Wedge Campers & Assorted Oddities

Like i said earlier not that one. The NEW dometic is Lithium Ion Phosphate. Even newer technology the regular lithium ion. There’s just not much info out on it yet. It’s not even for sale yet as far as i can tell. It’s in the Overland Bound homepage if you wanna see it.

That Midland is cool too. Lotta players in this game, which of course is great for the consumer! Goal Zero sort of started this (mass market at least) but they’re so expensive. It’s nice to see others launch.

 

This issue has been brought up but could have been lost in the minutiae, of the last few hours.

It’s not the battery capacity of the stock battery it’s the type of battery it is. Starting, designed to provided very high power for very short time and never be discharged for any length of time.

This is exactly the opposite of what you’d want on a “house” battery which would be something like a deep cycle battery. Which allows the battery to be discharged significantly farther without permanent damage.

An excellent compromise is to install a group 27 or 31 Marine battery which can be both and still allow you the simplicity and relatively low cost of a single battery. Of course if you are ever truly on your own it’s be very good to have a portable jump box (or a manual transmission!!!) to get you going again if you kill your only battery.

Lots of info out there on the different battery types but it does make a difference. It’s not to hard to kill a starting battery using it for something outside it’s intended purpose.

Again we’re talking about using a battery to power fridge, lap top, phones, lights, ext. if you run a cooler and charge your phone while you driving none of this is required.

 

I'm a fan of dual batteries. It just works and is very reliable. I never have to worry about my starting battery. My 4 year old AGM Diehard Platinum Marine house battery is not what it used to be, but for $250ish, it has definitely served it's purpose.

A cheaper Bluesea battery controller is about $80. The

Blue Sea Systems Automatic Charging Relays (ACRs)

SI-ACR.

I ran one for about 3 years before going to the

$203 Blue Sea Systems 7622 ML-ACR 12V DC 500A Automatic Charging Relay with Manual Control, Gray

ML-ACR.

The SI-ACR worked really well and the total investment (wires, homemade mount, terminals, etc.), aside from the battery, was around $200. You can't jump-start the house battery or join batteries for winching at the flip of a switch like the ML-ACR. It will keep your starting battery isolated though.

It's a great starting point and a solar panel/ controller can be added later.

On the other hand, the 4WC came with solar panels and 2 (yes, 2) marine batteries. The camper was never electrically connected to the vehicle. It ran the fridge (Indel B 41) and lights without issue while the second battery (under the hood) sat dormant to occasionally power the off-road lights and winch. I definitely see the benefits of an isolated battery system, but an integrated system isn't that complicated.

That being said, we understand that not everyone wants to go that route.

As a Dometic dealer, we're looking forward to the new Lithium Ion Power Brick as an option for our camper customers. We'll provide feedback when we get ahold of one.

 

Never understood the Goal Zero or similar power packs. Seems like you could build something way better with way better capacity yourself for half the price. And ultimately they just don't seem as good as having a real AGM battery connected (with an isolater) under your hood.

My set up is overkill, I have two 85ah Full River "house" batteries and an Odyssey Group 34 as my cranking battery. The FR batteries have a NOCO charging cable on them so I can easily hook up to "shore" power as needed. Additionally, I have 2x100W solar panels on my roof and I don't think I've dipped down below 12.6 since adding the second solar panel. I have a Blue Sea fuse box in my camper with 4 gauge cable running under the truck to the house batteries, and my accessories and solar panels are plugged into the fuse box (you don't need to run a separate cable under your truck for the solar).

If I had to do it again I'd just go with a single house battery and 2x100W panels. Adding a second house battery complicates things tremendously and requires quite a bit more wiring and you will likely run into other issues as well.

I ran an Odyssey Group 34 purely off solar that ran my fridge and charged my phone for a month, so a single 100W solar panel should be sufficient for most purposes but for the price they are I don't see any reason to not just get a second.

 

Normally yes, but who knows about winters in the PNW...Solar isn't super effective if it's cloudy out which it almost always is here.

 

I'm trying not to sound defensive here, as it seems everyone but me, and a select few like the idea of a stand alone battery pack. While a second or third built in house battery might be right for YOU, it certainly isn't right for everyone. Buying a single stand alone unit that weighs 20lbs, with all chargers and receptacles completely built in has a few HUGE advantages over built in systems. While yes I will certainly agree you "could" build an entire system that works as well or even better with even more capacity there's a few things that can not be done with built in house systems and a few reasons (at least to me that a stand along is better)

1) Cost, clearly the advantage of this is to one you build yourself, little to no question.
2) Weight, Huge advantage to stand alone systems. Kodiak weighs 20lbs, probably a 1/4 of the weight or less than a built in system. This may or may not be important to you.
3) Capacity, Could go either way. Most house built in systems are not Lithium Ion or similar so can't be drawn down quite as far so listed battery capacity might not be as good as it sounds. Call it a draw because you CAN build OR buy a bigger system.
4) Simplicity, Stand alone. Buy it, strap it into your rig. Plug in portable or permanent panel, all DC to DC chargers/ Isolators are built in. Pure sine wave inverter, 120V, 12VDC plug stuff in a go. ANYONE can handle that.
5) Portability, Stand alone. Let's say I want to take my wife's 4Runner on vacation and take my fridge and camp lights... Guess what just became my overlanding vehicle? Plug in portable solar panel and your done. Or perhaps the power goes out in your house and you'd like to use some lights or keep your fridge cold. Maybe make a cup of coffee or run your furnace... You get the idea.
6) Stand alone, Draw- Obviously the box is separate, and with an isolator so is the built in system.

So recap:

Built in house system- Cheaper, Sometimes higher capacity.
Stand Alone system- Lighter, Simpler, Portable.

Which is right for you or me? Well only you can make that call but personally an extra $500 or even $1000 is worth it to me to be able to pull it out and move it to a different vehicle, or use it in my kitchen. Nothing wrong with permanent systems but I will never be convinced it's a better choice for me.

Please tell me if I missed something glaringly obvious but to me I ONLY see cost as a limiting factor, which I am ok with. I originally planned to build a full dual battery system and changed my mind as I discovered some of these higher powered "generators". Truthfully I especially like to be able to run my fridge in a different vehicle and use it around my house since I only get about 5 or 6 significant trips in a year, I get a lot more use of it.

***EDIT***

I just built a spread sheet to try and get an idea of just how much it would cost to build something similar to the Kodiak from scratch.

90 Ahr Lithium Ion Battery
DC/DC Charger
Solar Charge Controller
1500/3000W Pure Sine Inverter
6 110V Outlets
2 12V DC outlets
4 USB Outlets
1 30A RV Outlet
Chassis/ Cooling Fan/

It really adds up but to be honest I got stuck with the Battery. Surprisingly there are few or no Lithium Ion Battery's like this on the Market. Either way without a Battery/ Chassis or Fan I was at about $1000, mostly the Sine Wave Inverter, DC/DC Charger and to some degree the solar controller. Obviously you can spend more or less. Just though it would be an interesting exercise. Needless to say I still think pre-fab is the right way for me. But if you prefer AGM's it can be built much much less expensive.

 

Why not get a charger from your truck DC/DC so when your driving it charges too? Relying ONLY on solar to keep a battery full seems less than ideal it most climates I frequent especially in winter. It would still be isolated from the truck just take excess voltage while driving.

 

Running just solar allows you to keep the battery in the bed of the truck and not have to run heavy gauge wire from engine bay to bed. I did that when I had a rental truck because I obviously didn't want to put muck work into something temporary..

 

I don't have any experience with the CTEK controller but I'm a big fan of this one:

Anself 20A 12V/24V LCD Solar Charge Controller Panel Battery Auto Regulator Switch Overload Protection

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A0D18MU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_OxJGBbG7BTM91

• Digital display showing battery voltage
• Display shows amps its charging at
• Uses ring terminals instead of stripped wire and a screw (way more secure - I had problems with the wires coming out on others)
• Cheap

 

Here I had it installed in first camper. The USB hookups are great for charging your phone and devices as well! It uses the battery to charge those so you can do it at night.

Notice the in line fuse, now I have it connected to my Blue Sea fuse block with the other devices.

 

If this is implying you're going to charge using the alternator, the solar controller that danneskjold posted will only handle the the solar control portion. You would still need to get a stand alone isolation solution.

 

Is your fridge always on and in your truck? Or do you turn it off when you arent out camping etc

 

Thats what I figured. I know some people leave them running all the time just to have cold drinks in the back but that seems a little unnecessary. Im looking at just doing a simple set up like you have since I wont need for days end at a time and im only a weekend warrior at the moment

 

IMO my system is even less complex. Just the power bank which has all the connections AC/DC, solar, and USB ready to go. I can pick it up and use it anywhere. Built in inverter, battery guage, etc. No isolators, charge controllers or running heavy wire to the alternator. Totally independent of the truck system but in case you do need to charge it just carry( 12lbs) it to the cab and plug in to a cigarette lighter, or AC.. It also has provisions to jump start your truck.

Maybe your system would be a little less expensive...but not by much. For maybe $200-$300 more a power bank based system gives more options and is very easy to install. Of course, you do have supply the solar panels(s). 100W panel $85 > $200.

 

As this goes round and round anyone who isn’t familiar, there are other websites Overland Bound and Expedition Portal immediately come to mind where there is much discussion on House battery’s, solar charging, on-demand hot water, long term self sufficiency, ext ext ext....

If I’m not mistaken the Tacoma is currently the most popular “Overlanding” vehicle in the country so it’s only natural that these discussions come up over here quite often as well.

Personally I like it, and frequent the other two forums as well. They all have there place. That said as JimBob said “you do you” as we all have different plans, ideas, likes, and financial means. Everyone should come together on here to share ideas without being judged for spending too much or too little. In fact that’s sort of what Overland Bound is based on.

Enjoy your vehicles and builds, whether it’s full time living or one night every couple months. Keep things as simple or complicated as you want. Have fun ask questions and share knowledge, and don’t judge others on your idea of what the right set up is, we’re all beautiful and unique snowflakes.... And everyone’s opinions and questions are valid.

 

Is this the glamping thread 2.0? I use an $80 coleman cooler and buy a bag of ice every once in a while. Stock size battery and factory alternator with 284k miles are working out just fine for me even with winching and what not.

Hopefully you guys are getting out and enjoying your campers and not just talking about gear. 12 nights in my GFC thus far and loving it.

 

Talking about our future GFC’s is all most of us have right now...

And if you really care I’ve spent close to 30 nights camping so far this summer. Zero of which have been in a GFC all of which had a ARB fridge in my truck... but seriously who fucking cares? Unless there’s some contest on TW for who can sleep in their truck the most while spending the least amount of money while doing it. Where I live that’s called being homeless, and yet I still don’t care as long as you’re doing what makes you happy.

 

It's great that you have your camper already.

 

Being homeless sounds pretty good by those standards.


I spent plenty of nights camping on the ground too, after selling my topper, while trying to figure out when I'd get my GFC.

 

Haha. @DoorDing thats a great thread to start, except my orig comment is now invalid.