Powering a WAECO 110
Submitted: Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 12:33
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Hi all,
having just moved to
Katherine, NT from
Newcastle and in anticipation of the camping that will be going on I have finally ordered a Waeco 110 which I had been looking at for 3yrs now.
I am in the process of working out how I am going to power this thing. This is probably what has put me off in the past, I just could not decide. I have an idea of what is required and this site, which has given me sore eyes from looking at for probably 12 of the last 24 hours has been a great help. My wife and 2 kids plan on 3 maybe 4 day’s max stopovers. Sometimes they will be at powered sites but not always. I at this stage don’t own a 4x4 and am not considering the dual battery option I drive a Commodore. The options I have been considering are (1) maybe 3 AGM batteries around 100Ahr each fully charged on a decent float charger before I leave
home (the fridge will already be down to a good temp before leaving). (2) Maybe 1 (or 2 for backup) batteries topped up with a generator and charger each day. But the National Parks (I will not always be in a NP) don’t like these, and some people don’t either. The third option is probably 2 batteries and a Solar Panel but from what I have read the generator would get the battery topped up much easier and quicker.
Some info that might be helpful. 2 kids are
young and will be in and out of the fridge all day. Fridge will be in good location out of the sun and in a insulated bag. A 12V shower will be used for about 8-10min a day max.
Can anyone give me link to the WAECO FAQ that the WAECO site used to have or has it gone?
Now having just re-read this post I may have already got my answer but I am keen for peoples opinion and there are probably things I have forgotten or not considered that people will bring up. So any info would be appreciated before I spend the dollars.
I am sorry if people are sick of this topic.
Thanks in advance,
Peter
Reply By: revhead307 - Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 12:46
Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 12:46
Gday,
I appreciate the fact your not considering a Dual Battery System as it doesnt seem the traditionally logical choice for a commodore.
However, AGM batteries can weigh around 30Kgs each (
mine does and its 100AH) and are fairly expensive to buy when u start buying in multiples. So 60 or 90kgs in the back seems excessive plus the generator.
I have a Patrol with no under bonnet space, so I have a 3rd battery in the back (AGM so its sealed and safe) in the rear of the vehicle. It is possible to hook it up so it charges while in the back off a dual battery style regulator. just make sure your cable size is up to scratch.
So you basically do have a dual battery, in the rear, which is removeable and transferrable to a future car. Obvisouly the car would need to run for a short period each day after the first one or two to keep the battery charged.
A small genny never hurts if u have the space.
Regards
Rev
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Reply By: Member - Matt M (ACT) - Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 12:57
Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 12:57
Air Force?
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Pajman Pete (SA) - Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 16:00
Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 16:00
Sounds like something to do with 75 Sqn. Williamtown to Tindal
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411816
Reply By: Alloy c/t - Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 13:28
Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 13:28
Never mind the recharging , how are you going to fit a 110lt waeco into a commodore +wife +2 kids + camping gear !!!
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 13:38
Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 13:38
I was thinking about the same thing. The 110lt is a very very very big fridge and I don't even know how that thing will fit in the boot?? do you maybe have a roofrack where this thing is going to be riding?
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Follow Up By: revhead307 - Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 13:50
Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 13:50
We are speculating here, it may be a wagon.
Rev
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Follow Up By: Member - Troll 81 (QLD) - Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 13:58
Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 13:58
Could also be towing something to store that sucker in :)
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Follow Up By: Stufishing - Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 14:18
Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 14:18
My 80 litre Waeco takes up a big portion of the room in my commodore wagon, and its lid will not open fully due to the roof. Your 110 litre job is an extra 150mm higher from memory, so you will have near to no chance of getting anything out of the fridge I believe. In
mine, I have to use my head as a rest for the lid, but I reckon you won't even have room to get big things out of the partly open door.
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Reply By: Geoff M (Newcastle, NSW) - Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 14:28
Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 14:28
Hello Peter,
I'll leave the others to speculate while us Novocastrians get down to answering the question.
I too have a CF110 along with a 20 year old Engel.
I find that two ~100Ah AGM's will keep the Waeco cold room going for a couple of days in summer Ok. Keep it out of direct sunlight and pre-chill the kids before they are in and out of the fridge and you should be Ok, just.
Now, keeping the cold room running for longer. I use a 3-Stage charger, 10 Amp and a generator or the vehicle alternator.
I'm about to change that to add a 12volt to 12volt 3-Stage charger between the alternator and the AGM's.
I'm assuming you have a Commodore wagon with probably a trailer or camper trailer and not a
sedan. I brought the CF110
home sort of in the boot of my Commodore
sedan.
I'd suggest if the room, weight and finances allow a 64watt solar panel and regulator would pretty much stay on top of your needs for 3 to 4 days and no more in good solar conditions. Providing you do as stated and prechill the food and fridge.
Have the batteries charged to the gills with a good quality 3Stage charger before you leave
home and switch over as you head down the driveway.
Responses are from my personal experiences with AGM's and CF110.
Hope this helps,
Geoff.
PS, A CF110 fills the back of a Cruiser Wagon or Troop Carrier, it should really fill a Commodore!!
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Follow Up By: wheeleybin - Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 16:30
Sunday, Mar 12, 2006 at 16:30
Hi Geoff
What is the 12V to 12V 3 stage charger you mention between the alternator and the AGM,s
Wheeley
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Follow Up By: Geoff M (Newcastle, NSW) - Monday, Mar 13, 2006 at 21:01
Monday, Mar 13, 2006 at 21:01
Hello Wheely,
See Post Number: 30223 in particular the response by Collyn Rivers.
The guy who sells them is in New Zealand, send me a Member Message or give me your e-mail address and I'll give you his contact details.
Geoff.
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Follow Up By: wheeleybin - Tuesday, Mar 14, 2006 at 07:51
Tuesday, Mar 14, 2006 at 07:51
Hello Geoff
Tried member email but Im only a visitor so no access.
You can email me at nitramir@bigpond.net.au
Regards
Wheeley
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Reply By: PM - Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 14:31
Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 14:31
revhead307, from reading other post wouldn't my alternator struggle. I will
check it out.
Air Force ????? Maybe
Yes I have a trailer.
Peter
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Follow Up By: revhead307 - Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 14:53
Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 14:53
G'day Peter,
No, your standard commodore alternator will cope with a single auxillary battery fine.
The purpose of the dual battery regulator is to only charge the 2nd battery once the primary reaches a certain level of charge and to isolate them when the car is off.
If you were also running a large stereo while running multiple sets of spotties etc your alternator may have difficultly keeping up with the accessory demand as
well as charging an auxillary.
There are lots of dual battery posts on here, and they should equally apply for a battery in the rear compared to one under the bonnet, again as long as the cabling is sufficient to limit current loss.
Rev
FollowupID:
411804
Reply By: Geoff M (Newcastle, NSW) - Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 20:50
Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006 at 20:50
Peter,
What Revhead said just above is good information. There is no reason why your Commodore couldn't charge a second battery using basically the same electrical kit used in a 4wd.
Geoff.
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