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

[DiploStrat]

It ain't rain ...

but snow and below freezing weather. Just do some research on temperatures in the Andes. Easily managed as long as you are prepared to camp below freezing. (And not blindsided as we were.)

The Mac isn't a huge problem; a small, sine wave inverter will do it. And you can save a lot energy by keeping it on charge while you are driving.

 

[dwh]

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.

There are tons of "car chargers" for laptops that kick the voltage up to what a laptop needs, so an inverter isn't really required.

I've got one like this:

 

[DeskToGlory]

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!

If you end up wanting to get a dual battery setup installed by somebody else you can contact Joe and Dana at http://www.dasmule.com/. They're just over the border.