I've been working on this project for a few months, and would have completed it sooner but a back injury side-lined me for a while. My goal was to power accessories (lighting, USB charging, SnoMaster EX75 fridge) with an independent battery, and to charge that battery via the alternator and solar. The fridge will reside in the LC full time.
For charging, I went with a Redarc BCDC1240 due to it's high current capacity and ability to charge LiFePo4 batteries. I use their brake controller and it has performed perfectly, so I decided to stick with a known brand. For accessory control, I decided on the sPod Bantam with touch screen, again, based on prior experience with the brand. For the auxiliary battery, I purchased a Lion Energy Safari UT1300. I was initially looking at Battleborn, but Costco was running a special on the Lion @ $699.
The BCDC is mounted in the engine bay on top of the fusebox. I originally planned to mount it on the rear panel of my ARB drawers, but couldn't get all the required cabling to fit in the door sills. The Bantam is right behind the fusebox, on a modified Power Trays bracket. The battery is mounted on the side wing of my drawers, just behind the rear seat. It's held in place with Velcro strips on the bottom, which stick very aggressively to the ARB carpeting. There's also a Velcro strip on the side of the battery securing it to the interior side panel. I installed a 12V power outlet and a dual USB port with voltage display on the rear face of my ARB side kit, each on it's own sPod switch.
SInce the fridge is dual voltage, it automatically switches to 12V when 120V is not available. While driving, it's plugged in to the OEM inverter (I ran a short extension cord from the rear receptacle so I had access with the ARB side kit in place) and when parked away from home, it switches over to 12V. Once I install a solar panel, my reliance on shore power for the fridge will be minimal (I will plug in at home since my LC is garaged).
Here are some pics. . .if you have any questions feel free to ask. Overall this was a fairly easy installation. The most difficult part was getting my cables (1-#6, 3-#10, Ethernet) through the firewall grommet. That as a PITA.
For charging, I went with a Redarc BCDC1240 due to it's high current capacity and ability to charge LiFePo4 batteries. I use their brake controller and it has performed perfectly, so I decided to stick with a known brand. For accessory control, I decided on the sPod Bantam with touch screen, again, based on prior experience with the brand. For the auxiliary battery, I purchased a Lion Energy Safari UT1300. I was initially looking at Battleborn, but Costco was running a special on the Lion @ $699.
The BCDC is mounted in the engine bay on top of the fusebox. I originally planned to mount it on the rear panel of my ARB drawers, but couldn't get all the required cabling to fit in the door sills. The Bantam is right behind the fusebox, on a modified Power Trays bracket. The battery is mounted on the side wing of my drawers, just behind the rear seat. It's held in place with Velcro strips on the bottom, which stick very aggressively to the ARB carpeting. There's also a Velcro strip on the side of the battery securing it to the interior side panel. I installed a 12V power outlet and a dual USB port with voltage display on the rear face of my ARB side kit, each on it's own sPod switch.
SInce the fridge is dual voltage, it automatically switches to 12V when 120V is not available. While driving, it's plugged in to the OEM inverter (I ran a short extension cord from the rear receptacle so I had access with the ARB side kit in place) and when parked away from home, it switches over to 12V. Once I install a solar panel, my reliance on shore power for the fridge will be minimal (I will plug in at home since my LC is garaged).
Here are some pics. . .if you have any questions feel free to ask. Overall this was a fairly easy installation. The most difficult part was getting my cables (1-#6, 3-#10, Ethernet) through the firewall grommet. That as a PITA.
