Thanks Mike, I'll have a read of the (solar-controller centric) write up. For now I think I want to get this one over the line, understand things a bit better and see what we need to build on later. I've kept it quite modular and so it's no drama to change things if needed.
Hi,
in hindsight, I was quite fortunate. We knew nothing about caravans or towing them but I did have 50 odd years experience in electronics to fall back on.
We ordered a new Jayco Penguin and then had to wait 4 months before it was delivered.
So I had nothing to do in that time except read every manual I could get my hands on, join every forum and any other site related to camping.
Fortunately, I discovered this forum and I would have to say it has been by far the source of almost every bit of knowledge I have gained.
And it has been, again by far, the most friendly one as well.
Anyway, what I wanted to write was that as I gained knowledge in those months before delivery, my plans also changed. Most interesting was that my plans got simpler and simpler. That was unfortunate in one respect because as the plans got simplified, the thrill of doing all the great changes also became less. But it was a fun 4 months, waiting each day for a little eBay parcel from China containing yet another small part of the project. The odd trip down to Jaycar or Altronics for some cable. In that time I also wired the Falcon up with an electric brake controller, 12-pin wiring harness for the towbar, and a 8B&S run from the car battery to the 12-pin plug via a self resetting circuit breaker and ignition-controlled relay.
By the time we got the Penguin, the list of mods was relatively simple. In the end I added a led strip across the bed for a bed light (thanks
@Boots in Action), a cable run from the battery to an Anderson plug near the external hatch. Couldn't decide on how to mount it on the outside of the van so left it coiled up inside the compartment where it has stayed and worked perfectly well for over 3 years.
Bought a 40W standard solar panel, controller, and power analyser.
A small LED voltmeter permanently mounted inside the lower external fridge vent to monitor the 12V input to the three-way fridge.
I was originally going to wire 12V lights in the external hatches and front boot. Then I discovered those little round battery operated led lights that run on 3 AAA batteries. $1 each, and run them with rechargeable batteries.
Fitted a single fridge fan to the top external fridge vent.
Also bought a home indoor/outdoor digital temperature and wired the outdoor sensor to inside the fridge and cable tied it to a shelf.
And that is the way it stayed for over two years. Despite me itching to find another "project" to make improvements, nothing obvious ever came to mind.
Earlier this year, I made a "major" improvement and added two 12v sockets on the benches. There was already one on the bench which is used for the plug that goes up the wall for the ceiling lights. I had made up a double adapter for that so we could charge batteries, phones, and eventually an iPad.
So, my suggestion is to take your time to enjoy the planning, enjoy weighing up all the options, enjoy pouring through the sites looking for exactly what you want, enjoy learning about all that is new, and enjoy putting it all together. And the best part, enjoy seeing it all working when you go camping, especially with the knowledge that you understand every part of the system and are capable of sorting out any issues that come up that are solved without having to spoil you time away by having to come back home early.
take care
Mike