Campa USA Expedition Vehicle Sytem

[campausa]

Adventures in the Campa EVS

Our first road test was about 800 miles last weekend to Washington DC and it was great. The next trip is to Moab for the EJS. We will also have our other vehicle (my trusty Jeep with 115,000 miles wih its Campa DRS in tow). The Campa DRS unit has over 95,000 miles on it. From Moab we head back home via Dallas. Then the first real expedition will be to Guatemala in May and include Belize. Looking forward to that one! Any advice would be welcome.

 

[adventureduo]

I wish someday i can build a rig like that..

:clapsmile

 

[tacoma_AL]

WOW!!!:bowdown: the ultimate truck has arrived.

I like the trailer and tent setup. Awsome rig guys, hope it works out great in Guatemala and Belize.

 

[COONASS]

Our first road test was about 800 miles last weekend to Washington DC and it was great. The next trip is to Moab for the EJS. We will also have our other vehicle (my trusty Jeep with 115,000 miles wih its Campa DRS in tow). The Campa DRS unit has over 95,000 miles on it. From Moab we head back home via Dallas. Then the first real expedition will be to Guatemala in May and include Belize. Looking forward to that one! Any advice would be welcome.

The truck looks great Chris! I can't wait to see it.

Jacque

 

[p1michaud]

Way cool...

Now for some of the final pics.

That is one cool build up. :jump:
As others have said, nice to see some new expedition rigs come out.
Cheers,
P

 

[teotwaki]

Any details on the battery management system? Looks like dual batteries with some electronics?

 

[campausa]

Battery system

There are two batteries; the main battery and the auxiliary battery. The main battery is the OEM Toyota battery and is only responsible for the Toyota Tacoma power systems. The auxiliary battery runs all the accessories including winch, compressor, dual ARB lockers, water pump system, all the Campa EVS lighting systems, etc. The blue item you see in the above photo is a solid state switch from Perfect Switch see http://www.perfectswitch.com/highcurrentswitch.htm. This “switch” prevents the main battery from being drained through using the auxiliary battery on all the Campa EVS electrical accessories. This way you can completely drain the auxiliary battery, an Optima Blue Top deep cycle battery, without affecting the main battery at all and so still start the truck. The “switch” also can “sense” the voltage levels of both batteries and apply charge from the alternator to the battery that needs it most (usually the auxiliary) and bring it back to full capacity and then the “switch” can “manage” both batteries and keep them both at an optimal charge level.

The other really cool thing is that the Toyota Tacoma can run off the auxiliary battery too so should the Toyota OEM battery completely fail, the auxiliary battery will keep both the Toyota and the Campa EVS running.

 

[jingram]

Wow, absolutely phenomenal build. Now, if only Toyota would provide us with a diesel, I would be all over one. Excellent work and thanks for the write up!!

Jack

 

[TheBlueOx]

O M G

chris the rig looks phenomenal!!!!!
hope to see you and the rig in FL soon


Cory
OFFROADFEVER.com

 

[Grim Reaper]

There are two batteries; the main battery and the auxiliary battery. The main battery is the OEM Toyota battery and is only responsible for the Toyota Tacoma power systems. The auxiliary battery runs all the accessories including winch, compressor, dual ARB lockers, water pump system, all the Campa EVS lighting systems, etc. The blue item you see in the above photo is a solid state switch from Perfect Switch see http://www.perfectswitch.com/highcurrentswitch.htm. This “switch” prevents the main battery from being drained through using the auxiliary battery on all the Campa EVS electrical accessories. This way you can completely drain the auxiliary battery, an Optima Blue Top deep cycle battery, without affecting the main battery at all and so still start the truck. The “switch” also can “sense” the voltage levels of both batteries and apply charge from the alternator to the battery that needs it most (usually the auxiliary) and bring it back to full capacity and then the “switch” can “manage” both batteries and keep them both at an optimal charge level.

The other really cool thing is that the Toyota Tacoma can run off the auxiliary battery too so should the Toyota OEM battery completely fail, the auxiliary battery will keep both the Toyota and the Campa EVS running.

Very intersting device. The web site didn't give a price. What does it run?

 

[calamaridog]

Very intersting device. The web site didn't give a price. What does it run?

The price can vary quite a bit depending on which one you get. I'm looking at getting a 250 amp, single rectifier isolator. Last I checked it was around $350 or so.

 

[Tucson T4R]

Here's a link to one serveral of us 4Runner owners installed with our dual battery systems. It manages the primary and secondary batteries a similar fashion. Very nice design and it protects your primary. We also have a switch on our dash to manualy connect the batteries so you can force a self jump from the secondary, if your primary is shot.

http://www.surepower.com/pdf/separatorinterconnect.pdf

 

[ChuckB]

Just saw this today... WOW!!!

 

[JayP]

WoW! I can't believe it, I too just discovered this thread. That's one amazing truck! If you may, please post some more pics of this badboy. :bowdown:

 

[blupaddler]

The price can vary quite a bit depending on which one you get. I'm looking at getting a 250 amp, single rectifier isolator. Last I checked it was around $350 or so.

I just got the 200 amp.
Of course I have yet to install it, (today hopefully)but anyone with questions should contact Scott at Mobi-Arc (aka perfect switch). He is very knowledgeable and will spend the time explaining every little detail throughly.






Oh, and the campa...
:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:
I really like the way you made storage around the real wheel arches. The rear table/kitchen area is neat too! Very well done!!!



I would love to see on a Dodge crew cab diesel. That might be my future wheeler with th current direction of gas prices.