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by Kierie

I am urgently looking for a multi plug adaptor with a Shuko (round 2 pin) plug. Shuko to SA adaptor. Exactly the same as the below link, but I don't want to buy online as I need it urgently and would prefer a walk in shop for such a small and cheap item. This adaptor will be used to connect devices using the normal 3 pin SA plug to my inverter.

http://www.sustainable.co.za/sustain...cessories.html

I bought a Schuko to SA at Clicks.
It is not a dual like the one in your example, just a simple Schuko to SA adapter.

**Elders** · 2014/11/27, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by GERBERH

Ook net een vragie.
Veronderstel ek het 'n dcdc laaier by die tweede battery maar die yskas is nie gekoppel nie. Moet daar sekere maatreels in plek wees of is dit veilig om die battery onbeperk te laat laai as jy rondry.

Gerber most dc-dc chargers are claver chargers and will taper off the charge rate once the battery reaches a high SOC.

I know the Ctek reverts to 0A once the battery is FULL. Much later it will start a trickle or float charge.

**Fluffy** · 2014/11/27, 03:47 PM

Originally Posted by ChrisF

Gerber most dc-dc chargers are claver chargers and will taper off the charge rate once the battery reaches a high SOC.

I know the Ctek reverts to 0A once the battery is FULL. Much later it will start a trickle or float charge.

See how clever marketing is, we actually think the chargers are clever.

Every charger, even the dumbest ones, taper of the charge rate to 0A as the battery reaches a high SOC.

In fact to be more correct. The charger does nothing, the battery stops accepting charge as it reaches full charge.