Shout Out, Off Grid Engineering & Matt Carter

Been wanted to post for a bit. Went hunting in Colorado and took advantage of the drive by having Matt install his dual battery system in my 2016 DCLB OR so I could run a Dometic fridge in the bed. Figured have the man himself install it with a couple of tweaks to get it done right.

I can't say enough good about the man or his work. First rate and he knows his sh*t. Like really knows it. The quality of the work is so good - if you have a chance to need his setup, do it.

One of my buddies just had him finish up a custom dual battery setup on his Defender 110. And he is one anal engineer, especially with that vehicle.

If you need this, I wouldn't hesitate to use Matt or his setup. It rocks.

 

Mines going in this weekend... an impressive piece of work.

 

Matt installed mine at Overland Expo West after a long weekend of working at his booth. Great guy and hands down the best system you can get for a dual battery setup.

Anyone in the market for aftermarket lights, fridges, or just the peace of mind that you can jump start yourself in the middle of nowhere, OFF GRID ENGINEERING is the first and only stop you need to make.

 

How many watts do these coolers pull? does 2 batteries make a difference?

 

Without starting up the truck to run the alternator you could get a solid weekend out of the battery. I think it draws 1 amp per hour and the battery, pending size, is an 100 amp hour.

 

but seriously... I've heard nothing but good things from all of my Colorado buddies.... eventually I want his dual battery setup when I get back to CO and start my overland truck / trailer build

 

The real test will come this summer camping in AZ. My fridge is a Dometic 95. I'll have a solar panel to charge the second battery that I'll use during the day, but I'll give a full rundown on how long I can run the fridge with
that setup before it drains the battery and I have to charge it by starting the truck. During my time in CO it did just fine. I didn't use the solar charger and didn't really push it since I was starting the truck daily anyway. Plus
the temps were in the 50's during the day, 30's at night which is not what I will typically see in AZ.

The reason I went with the dual setup is to run the fridge without worry of it effecting starting the truck. Plus the convenience of the additional charging station in the bed. And preparing for additional electronic accessories.

 

That makes sense. I'm guessing there is an isolator switch between the 2 batteries?

 

So I am assuming I have to bring my truck to them or something I can order?

 

Definitely something you can order. I just had the install done since I was in the area anyway.

 

Awesome! Thank You

 

Have any pictures of your setup? Where did you place your second battery?

 

I can take pics of my setup, but if you're in a hurry - I am pretty sure he has pics on the website. If you're facing the truck, it's in the top left corner. I'll try and snap some tomorrow to upload.

 

4 quick pics. Primary battery, secondary, interior switch, power outlet in bed.

I'll swap out the short door to the metal locking one once it arrives. Plus I had him add the Blue Sea 5025 six circuit fuse box, Dual MRBF (the double fuse on the auxiliary battery), 2 Machined aluminum OGE battery tie downs, andcustom 4 AWG cables for fuse box install.

 

I need figure out where to put that red switch.

 

How did you mount the 2nd battery? is there a custom mounting plate you installed near the firewall?

 

Holy cow! Thanks for the awesome words @AZVern !! Im glad to hear the system is treating you well so far!

Id be happy to answer any questions in this thread so you don't have to.

@koditten Yes, the Blue Sea ML-ACR is a magnetic latching, dual voltage sensing, completely automatic, battery isolator/ relay. It does all the battery linking/ unlinking for you... but it also has manual override features for self jumpstarting and high amp load scenarios. These relays come standard and pre-wired in every full system I sell.

@JoeCOVA You can order full systems and certain parts through my website www.************** I also offer custom setups upon request and I do installations at my place in Erie, CO

@Me. Projekt Id love to help you out with your build whenever youre ready!

@tacitos The second battery is mounted via our custom made auxiliary battery trays, available right here:
https://www.**************/collections/battery-trays/products/battery-tray-for-toyota-tacoma
We have quite a few on the shelf right now. Normally they are a 1-2 week wait.