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Portable power solutions

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Shane
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Portable power solutions

#1

Post by Shane »

So I'm looking at some form of power supply for camping/overlanding.

Due to the fact that I don't want permanent kit in my hilux, I must be able to add/remove as needed.

Baically to power some campung lights, fridge and whatever else may be required.

I already have power laid to the bin with a Brad Harris plug on the end.

Looking at these battery boxses.

Any suggestions?

https://4x4direct.co.za/battery-boxes/9 ... ZcEALw_wcB

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Last edited by Shane on Wed May 19, 2021 6:24 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Mad Manny
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#2

Post by Mad Manny »

R9k no battery?
You could make one yourself for less.
Will you only charge off the alternator, or would you want to charge with Solar?

I'd just fit a battery in a box, charged from alternator, have a cut off switch to prevent the 2nd battery from draining the cranking battery.
Add a series of outlets (Brad Harrison, Hella, USB and a few 12v pin ports.
Cheap simple...

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Shane
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#3

Post by Shane »

Thanks Manny! What would this forum be without you!!!

I should have been a little clearer - sorry. But I intend on building my own box. 9k is madness.

It's the practicalities -pros/cons that I'm looking for.

Already have a solar panel and plan to fit all the required goodies.

Also battery type/size?

I see some talk about 100ah lithium batteries.

I know diddly squat about batteries etc.
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#4

Post by Mad Manny »

Then you need a DC-DC charger that is also Solar Compatible (Like a NL or Victron).
Most are not solar compatible.

If you are going LiFePo4 you need a DC-DC charger that can charge LiFePo4 & I think only Victron & certain C-Teks can.
Very few DC-DC chargers can charge aLiFePo4 & do Solar. You are gonna hoes.
Maybe R9k gfor the charger & R8k - R10k for a decent LiFePo4 battery.
You'll be in for R24k...

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Shane
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#5

Post by Shane »

Shite!!!

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#6

Post by KurtG »

Listen to this wise old man: https://youtu.be/eACTeKBlmF8
Flex is overrated
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Shane
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#7

Post by Shane »

Hey Kurt how you doing?

Thanks, I'll check it out!
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#8

Post by jotto »

Hi Shane

I am a retailer for the Jackery portable battery solutions, if that was something you may be interested in :)

We currently market 3 of the Jackery products.

The Explorer 250 and the Explorer 500 are portable power stations that combine a lithium-ion battery, pure sine wave inverter and a MPPT solar charge controller in one compact unit.

They are designed to give you reliable, easy-to-use, portable power wherever you need it from exploring and camping to power outages

(Pretty important in the SA Market with our load shedding issues)

The 3rd product is the SolarSaga which is a 100W portable, foldable, high quality solar panel.

There are also thousands of great reviews online if you would like to get an idea of the product.

The other major + the Jackery product carries, is that it is the only portable power station in SA that holds NRCS Certification to SANS Standards.

Our pricing is as follows:
-Jackery Explorer 250 @ R6500 Inclusive
-Jackery Explorer 500 @ R9950 Inclusive
-Jackery SolarSage 100 Panel @ R5500 Inclusive

10% discount to all club members ordering from me directly.

You can contact me directly on 0827088048 or via our website - jackery.co.za
Jotto
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#9

Post by Crips »

Hi Shane
You can look at this website for bits and bobs if you want to build your own.
I bought my solar charge controller and solar panel from them
https://www.sustainable.co.za/
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Shane
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#10

Post by Shane »

Thanks Crips!
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LesseW
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#11

Post by LesseW »

Shane, jy kan n 150W foldable paneel koop by setsolar.co.za vir rofweg R1600. Ek het so een en hy werk briljant.

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Wave
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#12

Post by Wave »

If you are in JHB you can buy the SnoMaster battery box (no battery) from SnoMaster when they have one of their sales (about 3 or 4 times a year) for about R1200, really good value
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Apocalypse
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#13

Post by Apocalypse »

jotto wrote: ↑
Thu May 20, 2021 6:41 am
 Hi Shane

I am a retailer for the Jackery portable battery solutions, if that was something you may be interested in :)

We currently market 3 of the Jackery products.

The Explorer 250 and the Explorer 500 are portable power stations that combine a lithium-ion battery, pure sine wave inverter and a MPPT solar charge controller in one compact unit.

They are designed to give you reliable, easy-to-use, portable power wherever you need it from exploring and camping to power outages

(Pretty important in the SA Market with our load shedding issues)

The 3rd product is the SolarSaga which is a 100W portable, foldable, high quality solar panel.

There are also thousands of great reviews online if you would like to get an idea of the product.

The other major + the Jackery product carries, is that it is the only portable power station in SA that holds NRCS Certification to SANS Standards.

Our pricing is as follows:
-Jackery Explorer 250 @ R6500 Inclusive
-Jackery Explorer 500 @ R9950 Inclusive
-Jackery SolarSage 100 Panel @ R5500 Inclusive

10% discount to all club members ordering from me directly.

You can contact me directly on 0827088048 or via our website - jackery.co.za
those seem like pretty good value - what is the battery size on them?
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Mad Manny
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#14

Post by Mad Manny »

I hope the Jackery is better and cheaper than that useless Flexopower444.
Because that is crap...
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#15

Post by BushWacker »

For camping and vehicle stuff I'm probably staying with Lead batteries ( AGM) ... I carry up to 3 :
1 the charging battery for the car
1 Portable Aux HCDP ' Battery box ' in car for fridge ( DIY)
1 my trailer battery ( served by on-board charger+solar)
So second two can be readily charged by
on board chargers or solar bia my single 100W panel ...
and I also carry a 220V intelligent battery charger.
All batteries interchangeable .
I only need one solar panel as my fridge is only 35L
... big fridges are a continual bigger load call on your whole system ... require more solar Panel area, hours etc
Small fridge mainly for meat and beers ,
... big coolbox with frozen 2L milk for rest of stuff .

You can buy a battery box piecemeal and assemble
yourself ( Cheapest ... and custom appropriate ) :

Plastic battery box ( container only)
Stepped Fascia as in post #1 ...
DC-DC unit ( HCDP or ? WRDM etc )
Wiring
Connectors, Plugs etc that go into Stepped Fascia
Battery
eg via 4*4Direct, BushPower, Loftus Caravans, AC-DC etc
BushPower site provides wiring diagram for DC-DC unit
Last edited by BushWacker on Thu May 20, 2021 11:33 am, edited 4 times in total.
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