Hi guys,
Firstly, I would like to say that I am very new to this. So I apologise now for the basic level questions etc. We have just purchased our first Campervan (Toyota Hiace, Campervan converted by Sunliner in Melb) and have never owned a caravan/motorhome before.
What we would like to do, is travel around Australia for 12 months. We would like to be able to power a fridge, some house lighting and charge 2 x laptops. I am trying to work out what type of power supply i need, whether it be 2 deep cycle batteries or solar panels or portable solar panels. I don't know.
I estimate that the longest time we will be stationary or without mains supply (240v) would be 3 days. So i would like to be self-sufficient for this amount of time.
Here is what i estimate our power usage to be:
Fridge: 80L Waeco Coolmatic Compressor Fridge - running constantly.
Lighting: 1 x 12V Fluro light that is already connect in the vans ceiling - 30mins per day.
Laptops: 1 x netbook - 19V - recharged probably every 3rd day. 1 x notebook, yet to be purchase - but around 19V recharged probably every 3 days also.
Now, i have tried to work out what the van already has. It has in the engine bay:
1 x 54D Battery (Is this the starter Battery?)
1 x ED4 Battery (Deep cycle battery?)
The rest of these things are scattered around the van:
1 x Mobitronic "black box" - that is for the fridge, so it can switch between 12V and 24V?
1 x Projecta On Board Battery Charge ( I assume this trickle feeds the battery when plugged into the mains).
1 x Fuse switch.
It is all been fitted out professional by Sunliner in 2004. So i believe that it has a "split relay" so the starter battery wont go flat etc.
I dont think I have enough power to stay out for 3 days without moving... so could someone please give me some options. Especially for powering the fridge.
I have uploaded some pictures of the van, so people can make more sense of my descriptions.
http://aroundozwego.com/
Thank you for your help in advance.
Cheers
Larissa