Computer CRISIS!

[harrybarracuda]

It's complicated. The setup here is that the power supply to five leased units is routed through one of them

The one s refusing to pay the power charge.

The dispute is between the landlord and the one but the others downstream don't get any AC until the dispute is solved.

I would suggest the four of you go round his house and fill the bastard in until he pays his bill.

[Neverna]

Munted hasn't come back so I reckon his house electrical system decided it didn't like Munted's plan.

[Munted]

You can nab electricity off that in a pinch but I can't remember how much voltage is available.

Good idea I also thought about power over Ethernet but those thin wires won't take a lot of current draw.

I was also contemplating tapping off overhead rail lines which are nearby but they are probably much higher voltage than 230

Well worth investing in a Deep Cycle battery if ya guna use it.

That is the ideal. But the problem is recharging it when the bus home is stationary for long periods of time. If I have two auto batteries I know I will rat them out quite rapidly by cycling them at such a rate, perhaps I will get 3 months max out of each. I can then buy used batteries
at $50 per, so I calculate spending a little over $8 per week on my power needs.

The car alternator does all the charging. The easy way to determine if the battery is completely ratted is that when it doesn't start the car it's time to buy another battery.

[Munted]

Munted hasn't come back so I reckon his house electrical system decided it didn't like Munted's plan.

Nah while you're out getting a soapy I'm catching up on my sleep. Time zones, Nevie.

[Latindancer]

The trick would probably be to cycle them down as little as possible. That way they would be behaving as car batteries are designed to : getting drained a tad, then getting charged up.

As ENT has pointed out, a solar panel would alleviate the necessity of having to swap batteries into the car, and most importantly, having the battery drain more than it is designed to.

Here are three from Jaycar, in ever-decreasing prices.

Solar Panel Charger Kit, 12V 20W | Jaycar Electronics

http://www.jaycar.com.au/Ecotech/Sol...9051/quickView

http://www.jaycar.com.au/Ecotech/Sol...9050/quickView

(Sorry, I can't help with selection....it would depend on how much electricity you use. You might have to calculate the panel with the most suitable amperage, with the help of Terry or ENT, both of whom have done it.

Though I'd guess that the 5 watt one would be enough.
20 watts is huge.

Best choice is of course getting a deep-cycle battery AND a solar panel.

[nidhogg]

Munted- ever thought about simply moving?

[crackerjack101]

Munted- ever thought about simply moving?

My thought exactly.

[Munted]

I would suggest the four of you go round his house and fill the bastard in until he pays his bill.

Tis at times such as this I hate living in such a peaceful law-abiding country. But I do look upon this as an opportunity to upgrade my bus DC so some good might come out of it.

[kingwilly]

Munted- ever thought about simply moving?

my mobile home

Sounds way too complicated...

[Munted]

Munted- ever thought about simply moving?

The bus isn't warranted and even if it was I am not the one to take the easy route out. Besides, what I pay in rent here per month most people would pay per week. It's got to be the cheapest rent in town and that's worth a bit of occasional grief.

[Latindancer]

What about a long extension lead from a mate's place ?

[Munted]

most importantly, having the battery drain more than it is designed to.

Yes I know that. In fact cranking batteries are thin plated and will not last if used as I intend. Regards solar, yes I will eventually invest in that, but first I must get the bus certificated for road travel and then I can justify the expense.

[Munted]

What about a long extension lead from a mate's place ?

Mate's place is about 150 meters away. I would get very little at this end due to voltage drop. In any case there is a lot of heavy moving machinery around which could at any time cause an unplanned outage.

[crackerjack101]

In any case there is a lot of heavy moving machinery around which could at any time cause an unplanned outage.

FFS where are you living, mate?

[Latindancer]

The expense ? $30 ?

Ok....cheapest option (since I'm guessing you don't start the van every day) would be to borrow a 4 amp battery charger and charge em up at the mates place, if it's so close. You'll just have to guess how long to charge according to how long you used the battery (though you can see when it's getting towards full.....the meter on the charger goes down to about 2 amps). Total cost : whatever you have to give your mate for the favour.

Get a little secondhand shopping cart to wheel it over if yer arm's not strong enough....batteries are heavy.

Either that or swap em around into the van every time you start it up. But I'm guessing that's not often if it's unregistered.

Car alternators are at least 40 amp though, so it doesn't take too long to charge up if you do. But you don't want to start the van specially for that...the petrol will add up.

[Munted]

So now my computer crisis is over. I bought from Jaycar a DC-DC device to power my usual laptop. Expensive but the small Asus screen was causing eyestrain and headaches.

But now another problem. I have two voltage monitors. One, inside the bus is reading 10.74 volts. The other, which is connected directly to the battery is reading 12.6 volts. My first reaction is to immediately disconnect and swap out the car battery. But the battery is reading a good voltage so I am inclined to just leave it be until the battery is 12 volts.

[Latindancer]

As you say, the reading at the battery is the correct one. Must be some kinda resistance causing a voltage drop between it and inside meter. You're the best one to figure that one out, since you're there on site. Check all connections, clean and put a tad of grease or vaseline on em to retard oxidation.

Just don't let the battery drop right down to 12 v. They really don't like that.

[Munted]

The expense ? $30 ?

Not to do it proper

charge em up at the mates place

Yep have been doing this but I don't like beholding to him. So I am experimenting with an independent solution.

But you don't want to start the van specially for that...the petrol will add up.

Thought about that. The bus is diesel but would still need to be run at a high idle for a couple hours. Much better to have the car doing it as I might drive it for up to a hour and half per day.

[OhOh]

The setup here is that the power supply to five leased units is routed through one of them The one s refusing to pay the power charge.

Have the others down stream of you been banging on your door and demanding you pay your bill?

[baldrick]

for power usage deep cycle are recommended - they are designed to provide smaller amounts of current for a long period of time

car batteries are designed to provide a large amount of current for a short period of time when the starter motor spins

solar panels are getting very efficient and cheap

or a DIY wind turbine Make Your Own Miniature Wind Turbine

[bsnub]

This will fix you right up!

https://www.tesla.com/powerwall

[harrybarracuda]

Munted have you got any lucky heather for sale?

[Munted]

tad of grease or vaseline on em

Yep do do that on occasion.

[david44]

tad of grease or vaseline on em

and your nuts for luck, makes it harder for obstructive landlords get you by the nuts

[Munted]

solar panels are getting very efficient and cheap

The problem is the reliability not only of the sun but also of the components. There is a lot of Chinese made junk out there manufactured to fail. My mate made the mistake of buying a Chinese made ute and two years in the alternator is failing. The engine is a Cummins <good!> but it's the bits hanging off it which are cheap and nasty and don't last.
Thing is I know my Jap alternator will do the job. The Chinese crap I just would have to cross my fingers and hope.