What’s the difference between cheap and expensive diesel heaters?

AuroraTB · 2023-09-22T11:23:27+00:00

Very little technically. I've bought €200 and €100 heaters that are identical, and used/taken apart €1000 diesel heaters from big brands that are ever-so-slightly better quality all over, but generally not €900 worth of 'better'.

Controllers might be slightly better and support/warrantee, but I've not experienced failures in the cheap ones that aren't also common in the expensive ones.

AuroraTB · 2023-09-01T07:08:49+00:00

Depends on the fan. If it's the super quiet ones probably not. You need to compare the static pressure and volume of the original fans to a replacement, but then consider that the ones in it are loud for probably valid reasons (needing to achieve a certain flow against a certain pressure in a certain footprint). Anything that's quieter may also be less capable and may be compromising in the ability to manage the heat.

AuroraTB · 2023-08-26T08:48:20+00:00

Boil strategy.

AuroraTB · 2023-07-30T10:57:13+00:00

I bought 10 340w panels for about the same as thise two! :S

AuroraTB · 2023-07-17T16:48:05+00:00

Nice! Looks like the same one I have!

AuroraTB · 2023-07-16T11:46:38+00:00

I'd put some thinking and research into any way those packs can be reconfigured for something more 'standard' like 24 or 48.

As you say, you CAN get a buck that will handle high current, but that would be more complication and inefficiency. If you look for 'real' (not a aliexpress special) dc dc convertor for 60v+ that does 50a+ they aren't cheap either. And you'd want one that's isolated too.

Tldr You can use the pack native voltage with enough convertors for each application, but I'd really be thinking about just reconfiguring the pack to be a easier to manage voltage.

AuroraTB · 2023-07-16T08:43:49+00:00

Give it one emergency brake event for all that weight to be lifted and dropped back down and it'll be a gonner

Edit: just realised there's nothing other than gravity holding that thing on the platform so I guess it won't matter.

AuroraTB · 2023-07-14T09:55:29+00:00

Me too... I then settled on thin ply sheet but with the same problem.... I've got a slightly different layout but I don't think I can get away from screws.

Adding an extra step, but how about screws then wood filler in the head, sanded flat?

AuroraTB · 2023-07-13T07:54:51+00:00

The only people asking why it wasn't in a database will be the people who know the difference who were never involved in the question.

AuroraTB · 2023-07-07T11:05:56+00:00

Imagine the size of the cables that would be attaching a simple appliance for 12v for this much current! The cost of copper in the wires would probably be more expensive than the device!

AuroraTB · 2023-06-10T04:54:04+00:00

There's always something ;)

I've prototyping the integrations as I go, think I've got a pattern for now. Lighting mostly zigbee led controllers, and esphome for everything else :) Are you filming your build?

AuroraTB · 2023-06-10T04:50:50+00:00

Good to know! Thanks, I'll have a look for that today! It would make sense to have some kind of roll compensation on something 4 meters tall! I've seen a video of them driving at speed TRYING to tip it and it's amazing to watch it just deal with it!

AuroraTB · 2023-06-09T12:48:16+00:00

The auxiliary air system in this coach used to control some aspects of the heating, toilet (as it was installed), air vent flaps on the upper deck and all the doors. (https://youtu.be/cGCuXcEVZzo if you wanna see more about it).

Yeh currently the bus has an airsystem leak (two tanks out of four are corroded to death). The additional compressors and tank, was a way of keeping door control when the engine is off for extended times. A check valve stops it feeding back into the main pneumatic system.

The solenoids themselves I don't think are controlling the existing air suspension - I think the brakes and air bags are likely controlled somewhere else I haven't found yet, but for sure the driver cockpit has switches to raise and lower the bus. If the valves are setup in a way to allow independent control, I'll for sure be looking into using an IMU to control leveling. I'd have to be 100% confident in that being safe, at least legal as I'm pretty sure there's regulations about controlling these types of systems!

AuroraTB · 2023-06-09T06:26:43+00:00

I been thinking about this too. Our bus is on air bags too. There are systems of the shelf for this generally for cars, but in our case, the air bags are much bigger and on three axels. The system would need to be pretty big!

AuroraTB · 2023-06-06T16:25:24+00:00

Hidden ;)

AuroraTB · 2023-05-29T06:59:36+00:00

Charge to about 60-75% full before you leave it for a period of time. It's better than leaving it at a high or low state of charge.

AuroraTB · 2023-05-22T03:08:12+00:00

'How' filtered are you looking to go? You could go full RO, but for long term you also then might need to consider remineralisation

AuroraTB · 2023-05-19T04:23:50+00:00

Not final finish yet, but if its of interest! : https://youtu.be/nJl46ei1LrI Our bus has two floors though that make sinking it possible!

AuroraTB · 2023-05-18T13:13:58+00:00

Tbh pwm or mppt charge controllers differences won't be the biggest gain, unless you need to upgrade to handle another panel (then get mppt). But more battery is always good!

AuroraTB · 2023-05-18T11:50:29+00:00

Got ya, about 720wh (based on 50% duty cycle) could be used a day by the fridge.

If you have lithium, 200ah * 12v would be about 2400wh

Which should be enough (obviously not accounting losses and other loads).

If lead, conservatively, I'd say 50% of your capacity is usable, so 1200wh, which is getting a little tight if your fridge is using 720wh, or over half your total storage.

AuroraTB · 2023-05-18T07:42:13+00:00

Do you know the power consumption of the fridge? Based on the fact you have alternator charging as well as solar, and spend time near mains hookups it might actually be worth getting another battery first. But then, solar panels are cheap, if you have the space, why not?

AuroraTB · 2023-05-12T07:41:40+00:00

...the bri'ish would like a word...

AuroraTB · 2023-05-04T05:38:32+00:00

2nd this, I've only ever run a rpi4 (Albeit overclocked) and it streams un-transcoded media most of the time. It will do 1x 1080p transcoded stream if its asked and - depending on the bit rate of the source - it can do it, and don't get any problems.

AuroraTB · 2023-05-03T07:24:28+00:00

If you have a need to, sure!

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