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Messages - BradCallo

#1
Alright first time poster,

(Be ready for some serious reading to get the sitch, don't say i didn't warn you)

Im Brad, from Aus (N.S.W) currently working as an aircraft engineer (glorified mechanics) for Jetstar, those unfamiliar basically a sister budget airline partner of Qantas. I've been in the biz for 5 years now, including an apprenticeship (not with Jetstar), although i'm no stranger to trades.

Particularly engineering and mechanical system's of course, but also decent woodworking and metal work skills and knowledge. Another touch base a little on plumbing and electrical, basically from what i've picked up working on relatable aircraft systems.

Now, i'm currently part time living in an old small Toyota Hiace that i picked up a year ago for a decent price. It was also pre built out including the basic's of a dual batt capacity 12v circuit, fed from a 100W fixed solar panel + alternator charge. The basic switchboard-fusebox connections include LED interior lighting, a water pump through a hose for external showering/washing etc, exterior spotlights (either side of a kings canopy) and 2 cigarette socket connections, one of which is dedicated to my engel 42L camping fridge.

While this van is comfortable enough for short trips, it seems usually no longer than a week has been enough for me. Hence i have been researching building out a full time camper to finance and build from scratch over the next few years. Really take my time with it and nail everything, literally go to extreme's to design and engineer this thing to be unstoppable and an inspiration to the tiny living movement.

Now, if you've made it through getting your ear chewed off explaining all that, here's roughly what i've got planned out in the early stages. I'm currently looking at purchasing a Sprinter 2007 turbo diesel manual, with a long wheel base and a high roof. The one in particular i have my eye's on is enormous. I'm fairly confident with most thoughts in my design process and outcomes for the build, but one part i'm a little uncertain of is, if i'm going wayy to overboard planning my electrical system...

                                        That's where you, who-over you are, might come in!

So literally feel free to reply and call me fucking bonkers with the potential plans, but hear me out. Remembering i'm definitely no expert here in my estimates and what not as i'm mainly running off personal research rather than experience. Also i'm happy to spend the money, even if it may seem the price may not quite reach the potential money savings leaving certain aspects or features out, i'm happy to splurge a little for the extra, and i earn a half decent wage so why not right? (wannabee lavish mofo)

I'm thinking this camper van could honestly provide my version of happy and content living standards for up to a decade (imagine all the money banked in rent/mortgage repayments + utility bills avoidance savings) even after my van life/travel phase i'm sure it would stay in the family, if not, surely it would still be worth something. Particularly boasting if professional skills and advice was involved, i'm spareing no details and willing to explore every avenue with this project.

I would also love to hear about any other great tips/advice/anything to do with van conversion builds, i find the whole topic fascinating and i'm open to any idea's or thoughts. I will write another post outlining more in depth of my build plans, including all of the intended features and everything another day, but i'll get stuck in before you've already read way too fucking much to get to the actual question here, solid work btw.

SO, space + measurements + decisions pending. Here's what up.....

3-4x externally mounted rigid solar panels, equaling a total of between 600W - 800W, wired in parallel, fed into a nice heavy MPPT solar charge controller.


Amps rating required for solar charge controller?.....

Do isolating switches have amp load ratings?.....

Size of circuit breaker required for adequate protection?.....


Next stage is the 12V 2-3x 250AH AGM batteries, again wired in parallel, serving as my battery bank. And she will hopefully have plenty of thirsty electrical components to juice. Obviously noting the beyond 50% discharge rate rule, that leaves me with roughly 375AH battery bank useable capacity, along with fairly constant incoming charge via the charge controller + alternator feed (potentially upgrade to a higher amperage output alternator aswell)

But.... here's what i want to run.

Engel 42L chest fridge/freezer - honestly mainly for cold beers or as a dedicated food freezer.
(24/7)
Engel 95 litre upright fridge - primary fridge.
(24/7)
6 (+/-2) cabin interior led ceiling lights - primary lighting when blacked out (stealth) or night time.
(hopefully relying on natural light through windows for day time mostly)
(4-6 HOURS)
Potentially another 6 or so small led lights - one in toilet room, closet, inside drawers (next lvl)
(1-2 HOURS)
Water Pump - something that can handle a decent litres per minute to wash dishes and have a shower with a half decent head of pressure.
(30 MINS)
x2 ceiling airmax dual direction fans - cooling + extraction whilst cooking.
(weather variable but potentially heavy use during intense Aussie summer heat, also when solar is readily available though?) HELP?
Charging of devices such as phone, go-pro, SLR camera, portable speaker etc...
(TOTAL 4 HOURS)
2000W-3000W pure sine wave inverter, again happy to throw a little wad for something good quality that will consume as little extra energy converting the voltage (Less resistance or something right?) I think i will require something that heavy duty because i'll be wanting to safely charge sensitive equipment such as my Macbook pro.
Onto the 240V list through the inverter would also be a potential....
32" flat screen telly
(1-2 HOURS)
Kitchen appliances (within the Wattage requirements)
(CONSTANT VARIATION - slow cooker (6 hours), juicer(5MINS)    HELP!!
Surround sound set-up.
(1-6 HOURS)

I think that's most of it but keep in mind i also want the potential to be easily able to expand the system if need be, hopefully without having to find the space for another huge 60KG Battery! -_-

I could potentially have a guest or 2 consuming additional power at times...

Gotta watch that weight and balance right, although i think the payload for this sort of model i had in mind is around 1,500KG. I think it should still stay within manageable range still.

Anyways time to leave it at that, i've could talk this shit forever and this is just getting started,
let me know your thoughts!!!!

Peace Out! xx