Dual bat, inverter, etc for new Hilux
Submitted by timboon on Sun, 2023-12-31 10:46
G'day lads,
Getting an ally canopy built at the moment. I want a dual bat set up with all the fruit. I'll get a slimline lithium battery that will sit on a diesel tank that is the full width up the front of the canopy about 500mm high and 150mm deep if that makes sense. I want to mount all the electrical carry on on and above the tank.
Throw your ideas my way for the good gear to get and the best way to set it up.
Also not sure whether to mount an upright fridge or Engel. Leaning towards upright fridge only and will throw the 80L Engel in for a freezer on longer trips.
Appreciate any ideas or suggestions as I'm not really up to the speed with the latest good 12v gear.
Cheers - TB
![freamjp01[1].jpg](http://fishwrecked.com/files/images/freamjp01[1].thumbnail.jpg "freamjp01[1].jpg")
Billcollector
Posts: 2086
Date Joined: 16/05/09
PM sent.
PM sent.
eziliving
Posts: 879
Date Joined: 30/12/09
I'm looking to the same thing
I'm looking to the same thing to my hilux for a trip coming up in March. Are you looking to put a solar panel on your canopy? I'm looking at doing a ali cage canopy with a canvas canopy. I'm not sure if I'll go the lithium as I plan on doing a bit up north and not sure if they are to good in the heat so I've been told. Others may have a better idea.
The battery would have to be pretty well secured in I would imagine as it's a bit of weight up there. That's if the lithium are around the same weight as a gelled battery. I've got a few 200amp gelled batteries and they are around 30-40kgs I reckon.
Be good to know what you go for.
Get busy living, or get busy dying!
Billcollector
Posts: 2086
Date Joined: 16/05/09
Wouln't put lithium
Wouln't put lithium batteries under the bonnet but I have been running them for a number of years now up here in Broome inside a canopy with no problems. Definiely go solar.
Lithium are way lighter than gel or agm batteries.
Swompa
Posts: 3907
Date Joined: 14/10/12
Three in a Red Arc 1225d
Three in a Red Arc 1225d dcdc charger as well as an Anderson plug to allow solar input from front or back.
I have 150amps of lithium in the Ranger (behind the back seat) and we just did 4 days and didn't need solar. Saw the battery go down to 90% one day charging one of the guy's companion fridges (with an inbuilt battery). Draw was 5 amps an hour for 6 hours so I just gave car a quick run and she was sweet.
Didnt need solar panels for this last trip or the one previous just because we go for a drive every day when we camp.
Billcollector
Posts: 2086
Date Joined: 16/05/09
I'm running a 300 amp
I'm running a 300 amp lithium battery with 320 watts of solar on roof and bcdc 50 redarc. run an 80 litre national luna as a fridge that never gets turned off and a 40 litre national luna as a freezer on trips. Can run that no problems when we fish the fitzroy for 2 weeks.No need to set up all the crap you are seeing on the 4wd shows. My inverter gives me the state of charge if I feel like checking.
timboon
Posts: 2961
Date Joined: 14/11/10
Unlikely I'll have solar on
Unlikely I'll have solar on the roof of the canopy as usually I'll have shit packed up there or the roof top tinny
I'll rely on vehicle charge or if long term camping a panel/genni to keep topped up.
Ezi, I'm not sure if you've had a canopy before but me personally won't go near canvas again. Ally all the way....
I don't see any advantage in having canvas over Ali tbh, my canopy of 15 years ( on another Hilux ) is dust proof & water proof. Canvas is a pain in the arse. Just my opinion of course.
Wes F
Posts: 1067
Date Joined: 07/01/12
Engel on a pull out drop down slide.
Have friends who have a upright fridge and they advise not good. Not easy to keep tightly packed and every time you open the door all the cold air drops straight out.
Old fishermen never die they just smell that way.