Designing Custom Electrical Systems at Basil's Garage: A Comprehensive Guide
When it comes to configuring custom electrical systems for our customers at Basil's Garage, we take into account numerous factors. Our process is centered around understanding and addressing the unique requirements of each individual.
Determining System Draws: The first step involves identifying the electrical demands of your vehicle. What devices and appliances do you plan to run off of your system? Is it just a few lights and a refrigerator, or are you hoping to power appliances like coffee machines, induction cooktops, or heaters? We initiate the process by requesting a list of items you intend to power using the system. This allows us to size the system accurately and select the appropriate components.
Considering Solar as an Add-On: While solar energy can be an effective way to generate power when parked, it should not be the only means of charging your battery system. Solar power can be inconsistent due to factors such as cloudy weather, obstructive trees, improper panel angle, and dirt accumulation on the panels. Furthermore, while driving, the changing angles and varying weather conditions can affect the solar panel's charging efficiency. This is why we include DC-to-DC chargers in all our systems to ensure your batteries are consistently charged while driving. This strategy allows you to arrive at your campsite with a fully charged battery, which can then be maintained with solar power.
Selecting the Right DC-to-DC Charger Size: The size of the DC-to-DC charger we install depends largely on the battery size. We design our systems based on an ideal trip scenario – driving for 2-4 hours, parking for 24-48 hours, and repeating this cycle. We aim to size the chargers to recharge the battery within the 2-4 hour drive time back up to 100%, even after extensive use while parked. This ensures that you always arrive at your camp with a full battery bank, ready for use.
At Basil's Garage, we recognize that various factors influence how we build a power system. Regardless of the vehicle you drive or the equipment you want to power, we are capable of crafting a system tailored to your needs.