Electrical and batteries

Designing and building the electrical system for our U1300L camper was my favorite part of the "journey."  Since living in a fairly remote location with an alternative energy house, I have a set of priorities which center around plenty of power to spare, with over-current protection on everything and lots of metering to see what's going on.

The camper stores electricity in three 12V, 105A-Hr deep-cycle batteries.  They can be charged in three ways: I have installed a separate 12V 63-amp Delco alternator on the chassis, there are two 85W solar panels on the roof, and when there is 115VAC available, the camper can utilize it's Intelli-Power 40A charger/power supply.  

I began the electrical as I began the interior construction.  The first step was to install the partition wall, which contained the AC and DC breaker panels, solar charge controller, and speakers for the Mess area...

I enjoy creating panels with switches and indicators, as you might have guessed from the Overhead Console page.  I do not like one circuit taking out another when a fuse or breaker blows, so everything is on a separate circuit.  You can't, for example, short a binding post and kill the fridge.  I have meters for AC and DC voltage and current, and meters to monitor a small 400W inverter. Here, you can see close-ups of my homemade breaker panels and Specialty Concepts 20A solar charge controller. 

All wiring for these panels is carried in a large chase behind them.  Here's a shot of the back of the DC panel...

The battery bank is sealed from the interior, and accessed and vented externally to prevent explosive hydrogen build-up in the camper.

AC power, when available, enters the camper through a 15A motor base plug.  It provides electricity to both internal and switched external outlets and the battery charger/power supply...

Inside the front left compartment, along with ample storage space, you will find the 40A microprocessor-controlled Intelli-Power battery charger/power supply.  Just outside of the view is a 24V - 3A battery maintainer for the chassis batteries.  As a "Service Entrance" there is a main 15A breaker for over-current protection, before the AC goes anywhere inside the camper.  (I never trust what I'm plugged into...)

At the back of the camper, just over the rear door, is the panel for the radio controlled door and Hella rear work/reverse light.  (The light is also controlled from the cab, for reverse.)  On this panel, you will find switches for the rear light, the remote control receiver, and manual solenoid release of the rear door.  There is an indicator LED marked "IGN Disarm" which illuminates when the engine is running.    Whenever the "ignition" key is in the "Run" position, power is cut to the remote control receiver, preventing accidental solenoid door release when driving...

The panel is large to cover components and wiring behind.   On the right is the receiver for the keychain-transmitter door release and rear work light.  The three relays are for door release, rear light, and the IGN Disarm function.  

Internal lighting is LED and fluorescent.  Here's a night photo with the fluorescents over the sink and stove turned on, and a shot of one of the LED cabin lights.