Isuzu npr 4wd

[gator70]

What chatGPT says:

Q: When a 600 amp hr battery bank is installed, with 1000 watts of solar panels charging this battery bank, when a 30 amp shore power is plugged in with an automatic transfer switch, what happens to the solar panel output?


A: When you plug in shore power with an automatic transfer switch (ATS), the shore power typically takes priority for powering your loads and charging your battery bank. However, the solar panel output will not stop; it will continue to charge the battery bank as long as the sun is shining. Depending on the charge controller settings, it may reduce its output to prevent overcharging the batteries if the shore power charger is already working at full capacity. The system balances between the two sources to optimize battery charging.

 

[gator70]

My custom rear bumper gets an addition

(paid a extra $50 to get the Isuzu bolt pattern custom cut)

Note: I need three propane tanks. One is stored in the propane compartment of the habitat, with external door and ventilation. For the other two. I found a 20 gallon propane tank designed for horizontal mounting. It seems exactly the same as the vertical mounted one with one exception.

It has a three hole mounting pattern on welded brackets.

Theses seem to be a mirror image, if two tanks were mounted to each other.

My consideration is to fabricate a bracket to weld to the swing away spare tire tube. To hang theses next to the spare tire.

 

[gator70]

I've been reading and watching other builders seek solutions for steps/ladders to reach the habitat entry door.

I found this retractable product. It is 48" high so it should reach the ground (I have 37" tires and a 6" subframe height)

I need comments.

 

[mog]

I've been reading and watching other builders seek solutions for steps/ladders to reach the habitat entry door.
I found this retractable product. It is 48" high so it should reach the ground (I have 37" tires and a 6" subframe height)

While being a huge fan of Little Giant products, and wanting to use their 4 step 'Jumbo Step' (a 'step angle', not a 'ladder angle', plus build quality) it was just not high enough to use with my set-up. So I ended up using a Louisville Ladder 4 step ladder. Very light weight but still super strong. I prefer a regular ladder as opposed to a fixed set of steps as I can use the ladder independently around the truck for access, and even away from the vehicle to set something up, or cut a branch, etc.

Regardless of type/style, make sure to have a hand rail (or grab handle on the vehicle) for safety.

 

[gator70]

I'm not only building a expedition vehicle.

I'm also building a SaaS. (for subscription income while traveling)

 

[Ultimark]

Steps into a high mounted camper need to be very stable the higher you go. Once over a certain height and if the steps are not standing on the ground, then sturdiness becomes paramount and harder to attain.

We thought about doing something freestanding, as in, not touching the ground. However with our approximate 1250mm height requirement for the top step from the ground, which is the top step or camper floor, this was going to be problematic. Especially as our requirements for rigidity were changing as we aged.

We had this heavy duty, ladder like, set of steps made specifically for our camper when on the truck. The steps themselves are 175mm vertically apart from each other.

The final and best thing was the addition on either side of a Black Adda levelling unit. It is very rare that one gets dead level ground for steps, the addition of the Black Adda units transformed the situation and make our steps very rigid no matter the slope or surface.

Black Adda – Safety Ladder Leveller

blackadda.com

Mick.

 

[gator70]

Black Adda levelling unit

I like this option, I don't like the price.

For me I can buy a very sturdy aluminum one step platform. It cost about $29. I can take out my shovel and level the soil under this. then lean the ladder I have shown on top of it.



BTW: The aluminum 48" retractable ladder is for boat transoms. Engineered to be free standing in the air above the water. Yet I plan on using it by reaching solid ground.

The 5 step little giant stair/ladder is most commonly used. But requires a place to store it

I like the retractable design.

I'm thinking of a platform on top.

(buying two of theses -disassembling them and harvesting parts)

 

[DzlToy]

There is no reason for them to touch the ground, as your first step is easily 8" - 12" / 200mm - 300mm above it.

Built properly, folding and floating steps are quite stable and easy to use.

 

[gator70]

Interesting thing!

Buying metal parts for fabrications is more expensive than buying retail products (made in China) and harvesting material from them.

Part of managing an expedition vehicle build budget is to be innovative in engineering and not just "custom fabricate" everything at those extremely high costs.

 

[gator70]

Managing air conditioning amp draws in hot climates is challenging.

I've invested in A/C average draws of 35 amps. (28 low - 58 high)

Many of the locations I will travel will be at 90 degrees. With a insulated box with 55mm of composite walls this helps.

After dark is the issue since the temperature does not drop to 65 degrees until 3 am.

From 6pm to 3am the A/C unit will run off the battery bank. It is expected that the batteries may not support that timespan.

The 12v refrigerator cannot be in a situation with a battery bank with no power. My habitat is equipped with a custom fuse box just for the refrigerator. I could wire a circuit with a two way switch than enables me to plug in a portable power source for hot nights only.

Another solution is to plug in a 4000w propane generator from 7pm to 10pm into the shore power plug. This would charge batteries during that short timespan.

I asked chatGPT

Answer

To calculate how much battery capacity you could increase using a 4000W propane generator for three hours, we need to consider several factors, including the generator's output, the charger efficiency, and the battery's capacity.

Steps:​

1. Generator Output: A 4000W generator running for 3 hours provides:
   4000 W×3 hours=12,000 Wh(or12kWh)4000 \, \text{W} \times 3 \, \text{hours} = 12,000 \, \text{Wh} (or 12 kWh)4000W×3hours=12,000Wh(or12kWh)
   This is the total energy output the generator could provide.
2. Battery Charger Efficiency: Assuming you're using a battery charger with an efficiency of around 85% (typical for many chargers):
   12,000 Wh×0.85=10,200 Wh12,000 \, \text{Wh} \times 0.85 = 10,200 \, \text{Wh}12,000Wh×0.85=10,200Wh
   This is the usable energy that can be sent to your batteries.
3. Battery Voltage: Your battery bank is 12V, and the energy stored in batteries can be calculated in amp-hours. To convert watt-hours to amp-hours:
   10,200 Wh÷12 V=850 Ah10,200 \, \text{Wh} \div 12 \, \text{V} = 850 \, \text{Ah}10,200Wh÷12V=850Ah
   This means in an ideal case, you could theoretically charge 850 amp-hours over 3 hours. However, this doesn't account for charging losses or diminishing charge rates as the battery fills up.
4. Charging Curves: Batteries charge faster when they're more discharged, and slower as they near full capacity. If your 600 Ah battery bank was deeply discharged, you could realistically expect a significant portion of this 850 Ah, though not the full amount due to charging tapering off. A rough estimate might be about 60-70% of that number during the initial fast charging phase.

Estimate:​

If your battery bank is significantly discharged, you could expect to increase the charge by approximately 510 to 595 Ah during this 3-hour period with the generator.
This assumes optimal conditions and that your charging system can handle the full output of the generator.

 

[Ultimark]

There is no reason for them to touch the ground, as your first step is easily 8" - 12" / 200mm - 300mm above it.

Built properly, folding and floating steps are quite stable and easy to use.

In general I agree with you, however we are in a situation where even the slightest movement, which one can see as the lady steps onto the steps, is unacceptable.

We now require absolute steadiness of the steps into the camper, and before you ask, we have solved the issue of getting into the cabin of the truck; thankfully.

As a matter of interest, the camper pod that comes with those steps, is around $350,000 AUD and upwards. Which is an eye watering price, even in Australia where things are more expensive than in most other countries.

Mick.

 

[gator70]

Looking for ideas to fabricate a front bumper. I have two winch metal tray options. Like always, trying hold down costs. I think this bumper is not as tapered on the ends as American pickups and the dimension is about 5 inchs wider.

This tray cost is $240

I should be able to fabricate left and right ends

I see brand new NOS primered steel rear bumpers from older GM 3/4 ton trucks for sale for $200

Theses older models where plain, with no cutouts, had a top surface of diamond plate and where thicker steel than todays newer models.

Could I harvest left and right ends from one of these?

Any opinions?

 

[Ferjablito]

Mine is identical to the one in the video, in my case because the door in my design was right in the rear wheel arch.

 

[Ferjablito]

Although I'm going to reconsider leaving it shorter and putting an extendable leg like the one from my partner. Ultimark

 

[gator70]

Although I'm going to reconsider leaving it shorter and putting an extendable leg like the one from my partner. Ultimark

Nice design. I'm very cost sensitive. What did the materials cost?