AUTOMOTIVE
We offer a broad range of applications that require a reliable power supply and ensures safety through energy freedom and independence.
FOR THE ADVENTURER & CAMPER
Tackle open roads and tough terrain with uninterrupted power even when you've stopped for the night.
Most common applications include:
4x4, off-roading
Camping
Motorhome, Camper vans and Caravans
RV’s
FOR THE ENTERTAINER
Power your mobile business with solar and back-up that will help you grow.
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Most common applications include:
Food trucks
Mobile café’s
Broadcasting trucks and buses
All mobile businesses that require power
FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES
When it comes to emergency services - we know that they need uninterrupted power and need to be operational at all times.
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Most common applications include:​
Ambulances
Police, security and military vehicles
Fire fighting vehicles
Vehicle recovery services
FOR FIELD SERVICE VEHICLES
When it comes to service delivery we know that they need uninterrupted power and need to be operational at all times.
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Most common applications include:​
Fleet mine vehicles
Earth moving mine equipment
Lifting equipment
Any artisan related field technicians
HOW IT WORKS
The difference between AC and DC systems are mainly the loads connected to it - they generally require 220VAC. This is achieved by using an inverter.
The use of multiple energy sources can be integrated to obtain the highest level of reliability and comfort.
Energy sources include an alternator, AC utility or generator power, and solar PV power.
Generally, vehicles have starter batteries, and this energy isn’t meant to be used by loads other than what is essential and standard for the vehicle.
The addition of an auxiliary battery is the foundation of most automotive power solutions; whether they’re coupled to the starter battery and alternator or not.
Automotive power solutions are defined by two main categories - AC and DC systems.
AC & DC
SYSTEMS
AC SYSTEMS
An AC system is a DC system with the addition of an inverter or inverter charger. The inverter allows you to run standard 220V AC appliances and equipment.
DC SYSTEMS
The most basic dc system is an auxiliary battery coupled with the alternator and a battery combiner that protects the starter battery from draining. Alternatively, a battery isolated from the starter battery charged by an AC charger.
CHALLENGES & SOLUTIONS
CHALLENGE
Accurate battery monitoring
The norm is a voltmeter normally in the form of various color stacked LED’s; however, voltage cannot give an accurate state of charge of a battery. The only means is by measuring the current in and out of the battery.
SOLUTION
Battery monitor that works with a shunt, this measures the volt drop over a set resistance shunt to calculate DC current in and out of a system.
CHALLENGE
Monitoring & control
With a power solution that takes care of critical needs it is almost imperative that one has a full view and control over the this.
SOLUTION
Most of Victron’s devices have Bluetooth connectivity for easy monitoring and control from your smartphone. The GX devices allows interconnection of all components in the power solution, with many options available for different sized systems and combinations.
Connecting to the internet allows for remote monitoring from anywhere in the world.
CHALLENGE
Inadequate charging
An alternator through a regulator is a constant voltage supply, that switches on and off, a very basic way of charging a battery, however not technically correct, a Lead-Acid battery requires at least three stages of charging, bulk, absorption and float.
SOLUTION
A DC-DC charger, this regulates the maximum permissible current to the battery and the voltage according to the state of charge of the battery in order to fully charge it.
CHALLENGE
Insufficient energy
An alternator can only deliver power whilst the vehicle is running, also it may not replenish the energy taken from the battery quick enough.
SOLUTION
Adding more power sources, AC battery charger, solar power by means of a solar charger and solar panel/s, add more batteries to increase your autonomy.
CHALLENGE
Multiple DC voltages
12v and 24v loads
SOLUTION
Simply use DC-DC converters to step up or step down the voltage to the required.
TECHNICAL DESIGN CRITERIA
& INFORMATION
With all power solutions with storage incorporated, the consumption and maximum demand needs to be considered, the autonomy of such a solution also plays a role in the sizing. The most common restrictions are on large amounts of solar power and batteries.
The efficiency of the appliances used is key in reducing the consumption that indirectly affects the solutions capacity or adds to the autonomy. After selecting the key components and power sources one needs to add devices that complete the desired features and functionality of the system.
We design, supply and install these based on the customer’s needs.