Where is your AC/DC panel?

Trail Fairy · 07-02-2018, 07:46 PM

Just curious where people are putting this panel on their bus. In a cabinet? Near all the other controls by the driver? Somewhere else? Thanks!!

roach711 · 07-02-2018, 10:16 PM

I mounted our Progressive Dynamics AC/DC panel in the top of one of our closets. A pair of 6v batteries live in the bottom of the cabinet with storage in between.

Drew Bru · 07-03-2018, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trail Fairy

Just curious where people are putting this panel on their bus. In a cabinet? Near all the other controls by the driver? Somewhere else? Thanks!!

We've got an "electronics cabinet" that houses our inverter and, soon, our charge controller. Attached to the side of that are the distribution panel, battery monitor, and a USB charging station. This is still all very much in the construction stage but it's roughed in enough to let us think it might work.

Trail Fairy · 07-03-2018, 09:10 AM

roach711, that's a really nice set up in the closet. Looks like it's maybe mid-bus or back a bit further. I will look into Progressive Dynamics. We haven't made a decision on the exact electronics yet.

Drew Bru, those pics are really helpful too. Looks very convenient. I checked out your site. Leaky McGee, hahahaha. Funny, but not. ;)

Love the sharing of ideas! TY!

JDOnTheGo · 07-03-2018, 09:12 AM

The bulk of mine is in the basement:

Please forgive the mess. I keep adding things and that plays havoc with my wire organization.

I also have a cabinet in the 'house' that includes a 12VDC and 24VDC distribution/fuse panel as well as the BMS, charge controller, and inverter remote panels/displays as well as a number of switches/controls.

I see no need for any of this to be anywhere near the driver (as in, accessible while driving).

Trail Fairy · 07-03-2018, 09:22 AM

JDOnTheGo, look at all those electronics! Love it. True, not that we need the AC/DC hooked up near the driver, but there's empty space up front just as you walk in sort of under what I would call the long dashboard area. Not sure if it would make sense up there or in a cabinet somewhere. Not crazy about having it take precious kitchen cabinet space, but maybe there will be extra space there too(?). Just brainstorming. Thank you so much for your input!!

Trail Fairy · 07-03-2018, 09:23 AM

Everyone, it's also very helpful that you're sharing what you're using in your electronics set up. I appreciate it!

leadsled01 · 07-03-2018, 09:24 AM

My ac/dc is in the 8 track tape player under my dash board...

JDOnTheGo · 07-03-2018, 09:29 AM

Maybe a couple small things to consider...

Shore power (as well as water/sewer) at campgrounds is always on the driver side (probably an exception or two but driver side is the 'standard').

It is preferable to keep the DC wire/cable runs as short as possible (voltage loss). Therefore; you'll want your battery bank, battery charger, solar charge controller, and inverter to all be very close together. This isn't "mandatory", of course.

Most of the 'better' quality components support 'remote' control panels. This means that the need to readily see the component is minimized. So, you can tuck most of them away in an out of the way place. The obvious exception is being able to service traditional lead-acid batteries. However; a watering system for them can take care of this pretty well.

If you go with lead-acid batteries, they should be vented to the outside. This is not required for AGM and lithium.

Trail Fairy · 07-03-2018, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leadsled01

My ac/dc is in the 8 track tape player under my dash board...

Oh, creative, thank you. haha

Trail Fairy · 07-03-2018, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo

Maybe a couple small things to consider...

Shore power (as well as water/sewer) at campgrounds is always on the driver side (probably an exception or two but driver side is the 'standard').

It is preferable to keep the DC wire/cable runs as short as possible (voltage loss). Therefore; you'll want your battery bank, battery charger, solar charge controller, and inverter to all be very close together. This isn't "mandatory", of course.

Most of the 'better' quality components support 'remote' control panels. This means that the need to readily see the component is minimized. So, you can tuck most of them away in an out of the way place. The obvious exception is being able to service traditional lead-acid batteries. However; a watering system for them can take care of this pretty well.

If you go with lead-acid batteries, they should be vented to the outside. This is not required for AGM and lithium.

Excellent, so good to know! This is extremely helpful.

JDOnTheGo · 07-03-2018, 09:42 AM

Since you seem to be into the 'examples' thing right now, here is some more reading.

Electrical System Design - JdFinley.com

Solar Charging System for Missy - JdFinley.com

Energy Audit - Watt For? - JdFinley.com

Is solar power for you? - JdFinley.com

24 Volt Battery?? - JdFinley.com

The first link includes my current electrical system wiring diagram.

Trail Fairy · 07-03-2018, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo

Since you seem to be into the 'examples' thing right now, here is some more reading.

Electrical System Design - JdFinley.com

Solar Charging System for Missy - JdFinley.com

Energy Audit - Watt For? - JdFinley.com

Is solar power for you? - JdFinley.com

24 Volt Battery?? - JdFinley.com

The first link includes my current electrical system wiring diagram.

Haha, yes, a picture is worth a thousand words, right? Sometimes it's easier just to see it rather than trying to type it all out. Thanks much, I'll check these out!

xrw44 · 07-11-2018, 07:43 PM

This is an old pic. The bus came with 2 batteries in a box under the floor and just behind the driver. i built a 2ft wide pantry above those batteries and added a box with 6 batteries behind the 2. above the 6 i built a 18"w x 20"D x 4'H electrical cabinet. That seemed BIG but it has filled up!

in there i have two fuse blocks [10ea], 100A breaker panel [16 breakers], 30A shore power input, solar power input, a charge controller, inverter, a 4"fan on thermostat, and 2 backup batteries that handle the emergency lighting, three 1" conduits go down into the big battery box, three volt meters to show "bus", "solar" and "closet" voltage, and a battery charger that can be connected to any one of them,

http://www.skoolie.net/forums/member...ture19258.html

SilverSchooler · 07-11-2018, 10:40 PM

I am putting mine right behind the driver. I blocked a window for it. The house batteries will be under the bus in a truck box. I only have the AC fuse box, an outlet, and the DC switches w/ breakers so far. Still have to mount the charge controller etc.

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