GA Tacoma Owners BS Thread

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lwaJwaTyOB4

Brap... towards the end is a massive ski jump!

 

Does anyone know if it’s possible to tap into the factory inverter and convert it to run off of solar/ batteries instead of the truck battery?

 

No, that's not directly possible. What are you trying to do?

You can use a solar charger to charge a battery to run an inverter, but you won't get enough current output from a panel (or even 3) to run much of anything continuously off of the panel - there's just not enough amperage and the output is inconsistent. The battery acts as a buffer and a steady current source to the inverter, which converts your DC to AC. The inverter is inherently inefficient doing so, if you can run anything off of 12v DC instead of the AC output of the inverter you will get a lot more run time.

For any power when the truck is off, the best option is a dual battery setup with a charge relay that will charge the truck and house battery when on, and a solar panel that will add charge when the truck is off. But you're looking at 1k+ to do that. There's a bunch of ways to do it, and the decision will depend on your willingness to DIY electrical vs buy a kit vs everything inbetween. If I were to do it right now, I'd use a marine deep cycle for the house battery and a D250SA (this one:

CTEK 40-186 D250SA 5-Step, Automatic DUAL 12 V 20 A Battery Charger

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LBCVL4 - it's normally $250) to handle all charging and switching, just running everything off the house battery with a low-voltage cutoff set at the voltage minimum for the deep cycle. That said, there's no way I'm getting solar just because I won't be able to use my roof racks and because I'd just break them offroading.

The cheapest option, which has worked ok for me so far, is running the factory battery to the inverter with a low-voltage cutoff inline with a relay. You get the least sustained output that way though. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B018TW0KN2 is the cutoff I use with a standard automotive relay. My camper accessories are behind that, so I can just run the fridge and lights and not worry about my truck not starting from drain.

 

I finally got to get out w my new suspension. I went up to Charlie’s creek to today so I could compare it to stock and man was it nice. The water crossing was surprisingly low. It’d been about a year since I was last up there and the road was more rutted, it seemed every bro w a jeep just wallowed out every hole. I saw several “new” trails. Then there was this shit, this is why places get shut down. Pics don’t do it justice. It was straight down a soft embankment through ferns down towards the creek.

 

Damn, that’s a lot to take in lol. Ive just started researching solar panels for use for off grid camping etc. I guess the main question I had was if I got a panel and a controller and a dual deep cycle marine battery set up... rather than buying an inverter, would there be a way to just use the one that’s already in the truck. Use the panel to charge the battery that runs the inverter and be able to use it without having the truck ignition on.

We use inverters at work in our trucks and I’ve installed them from scratch before so fairly familiar with the wiring but we run lifestar’s. ($1,200 used on eBay) Not looking to spend that much.

I’m looking at this starter kit Renogy 100W 12V Monocrystalline Solar Starter Kit with 20A Rover MPPT Charge Controller

Renogy 100W 12V Solar Panel Starter Kit: 100 Watt Monocrystalline Solar Panel, MPPT 20A Charge Controller, Adaptor Kit, Tray Cables, Z Brackets for RV, Camper, Caravan and Other Off Grid Applications

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WGW485F/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_t2O-EbJZ4V6C4

my overall goal is to just have something I can power some lights, charge phone, fan to keep cool.. basic stuff.

like I said, just starting to do some research but also looking to not add a bunch of unnecessary stuff if it can be avoided. I do like the voltage cut off though. That is something I might do regardless.

 

Going through some pics and want to make a build thread of my rig..whats the best way to do that? Make a post after each step? or write out the whole damn thing at once?

 

It really depends on how you want to write.

Most build threads end up being step by step - as each mod is done, it is written about. It becomes a tutorial this way.

Since you have a bunch to write about, you can lump it all together into a truck story, or do a step by step - this was my thinking at the time - tutorial.

It's all up to you.

 

Yea, agree with the latter..too late to explain step by step..lol

 

I get that. I have so much I need to add to my build thread.

 

at the beginning of building a build thread seems silly, but after almost 3 years i'm like "damn" i did a lot to this thing

 

I have that exact setup (except with a 30A controller) and a Duracell group 24 deep cycle battery. I run my fridge, and bed lights from it. Also have a USB port on it. Ive had it for over a year, with no issues. Fridge is on 100% of the time. I do not run an inverter at all.

 

Just don't add up the receipts...

 

Yea, was trying to kinda add up everything....uh what??? Free labor too...lol

 

Light, phone charger, fan. Those are all pretty low draw and you can get USB versions of all of them. Get the kit and wire it up to a second battery and then add an inline fuse to a fuse block (sounds redundant as I'm typing it). From the fuse block, get one of those USB/Cig Lighter/Voltmeter devices wherever you want to use those accessories. No inverter needed.

In your case, just do a progression of photos showing each mod as they were done. People can do their own research on the how-tos.

Then you can do a writeup on any future mods.

 

What he said

 

Solid choice for the $ those panels do a good job and that’s all you will need to run a fridge or the items you described.

Note - get another panel that you can set aside in the sun when you park in the shade.

 

Thanks for all the input guys. Gonna do some more digging and hopefully piece together a list of what I need. Just can’t wait to get out with everyone at some point.

@Built2Ride im coming for that FSR if it doesn’t sell by the time I’m ready! Made some brackets the other day and got the bed rack secured. Super solid man. Thanks again

 

Selling my CVT Mt. Bachelor Summit Series RTT. This is the upgraded version with the thicker fabric, diamond plate floors, condensation matt, and telescoping ladder. They actually stopped making the Mt. Bachelor in the Summit line(all the upgrades) last year. Includes annex/floor and shoe holders. Practically new, bought new 3 weeks ago, and used a handful of times but just purchased a Mt. Shasta so this one needs to go. Retailed for $2200 before taxes.


Considering possibly selling with the bed rack and tonneau cover as a combo.


Thinking $1600 for the tent or $2100 for the whole combo. Will assist with installation.

 

So is there a build section to the forums? or just put it under 3rd gens?

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/3rd-gen-builds-2016.196/