Thanks Rosco
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Thanks Rosco
Plenty of batteries for you to choose from, just the price that makes the difference.
Could have 1 battery just for starting ute
2 battery for fridge only min 100 ah
3 battery for all other 12v duties like lighting for camp, inverter, winch,
Solar panels will make you fully self sufficient, where ever you camp
It's called senile dementia mate!!!!!! Lol
Thanks. That's the intention.Quote:
Originally Posted by threedogs
One question......is it safe to sleep in the pod with a battery in the back (gel or some other closed type), or should the battery be external?
what can a battery do.
While charging, produce hydrogen gas, which is explosive?
Splash and spit a fine spray of acid once close to fully charged, depending on what is done with the caps and the 'smartness' of the charger
overheat and catch fire, releasing sulphuric acid.
What else?
In a suitable box ideally vented to the outside it would probably be fine - but that's not an expert opinion by any means. I reckon one will come along soon :-)
I confess to being pretty casual about 7ah sealed lead acids in tents over the years - only taking care to ensure the terminals can't be shorted. And I've not ever charged them in the tent.
Hi DX cant you run any or extra AUX batteries you want under the tray? Heaps of room under there that usually goes to waste
Noticed you have room behind the cab under the chassis, nice ventilated lockable box there will house a decent aux battery.
I call it OFS or old fart syndrome
Thanks TDQuote:
Originally Posted by threedogs
Here's a probable solution.
My solar set up is wired into the second battery. If I put the 3rd battery into the vented, lockable locker under the front LHS of the pod and wire it up to the Anderson Plug in the24v panel in the pod and leave the key permanently in the 'on' position, the alternator should technically keep all 3 batteries on charge - with the assistance of the solar panels.
Do I need a 2nd/bigger alternator. My 2 x 125 watt solar panels are brilliant and my battery charges up in no time. Here's the pics. lol
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...land12v003.jpg
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...DXgrunt008.jpg
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...DSCF2801-2.jpg
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...CF2951-1-1.jpg
Please read the above thread first.
I like my toys and creature comforts. I've got a HF radio, 'Handiwash' hot/cold water system, 95lt Evakool fridge/freezer that runs 24/7, a small DVD/cd player and more recently, a 1000w inverter.
The only real thing that will be continuous will be the Evakool - and sometimes the radio/cd player. Do I need another/bigger alternator? I'm outa my depth talking about this stuff.
The 3rd battery - away from the front end - sounds like the way to go. I'm thinking along the lines of 'what if' I hit a roo and it knocks the batteries out, I'll have Plan B to be able to call for help, etc.
The whole idea of my truck is to be independent, go remote camping and not have to cart a camper trailer around.
Comments please.
If you have a 100 amp alternater you'll be right with a triple battery set up. What do your panels return each about 6 amps x2 is 12 amps an hour on a good day. you have nothing thats going to use that much power. You could do what you want with one panel. Out of interest add up what the amperage is of your accessories? Approx is ok if you don't know. I only use 80 watt panel and could stay a very long time in one spot , beer and food aside. changed all my camp lighting to LED to get a little extra out of the battery. Our camp is very bright music all day long etc etc. Pain in the butt fitting 2nd altenator.
Thanks mate. Will do. I'll need a few days. but I will get back to you. I got told that the HF radio and the hot/cold water system sucks up heaps of juice. Some people reckon just turn the Codan NGT AR on for the sked then turn it off again. I'd like to be able to leave it on scan during daylight hours - if I can.Quote:
Originally Posted by threedogs
No rush on info, your panels should support all you do for weeks on end, you'd only need to start the car if EG its been raining for weeks, or opening the fridge too many times,lol Can't see it myself. just make sure 1 battery is start only, thats your saftey factor so to speak, or plan B. that leaves 200ah of battery maybe more, don't know what batteries you have, thats a lot of usable power that gets topped up at 12 ah. IMO you only need one panel, but hey
Thanks. I'm a newbee at 12v, so I'm guessing over compensating is better than under compensating. I'll have a 'dry run' with everything cranked up in the driveway and do a test or two or three, before I hit the track and get stuck. lol. Thanks for all your help.Quote:
Originally Posted by threedogs
I got 2 panels because I was initially told that my 95lt Evakool fridge/freezer would need one panel to run. I got the 2nd panel for all my toys. lol.
Thanks again.
Take care out there.
Rossco
You could always bolt one panel to the roof of your pod hard wired, it acts like a tropical roof and keeps pod cool needs 1" of clearance breeze goes underneath. Use your other one to chase the sun at camp via the anderson plug.
Iwas just about to suggest the same thing, have that hooked to your 2nd 3rd with isolators between all three so you can charge them all while at a camp and easily charge the 2&3 battery while driving without worrying about the charge of your alternator. . What size regulator are you running for the panels??Quote:
Originally Posted by threedogs
It's a Steca PR2020. I really should have got a MPPT PR3030, but I'm still learning, and it's been good so far. I've been camping for 3 weeks and 2 weeks continuously and it's been really good.Quote:
Originally Posted by Lunny
I did a little test the other day. Solar panels brought up the battery charge to 100% and I left everything on overnight (HF Codan radio on scan, CB, 95lt fridge/freezer, and 8lt Handiwash hot/cold water system).
Next day I checked out the Steca and battery power had only dropped down to 80%.
The 2 x 125w solar panels may seem a bit excessive, but boy, it does charge the batteries up quickly.
I really don't think there's any necessity for a 3rd battery or changing alternators. I'll be turning everything off overnight, except the fridge.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
Rossco
System sounds ok, taking into account a few rainy days on end, you have your alternator as back up, power requirements will vary day to day
2 x panels
2 x batteries
Away you go.
If it doesn't stop raining, come home
Trust me. I do! hahahaha. I hate wet sand and it takes weeks to clean my truck out properly. hahaha - not. pmlQuote:
Originally Posted by threedogs
I'm looking at getting one of those magnetic wind turbines to charge up the batteries too. Apparently they're pretty good.
On the south coast of WA, there's lots of wind farms appearing. Some people laugh at me for using corner guy ropes on every tent pole for my annex, but seriously, you need it down here, or you'll get blown away. The last thing I want to do is to get up in the middle of the night sorting out my annex!
This is the wind farm about 15k's from where I own my house. It's got 111 turbine powered 'windmills'
http://www.collgarwindfarm.com.au/
Rossco
I've looked at the portable wind jobs, but they become too big for the output required. might be looking at a 2mtr blade. Solar is the go at the moment.
forgotten their name but some panels produce awesome amounts of amps. there was a product called a "sun ball" on the New Inventers but not sure jf it took off'
Was the size of a volley ball, concerntrated the sun as well as followed the sun during the day for 100% efficiency. probably pricey.
Quote:
Originally Posted by threedogs
i think it ended up being from the same category of products as the firepower fella produced...
Was a great invention might have to google it to find out what happened.
perfect for a van.
Price for SUNBALL was $1600
Saw the wind farm at Walkaway, thought that was big. This is twice the size.
ps. Great story how Walkaway got is name,
Settlers went looking for those allready on the land out there and couldn't find them, a local Aborigional said they had walk-a-way, walked off the land.
WHAT is this OLD bit ??????????????
Bloody young whipper snappers LOL
Not sure if you have fitted solar panels yet, also not sure if this would suit your set upQuote:
Originally Posted by DX grunt
On my ex telstra camper, I have a solar panel as a lid of my toolbox which is on the roof rack of the pod, saves space and gives you somewhere to store stuff on the roof
Thanks. Still not sure where to put them yet, but open to all options/suggestions.
All I know is that one day I'll be too old to move them around. lol
AWW Rossco don"t be so hard on yourself ole mate.Quote:
Originally Posted by DX grunt
Thanks Kelvin.
Hey GU Camper's ute looks almost exactly the same as mine. I was shocked!!! hahahaha
I might pinch an idea or two off his truck.
Rossco
Put on the top of pod, it will keep everything nice and cool inside pod, just leave space underneath for air flow. I hinged a small 20 watt job on the lift up door on my old camper worked a treat.
down side is you need to park in the sun for them to work. thats why I suggested you have one to chase the sun with a long lead. Park in the shade and position the panel at the sun. Just a thought.
Quote:
Originally Posted by DX grunt
...And there's a glass and a half of full cream dairy milk...In every 200 gram Block.....and the egg goes into the bottle
hmmm looks like a nice rig man, also looks like deer contry down that way?
hahaha Not quite.Quote:
Originally Posted by Timmo
It was taken just on the outskirts of town.
Truck's coming together nicely. Got a few 12v things ready to go - just need to borrow an auto electrician for the day. lol
I didn't know if you changed your Photobucket albums around, it would affect your pics. Here's the 'modified' pics of my truck, seems that the rest of them have 'gone'.
Enjoy.... DX grunt.....in the flesh.
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...gRanges029.jpg
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...HFCodanNGT.jpg
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...7082012011.jpg
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...7082012013.jpg
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...untsden003.jpg
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...DSCF2951-1.jpg
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...xawning040.jpg
If it ain't broke don't fix it!!!
Have ya heard that one before Grunter? Hahahahahahahhaahhahaa
Double Tap
I thought it’d be a good idea if the newbees saw a real truck! lol
A mod I did a long time ago but haven’t shown you yet.
AB flogs, I mean sells, these.
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...ps00dc4982.jpg
My new toy, a Bushranger exhaust jack. I practiced in the front yard.
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...psf20836a2.jpg
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3feda9fd.jpg
Take care out there.
Rossco
My now, roof mounted solar panels. 2 x 125w panels.
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...ps43774db0.jpg
http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4614c280.jpg
I know, I know. I've still gotta get rid of that excessive cable. lol
Rossco
"All hail they great man"
Where have you been?, not seen your sig on here for a while now.
Looks like DX Grunt is dirty, have you been enjoying yourself?
G'day Macca. Been really busy. The front is dirty because of all the grasshoppers that are almost in plague proportion.Quote:
Originally Posted by macca
It takes forever to get them off when they're baked on. lol
I can't see a truck..... Is it hiding behind the patrol? :p.
Hey Grunter, they're not on straight lol
Don't slap it, tap it!!!!
I know they're not straight. I purposely told the guys to put it on an angle. Low end at the front, and a bit higher at the back. It allows for rain run off and a 'bit' of an air foil. lolQuote:
Originally Posted by Clunk