We just got back from a 1 month campervan trip in NZ. Awesome. Only saw 1 camper in a truck but they sure do have a lot of options there in terms of diesel trucks and cars that we'll never see here. Most 1/2ton trucks and small diesel cars are pulling the same loads as we see in the US. Large trailers, etc. and we can't even get those cars/trucks (Toyota, Nissan, Ford, Fiat, MB, etc. all have trucks w/ diesels).
On to my question and observations:
We had a VW Eurovan/Campervan with a 1.9L diesel, 5 speed, gray water, sink, stove, refrigerator w/ small freezer (like you see in a hotel), etc. This unit when plugged in ran all the accessories, charged the battery, etc. Had a small solar panel on the roof (looked like a flexible unit; not very large). We bought 1 bag of ice the whole time we were there and we made a lot of cocktails, etc. The freezer part (maybe 6" in height) was amazing. We only used shore power maybe every other day. You could hear the refrigerator cycling at night too.
My question. How in the heck did the battery stay charged? Yes, the solar helped although not a lot of days of full or partial sun.
We only have the 3-way refrigerator and it eats up the battery. Can we put it in the 12v mode while driving (effectively charging the battery as the refrigerator drains it)?
Since our Eagle FWC is older, we also can't run the lights, charge the battery, etc. when on shore power. How difficult is to add that and what all do you have to do? I assume you need a converter, etc. but where do you splice it in? What does FWC and ATC use?
Thanks.
Kevin
On to my question and observations:
We had a VW Eurovan/Campervan with a 1.9L diesel, 5 speed, gray water, sink, stove, refrigerator w/ small freezer (like you see in a hotel), etc. This unit when plugged in ran all the accessories, charged the battery, etc. Had a small solar panel on the roof (looked like a flexible unit; not very large). We bought 1 bag of ice the whole time we were there and we made a lot of cocktails, etc. The freezer part (maybe 6" in height) was amazing. We only used shore power maybe every other day. You could hear the refrigerator cycling at night too.
My question. How in the heck did the battery stay charged? Yes, the solar helped although not a lot of days of full or partial sun.
We only have the 3-way refrigerator and it eats up the battery. Can we put it in the 12v mode while driving (effectively charging the battery as the refrigerator drains it)?
Since our Eagle FWC is older, we also can't run the lights, charge the battery, etc. when on shore power. How difficult is to add that and what all do you have to do? I assume you need a converter, etc. but where do you splice it in? What does FWC and ATC use?
Thanks.
Kevin