volcano
Nomad
Posts: 348
Registered: 3-5-2007
Location: Cave Junction, Oregon and Boca Del Salado area, Ea
Member Is Offline
Mood: always pining to be there
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was 12 v lighting, now 12v vs 110
my cabin was built in my absence, and the construction managed by someone who just lined up the fellas and wrote the checks. The blind leading the
blind...every step of the way. Still is....but now I'm at the healm. I was told it is wired for 110. It is small, will only have a handful of
lights, and eventually a satellite tv. That is it. Friends told my I should go with 12 v.
I hope to get powered next year with just a couple of solar panels as starters.
Question 1....would the existing wiring be suitable for 12 v if it was for 110?
Question 2...Have I been misguided on this...and should I go with 110?, and if so why?
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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the question is...
what is EVERYTHING in the "first" world running on?
110v or 12v
my answer...
use an inverter and use 110v in your house
leds are not too expensive on ebay and use very little electricty
they are not perfect but work
i'd wire the house for all the power you could ever use...ever..
technology is getting better everyday and
in the future you'll be happy you did it "right" the first time
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volcano
Nomad
Posts: 348
Registered: 3-5-2007
Location: Cave Junction, Oregon and Boca Del Salado area, Ea
Member Is Offline
Mood: always pining to be there
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thanks B and S
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RnR
Senior Nomad
Posts: 837
Registered: 5-1-2010
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by volcano
my cabin was built in my absence, and the construction managed by someone who just lined up the fellas and wrote the checks. The blind leading the
blind...every step of the way. Still is....but now I'm at the healm. I was told it is wired for 110. It is small, will only have a handful of
lights, and eventually a satellite tv. That is it. Friends told my I should go with 12 v.
I hope to get powered next year with just a couple of solar panels as starters.
Question 1....would the existing wiring be suitable for 12 v if it was for 110?
Question 2...Have I been misguided on this...and should I go with 110?, and if so why? |
Question 1: "wired for 120V" and "wired for 12V" aren't really accurate descriptors. Wires are sized by the amperage that they need to carry, not the
voltage. (Up to about 600V insulation rating) A 14ga wire can carry 15 amps at either voltage and a 12 ga wire can carry 20 amps.
The voltage comes into play when calculating the maximum wattage of the connected device. Watts are essentially equal to amps X volts. A 12 ga wire
can support a connected device of 2400 watts at 120 volts (20a x 120v) and only 240 watts at 12 volts (20a x 12v) So, just check the wattage rating
of what you want to use at the desired device and supply voltage. (120v is AC power and 12v is DC power and not interchangeable at the device.
However, the WIRE doesn't care!)
Question 2: I agree with "Bob and Susan". Use an inverter and go with 120 V AC devices. Lighting is no problem at 12V DC but everything else is
pretty much built for 120V AC. (ie: TV and satelite) This is the main reason that RV's have a power cord and/or onboard generators. Nothing but
lights work on 12 v DC.
Good Luck
PS: Ever read the book "God and Mr Gomez" ? 
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volcano
Nomad
Posts: 348
Registered: 3-5-2007
Location: Cave Junction, Oregon and Boca Del Salado area, Ea
Member Is Offline
Mood: always pining to be there
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thanks rnr....definitely read G and Mr G....and my stories can definitely rival theirs...including location and positioning of the cabin. But....cry
me a river...i have a cute cabin that I could not be there to supervise, so I am actually thrilled
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Bajajorge
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2604
Registered: 10-13-2005
Location: Topaz Lake, NV/San Felipe
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My Baja residence is a 5th wheel on blocks with a ramada. Powered by a 500w solar system, both 12v DC and 110vAC from a 2500w inverter. New Eco Bulbs
and LED lighting and new LED or LCD TVs are very efficient.
I have on occasion watched TV for over 10 hours and have had lights on in the "house" for some 8 hours. At bedtime, 11:15PM, the 600 Amp hour battery
group I have was still reading 12.4v on the meter.
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Vince
Nomad
Posts: 446
Registered: 10-17-2006
Location: Coronado
Member Is Offline
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I would agree with the others on the inverter. I built my house in Coyote Bay in 1970-72 (took 2 years) and we wired it for 12V. But when solar power
came along,we added 110 wiring and have been very happy with it. I know what you mean about building by remote control. Back then it took 3 weeks for
a letter to get here and the road was not yet complete beyond San Quentin and it took 3-4 days to drive it. It wasn't built quite right, but good
enough to enjoy it all these years. God and Mr. Gomez book was published just before that and it made the entire adventure tolerable. Great book.
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Bob and Susan
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8813
Registered: 8-20-2003
Location: Mulege BCS on the BAY
Member Is Offline
Mood: Full Time Residents
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajajorge
...I have was still reading 12.4v on the meter. |
remember remember remember
voltage on the meter ONLY is an indication that you can charge a battery
you need to check the acid (water) to see the "real" condition and charge
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