26 replies to this topic

[Mykiss]

How do you mount the Li cells flat, and where outside?

 

I put them in front of the camper.  Built a box using a few pieces of cut down 2x4 (cut to the width of the cells, just over 1.5") for the sides of the box.  The back of the box is just the front of the camper.  I then put a plexiglas cover on the front of the box, so I can see what's going on inside (when the camper is off the truck).  And of course some holes in the side of the box for wires.  Caulked the 2x4s to the camper and use weatherstrip for the plexi cover.  With the front rubber bumpers on the camper, there is sufficient space for the box to fit in the truck bed, but it would be worth checking this on your particular installation before proceeding.  Mine is on a 2015 F150.  So basically, a flat (mostly) sealed box on the front exterior of the camper with cells laying against the camper.  Mine are mounted upright, but one could easily mount in a different orientation.

 

I also have a charge controller (Redarc) mounted on the right side of the camper near the front, just forward of the access hole.  It is high enough that it doesn't interfere with putting the camper on and off of the truck (i.e., it doesn't hit the wheel well).  My power from the truck comes in through a port just forward of the wheel well.  Worth noting is that I have exterior mounts (Torklift) on my camper and do not use the standard bed mounts, so there is no interference between mounting hardware and the electrical wiring in the front right part of the truck bed.

 

I keep thinking I should post some pics on here but haven't got around to it.

Yes, pics required pls.

[Vic Harder]

Will use LED wave activated lights as the ones  Vic used from Eshine, 3x 40" for the living space, and 1x20" over the bed.

 

No propane set up for me, although I may have ATC install a door for future.

 

 

I don't use the wave function anymore, but love the lights.  The wave function would activate the lights randomly because of where I had the "primary" light, the folded side material would "wave" enough to cause that.  If the primary light in the chain is in the center of the camper, then this might not be an issue.  I use one of their physical dimmer switches instead.  

 

No propane?  You mentioned a sink/stove.  What's the stove going to run on?

[Atlin]

Dunno how to attach pics, but here is a pdf of the front of my camper with the battery box.

Attached Files

•  Battery box.pdf   176.19K   103 downloads

[Mykiss]

I don't use the wave function anymore, but love the lights.  The wave function would activate the lights randomly because of where I had the "primary" light, the folded side material would "wave" enough to cause that.  If the primary light in the chain is in the center of the camper, then this might not be an issue.  I use one of their physical dimmer switches instead.  

 

No propane?  You mentioned a sink/stove.  What's the stove going to run on?

Thank you Vic, I'll ask the guys to place the primary light in the centre.

I saw a few campers in Europe, with just a 1lb refillable propane bottle under the sink/stove combo. I won't use the burner often. Same with the water supply, small jug under the sink with a submersible little pump going straight from the faucet to the jug. Have the option to remove /refill the jug as needed. 

[Mykiss]

Dunno how to attach pics, but here is a pdf of the front of my camper with the battery box.

I see the BMS through the plexiglass, but is the front panel of the battery box plexiglass as well or plywood? To get to the cells, do you have to remove the screws? When the camper is on the truck, would you be able to get to the cells? That setup would save some room for sure. Thank you

[Atlin]

Cells are behind the plywood.  I was thinking I put plexi over the whole thing but after pulling it off the truck yesterday, remembered that it is plywood.  Plexi would certainly work.  There is no access when it is on the truck, and one would have to pull the plywood panel off to get to the cells.  Easily done with a few screws.  I suppose one could build a similar setup just inside the camper and have access while it is on the truck but that doesn't save any space, just redistributes the battery to be flat rather than more cubic.  And for me, I have my water tank against that front wall on one side to keep as much weight forward as possible (I have an 8-foot camper on a 6.5-foot bed, so it hangs out the back and sits on the down tailgate).

[goinoregon]

I totally agree with you, and that's why I chose ATC, they are very accommodating and pleasant to deal with. My Panther shell is due at the end of October, and decided not to have any cabinetry done by them as am not sure where I want things placed.

Most likely, I will have a cabinet with a stove/ sink combo like Jim ,with a Reliance type of water container under the sink and a submersible little pump dropped inside, activated by the faucet(I saw them used a lot in Europe)

I bought a dometic CFX DZ 75, they are on sale now!!!!! for $ 1029, very difficult to find double zone chest fridges now due to severe supply shortages. I intended to get a truckfridge/indel 65DZ but they won't be available this year. Engel, National Luna/Snowmaster, ARB, much  ore expensive, and many not available in DZ, or out of stock.

I will place the chest fridge in the front passenger side and have my wife(tiny girl  ) use it as a bench with an envivo type of seat, height of fridge is 19". ATC will install a lagun table on the passenger side. While I figure out how I want the side dinette done, I will use a folding camping chair when sitting at the table.

I built my own Lifepo4, out of 4x3v Linshen cells 280Ah for less than $600 including BMS(will see how reliable is). I won't have a cabinet for my chargers, so I have no choice for my coming trip( to Sacramento to pick up the camper and then driving further to Baja)but to place my Kisae MPPT/DC/DC combo charger, and ac/dc/inverter into a small heavy duty tool box/bin secured to the driver side shelf at the front of camper. Planning to bring all the wires from fan, lights, solar, car battery to the front driver side. All those cables, anderson connectors etc, will be fun to see

How do you mount the Li cells flat, and where outside?

I found a maax deluxe fan on sale at RVworld 

Will use LED wave activated lights as the ones  Vic used from Eshine, 3x 40" for the living space, and 1x20" over the bed.

Two porch lights, one by the entrance door and one for passenger side, from superbrightleds.com

Yakima tracks from Etrailer.

Roof cable entry gland for future solar panel. I won't have a panel installed permanently on the roof as most of the camping I do is in the mountains and heavy forested areas, but I got a Renogy 100W portable suitcase if sun available and for Baja. I got a backup Yamaha portable generator.

For heating I got a chinese diesel heater, Lavaner, they have good reviews, will see if  regret it in the future. I don't know yet how I will mount it and where, somewhere in the back. I may put it in a pelican case and use it as a portable unit instead.

No propane set up for me, although I may have ATC install a door for future.

I will ask my wife to make an arctic pac as done by Ski3, have not purchased the materials yet.

Fun project for sure!!!

i have a recent atc shell. had them put in the propane door on the driver side, which i think is their std spot. if i did it again, i would have them put the propane door on the rear. this frees up space for shelves , cabinets, and utilizes the extra room behind the wheel wheels.