Tundy, house and beetle build thread...and exploring.

So essentially there would be no difference from tapping into the inverter for the outlets, or running an extension cord with with multiple outlets from the bed?

 

Tapping in no. You will lose power with longer lengths of extention cord though. If you use a 50 foot cord and test it at that end then un plug it and test the power at the socket the power socket will produce more watts.
As far as the inverter it can only put a combined max of 400watts. And that would only be for about a 33 to 50% duty cycle before needing to be shut off to let cool down. We made coffee with a coffee machine when in Moab and we used @Lars inverter and it could barely run it. We later in the trip hooked my 1000 watt inverter up in my truck and ran that and used a 50 foot extention cord to get to the back of my trail limo and it ran fine. It's just how many watts you need and try to keep it as close to your source as possible.

 

I just added them inside so i could charge batteries and stuff inside the truck. Oh and run the crock pot for hot lunch during snow runs.

 

So if I have two outlets in the cab and two things plugged in that pull more than 400W it'll just trip it?

 

Correct combined you can only have 400watts used at once. Unless you and I upgrade it.

 

That's fine as long as you bring me that crock pot cake.

 

So much to do! I mostly just want to be able to charge my computer and try a crock pot. Plus the fridge off the 12v.

 

Ok well you need to find you power consumptions so to do that use this equation if you find amps or rearange this for watts.

Volts x amps = watts.

Watts / volts = amps.

Inverter uses the trucks voltage so your 400 watt inverter is using the roughly 14 volts your truck puts out.

400/14 = about 28.5 amps that you could use.

Use 14 volts in your calculations instead of 12 because of what your alternator puts out running and to give you some safety in your calculation.

As always i am not liable for burning yoyr truck down if you do math wrong.

But i hear brandon still wants a tornado so i guess we could push the truck into that if it happens.

 

Haven't looked in here in a while!

I'm already trying to figure out what's first on the to do list when I have a garage!

The list:

• Frontrunner flat 15gal tank in the front of the bed (maybe a lockable filler neck through the side of the topper for refill access)
• Window delete on one side of the topper for mounting items inside and out. Recessed a bit to hold a jerry can would be ideal.
• Possible heat exchanger/mixing valve setup (debating on having a hot tank so water is always hot in there and warm water can be had without the truck running and at temp)
• Redo my water lines/valve setup area (maybe a valve for windshield squirters or similar mounted on the side of the topper for a quick shower without having to mess with anything.)
• Area where old water tank is will allow fridge to go back, extra storage area in front so passenger seat can recline further...or possibly move fridge to drivers side to get back the center seat.
• Roof net/molle over rear seats
• Maybe new leaf pack or AAL to assist with weight
• Mount one or two small air tanks under the truck, probably swap to an ARB single or dual so I can save space (Puma is faster but larger).
• Roof shade for summer
• Solar panel mounted under roof rack

@3378jakesr5 what else am I missing!? haha

 

Haven't looked in here in a while!

I'm already trying to figure out what's first on the to do list when I have a garage!

The list:

• Frontrunner flat 15gal tank in the front of the bed (maybe a lockable filler neck through the side of the topper for refill access)
• Window delete on one side of the topper for mounting items inside and out. Recessed a bit to hold a jerry can would be ideal.
• Possible heat exchanger/mixing valve setup (debating on having a hot tank so water is always hot in there and warm water can be had without the truck running and at temp)
• Don't do a water tank. It will get cold to fast and what are the chances your using hot water and don't already have the thing running. Also the coolant temp gets hot faster then you thing. The ultra gauge shows it climbs pretty fast.
• Redo my water lines/valve setup area (maybe a valve for windshield squirters or similar mounted on the side of the topper for a quick shower without having to mess with anything.)
• The large air chucks work awesome for water quick disconnects! The shop I got them from is pretty close to you if you want me to find it again.
• Area where old water tank is will allow fridge to go back, extra storage area in front so passenger seat can recline further...or possibly move fridge to drivers side to get back the center seat.
• Roof net/molle over rear seats
• Maybe new leaf pack or AAL to assist with weight
• Mount one or two small air tanks under the truck, probably swap to an ARB single or dual so I can save space (Puma is faster but larger).
• Can you please just let the little tinkorer inside you pull the thing apart and locate that pump into your engine bay and then do the tanks like you want to.
• Roof shade for summer
• I'm not sure what type of shade you are after?
• Solar panel mounted under roof rack

@3378jakesr5 what else am I missing!?

Folding table and mount to hold it on the inside of your topper

Led dome lights and map lights

Connect those two lights together so that when a door opens they both come on but the map lights can be turned off separately.

What other mods did you want to do.

haha

 

True on the tank... makes sense. haha.

I'm using air fittings now, but would like a QD for a longer hose.

We'll see on the compressor. the puma is LARGE... in all directions.

I leave my interior lights off all the time, unless I need them.

I already have the folding table and maxtrax mounted on the inside of the roof of the topper, works awesome! Did it a few months ago. 3rd Maxtrax and shovel are mounted covering the drivers side topper window.



The roof shade was an idea to keep the interior temps down by keeping direct sunlight off the roof. By using some of the stuff they use for patio shades I would put that under the crossbars of the roof racks and then it would shade the actual roof, in theory, keeping temps down a good amount. I was starting to document the temps in the topper prior to doing a test run, but then I started parking in a garage at work, so I have not been able to get any control temperatures.

More stuff... I dont know! Other than the FLIR... but that probably wont happen this winter!

I would like to find an affordable headunit that would do navigation as well as PDF and GPX capability...

 

What table is that? Dimensions? Im looking to get one that is under 4 feet.

 

I'll try and figure it out. Got it on REIs website for cheap... cant find the order email in my inbox.

 

@3378jakesr5

here she is: Works pretty well, the legs just swivel and snap into place. And its lightweight.

 

This is the panel I will probably end up grabbing.

Renogy Solar Panel, Single

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009Z6CW7O

Still not sure what controller. But I'll probably go with one of the better ones... them MPPT Doohickeys

 

I ended up just going with a 100w Renogy panel with the included Wanderer controller just to get it on the truck and go from there.

Wired up... wasnt sure if I needed to ground the frame, but there was a screw hole for it, so I figured it was easy to do it now.



It is a bit larger than I was expecting. and not thin enough to be mounted under the cross bars. I used the included mounts for now, I'll probably be trying to find a way to get it under the bars eventually, or at least lose the brackets to get it lower. But just wanted to get it mounted for now.


Wiring runs down between the cab and topper/bed and in through the rear of the cab. I have not mounted the controller yet since the wires going to the battery were too short. So I'll have to work on that sometime.

 

Went outside this morning to check voltage. Didn't expect much... Being that the sun isn't really up and panel is pitched away from the sun slightly.

12.8v at the terminals, 12.6 on my cheap 12v reader. The 12v reader typically has read 11.8v in the mornings.

 

Since I've had the panel on, the battery is always between 12.3-12.6v. So I am happy with the panel, and the decision to just get the basic controller instead of going with a more expensive one. Should've done it a while ago instead of mulling over the controller decision!

This is the panel I went with.
http://amzn.to/2bKv1Gl

 

found it! subd

 

Oh hey look here. I never saw the link in your sig before.