Electrics 1... NEXT
As well as the pages on electrical
safety and current regulations, there is a lot planned for this section.
To start the ball rolling and to give you an idea of what is to come, firstly
a typical small/medium size installation for cottage/boat/truck/caravan etc.
The various charging sources are fed via ammeters
to show charging current and suitable fuses to the battery charging regulator
(marked 'voltage regulator'). This is fed via switches (or diodes) to the
battery banks. The output is fed via switching (and preferably overload cut-outs,
not shown) to the various outputs. (High current switches for two battery
banks can be obtained from boat chandlers, as can many other useful items!).
The outputs are fed through low voltage cut-outs where appropriate
(most modern inverters incorporate this function internally), and via appropriately
rated fuses or circuit breakers. These outputs may be sent via different ammeters
(small and large), or even from separate battery banks, with low power 'everyday'
equipment on one battery and large inverters and power circuits on another
for example. Along with the ammeters there is also shown, a switchable voltmeter
to check the state of the batteries.
It is worth noting that if you intend to run mains voltage equipment via
an inverter then it must be double insulated (i.e. the mains lead does
not contain an earth), if the equipment requires an earth then this should
be provided, if necessary using an earth spike from an electrical wholesalers.
(They do last a long time even when banged into the average field etc., and
removed umpteen times!). If used within a metal bodied vehicle, then the bodywork
can be used, (the neutral and earth of an inverter are usually bonded together
and are often bonded as well to the battery negative, check yours with a multimeter).
NOTE: This is only safe whilst used within the confines of the vehicle, if
the equipment, any part of, or anything connected that may possibly be conductive,
is accessable from outside the vehicle, it must be earthed properly
More on all this in due course, along with some details on specific installations as examples.
