The Frankenstein Build! LT/Expo/Trail rig..and BS

I stole the fuse block years ago.

On another note, Mike if all your doing is charging batteries then going from 12v to 120v back to whatever your chargers take is pretty inefficient. You would be better off running cigarette lighter sockets and getting car chargers for battery packs. The chargers draw very little power so you could run smaller wire and less chance of burning your truck down.

 

Monte there is lots of fun/cool terrain on the route:



Here's a shot above the dunes and honeycomb buttes:



These are the Honeycomb buttes:



It's going to be a seriously cool trip man. Way different than anything we normally do. We'll be total overlanders...better wear your khaki pants!

Steve, will you be around that first weekend in June? It's gonna be a longer day but tame enough to be a family affair

 

Thats not a bad idea actually mike. I got a 12v weather proof plug for like 15 bucks. You could run 2 or more off the block easy.



SICK MARC! stoked!! get to see a new part of Wy
you wear the khakis. Ill wear the flat bill hat and be the "bro"

 

What about which leafs?

 

Yeah I'll be in the first weekend of June. So ya looks like fun! What about the last weekend in May? Anything going on then?

 

I know we had the dever thing..but if we come back i was thinking that would be the weekend to do the mod weekend? Or saturday rather.

 

Honestly, I am pretty set on running a fuse block back there.

If all I was going for was to charge batteries, I would agree. But I want the flexibility to do a lot more. For example, I want to avoid clamping the inverter to the battery as I have been doing and having to use the laptop on the hood. The tailgate and swingout table offer a much better workspace.

ATM there will be 3 circuits, 2 for aux lights, 1 for the inverter and I want the ability to power the fridge from back there if I decide to move it back there at some point.

 

The 12v plug will be better to power the fridge too.

You can still run everything off a 12v plug. You just need the converter for the laptop. The car charger for it.

Be a simpler and cleaner install too.

 

You have a link to said power port?

I already have the inverter.

 

Something like this

$6 Marine Grade Waterproof Accessory Lighter Socket Power Outlet Recepticle 12 Volt with Sealing Washer Boats, Motorcycle, Atv, Auto #R#

http://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-Accessory-Lighter-Recepticle-Motorcycle/dp/B00791W8BW

Mine came with wire on it from O'Reillys. 14ga I believe. Was under 20 bucks.

You can still use the inverter. Id put it in the cab. Then you can charge batteries while you drive. What I do.

This is closer to what I have http://www.carid.com/dorman/12-volt...T8Hq-gFHUmagvxdOOk4VmAQX4ahk6edousaAk_U8P8HAQ

 

Yeah, I've seen these types. I like the waterproof idea, but this one is only rated for 15 amps tho. Needs to be at least twice that.

Also, I really need 4 circuits.

Why is this better?

 

Your fridge draws 30amps DC? I kind of doubt that..that would be 360w continuous. I know the cooler I've used is way more power hungry then yours and it runs fine.

It's just simpler. less wires run and your not having to mount the inverter. Going off your previous bed wiring install....that's probably the way to go haha

The fridge would be the biggest thing you'd probably ever put on it and my dad and I both run ours off a 12v plug as does just about everyone else that keeps them in the bed.

You can then run your Latin car charger and battery chargers easily off the bed too.

 

Naw man, its the inverter that need the 30 amp circuit. Fridge is on a 15 or 20 amp circuit now. Can't remember.

I do not see how it is less wires to run. I just have to power the fuse block from the Bat. One set.

Inverter would not be permanently mounted back there. I would use a quick discnnect for the inverter. Besides, we don't have cubbys like 2nd gens.

Can't use the previous wire I used for the light. Its in n the wrong place for one and way too light of a gauge. I think its 18 awg. Plenty for one light, but that is about it. Besides, that was a temp solution only.

There is another problem with the power port you linked. It requires almost 2" of depth. There is a little gap between the bed and the outer sheetmetal but 2"s is not available where I want it to be.

 

They fit in the corners of the bed. Just drill a hole and your good.

I think it would be a better install all around. Be either will work

 

Access to the corner near the tailgate is now severely restricted. I looked pretty closely at that area yesterday. There is the big 'ole honking bumper with bottom skids in the way. Would be a real pain to mess around in that corner and I am not removing the bumper for this.

Besides, still does not give me 4 circuits.

 

Haha yea don't take that off..haha

Your inverter has 4 outles? I figured it was two like most.

If your planning on running all 4 then you should probably run a dedicated wire to the inverter. Not off the fuse block. You might go through some 30 amp fuses. And I would exceed that in the block.

 

We already covered this yesterday. Are you flip flopping your position?

And the 4 circuits, I identified earlier too. Fridge, Inverter, lights, lights.

 

Oh right.

I think you misunderstood the 12v plug. It wasn't supposed to replace all of that. Just run off the fuse block. So you'd have a plug for the fridge. On for the laptop/chargers and then keep your lights.

Make sense?

Im not changing my position. Just giving my thoughts on the inverter as it sounds like your set to do that regardless

 

Congrats on the #2 spot in the entire World.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/members/

 

Ever thought of using one of the Safety Hubs from blue sea instead of their regular fuse block?

https://www.bluesea.com/products/7725/SafetyHub_100_Fuse_Block

It has three circuits from 30-200 amps max, and four circuits for 1-20 amps max. If you're worried about the inverter melting the fuse block, this would be a great choice. Although I doubt you'd be anywhere near 30amps if you're just running a laptop or charging some batteries. You'd obviously want to run bigger wire than 8 awg if you're going this route though. At least I would so I have enough current there if/when I added a high draw accessory.

I almost went with one of these under the hood so I could run my amp through it as well, but it doesn't have enough regular circuits for all my other accessories. And the bigger version is just physically too big for where I wanted to mount it.