Another update. I wasn't happy with my power supply even though I'm running dual batteries upfront, topped off by solar. I wanted to beef up the system to support the charging of filming and photography equipment, and running power to a future trailer climate system, fridge, hot water heater, etc. Each of my two Odyssey Extreme's are great, but only rated at ~65ah each. They currently run the Jeep's accessories, winch, lighting, communications, and tent power. Bottom line, I needed more.
Enter the 125ah VMAX Solar Tank. Then I needed somewhere to hold this 100lb behemoth, so I picked up the driver's side rack from Springtail Solutions. (This is the absolute largest (physically) batter that will fit in this rack. The top opening fits with about a few millimeters on each side). I also wanted something that wasn't going to take up valuable cargo room and utilized the "odd space" that I didn't really use for anything else. It also had to work with my sliding fridge/stove combo. It allows you to keep using your rear seats too.
A very easy install and once in, it's solid and can easily handle this battery weight. Here it is installed. The wires you see are from the VMAX solar tank charger that I've tucked down under the battery on the inside of the rack below it. While this system will be charged by solar, and the Jeep's alternator when running, I wanted the option of direct shore power again when available.
Then I needed to install a beefy inverter to handle the kind of power output I'm expecting. I chose the Xantrex PRO 2000 pure sine wave inverter. 3,000 watts peak, 1800w continuous, if you can get power to it, it will power a small house. So I ended up running 1/0 awg wire, fused at 250 amps directly to it from the VMAX. Again, not having a lot of room, I chose to mount the inverter on the opposite side in the unused space. The inverter has a large footprint, so there wasn't a lot of options.
Here's a shot of the cargo area, with both installed showing that I still have decent storage space. (Obviously the fridge is taken out to work.)
So then I needed to add the rest of the distribution system and build a cover for the VMAX tank so it wasn't exposed. I took some measurements and build a plywood housing with terminal posts. I had to cut out for the rear rollbar and cut out a window on the side for access and maintenance.
Then I carpeted it to blend in and secured it to the rack. You can see how the rear cutout slides under the rollbar. I mounted the distribution block and solar controller on top.
Here's a shot of the back with the fridge back in, and the rear seats up. I've mounted a heavy duty power strip to the rollbar. Still need to do some wire hiding and cleanup.
An Anderson plug runs into the solar controller from the front. I covered the lower front with carpet but left if loose just to allow for the 1/0 awg wire to travel out of the bottom to the inverter.
The whole system will be charged with two 79w Flexopower panels for a total of 158W when parked.
Next up, connecting the National Luna isolator from the Genesis Dual Battery kit up front to the VMAX tank in the rear for a tri-battery system. When linked, it will produce 255 amp hours of power, each battery sequentially charged/topped off before connecting the next. (Cranking --> Aux front --> Vmax tank) Then once all three are topped off, they will run connected. More updates on the way. I've done lots of projects just haven't had time to post.
Enter the 125ah VMAX Solar Tank. Then I needed somewhere to hold this 100lb behemoth, so I picked up the driver's side rack from Springtail Solutions. (This is the absolute largest (physically) batter that will fit in this rack. The top opening fits with about a few millimeters on each side). I also wanted something that wasn't going to take up valuable cargo room and utilized the "odd space" that I didn't really use for anything else. It also had to work with my sliding fridge/stove combo. It allows you to keep using your rear seats too.
A very easy install and once in, it's solid and can easily handle this battery weight. Here it is installed. The wires you see are from the VMAX solar tank charger that I've tucked down under the battery on the inside of the rack below it. While this system will be charged by solar, and the Jeep's alternator when running, I wanted the option of direct shore power again when available.
Then I needed to install a beefy inverter to handle the kind of power output I'm expecting. I chose the Xantrex PRO 2000 pure sine wave inverter. 3,000 watts peak, 1800w continuous, if you can get power to it, it will power a small house. So I ended up running 1/0 awg wire, fused at 250 amps directly to it from the VMAX. Again, not having a lot of room, I chose to mount the inverter on the opposite side in the unused space. The inverter has a large footprint, so there wasn't a lot of options.
Here's a shot of the cargo area, with both installed showing that I still have decent storage space. (Obviously the fridge is taken out to work.)
So then I needed to add the rest of the distribution system and build a cover for the VMAX tank so it wasn't exposed. I took some measurements and build a plywood housing with terminal posts. I had to cut out for the rear rollbar and cut out a window on the side for access and maintenance.
Then I carpeted it to blend in and secured it to the rack. You can see how the rear cutout slides under the rollbar. I mounted the distribution block and solar controller on top.
Here's a shot of the back with the fridge back in, and the rear seats up. I've mounted a heavy duty power strip to the rollbar. Still need to do some wire hiding and cleanup.
An Anderson plug runs into the solar controller from the front. I covered the lower front with carpet but left if loose just to allow for the 1/0 awg wire to travel out of the bottom to the inverter.
The whole system will be charged with two 79w Flexopower panels for a total of 158W when parked.
Next up, connecting the National Luna isolator from the Genesis Dual Battery kit up front to the VMAX tank in the rear for a tri-battery system. When linked, it will produce 255 amp hours of power, each battery sequentially charged/topped off before connecting the next. (Cranking --> Aux front --> Vmax tank) Then once all three are topped off, they will run connected. More updates on the way. I've done lots of projects just haven't had time to post.
