Gladiator Pop-Up Pass Through Camper Build

[Mules]

Here's an interesting product. Some small and relatively cheap power stations are now capable of running much larger appliances. Pecron E600 for $299 can power up to 1200 watt appliances such as microwaves and hot plates due to it's large inverter. Basically this is cheaper than installing a large inverter. Only issue is it's battery only has 600wh capacity. If you are only going to use the power supply for cooking and LED lighting, this is a pretty cheap option. It can recharge pretty quickly by solar or AC also. I think I would need to drive/run my Gladiator for 1.5 hours to recharge it using my built in inverter or 3 hours with a 200Watt Solar collector.

I think this is the cheapest way to power an electric hotplate, coffee maker, and/or microwave. Your wife can even bring a hair dryer if you're willing to give up your morning coffee! Probably only good for one day before needing recharge.

Well I ordered the Pecron E600LFP. Do you ever get that feeling that something is too good to be true? I'll let you know how it works out.

 

[Florida Native]

Well I ordered the Pecron E600LFP. Do you ever get that feeling that something is too good to be true? I'll let you know how it works out.

Keep us posted how you like it!

 

[Mules]

So here is what I have been researching for electrical power for my camper. Currently the truck's stock battery and 400w inverter are marginal for my needs. I've narrowed my plan down to my "Ideal System" and my "Value System". I'm going value system for now.

1) Ideal System - Replace my stock Gladiator Starter battery with an 80AH Antigravity LiPO or a Dakota Lithium 135AH LiPO starter battery. Add a pure sign wave inverter and cables/fuse from battery to inverter. Cost $2,000 plus my install labor. With my 240 amp stock alternator included with the Jeep tow package, I only need to run the truck about an hour to recharge the batteries. This is cheaper, lighter, and I think better than an old school dual battery setup and I can always ad a solar panel and mppt controller later. I might do this when my stock battery needs replacement in a couple years. This would end up being a clean install and save weight over stock.

2) Value System - Pecron E600LFP Power station, charged by my 120v 400 watt stock Jeep's inverter. Cost $299. The reason I picked the Pecron was it's price and fast charging rate of 400 watt either from 120v supply or solar. It will take 2.2 hours driving my Jeep to fully charge it. If I recharged it using the 12v cigarette lighter plug (100 watt max) it would take 4 times as long. This should work for keeping my refrigerator running 2-3 days without driving, or less with LED lights, and minimal cooking. The nice thing is that I can add $200 worth of solar collectors to the roof, and be good without driving to recharge. Not enough power for heating the camper, but nice for my minimal needs. Hell I can even run a microwave, coffee maker, or hot plate on this thing.

 

[ITTOG]

Like you I went cheap with my first electrical set up. Which was easy given I only needed it to charge electronics and lights. I don't use it to cook or for heat. It is a 100AH AGM and will last me 5 days without recharging. Once my camper is done it might get a bit more use.

 

[VanIsle_Greg]

2 x 130 watt flexible panels for $139! Man... that's a killer deal (if they work out). I remember looking at flexible panels when I bought my 2 x 100 watt Renogy panels, and they were 2.5 to 3 x the price!

 

[Mules]

2 x 130 watt flexible panels for $139! Man... that's a killer deal (if they work out). I remember looking at flexible panels when I bought my 2 x 100 watt Renogy panels, and they were 2.5 to 3 x the price!

Yea, I'll have to check these solar panels out a bit more. I imagine Renogy is better quality, but it's hard to pass up this price. I like the clean look and easy install of flexible panels taped to the roof. From what I understand you simply use 3M double sided tape to stick them on, then add some tape at the leading edge to make sure the highway wind doesn't peal them back. I'll probably add some coroplatic spacer sheets underneath, so that I don't burn my fiberglass top.

 

[Mules]

Like you I went cheap with my first electrical set up. Which was easy given I only needed it to charge electronics and lights. I don't use it to cook or for heat. It is a 100AH AGM and will last me 5 days without recharging. Once my camper is done it might get a bit more use.

I believe my 600 watt power supply is 50AH. We'll see how long this runs my fridge. Nice to hear your 100AH runs your fridge for 5 days.

 

[ITTOG]

I believe my 600 watt power supply is 50AH. We'll see how long this runs my fridge. Nice to hear your 100AH runs your fridge for 5 days.

Be careful, I didn't say I had a fridge. At this time my camping is cold enough I don't need one. Sometimes I need the cooler to keep my stuff from freezing.

 

[Mules]

Be careful, I didn't say I had a fridge. At this time my camping is cold enough I don't need one. Sometimes I need the cooler to keep my stuff from freezing.

I missed that! My power supply should arrive next week. I'll do a test to see how long it runs the fridge before I go camping.

Hope to do a little camping this weekend. I've been running the fridge off my truck battery so far, but this scares me a bit. I unplug it at night. My fridge has a battery saving mode, and is supposed to cut off before it empties my battery. I just don't trust it. All I need is to be in the middle of nowhere and need a jump start.

I'll feel safer running my fridge off the power station.

 

[ITTOG]

I missed that! My power supply should arrive next week. I'll do a test to see how long it runs the fridge before I go camping.

Hope to do a little camping this weekend. I've been running the fridge off my truck battery so far, but this scares me a bit. I unplug it at night. My fridge has a battery saving mode, and is supposed to cut off before it empties my battery. I just don't trust it. All I need is to be in the middle of nowhere and need a jump start.

I'll feel safer running my fridge off the power station.

Do you take a jump pack with you? That would be cheap insurance in case you do run your battery down. I used to use a jump pack to power all my gear but it became to small and that is why I bought the 100 Ah AGM. I will have to add to my system if I do start summer camping.

I look forward to hearing how your testing goes.

 

[Mules]

Do you take a jump pack with you? That would be cheap insurance in case you do run your battery down. I used to use a jump pack to power all my gear but it became to small and that is why I bought the 100 Ah AGM. I will have to add to my system if I do start summer camping.

I look forward to hearing how your testing goes.

Man Overlanding has a never ending list of stuff to buy! Now I need a Jump Pack

I wonder if I can charge my starter battery from my Power Station, if needed. I'll have to look into that.

 

[Mules]

Beautiful day for a quick overnight trip. I think I found the perfect site.

 

[Mules]

And a nice view for breakfast!

 

[Mules]

 

[Mules]

24 hours into my power station / refrigerator test and there are 10 beers left and 59% power.

Looks like I need to drink faster?