winter projects
just wondering what everyone has planned for repairs or upgrades on their truck campers over the winter.
for myself, I have to finish the new LiFePO4 build, but I keep making it more complicated ...
Forum Discussion
I added to heated LiFePo4's to mine (Vaterer 100AH batts) and a new DC Converter to handle LiFePo4's. My next project is to remove the little 50w solar panel and upgrade to a 200w flexible BougeRV panel (That I'm testing for them) and a new 40a CC to go along with it.
I've also got a 4kwh battery and Redodo 45amp DC to DC Charger (with 600w solar MPPT controller built in as well) that I'm planning on installing in the truck and feeding back to the box just in front of the wheel well. This will be a bit tricky so I'm not 100% certain I'm going to do it but if done right I'll really just need to run wires to the alternator and battery in the engine bay, install the charger under the wing of the camper and plug it into the aux solar input and then place the battery in a secure box in front of the wheel well.
This would give me the ability to charge the extra battery by switching cables and/or charge the camper batteries when needed off this 4kwh battery. It's something I've been playing with.
I've also received a new 400w foldable solar panel and have a second coming that I plan to test with a CC under the wing of the camper by the aux solar input so I can add 400-800w of solar while stationary (let's be honest, more like 300-600w since foldable panels rarely get angled right and their bends limit their ability to produce).
Lastly, I've been toying with the idea of switch to a 12v AC unit but it's a 10k BTU unit vs the 13.5k BTU's I have now and since we're in the desert I'm not sure I want to step down like that.
Nice, I don't have heated batteries, but it wouldn't be that hard to change mine, new BMS and a heating pad. I wasn't to worried as the cells I have are rated for discharge down to -35C (there is a table for the max C rate at different temps, I believe for -30C it worked out to 9 amps, so I can easily run my furnace and the hope is that will warm the batteries nicely also as the battery will be right above it. if it doesn't work quickly enough, I'll look into a heater and new BMS. I just have the one 325 watt 24V split cell panel on there, but it is enough to replinish my over night usage by noon. So unless my power usage grows thats all I will need, but I am toying with puting an inverter/charger and another panel in.
I have been looking at 12V A/C units also, but they are so expensive and still draw more power than I like. I just don't know for the kind of camping I do in the truck camper if it would be worth it. I can't remember one trip with the truck camper where I have wished I have had A/C, the 5th wheel we do have it though. I also live in a desert and yes if I camped in my driveway I would have A/C, but we just have to drive 1/2 an hour and get out of the valley into the higher elivations of the mountians and while it may be hot during the day, it cools off fast after super. some times it is 105F during the day and I am setting the furnace before I go to bed because it cools down to 41F at night.
