[A/S] Re: Electrical stuff, was Which Break Controller

[Jim Dunmyer <jdunmyer@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Charlie,
 You're welcome, and thank YOU for all the valuable info you share with
the Lists!

As you may have surmised, I fancy myself somewhat of an expert on
electrical systems in general (not necessarily A/Ss, as I have limited
direct experience with them). Besides my education in electronics, I
have a certain amount of experience with batteries and electrical stuff,
both at various jobs, and at home. Our Avion trailer is equipped with
150 watts of solar panels, an Inteli-Power converter with Charge Wizard,
an eMeter for monitoring, and just 2, 85AH batteries.

Also, I've spent MANY hours on various web sites, reading books and
articles in print, etc. Although the information is generally scattered
and not all available in a single reference, there are many
commonalities that lead to several conclusions:

The standard converters in RVs are very unkind to batteries; they don't
fully charge them, they charge slowly, and they cook the water out of
them when left plugged in and idle for long periods.

Charging from the tow vehicle is iffy unless you use very heavy cable to
connect things. The slight voltage drop from the standard #10 wire
allows the alternator regulator to think that both batteries are fully
charged.

It's a very good idea to have an accurate monitoring system on your
12VDC system. The eMeter is only one of several systems that are
available, most in the $200.00 range. I personally consider this
mandatory; you wouldn't want to operate your tow vehicle without a gas
guage, would you?

Solar systems work extremely well, but it isn't quite as simple as
throwing a panel or 2 onto the roof and hoping for the best.

If you want to boondock for more than overnight, you simply MUST
understand batteries, loads, charging, etc. Only a very few folks do, so
most are fighting dim lights, non-working refrigerators (modern ones
with a "brain"), slow pumps, etc. Yet, it's really not that difficult to
gain enough knowlege to get by very well.

Lastly, the rewards of having a good system are worth it. We were
recently at the Bob Evans Down On The Farm Days in SE Ohio, where
several hundred units were camped. Most were running gensets every night
so that they would have lights and TV; we sat there in well-lighted,
golden silence because of our nicely-balanced electrical system. Our
total camping time this Summer was on the order of 2 months, NONE with
an electrical hookup, and we never wanted for "more power!".

Thanks again for sharing all your knowlege of Airstreams!!

                                            <<Jim>>