Build Thread Igor - Build starting

[Clark Kent]

That's a fairly senior charger you have there @Mudnut. Don't see many made like that anymore. Does it let you manually set the volts and amps for LiFePo4?

 

[Mudnut]

That's a fairly senior charger you have there @Mudnut. Don't see many made like that anymore. Does it let you manually set the volts and amps for LiFePo4?

It is actually a friends charger, who does off grid solar on cattle stations. Dialing in the Voltage is a bit trickier than with a digital. Have the cells wired to parallel, so only putting in 3.65V, and around 8A through it. Just want to charge and top ballance. Once close, will use my Redarc charger in the Hybrid caravan to bring up to 14.4V. The charger weighs as much as the battery!

 

[Znarfgh]

It is actually a friends charger, who does off grid solar on cattle stations. Dialing in the Voltage is a bit trickier than with a digital. Have the cells wired to parallel, so only putting in 3.65V, and around 8A through it. Just want to charge and top ballance. Once close, will use my Redarc charger in the Hybrid caravan to bring up to 14.4V. The charger weighs as much as the battery!

Those cells look good - what BMS are you going to use?

 

[Mudnut]

Those cells look good - what BMS are you going to use?

The EEL battery box comes with a JK200Ah BMS, and all the wires to top balance, connectors, and buss bars. Was $370 AU, but really top quality piece of kit. They come in 2 sizes. Smaller up to 230Ah cells, and this one up to 330Ah cells.

 

[TheDocAUS]

Muller Energy out of Sydney also offers some of these DIY kits. Or battery boxes with a 10 year warranty.

They even offer a DYI battery making class from time to time.

 

[Mudnut]

Finally top balanced the cells, and assembled the battery. Just a final charge, and into use

 

[Mudnut]

Battery top balanced, assembled and charged. Will put this one in the caravan, as it is too big to fit under the seat. The Kings one will go in the Quartermaster under the seat. It is a 120Ah LiFePo4. Cheap, but has been good for the last 9 months I have used it. Only want it to power a fridge, and camp lights.

 

[Mudnut]

Kings 120Ah battery installed under the seat of the Quartermaster. Also installed my Bluetongue compressor under the seat. Still need a DC - DC charger, and buss bar to start running electrical items off the second battery,.

 

[Mudnut]

Finally got the QM back from the auto trimmer, who made my tonneau cover. Really happy with the result. Maybe my fuel usage (11.8 litres per 100k )will drop now?? Had him make the bit over the spare tyre a bit loose, as I will upgrade to at least 33" tyres in the future.

 

[Clark Kent]

Finally got the QM back from the auto trimmer, who made my tonneau cover. Really happy with the result. Maybe my fuel usage (11.8 litres per 100k )will drop now?? Had him make the bit over the spare tyre a bit loose, as I will upgrade to at least 33" tyres in the future.

That's very tidy Ken. It's always nice to see the results of good hand skills. As the saying goes, "If you think professionals are expensive try using amateurs."

 

[Mudnut]

That's very tidy Ken. It's always nice to see the results of good hand skills. As the saying goes, "If you think professionals are expensive try using amateurs."

I can't agree more, It was not cheap, but he did a great job. He also said he never wants to see another one! Very fiddly job.

 

[Mudnut]

Have posted on other threads, but will include for this build thread. Tougher seat covers. Charcoal with grey inserts ordered direct from Tougher. Also installed to the front doors wind rain deflectors. The rear doors will follow when the weather improves. They are for the Mercedes G wagon, but fit very well for the QM $80 Au delivered.

 

[Mudnut]

An edit to my last post. The 3M tape on the wind / rain deflectors must be very old, as it does not want to adhere to the car very well. Almost lost the passenger side. Have removed, and installed some 20kg double sided tape to the 3M tape, and re applied. Seem solid now.

 

[Mudnut]

Got the rear wind / rain deflectors mounted. Also started to install my rear drawer from my old 110 Defender into the bed of the QM. Easy tie down with shade sail tensioners fixed to bolts in threaded holes in the floor of the bed. Any water that enters the bed will pass underneath the drawer set up. But to be honest no water has gotten in since fitting the tonneau cover. Still need to modify and fit the top of the drawer to suit my fridge, and go around the tyre.

 

[ADVAW8S]

Is it aluminum or steel drawer set? How are you planning to bolt to UTE?

 

[Mudnut]

Is it aluminum or steel drawer set? How are you planning to bolt to UTE?

It is gal steel, with a timber top. Drawer sits on the plastic bed liner.

 

[Mudnut]

Have the drawer installed in the bed with tensioners. Space next to it for the 50l Dometic fridge. There is about 400mm in front of the drawer, that can fit other items. Not sure if I will enclose this or not.
Power is currently via the cig plug in that corner, but will wire directly to second battery once I sort out the DC -DC charger.

 

[Mudnut]

Well got around to wiring in my second battery with a Victron Orion Xs 12/12 50 Dc - Dc charger. Had a bit of scrap alloy that fit perfectly on the mounting bracket for the rear seat. I drilled a 45mm hole in it behind where the charger is mounted, and am waiting for a 12v computer fan to arrive in the post. I still need to install a 60A fuse in line, but coming tomorrow.l I did run a wire to the tub and plugged in my fridge to this battery. Will eventually install an other fuse block and run my accessories off this battery. All up very pleased with the set up, along with the price compared to the factory set up. Victron Orion Xs under $400 Au. Battery removed from caravan so free. Roughly $20 in wire and connectors. Computer fan $5. Not finished yet, but at least I can keep drinks cold when away now,. I might look into some heat shield for the bottom of the seat base.

 

[ADVAW8S]

Well got around to wiring in my second battery with a Victron Orion Xs 12/12 50 Dc - Dc charger. Had a bit of scrap alloy that fit perfectly on the mounting bracket for the rear seat. I drilled a 45mm hole in it behind where the charger is mounted, and am waiting for a 12v computer fan to arrive in the post. I still need to install a 60A fuse in line, but coming tomorrow.l I did run a wire to the tub and plugged in my fridge to this battery. Will eventually install an other fuse block and run my accessories off this battery. All up very pleased with the set up, along with the price compared to the factory set up. Victron Orion Xs under $400 Au. Battery removed from caravan so free. Roughly $20 in wire and connectors. Computer fan $5. Not finished yet, but at least I can keep drinks cold when away now,. I might look into some heat shield for the bottom of the seat base.

Where did you run the cable through from the cab into the tub? Underneath cab and then on side of tub?

 

[Mudnut]

I ran it out through the back of the cab and it came out on top of the fuel tank. Then ran along the chassis, and into one of the drains in the back Right storage depression. I am going to put my Compressor there, and have my fridge sitting on top. Everything still under the cover, so far it stays dry.