Gladiator Expedition Rigs

[Mules]

It was nice building this in my basement over the winter, but now it's time to break it down and get it out of the basement. Next up painting.

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[Blade1668]

Alright, time to talk power supply for the build. Tell me about your systems and recommendations. I'm sure you've got some opinions.

I'm not sold on the Jackery mainly do to the salesmanship calling it a generator.
Now on with my steps in system. I started just on vehicle stock battery(ies) but with 85 w Cascade system. No problems unless it was clouds and rain for week.
Second step 2 36amp LiPo batteries w 100w panel with Renogy control. It doesn't show any draw down with fridge freezer running full-time. But I recently swapped up to a 100amp LiPo battery, and plan on changing 100w panel for 2 100w panels and using the original one as a portable one.
Now what I did with the 2 36amp batteries is configure similar to a Jackery in usefulness to me. But I try to stay away from 120v being needed. I've got a few voltage inverters I might put one in to charge few cordless tool batteries.

 

[Redruby]

The cushions will lay on top of the pickup bed head wall, so no cutting of the truck. The cab back seats simply fold down, and the cushion platform will fold over the back seats. Rubber seal between the pickup bed headwall and the cab back wall. Here's an old picture from when I was roughing it out. The pass through is a lot bigger now since I trimmed up to the blue tape which you can barely see.

So the only part of the original roof that is used are the freedom panels, that’s a great ideal I never would have thought of that

 

[Mules]

I'm not sold on the Jackery mainly do to the salesmanship calling it a generator.
Now on with my steps in system. I started just on vehicle stock battery(ies) but with 85 w Cascade system. No problems unless it was clouds and rain for week.
Second step 2 36amp LiPo batteries w 100w panel with Renogy control. It doesn't show any draw down with fridge freezer running full-time. But I recently swapped up to a 100amp LiPo battery, and plan on changing 100w panel for 2 100w panels and using the original one as a portable one.
Now what I did with the 2 36amp batteries is configure similar to a Jackery in usefulness to me. But I try to stay away from 120v being needed. I've got a few voltage inverters I might put one in to charge few cordless tool batteries.

Thanks for the post! I didn't know they had battery boxes, with outlets build in. Now to find out what battery to use.

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Or build your own.

 

[OngsterA]

I set up the Jackery 1500 in the rear passenger floor. Have a Dometic CFX35 set as freezer at 7°, and a Dometic 18 set as refrigerator at 38°. Both are strapped to the folded 2/3 rear seat back, and baby seat brackets behind it..

I have the frig plugged into the Jackery 12v plug, and the freezer plugged into Jackery 110v. Keep the Jackery charger plugged into the 110v inverter on back of console. I also have the CFX35 plugged into a 12v outlet that is wired into an Aux Switch.

The fridge and freezer run off the Jackery overnight and the Jackery recharges when my engine is running on trails during day. If I am not driving much that day, or plan to set up camp early, I will use the aux switch to assist with running the freezer during driving and there is less drain on the Jackery.

Depending on hours driving during day and hours camped, the Jackery is at from 35 to 60% in the morning when I brew my coffee in a single cup drip brewer (unplug the freezer for a few minutes to do this.)

Have used this set-up on three extended trips of 5 to 14 days each and have been pleased with how it works.

I bought a couple of 100w solar panels, but have not yet decided if I will mount one or both on top of my RLD canopy, as I seldom leave vehicle sitting during the day.

Good set up, no wonder my small Jackery 300 just won't cut it even overnight. What about when you stay at camp over 2+ nights without day travels, will the 1500 last a couple of overnights at least?

 

[Mules]

It was a bit tough getting it through the 3ft. basement door. Glad I could break it down and my son and I could lift it.

 

[TexasOverlander]

Good question, OngsterA. I have thought about it, but have not yet stayed 2+days in a camp without running some trails or sightseeing each day.

Doubt that it would last running both frig and freezer more than 16 hours or so (probably less in high heat). That is why I bought the two solar panels, but am second-guessing myself on whether to install permanently or just carry along for hookup. Figured a permanent Install on my canopy roof in Texas might just invite hail storms!! May need to get a lighter weight portable panel set?

I have found that both of my Dometic units will hold good cold temps for several hours unplugged at night, so could turn off power supply for 4 to 6 hours without much concern. Longer on frig, but would not want my freezer to allow food to thaw.

Also, could extend my time if needed by using 12v plug to vehicle battery on one of the units, and 12v to Jackery for the other one for longer time. I used my smaller frig connected to my vehicle battery only for several years, and it would run 12 to 14 hours with no issues starting the vehicle.

 

[OngsterA]

Good question, OngsterA. I have thought about it, but have not yet stayed 2+days in a camp without running some trails or sightseeing each day.

Doubt that it would last running both frig and freezer more than 16 hours or so (probably less in high heat). That is why I bought the two solar panels, but am second-guessing myself on whether to install permanently or just carry along for hookup. Figured a permanent Install on my canopy roof in Texas might just invite hail storms!! May need to get a lighter weight portable panel set?

I have found that both of my Dometic units will hold good cold temps for several hours unplugged at night, so could turn off power supply for 4 to 6 hours without much concern. Longer on frig, but would not want my freezer to allow food to thaw.

Also, could extend my time if needed by using 12v plug to vehicle battery on one of the units, and 12v to Jackery for the other one for longer time. I used my smaller frig connected to my vehicle battery only for several years, and it would run 12 to 14 hours with no issues starting the vehicle.

Yep, thanks good points, I'm learning all this. Seems like portable solar might work to stretch for 2-3 days. What brands are reliable and cost-effective? Jackery sells their own, too.

 

[Mules]

Since I have a curve/bend in my top I was thinking about a flexible solar panel, like the one below. It would also be very low profile and adhere directly to the top. Does anyone have experience with flexible solar panels?

 

[Redruby]

I had a 100 watt flexible solar panel glued to my roof top tent for about 6 years the only issue that I had was that the leads from the panel had broken, might have been caught by a branch, so I had to remove it and replaced with a new flexible panel, hope this helps.

 

[Blade1668]

Thanks for the post! I didn't know they had battery boxes, with outlets build in. Now to find out what battery to use.

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Or build your own.

I installed them myself on the battery box. That way I decided what and where the different ports are located. The one you showed looks to not like rainy weather. And OH Damn it cost a lot less DYI

 

[Blade1668]

Since I have a curve/bend in my top I was thinking about a flexible solar panel, like the one below. It would also be very low profile and adhere directly to the top. Does anyone have experience with flexible solar panels?

I've currently got a flexible 100w panel but mounted in a aluminum frame I built for it, it's mounted on a set of low cost roof rails on cab area. The aluminum frame is visible on the picture in front of the awning.

 

[Mules]

Great video showing dozens of Raptor coated jeeps!

 

[FitfulGoat]

Great video showing dozens of Raptor coated jeeps!

Since it’s possible to tint raptor coating I’ll bet a good body shop could get close enough to OEM shade to look right as well.

 

[Mules]

Please, no one tell my wife that there's an overlanding washing machine available!

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