Need advice for electrical set-up - 12 month trip through the Americas

[kerfro]

Luckily it's just one person's stuff otherwise it would be a little tight. I am crazy enough to do this by myself. And it will not be very comfortable: Ground camping mainly.

The fridge and the electronics to document the trip will be the only luxury items that I will reasonably bring. The fridge is the only reason for even considering a second battery. It will be a very small fridge, I read that the small Engel fridge/freezer (Engel MD-14F ) draws 3.12 A under the most extreme conditions (http://www.engel-usa.com/images/stories/pdfs/md14f performance chart .pdf). That might not even be necessary most of the time. I cannot find any similar ratings for the Dometic/Waeco models, I am considering the CF 18 or 25, they have a rated current of 3.1A and 6.8A. I guess that means the max. power necessary. So my 24hrs needs are max at 74A or 163A, probably significantly lower as I plan to use the fridge-freezers as a fridge, not a freezer.

I will keep researching, but I believe that the underhood version is my preferred option it it fits. Dual battery trays do exist for jeeps, its just a question of the size of the battery and I will research a bit more.. But please do not hesitate to keep the info coming, much appreciated as I am a first timer and complete newbie to cars and overlanding.

Cheers, K

 

[dwh]

When calculating the load of a fridge, you also have to include "duty cycle". It might draw X amps when running, but it might be running only 30% of the time (or not at all if the temp inside the truck is low enough). So you want to end up with a "daily average" consumption number to do your estimating with.

 

[DiploStrat]

And it will not be very comfortable: Ground camping mainly.

Free advice is worth ...

As a single woman, traveling alone, you will probably want to spend a lot of time camping in towns, next to police stations, etc. Under these circumstances a roof top tent has much to recommend it as it does not require stakes, supports, etc.

Because of the way border crossings work, you may often find yourself driving to the border, then backing off to make your crossing first thing in the morning. This may force you into much more urban camping than you might expect. Again, sleeping on or in your vehicle has much to recommend itself.

Would have loved something like this:http://www.autohomeus.com/rooftop/maggiolinaAir.php

 

[kerfro]

@dwh - You are obviously right. But calculating the average will be difficult as the outside temperature will vary a lot (baja vs. patagonia), this is why I calculated the worst-case scenario. But I guess I wouldn't need the fridge in cold temperatures too much

@DiploStrat: Yes, a roof top tent would be great/preferable. But the regular tent will have to do right now and the good news is: It is free standing.

And btw: I massively overestimated the spare room between the passenger seat and the security enclosure/trunk. The Engel fridge is the only viable option and that is tight already. So the Arkpak behind the driver's seat is a no-go. Will try to figure out a way to have two batteries under the hood tomorrow.

Thanks again for all the advice, K

 

[DiploStrat]

Beating Dead Horses

-- Small Engel cooler looks reasonable, especially if held to about 40F, vice below freezing.

-- Look on the Jeep forum for ideas of how to mount a second battery under the hood. From a quick Internet scan, it seems likely that you could fit a 100Ah deep cycle battery under there. Assuming a 12 month trip and viewing that battery as a consumable, you could probably get as much as 75Ah per day out of it. Also, I think that units like the Engel have automatic low voltage shutoffs.

-- Your other loads are trivial, you can probably get away with a 500w sine wave inverter for your Mac and camera batteries. (carry extras) You can basically ignore this load as you will only turn on the inverter when you are driving.

-- Control with second battery with either a key controlled or intelligent relay, sized to the maximum output of your alternator. I like the Blue Sea ACR units like this:https://www.bluesea.com/products/7620/ML-ACR_Automatic_Charging_Relay_-_12V_DC_500A Under $200 and done.

Finally, to really beat the dead horse, do take a good look at a fiberglas framed roof top tent.

-- Easy to pitch and cooler in hot weather.

-- Will save you a TON of space inside of the Jeep as it will hold all of your bedding and, probably much of your clothing as well. This may be the best argument of all.

-- Finally, put a stick on solar panel on the top of the rooftop tent, combine it with the new Bogart controller, and you will have a really slick package.

Have a great trip!

 

[DeskToGlory]

http://desktoglory.com/dual-battery-installation/
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Our dual battery/solar electrical system included:
Optima Batteries Yellowtop Deep Cycle Battery 34/78 (55Ah I believe)
Blue Sea Systems Solenoid SI Series (120A 12/24V ACR)
Blue Sea Systems 5025 ST Blade Fuse Block – 6 Circuits with Negative Bus and Cover
Samlex America 1000W Inverter SSW-1000-12A
Samlex America DC1000KIT Inverter Install Kit
Samlex America SRV85KIT 85W Solar Charging Kit
4ga Electrical Cables throughout with 100A fuses. From local stereo installation shop.
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We run an ARB 37QT fridge/freezer.
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A 55Ah battery and 85W solar panel was plenty for the fridge to run continuously on the beaches of Baja for weeks at a time. We went with a dual battery and solar kit so we wouldn't ever have to worry about running down the starting battery. Also, having a redundant starting/deepcycle battery is awesome for peace of mind for when you're in the middle of nowhere by yourself.
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The 1000W inverter is WAY overkill. Stick with something small and efficient (300W perhaps). To save money, the Sears Diehard batteries would be perfect if they're still around. From what I understand you should go with a sealed battery if it's in the cab of the Jeep. Again, to spend less money go with the Renolgy solar kits found on Amazon (we have heard plenty of good things from friends about these).
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We just picked up these two beauties from Blue Sea to install when we get back down to the truck to charge our cameras, phones, kindles, etc.
Blue Sea 12V USB Socket
Blue Sea 12V Socket

 

[kerfro]

Thanks again to all -
I do see the upsides of having a roof-top tent but it is not in the picture at the moment. I will reconsider in Southern California, but I hope that I don't need it.
@desktoglory: Would love to buy you a beer and chat in person as we are both in Vancouver. Thanks IG.

I love the 12v outlets for USB, seems that those would solve my outlet problem. (Planning to constantly run a gopro while driving to make a time-lape of the road from North to South).
Not sure if I need an inverter, I downgraded most of my electronics to USB/12v. Only item that might need 110v charging is the laptop/11"macbook air and I found a couple of 12v adapters.

 

[DeskToGlory]

Thanks again to all -
I do see the upsides of having a roof-top tent but it is not in the picture at the moment. I will reconsider in Southern California, but I hope that I don't need it.
@desktoglory: Would love to buy you a beer and chat in person as we are both in Vancouver. Thanks IG.

I love the 12v outlets for USB, seems that those would solve my outlet problem. (Planning to constantly run a gopro while driving to make a time-lape of the road from North to South).
Not sure if I need an inverter, I downgraded most of my electronics to USB/12v. Only item that might need 110v charging is the laptop/11"macbook air and I found a couple of 12v adapters.

If you have 12V/USB chargers for all of your devices I would avoid the inverter. A car charger for the MacBook Air is probably cheaper and will be more efficient than the inverter.

Looking forward to drinks!
-R

 

[DiploStrat]

@desktoglory: Would love to buy you a beer and chat in person as we are both in Vancouver. Thanks IG.

Excellent idea, especially as they are using a vehicle similar to what you are planning and have real world scars. Just remember, they ain't been up high yet! Central America ain't South America.

Watch USB chargers for Apple products; they are power hungry and lower power USB won't work. Checking the labeling closely.

 

[DeskToGlory]

Excellent idea, especially as they are using a vehicle similar to what you are planning and have real world scars. Just remember, they ain't been up high yet! Central America ain't South America.

Watch USB chargers for Apple products; they are power hungry and lower power USB won't work. Checking the labeling closely.

Oh yeah... the shorts and t-shirts we packed for Central America aren't going to cut it at elevation...

 

[pdxfrogdog]

(2) An external battery (i.e. ArkPak) and a deep cycle battery (potentially add solar power)
- Seems like the easiest solution to me right now. I could charge it as a second battery and run the fridge from it (as well as the other gadgets) without having to worry about the starter battery.
- I could even add a portable/foldable solar panel to charge it (I believe).
- Downside: I would need to find space in the Jeep (behind the driver's seat?) and space is limited.
- Question: What type of battery would I use? The same deep cycle one as in the set-up 1?

The Odyssey, and Diehard platinum are dual use batteries - cranking and deep cycle. Most batteries are *either* cranking or deep cycle. You could put a dual use in the ArkPak or you could use a dedicated deep cycle type. Looks like it uses its on-board 12v charger to handle solar, so it would be limited to 6a of solar. To use more solar, you'd need your own solar charge controller to go with your panel, and connect directly to the battery.

A little more info about the ArkPak: The case includes two ways of directly connecting to the contained battery, a 50A Anderson plug and wing-nut style terminals. Either of these is appropriate for connecting solar or a 3rd party DC/DC charger. Neither use the internal charge controller so you need to supply your own and thus could theoretically improve on the 6A that the built-in charge controller provides. ArkPak does sell (or bundle) a 12V DC charger that you could use, but all the good info in this thread about how long it takes to properly charge a battery still apply. The case is sized for a group 31 battery.

What I like about the system is that it's compact, tidy and portable... at least as portable as a 70+ lb group 31 battery will allow it to be. I use mine with a Diehard platinum and a 100W solar suitcase (Renogy).

 

[carbon60]

A car charger for the MacBook Air is probably cheaper and will be more efficient than the inverter.

Such a thing is surprisingly difficult to procure as Apple tries to keep their proprietary "MagSafe" connector all to themselves. I bought one from a fellow that takes used Apple adapters and splices them by hand:

http://www.mikegyver.com/

You can also buy non-approved/non-licensed stuff on various sites, including Amazon. I've had two friends destroy batteries that way, so YMMV.

This should be simple but is not.

A.

 

[DiploStrat]

Oh yeah... the shorts and t-shirts we packed for Central America aren't going to cut it at elevation...

Beloved Spouse and I have a habit of starting trips in the tropics and ending up freezing our ankles off in colder areas. A trip from Guayaquil, Ecuador to La Paz, Bolivia is burned in our memory. (See the snow left on the spare tire.)

To be fair, we did live in La Paz (successfully) for several years, but we still froze camping on the altiplano. (One reason our current truck has a Webasto Dual Top!)

Just remember, it is always cold above 10,000 feet. Ironically, you may be warmer in the winter, when it tends to be sunny, than in the summer, when it tends to be damp and rainy. But then, that's why you are making the trip and it has been known to rain in Vancouver.

 

[kerfro]

Rain doesn't scare me - I lieved Vancouver, London, Luxembourg. But I do prefer the sun, definitely. And, I guess I will have to get some clothes send to me once I am entering South America.

Trying to find the optimal battery set-up and am dual battery trays for the tj at the moment. Unfortunately it seems that most of them don't support the Group 31 batteries but only 34 (e.g. http://www.kilbyenterprises.com/web-instructions/KE-TJ-DBT1-2.pdf) or you need to install the batteries sideways which would mean replacing the starter battery as well (e.g. http://www.smittybilt.com/product/index/73.htm). Might have to stick to a 34 or find someone who can fabricate/weld... Good that I still have some time left.

And, I tried to find a shop to help with the install. Difficult, looks like I will have to do it by myself. The more Youtube videos I watch the more doable I think it is. Will keep you updated!

 

[kerfro]

Yes, the apple "situation" is pretty annoying. Thanks for the MikeGyver link. These guys also custom fabricate connectors for their solar kits: http://www.voltaicsystems.com/solar-macbook-charger. But I think you can't use it for a 12v outlets as you need 18 to charge a macbook thus you need an inverter, either build into the car for 110 or a specially made one. Pricewise it seems to be similar.