We are off camping for the first time in a few weeks and I need to sort out our leisure electrics. The van currently has nothing so I’m thinking of fitting the following: Leisure battery Split charge system Some usb sockets etc We will be camping with the kids so ideally I want to have electric in the awning for lights and some other bits that run off usb. Is that as simple as running a long usb cable from the van to the awning or is there a simpler / neater solution? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
A couple of options you could have. Led light that can be charged prior to your trip and recharged using either a battery bank or a USB point installed within van. Second option that we often use are string solar lights around the inside with the solar panel outside , this will give you more than sufficient lighting Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That could work for the lights and we could charge the phones in the van. One thing we do want to try and get in the awning near where the kids are sleeping is our white noise machine (don’t ask!). This runs off a usb connection so would a verily long usb lead work? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I've got a simply split charge durite relay, connected to a 80ah leisure battery as that's this biggest I could fit. Manages to run my diesel Heater and charge two phones for the weekend. But I'm very conservative and don't like to discharge it below 12.1v. That's with 4 usb outlets and a voltage meter to check battery when required. Seems to be working well so far, tempted by a solar suitcase setup if camping for longer than just a weekend but yet to look into that as a solution. Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using Tapatalk
White noise machine: When its rockin' dont come knockin'! Yes most gear will work off a long USB lead but if you dont have a leisure battery you will need to wire the cigar lighter sockets for overnight use via a switched circuit that is always connected to the battery. Because there is no 'accessory only' position on the ignition switch and you can both flatten the battery and fry the coil if you have points ignition and you effectively leave the carburettor choke heater and the coil in circuit.. about 4 amps drain. Best start would be a not too large leisure battery (I use 85AH), a Durite split charge relay kit with fuses and wire. Then take power via a leisure fusebox to various sockets. Fuses are there to protect wires from catching fire if you short the circuit so as far as possible they should be close to the battery. Or you fit a big circuit breaker to the leisure battery positive lead then run heavy wire to a leisure fusebox. The circuit breaker is useful when you need to kill all 12 volt power for maintenance, or when things are SNAFU.
