National Luna: Kit vs. Component Cost

[YukonRob]

Looking at the National Luna kit and trying to justify the cost of the kit versus buying the key components and sourcing the remaining parts locally.

The turn-key kit is advertised for $375

The solenoid is $145 and the monitor is $70.
Add wire (±$60), connectors, fuses, misc, (±$25) and I am at $300.

Is there something in the kit, aside from the convenience factor, that would justify the additional $75? Or am I off on the costs of the locally sourced items?

Thanks,
Rob

 

[Herbie]

I would budget more than $25 for the fuses, etc. to do it "right", but those are not items included in the National Luna kit either, so I think your math is probably correct.

Incidentally, for (relatively) inexpensive thick cabling, I chop up jumper cables. Autozone had 20ft 2-gauge cables (40 ft of cable total) for $45 or $49. Very flexible and you have the option of splitting or not-splitting the pair. Thinner cable will obviously be even cheaper.

 

[YukonRob]

...Incidentally, for (relatively) inexpensive thick cabling, I chop up jumper cables.....

Nice idea - never occurred to me. A quick search revealed a 20% off coupon for Pep Boys jumper cables as well. Thanks for the tip.

 

[tperkins]

Herbie, I have to say thanks for that tip. And to the OP, I was thinking this exact same thing in my head the other day. With how expensive dual-batt kits are, saving $50 or so is a good deal.

 

[1leglance]

Having just installed a National Luna Kit I have to say it was really really nice to have EVERYTHING I could need (and some extra bits) all at hand.
The bits are top notch and there is far more cable that you will need, enough to run a battery to the back of the average rig.
It comes with a 3 fuse setups and was super simple to install cleanly.

 

[Utah KJ]

I've looked at the kits and in my professional opinion, I feel that the wire gauge is not sufficient in those kits. I good source for inexpensive cable is a welding supply store.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I've looked at the kits and in my professional opinion, I feel that the wire gauge is not sufficient in those kits. I good source for inexpensive cable is a welding supply store.

I'm taking my stickers back


The wiring is adequate for close proximity installs, i.e. both batteries are close and the Intelligent Solenoid is right close as well. However if you've got long runs, I would up the size a bit and in that case the components make more sense than the kit. Depending on the type of install you do (National Luna has several recommended setups for example) you might not use the fuses in the kit, thus making the components the better choice there too.

I'm running the full kit on my Tacoma sans fuses and its been flawless, eventually I plan to add a kit to my Cruiser and in that case I'll part it out.

 

[TreeTopFlyer]

I went piecemeal because I was doing a 3rd battery and the provided cable wasn't long enough, I wanted a Bussmann disconnect, and still haven't decided if I want the monitor. I may pick one up down the line if I find one cheap.

 

[tperkins]

For those that own a Nat Luna kit, how many feet of cable, and what gauge, does it come with. I can't find anywhere that says it.

Kind of off topic, but should it be okay to run two different batteries in a dual charge setup, such as one lead acid starting and one AGM deep cycle?

 

[Spectyr]

IIRC it comes with 6 meters of red and 6 meters of black 2 gauge wire.
At least I think it's 2 gauge...it lists as 16 mm2 x-sectional area wire.
http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/productimg/split-charge_manual.pdf

 

[flyingwil]

For those that own a Nat Luna kit, how many feet of cable, and what gauge, does it come with. I can't find anywhere that says it.

Kind of off topic, but should it be okay to run two different batteries in a dual charge setup, such as one lead acid starting and one AGM deep cycle?

IIRC, The National Luna comes with 20' of silicone core cable (10' each, Black & Red).

I would also consider the IBS dual battery systems. I swapped over to the IBS from my National Luna a few years ago and haven't had a complaint on the system since the swap.

 

[Herbie]

16mm^2 cable is roughly equivalent to AWG 5:

http://www.engineeringtoolbox.com/awg-wire-gauge-d_731.html

(which is a bit undersized for long runs given the loads such a circuit might see - definitely too small if you're planning on using a winch or other high-current loads supplemented by the house battery)

 

[keezer37]

Kind of off topic, but should it be okay to run two different batteries in a dual charge setup, such as one lead acid starting and one AGM deep cycle?

I've been running a lead acid as the primary and AGM as a backup for about five years now. I'd rather have both AGMs for my setup but the gods conspired against me when I replaced the primary three years back.

 

[bob280zx]

IBS/Luna

IIRC, The National Luna comes with 20' of silicone core cable (10' each, Black & Red).

I would also consider the IBS dual battery systems. I swapped over to the IBS from my National Luna a few years ago and haven't had a complaint on the system since the swap.

More hijack!

I've narrowed it to a choice between Luna and IBS - just can't decide. If you don't mind, why did you elect to change to IBS?

Thanks