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Caravan battery charging from wheelsViews : 3131 Replies : 21Users Viewing This Thread : |
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Apr 23rd, 2018, 01:50 | #1 |
Non Fragile
Last Online: Oct 13th, 2023 05:46
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Location: Chadderton, Oldham
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Caravan battery charging from wheels
I recently read that caravan batteries generally only reach about 80% charge from the car. Giving this more consideration, a thought occured to me today. With self-propelled caravans being so common (i.e. a motor), why don't caravans charge their battery from their wheels (i.e. dynamo)?
I realise the motive power for caravan parking aren't designed to do this, and I realise attempting to utilse them in this way would be insanity. Okay - forget the motors. But why don't they charge from an alternator or something coupled to a wheel? Either by belt of directly? It's just an idea. But why not? |
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Apr 23rd, 2018, 08:48 | #2 |
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Morning Canis, ref.charging caravan batteries,does any body use Solar panels? also any boat/barge owners 'on board'? what are the wind driven charging units all about?? could they be utilised for van use?
Sorry,more questions than answers, regards,Keith.
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Aug 15th, 2018, 13:02 | #3 | |
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While in storage the solar panel maintains the leisure battery charge, even through winter, and ensures it is charged for next time I need to hitch up with motor mover, the van is too big and heavy to pull by hand and not enough space to get car to the front to hitch up, and the leisure battery keeps the alarm/tracker battery topped up. Many new caravans now come with solar panel charging as standard. |
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Aug 15th, 2018, 14:14 | #4 |
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It's a solution looking for a problem. My leisure battery holds a charge all winter and will still drive a motor-mover no problem. The only charging it gets is when it's hooked up to my car, or via electric hookup, or occasionally from a solar panel when there is no hookup. It simply doesn't need to be charged via the caravan itself. If you have a decent leisure battery charging from the van itself simply isn't required in my experience.
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Aug 15th, 2018, 17:08 | #5 | |
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I like to move the van during storage to help prevent pitting of the wheel bearings, just half a revolution makes a difference. Without a reffresher charge my van battery would not of lasted the winter. I have no solar panel and it's a case of self discharge over time, cold weather inefficiency combining to result in a van that will not move on the movers at the end of the winter. Paul. |
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Aug 15th, 2018, 17:35 | #6 | |
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Apr 23rd, 2018, 09:04 | #7 | ||
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Apr 23rd, 2018, 09:09 | #8 |
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Hey Canis
That's not as crazy as you think. Picture the old hub dynamo's on old pedal cycles. If the caravan wheel hubs/brake back plates were to incorporate similar. ....but then think about the fact there has to be a electrical link between car and caravan for lighting anyway making separate charging unnecessary. Unless we make the vehicle to caravan lighting link wireless ...look what you've started As for the 80% charge theory, my caravan battery always shows full after being towed. Maybe that's down to the quality of my car charging system Hello Ksmi, Yes solar panels are already fitted to many a current caravan model but as a rule they only maintain the battery at its last charged level. ...as for your wind turbine thought. What about harnessing energy from the free spinning vents you see on RSPCA van roofs... So many ideas but then when I think about how the uk caravan industry is hell bent on building leaky lightweight vans then the less electrics inside the better. |
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Apr 23rd, 2018, 11:50 | #9 | |||
Non Fragile
Last Online: Oct 13th, 2023 05:46
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Chadderton, Oldham
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Having said that, the source was an online webpage whose description of ohms law and wire impedance was true but their javascript calculator was wildly inaccurate, and made me look a complete @rse when I quoted it. Their maths might be rubbish, but the idea is sound; Longer wire means more impedance overall, more impedance means less volts. I think. :-/ Quote:
A lot of people use solar these days. It's still rather expensive to cover a van roof, and out of my lowly budget, but it's certainly cheaper than it used to be. I would imagine on a sunny summer holiday solar would give a significant boost to a battery. Quote:
Erm, anyone want to go into business with me? I've suddenly become the next Dyson, sort of, HAHA! |
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Apr 23rd, 2018, 13:04 | #10 |
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KERS for caravans.......
12v systems do suffer volt drop, but is the battery capable of being charged past 80%? Solar is great and getting cheaper £50 now buys a decent solar panel that will top up a battery and a £200 array would keep a camper happy. Wind again is great but would need to be set up each time. More safety concerns than solar too. Parking up for a long time would keep a battery topped up if the conditions were right. |
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