Generator and dimming lights |
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cariefields
Newbie Joined: 20 Jun 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20 |
Topic: Generator and dimming lights Posted: 14 Jul 2018 at 7:57am |
One more question - I'm ok with no ac but would like to use a fan. Will I be able to plug in a fan (or anything for that matter) with solar? In other words, do the outlets work only when hooked up to electric? Beth
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mcarter
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419 |
Posted: 14 Jul 2018 at 8:19am |
Beth, the outlets are 120. To use a fan it would have to be 12V and you need a suitable socket or you would need an Inverter to convert 12V to AC. Small inverters are reasonable.
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Mike Carter
2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
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cariefields
Newbie Joined: 20 Jun 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20 |
Posted: 14 Jul 2018 at 8:31am |
Thanks Mike - pardon my ignorance but ....... What is an Inverter to convert 12V to AC? Beth |
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mcarter
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419 |
Posted: 14 Jul 2018 at 8:38am |
Exactly, you can't use a large wattage inverter on battery power. Battery will discharge quickly. I have a 150W inverter I can run the TV on. However the radio and ant amp also are using power. I'm looking on interweb to see what a small fan draws, power wise.
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Mike Carter
2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
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Tars Tarkas
Senior Member Joined: 14 Jan 2013 Location: Near Nashville Online Status: Offline Posts: 1446 |
Posted: 14 Jul 2018 at 8:46am |
The bathroom vent fan is 12v, so you have that. You can also get battery operated fans. Walmart usually has them in two sizes. They work fine for a long time. The big one takes 8 D batteries though. This isn't for everyone, but if you have 30v cordless DeWalt tools. DeWalt has a 20v fan that is great. It's overpriced, in my opinion, especially if you have to buyu a battery and a charger. An inverter is a gizmo that usually plugs in to a cigarette lighter kind of 12v outlet and converts 12v DC to 120v AC. If you have a way to plug one in in the Pod you can plug in something little anytime. They come in all sizes; without really knowing what you are doing, you don't want one any bigger than about 200 watts, maybe 400; That will let you charge your computer, plug in a TV or a fan, but it won't come close to letting you use the microwave, A/C, or a hair drier. And if you have much plugged in, they will suck the juice out of your battery fairly quickly. (That's one reason to limit the size to about 200 watts.) You can pick one up at Walmart or just about anywhere. TT
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser |
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mcarter
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 07 Apr 2016 Location: Greenbrier, TN Online Status: Offline Posts: 3419 |
Posted: 14 Jul 2018 at 8:48am |
Interesting video, skip the stupid ad:)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnKIvYpjlaw |
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Mike Carter
2015 178 " I had the right to remain silent, I just didn't have the ability." |
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Ben Herman
Senior Member Joined: 26 Apr 2018 Location: Gr Junction, CO Online Status: Offline Posts: 355 |
Posted: 14 Jul 2018 at 10:06am |
We do the same, mostly camping in the woods in Colorado and Utah. If you add a fairly long cord (20-25 ft) to your solar unit, it can be moved around to take best advantage of the sun. Usually I move it 2-3 times during the day. Keep pin mind that you still get some benefit even if not in full sun, just not as much. Our house has a solar system and I'm always surprised at how much benefit we get even on cloudy days (sort of like why they tell you to wear sunscreen even on cloudy days!).
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Ben Herman
Senior Member Joined: 26 Apr 2018 Location: Gr Junction, CO Online Status: Offline Posts: 355 |
Posted: 14 Jul 2018 at 10:11am |
Beth - you can use battery fans or there are fans like this one that tap into the 12v system via a usb cord: I installed a box in the wall (above bed, next to tv where it was easy to tap into the 12v wiring behind the sound system) that has 4 - usb outlets. It lets us charge our iPhones but can also be used to power other 12v devices with usb cable connectors. I haven't tried the fans but they get good reviews on Amazon.
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StephenH
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 29 Nov 2015 Location: Wake Forest, NC Online Status: Offline Posts: 6289 |
Posted: 14 Jul 2018 at 2:25pm |
I have an O2 Cool fan, but a different model than the one Ben linked. The fan and AC adapter are included. It uses six D-cell batteries. I found that it will run on a 12V adapter as well but it is just a little louder as it is running faster. It moves a nice amount of air. We use it at the base of the bed to help circulate heat from the furnace in our 179. I had the 12V cord from a RoadPro fan that was making bearing noise, so I replaced it with this model. I actually found it at my local Staples store for less than the Amazon price but they appear to have been discontinued.
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StephenH
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
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cariefields
Newbie Joined: 20 Jun 2018 Online Status: Offline Posts: 20 |
Posted: 15 Jul 2018 at 8:15am |
Thanks - so easy. BTW - I loved that ad!!!!
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