For many people wanting to explore further and get away from powered campsites, the idea of heading off grid without the basics can be daunting. Having power in your camping setup lets you stay longer and more comfortably, with cold drinks, fresh food, and lights at night.
Your vehicle can create the power you need for a modern, powered camping setup no matter where you go, you just have to know how to utilise it. Let’s break down how you can turn your vehicle into a reliable power source for camping.
POWER BEGINS AT THE START BATTERY
Every vehicle’s power system begins with a start battery. Located under the bonnet, this battery acts as a power source for starting the engine. Once the engine is running, the vehicle’s alternator takes over to power the vehicle’s electrical system and maintain the start battery.
TYPES OF ALTERNATOR
A vehicle will generally have one of three main types of alternators:
- Traditional fixed voltage
- Smart alternator
- Temperature-compensating alternator
Traditional Fixed Voltage Alternator
For older cars, usually pre-2010, traditional fixed voltage alternators are commonplace. These alternators deliver a steady voltage of around 14.2 volts.
Smart Alternator
Found in newer cars, smart alternators vary the alternator’s voltage based on electrical load to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
Temperature-Compensating Alternators
Commonly found in Toyota vehicles, temperature-compensating alternators are designed to prolong start battery life by delivering approximately 14 volts when the engine is cold, then around 13.2 volts when the engine reaches operating temperatures.
Alternators do a great job of keeping the start battery healthy and running the vehicle’s systems, but they’re not built to handle extra loads on their own. Because of this we need a way to capture and store power properly.
ADDING A SECOND BATTERY
A dual battery system, as the name suggests, adds a secondary battery and electrical system to a vehicle to keep your accessories powered without draining the start battery. It also means you’re not having to worry about waking up with a flat start battery and being stranded in the middle of nowhere.
In the simplest terms, a dual battery system consists of three main things:
- A battery
- A way to charge it while driving
- A way to isolate it while the engine is off
SMART BATTERY ISOLATOR
The simplest way to do this is to connect the start and secondary batteries through a smart battery isolator.
When the engine is running, the system connects both batteries to charge the secondary battery and when the engine is off, the secondary battery is disconnected to protect the start battery.
This system has its limits though. It relies on the alternator’s voltage and requires heavy wiring to avoid inefficient charging. Smart battery isolator systems also tend to perform poorly with smart or temperature-compensating alternators.
DC TO DC CHARGER
To overcome these issues, the secondary battery can be paired with a DC to DC charger. A DC to DC charger boosts voltage over long cable runs to efficiently charge the battery.
REDARC’s range of BCDC DC to DC chargers also include an in-built isolator and solar regulator to harness extra power through solar panels while at camp.
BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS
If you’re heading on longer trips away or are after more capabilities, a battery manager adds AC mains charging and bigger charge rates into the mix. Perfect for quicker charging and larger devices. REDARC’s Manager Alpha range features all of this as well as start battery maintenance and real time battery monitoring through the REDVision Display or app.
When you’re heading out for your next adventure, knowing how your car generates and stores power is the first step to expanding your adventure. With a battery and a charger on board, you have the power to take camping to the next level.
