Help me build my tourer?

[Cuppa]

Hi Dave,
Whilst agreeing with you about dc to dc chargers, they are IMO a definite step forward from the VSR dual battery systems, I am unsure why the time limit of 4, 5 or 6 days (presumably without driving). This would be dependent upon how much solar. If the amount of solar input you had allowed you to go that long, just a little bit extra would allow you to go indefinitely, which IMHO is far preferable ....... If space & weight allow.

Cuppa

[3kids]

Agreed Cuppa,
The VSR arrangement only works efficiently if the second battery is in the engine bay.
The V Drop is the limiting factor. Yes the time frame was without driving/using the alternator at all.
To live off grid and only have to source water is the end game for me one day.
To be self sufficient pending usable solar input is getting better all the time with new technology allowing for amps to flow even in cloudy conditions. I will do a little home work on the red arc arrangement you mentioned in the other post. I envision it to be a pretty solid peice of kit.

[Cuppa]

Agreed Cuppa,
The VSR arrangement only works efficiently if the second battery is in the engine bay.
The V Drop is the limiting factor. .

Not sure I fully agree with that Dave. Whilst voltage drop is certainly an important issue, of greater importance when using a second battery as a 'house' battery s the ability to charge it to 100% (or close to) of it's capacity. Simple alternator charging alone (via a VSR or not) will not get a battery charged beyond 70% or 80% in normal use. To achieve this a 'smart charger' is required, either in the form of a dc to dc charger, a solar regulator, or both. To ensure optimum life of the second battery it is best to keep it above 50% capacity. If charging via a VSR this only gives up to 30% useable capacity, compared to close to 50% useable capacity with a smart charger. For some who's power usage is low, this is not an issue worth paying the extra for a dc to dc charger, but for many the price paid for a VSR system is greatly shortened battery life, a result of 'over discharging'.

Another issue with a VSR only system is that if the vehicle is used for most of the year without utilising the second battery regularly it can be overcharged. It is not unusual to see second batteries under the bonnet that are wet on top, a result of a battery that has become fully charged & gassing (an alternator will bring it to 100% eventually if it is not used). This is not good for the battery, or surrounding components under the bonnet. The solution is to regularly use the second battery.
On our bus I have a pair of batteries charged via VSR & topped up with solar. This has worked well for a number of years, but they have power drawn from them daily when the bus is in use.

Billy Bleed - apologies if this is a bit of a hijack of your thread, it is actually relevant, but I appreciate that you probably haven't got to the point of considering types of charging yet. Hopefully this current discussion (pun intended ) will be of help when you get to that point.

Cuppa

[3kids]

I agree totally with your last post. The only point I was trying to get across but clarified poorly was that a VSR coupled with volt drop (battery bank in the trailer) is a poor option for charging. Efficiently was a poor choice of word.
Excellent information posted for others to take in.
Cheers cuppa

[3kids]

I'm with Cuppa Billy Bleed.
Sorry to hi-jack your thread.

[billy bleed]

@3kids - not hi jacking.. i'm learning so its good for me to read these responses!

[BigRAWesty]

So any thought to the small camper trailer?
This is the way we will be going, as we have 2 kids, but a small single fold out one can be put up in 5mins. Only down fall to a camper is you need to pack them up dry when storing.
But it gives you the ability to carry your jerry cans of fuel, a small gas bottle or 2, extra water. And a nice comfy inner spring mattress if you like..

Kallen Westbrook
Owner of
Westy's Accessories

[billy bleed]

would not want to tow a camper - i've been looking into those oztents as an option lately..

[Blacklotusdog]

I just got a blackwolf turbo tent 300 plus, haven't used camping yet but set up in backYard and quality is fantastic. Easy to set up too. Might be worth a look if your looking into oztent. Packs up much shorter, and has more head room when set up. They have a great awning on them now too which was their major shortfall for me against oztent in the past. Just beware the canvas ones are heavy, mine is the biggest they make and weighs about 35kg.

[billy bleed]

will have a look black!

not sure i'm doing it in the right order.. the money was burning a hole.. so i've just gone and got a new alpine head unit and a gme tx3500 to replace the shitty ebay system installed by the previous owner.. what next...