[Coco] Powering CoCo with 12V DC only (was Monitor Choice)

[Francis Swygert]

Date: Fri, 1 Dec 2017 17:51:40 -0800
From: Steve Pedersen <666jacktheknife666 at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [Coco] Monitor Choice

Yeah it's going to be complicated I'm actually looking at the DIY powerwall
folks to maybe create a large tool box stuffed full of 18 650 batteries to
run my system or I may just do a couple of 6 volt golf cart batteries
hooked up to a 800 watt inverter or something else I'm still going over the
details in my mind.
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First rule of power conversion: don't do it if you can help it! You lose some power during the conversion -- the inverter itself uses some power. So the best bet is to power the CoCo directly from a 12V DC source. The downside is you can't use it to power other things...
What I think I would do is build a "solar generator". Not really a generator -- it's a battery in a box with everything you need to plug up, recharged by a solar panel. You could permanently mount a solar panel on the roof of your van to recharge the battery during the day. Doesn't matter how you recharge the battery though. Include a small battery charger and take the box to work, plug in and recharge there. Add a cigarette lighter plug and plug into the van with the engine running, etc. 

This link isn't the clearest, but the guy's intent is/was to power his home office with it. He made a few mistakes and goes over what he did wrong and how he corrected it (mainly battery sizing) rather thoroughly. He was sizing to run for 8 hours, which might be a bit more than you need/want. He was also planning on powering a few more items than you might be running, so you may not need as much capacity. I'd forget the "grid tie" inverter. You can get a 500W automotive inverter for under $50. I'd use one like this (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074V2JF5N/ref=sspa_dk_detail_7?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B074V2JF5N&pd_rd_wg=cBM0P&pd_rd_r=T4Y4FPKXWJG205XFT15B&pd_rd_w=dPsnx) and mount it on the OUTSIDE of my battery box. Would greatly reduce wiring as it has everything right on it. 

Portable Solar Generator
  
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Portable Solar Generator
 *** UPDATE to "Step 3: Solar panel & connections"I built this system because its fun, I'm a ...  |   |

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 Frank Swygert
 Fix-It-Frank Handyman Service
 803-604-6548