Off-grid power when overlanding... My install

[WuNgUn]

Th

Nice setup! Thinking of doing something similar.

How much do you have in your power system?

The Battery was the big dollar item. The controller and solar panel I got on sale... All Renogy, no Alibaba bullshit.
Couple hundred in cables, plugs, fuses, etc.
Maybe $750+...? Canadian dollars

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[WuNgUn]

That photo is helpful. You've removed the rear seat, and taken up cargo floor space to make this work . . . My back is stuffed with "stuff"! How long can you run your frig on a 100ah battery? I was looking at putting some smaller batteries in parallel under the floor, hard to find a place for a battery!

I don't have a fridge yet... And it's a 50Ah battery. The space under the slide out wasn't being used for anything so it's a good fit for the electronics. I'll throw a tarp under there or my netbook
Pretty sure I saw Justin McBride put a series of small batteries in the floor cubby
Have you checked out my seat delete vid? Links in it for the floor build too

 

[WuNgUn]

Whats your opinion on :

1) Dual battery systems by RedArc
https://redarcelectronics.com/

2) Higher perfromance alternators for the 2.3

3) The Ineos Grenadier factory dual battery system

Information I have found on the Grenadier AUX battery:

• Includes the 230V inverter
• Pure Sine Wave Inverter.
• Both the standard battery and optional auxiliary battery are 12V 105Ah Moll Batteries
• Auxiliary Charge Points only includes an additional 12V socket, USB-A and USB-C (USBs on the back of the centre console, 12V in rear load space) two rear of the centre console and one one in the back of the load bay.
• The battery is stored under the right hand seat in the second row.
• The battery is Leads acid battery (incased) and the dimensions are 394 x175 x190.
• Wiring to the roof and front and rear outlets plus switches are included with the Auxiliary battery.

Redarc makes quality stuff from what I can see. But it's costly...

I'm not sure I'd spend more money on a higher capacity alternator. I'd put that money towards solar panel capacity. If you keep your battery topped up, your alternator doesn't need to do a lot of work.

Lead acid is only good if you need serious discharging amps, like DC welding or starting your car. They're also fine in freezing temps. But... Still the 105Ah lead battery only has 50 usable AH you can safely use. If you're not doing the Dempster highway in the middle of the winter, I wouldn't be too concerned about temps. (You can also find lithium batteries with heaters in them).
Also the weight and space of lead acid. Ugh...
230V inverter? What do you plan in using the AC for?

 

[Bruno]

Redarc makes quality stuff from what I can see. But it's costly...

I'm not sure I'd spend more money on a higher capacity alternator. I'd put that money towards solar panel capacity. If you keep your battery topped up, your alternator doesn't need to do a lot of work.

Lead acid is only good if you need serious discharging amps, like DC welding or starting your car. They're also fine in freezing temps. But... Still the 105Ah lead battery only has 50 usable AH you can safely use. If you're not doing the Dempster highway in the middle of the winter, I wouldn't be too concerned about temps. (You can also find lithium batteries with heaters in them).
Also the weight and space of lead acid. Ugh...
230V inverter? What do you plan in using the AC for?

Thanks for all the details.
I don't know what I plan on using it for yet.
Maybe just campsight lighting.
Maybe heating a bed in the future.
The most would be for some sort of cooking either convection stove top and or microwave.
Oh and fridge of course.
Charging phones, laptops.

I really wanted compact components and integrated. So I can hide out of sight.
One of the interior rear panels has a bunch of room behind it could fit a Lithium battery.

I don't want to have solar panels so I was thinking the uprated alternator..Alternator...

Thoughts?
THANKS

 

[cyberfalco]

I would wager you could use the AUX switch connection in the rear (if equipped) for your connection to the vehicle. That way it would only draw while the engine is running. As far as I can tell those AUX switches only work with your ignition in accessory.

Thank you for the videos.

 

[WuNgUn]

I would wager you could use the AUX switch connection in the rear (if equipped) for your connection to the vehicle. That way it would only draw while the engine is running. As far as I can tell those AUX switches only work with your ignition in accessory.

Thank you for the videos.

That small, 16AWG wire going to the fuse box is what tells the controller when the vehicle is on, and thus draw power from the alternator for charging.
Or do you mean connect the voltage sensing circuit to one of the AUX switches so that the controller isn't draining the battery...?
This might be an idea!

 

[WuNgUn]

Thanks for all the details.
I don't know what I plan on using it for yet.
Maybe just campsight lighting.
Maybe heating a bed in the future.
The most would be for some sort of cooking either convection stove top and or microwave.
Oh and fridge of course.
Charging phones, laptops.

I really wanted compact components and integrated. So I can hide out of sight.
One of the interior rear panels has a bunch of room behind it could fit a Lithium battery.

I don't want to have solar panels so I was thinking the uprated alternator..Alternator...

Thoughts?
THANKS

Whenever you can use the default voltage of the system instead of an inverter, you're better off. Inverters are wasteful. For example, I only (currently) use mine just to keep my netbook running but I'm thinking of adding a 20V (or whatever the netbook voltage is.... It isn't 12V) converter and direct charging it from DC.

Heating blanket, you can find 12V ones...
If you're relying just on your alternator, I wouldn't plan on staying put for extended periods, unless you have lots of battery capacity, maybe 200AH. But you're not going to easily hide those in your Bronco!

 

[cyberfalco]

Or do you mean connect the voltage sensing circuit to one of the AUX switches so that the controller isn't draining the battery...?
This might be an idea!

This is what I was thinking.

 

[Itchysquatch]

Love the innovation, design, and diy aspect of dual battery systems. The one you’ve added here is no exception, fantastic!

I had a dual battery, pure sine-wave inverter etc etc in my last rig… for this one I’ve decided to run a solar generator. At the end of the day, it was cheaper easier and more versatile. It just fit my needs. I haven’t come close to needing more power yet, and don’t anticipate it. I have a couple of various sizes and use them during power outages. Anyway, don’t want to derail or take away from your fantastic work and share (thanks). But wanted to make people aware of other options.

 

[WuNgUn]

Love the innovation, design, and diy aspect of dual battery systems. The one you’ve added here is no exception, fantastic!

I had a dual battery, pure sine-wave inverter etc etc in my last rig… for this one I’ve decided to run a solar generator. At the end of the day, it was cheaper easier and more versatile. It just fit my needs. I haven’t come close to needing more power yet, and don’t anticipate it. I have a couple of various sizes and use them during power outages. Anyway, don’t want to derail or take away from your fantastic work and share (thanks). But wanted to make people aware of other options.

Yeah, a portable "power station" is a great option...
A lot of people don't wanna be bothered with building a permanent system.
For me, it's 1 less thing to load up and strap in and it keeps things clean and tidy. I thought about using my hardware to build a solar Genny, but yeah for me, it takes up a good chunk of space in the limited 2 door cargo room

 

[Itchysquatch]

Gotcha. Yeah, individual needs and all that. Again, thanks for sharing, looks fantastic!

 

[Dom]

Why can't you run the controller through the same disconnect as the main circuit? That way you only have to turn one disconnect vs wiring a breaker. BTW, very nice set up.

 

[WuNgUn]

Why can't you run the controller through the same disconnect as the main circuit? That way you only have to turn one disconnect vs wiring a breaker. BTW, very nice set up.

The controler would then think the truck is running, and if the lithium battery wasn't at 100% and no solar connected, it would then draw power off the truck battery to keep it topped up. No bueno!

I also forgot to mention, when the lithium is at 100% and you have solar connected, it monitors the truck battery and keeps IT topped up! So if you're running truck accessories or radio, you're protected from a dead starter battery.

 

[Bruno]

Is there any low profile solar panel, that would fit tight to just the rear section of the roof.
Like a sticker - so you dont see it when standing on the ground?
I know its a smallish area - but better than nothing.
I need to preserve the functionality of the roof coming on and off + +

 

[Hemisfear]

Nice...
I decided on a simpler solution.
I just plug the portable power station into the Bronco and plug my fridge into the power station.
It worked flawlessly from Vancouver to Moab and back the long way!

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