There is an article in a recent "Home Power" magazine (#75, Feb/March)=20
showing a motorhome power system that consists of 18 solar panels (1.2Kw),=
=20
six batteries (765ah), two Trace 4Kw inverters, a Vanner VoltMaster=20
DC-DC converter, a 7Kw Balmar brush less alternator and a 6Kw Onan=20
motor/generator set. Its an interesting article. Worth picking up if you=20
get the chance.
This system was installed in a 40' Serengeti motorhome. It has a lot more=
=20
room and weight carrying capacity than the GMC. This system would not be=20
practical in a GMC due to the size and weight of the components. But maybe=
=20
a scaled down version of this system could be used to power the roof air in=
=20
our GMC's while on the road.
What caught my eye is the Balmar alternator and the Vanner Voltmaster. The=
=20
Balmar alternator (model 9824-200-BL) is a 24vdc, 220a unit used with a=20
Balmar intelligent external regulator (model MC-524H). It produces more=20
than enough power to operate a single roof-top air conditioning unit.
One of the problems with using a 24 volt system is figuring out how to get=
=20
the existing 12 volt systems to co-exist with the 24 volt system. The=20
solution (shown in this article) was to install a Vanner Voltmaster 100 amp=
=20
24 to 12 volt DC-DC converter (model 60-100). The output of the alternator=
=20
is connected to the 24 volt house battery system and the Voltmaster is=20
connected directly to the 12 volt engine/starting system. Another problem=20
area we have is with operating various 12 volt items from the 24 volt house=
=20
batteries. It would be easy enough to change the lights over to 24 volts=20
but you would probably want to install a second (smaller) Voltmaster to=20
operate the fans, refrigerator and water pump. This would be a very costly=
=20
system but it looks like it would work.
Both Bamar and Vanner have web sites. Neither has much technical=20
information but here they are if you are interested. Balmar is=20
http://www.balmar.net (note that is is .NET and not .COM). The Vanner site=
=20
is http://www.vanner.com and is reasonably interesting.
I am currently talking to Balmar regarding low speed operation of their=20
alternator to see if it will produce enough output at engine idle to still=
=20
operate a rooftop air conditioner. What I need to know is what size=20
alternator belt (width that is) is used on the GMC? I also need to know=20
what is the diameter of the crankshaft pulley?
If you have access to this information I would appreciate it if you would=20
drop me a line and let me know.
Dave
Ann Arbor, MI.
73 Sequoia (26'/455/EFI/HEI/160=B0)
showing a motorhome power system that consists of 18 solar panels (1.2Kw),=
=20
six batteries (765ah), two Trace 4Kw inverters, a Vanner VoltMaster=20
DC-DC converter, a 7Kw Balmar brush less alternator and a 6Kw Onan=20
motor/generator set. Its an interesting article. Worth picking up if you=20
get the chance.
This system was installed in a 40' Serengeti motorhome. It has a lot more=
=20
room and weight carrying capacity than the GMC. This system would not be=20
practical in a GMC due to the size and weight of the components. But maybe=
=20
a scaled down version of this system could be used to power the roof air in=
=20
our GMC's while on the road.
What caught my eye is the Balmar alternator and the Vanner Voltmaster. The=
=20
Balmar alternator (model 9824-200-BL) is a 24vdc, 220a unit used with a=20
Balmar intelligent external regulator (model MC-524H). It produces more=20
than enough power to operate a single roof-top air conditioning unit.
One of the problems with using a 24 volt system is figuring out how to get=
=20
the existing 12 volt systems to co-exist with the 24 volt system. The=20
solution (shown in this article) was to install a Vanner Voltmaster 100 amp=
=20
24 to 12 volt DC-DC converter (model 60-100). The output of the alternator=
=20
is connected to the 24 volt house battery system and the Voltmaster is=20
connected directly to the 12 volt engine/starting system. Another problem=20
area we have is with operating various 12 volt items from the 24 volt house=
=20
batteries. It would be easy enough to change the lights over to 24 volts=20
but you would probably want to install a second (smaller) Voltmaster to=20
operate the fans, refrigerator and water pump. This would be a very costly=
=20
system but it looks like it would work.
Both Bamar and Vanner have web sites. Neither has much technical=20
information but here they are if you are interested. Balmar is=20
http://www.balmar.net (note that is is .NET and not .COM). The Vanner site=
=20
is http://www.vanner.com and is reasonably interesting.
I am currently talking to Balmar regarding low speed operation of their=20
alternator to see if it will produce enough output at engine idle to still=
=20
operate a rooftop air conditioner. What I need to know is what size=20
alternator belt (width that is) is used on the GMC? I also need to know=20
what is the diameter of the crankshaft pulley?
If you have access to this information I would appreciate it if you would=20
drop me a line and let me know.
Dave
Ann Arbor, MI.
73 Sequoia (26'/455/EFI/HEI/160=B0)
