Portable battery options to run accessories and fridge.

[Ruben Ferran]

Hey all, new to Overlanding but love the outdoors, I’m looking into options to run a second battery or portable battery station to keep the fridge running, and run any necessary accessories. Would like the option to charge the battery station via, plug, car port, and solar. I don’t mind a DIY project but would need a step by step. If anyone would be kind enough to share there hard work, and ideas I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[blendorbot]

Hey all, new to Overlanding but love the outdoors, I’m looking into options to run a second battery or portable battery station to keep the fridge running, and run any necessary accessories. Would like the option to charge the battery station via, plug, car port, and solar. I don’t mind a DIY project but would need a step by step. If anyone would be kind enough to share there hard work, and ideas I would greatly appreciate it. View attachment 74070

I went with the National Luna Portable Power Pack and ran the charging cable to the battery. I am not handy enough to put a system like that together myself and I know there are other options. I also rewired an inverter to use the 50amp anderson plug output instead of 12V. The whole system has worked great with a Dometic cfx40 fridge for several trips now. I am using an Optima Blue top AGM battery. Lighter than other deep cycles but only 75AH. Enough for a few days if I am not driving. I am considering adding solar at some point but not needed yet.

 

[Tmarinich]

 

[Tmarinich]

I built a solar and battery and ran it for about 6 hours. Batteries never discharged. Voltage stayed around 13.3 volts on average the whole time.

 

[Boort]

@Tmarinich

View attachment 74105

Any links of write up on what's in the box? I'd be interested in seeing how you set up your ammo can.

Boort

 

[Tmarinich]

I can take pics and post them.

 

[Tmarinich]

I can take pics and post them.

I can take pics and post them.

You can charge via the solar panel or through the cigarette lighter if you are on the go.

 

[Ruben Ferran]

That’s exactly like what I want to do.

 

[Ruben Ferran]

You can charge via the solar panel or through the cigarette lighter if you are on the go.

Any chance you put together a parts list that I can follow?

 

[Tmarinich]

Let me dig up my list. This was a prototype so I would get better batteries. I chose two so if one failed I had a spare. They’re in parallel so voltage is 12v but the amps are doubled. 10AH each for 20AH total. There better battery options but the dimensions are what is important.

 

[Tmarinich]

Let me dig up my list. This was a prototype so I would get better batteries. I chose two so if one failed I had a spare. They’re in parallel so voltage is 12v but the amps are doubled. 10AH each for 20AH total. There better battery options but the dimensions are what is important.

https://powerwerx.com/panel-mounts

 

[southernbuzz]

I built a solar and battery and ran it for about 6 hours. Batteries never discharged. Voltage stayed around 13.3 volts on average the whole time.

It drained my battery but Im in South Florida with hot weather.