Power Past the 2nd Row (1 Viewer)

[peytonkristen]

I'm finally building out my 97 model for some camping and overlanding and want to install a way to access some power behind the 2nd Row of seat. I want to be able to charge some things, provide power to my RTT, and power some lights, etc. Thinking about using some Anderson connectors and just needing some ideas on what works for everyone. Thanks!

 

[CrabCake]

Are you running a single or dual battery setup? I'd suggest a dual for running any aux stuff while the truck is parked (RTT, etc.). You can isolate power and even throw some solar charging on that RTT for longer off-grid time.

I have one power panel on the driver's side that is fed from the primary battery (always on with fuse) and one on the passenger side that is powered from the secondary. This side runs more amps on a larger cable for my ARB air compressor and is on a breaker to use when intended and turned off when not. I'd run a fridge, RTT lighting, etc. from this if needed when the truck is parked so I always have the primary for cranking back up!

Just some thoughts to consider given the looks of your setup so far. Also, if you have a marine store close by (most likely so with the pontoon in the background ), they tend to have a lot of stuff on hand that may be useful (power panels, fuses, connectors, etc.).

 

[peytonkristen]

Are you running a single or dual battery setup? I'd suggest a dual for running any aux stuff while the truck is parked (RTT, etc.). You can isolate power and even throw some solar charging on that RTT for longer off-grid time.

I have one power panel on the driver's side that is fed from the primary battery (always on with fuse) and one on the passenger side that is powered from the secondary. This side runs more amps on a larger cable for my ARB air compressor and is on a breaker to use when intended and turned off when not. I'd run a fridge, RTT lighting, etc. from this if needed when the truck is parked so I always have the primary for cranking back up!

Just some thoughts to consider given the looks of your setup so far. Also, if you have a marine store close by (most likely so with the pontoon in the background ), they tend to have a lot of stuff on hand that may be useful (power panels, fuses, connectors, etc.).

I am currently looking at adding the dual battery setup. Do you have any specifics or pics of your dual battery setup and how you extended everything to the rear? Your setup sounds exactly like what I'm wanting to do. I actually have an account with a marine wholesaler close to me and have done quite a lot of work on boats and rewiring them. Almost everything I do on my vehicles is marine grade stuff. Thanks for your help!

 

[jpoole]

Sounds like you have enough experience to know a lot of what's below but maybe there are a few useful ideas here. Of course, your specific use cases for the 80 will have to guide your course on how you implement this system.

If you aren't setting up a camper where you need to run water pump(s), heat, have solar panels and/or other built-in electrical systems I think that using lipo4 power station(s) are a viable alternative vs. a built in battery/system.

On my 80 I ended up not adding a permanently installed secondary battery but instead use one of a few different portable power packs depending on the situation/trip. I've setup, and used longterm, other vehicles (campers, boats, cabins) with permanently installed house battery systems so have a lot of experience with a variety approaches in this area.

I did run a 4 gauge wire from the starting battery to the passenger side, rear quarter panel. That 4 gauge run is fused at the battery and then there are fuse boxes in the center console and the rear quarter panel that tap into this heavier wire run and support adding multiple circuits in each area. That setup supports the following at the center console:

• numerous usb outlets (some in place of two of the old coin trays on the front of the console)
• a cigarette style outlet or two
• an 450w (roughly) inverter that's mounted aft of the e brake

In the rear it supports:

• a few more usb and cigarette style outlets for running devices in the rear
• power to our camping trailer which runs a fridge while underway and has an onboard battery to maintain, etc.
• a small vacuum that charges whenever the 80 is switched on

I think it's worth adding multiple usb outlets per seat as well as 120v ac and cigarette style outlets at the center console. On our many trips in the 80 we've been able to power anything that we wanted from the seating areas. I also can safely recharge the portable power packs or run the fridge from the cargo area while underway which matches our uses well. I decided to make all of these outlets switched by the 80's ignition/key so that I don't have to keep an eye on what my kids leave plugged in/etc.

A few other details that I think are worth considering an eye on:

• If you go the portable power pack route, pass-through charging may be an asset. Pass-through charging means you can run devices off of the battery pack while it's charging and for something like a fridge this can mean that it stays plugged in and on through on-off cycles of the 80 power system at stops/etc.
• Anderson or similarly secure plugs may be best in the rear cargo area where you may want to leave a fridge plugged in for days and not worry about it loosing power. There are also some cigarette style sockets that are more secure than others, that I've had luck with, though I do keep an eye on them.
• Permanent solar installation would tip me towards adding a built-in battery system and is my preferred setup for rigs that I camp/live in long term and for rigs that see a lot of outdoor, long-term storage.
• Long-term maintenance and flexibility can be pretty relevant factors. Minimizing alterations to stock wiring, safely handling long-term storage without degredation and similar considerations can all be important.
• Securing heavy items that are inside the 80 is always a good idea to prevent them from becoming projectiles in a crash.

When I do camp inside the 80 (sleeping platform) the only duty that the starting battery has are the overhead/stock lights that have led bulbs and I minimize their use. The power packs handle everything else and I find this setup works really well.

The main benefits of the power pack, vs permanent 2nd battery, approach are the lower long-term maintenance and flexibility/simplicity of the built-in system. Our 80 has supported trailer camping trips, tent/hammock trips, in-the-80 camping trips and a variety of other outings equally well over the past years with this setup. I also use the battery packs away from the 80 so get more use out of them during their lifecycles.

Great looking rig and let us know what you come up with. I particularly look forward to seeing if you use any outlets/sockets that are worth upgrading to in my rig.

 

[greentruck]

This thread covers what I did to address many of the same issues as you are looking at: From Misfortune to Light of a New Day: Setting Up the Replacement Truck - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/from-misfortune-to-light-of-a-new-day-setting-up-the-replacement-truck.1326951/

 

[jonheld]

Everyone's use case is different.
I like to keep things as simple as possible. Single battery, stock OEM alternator.
I used a Blue Sea panel in place of the 3rd row ashtray. Powered from a constant hot aux fuse panel under the hood.
Standard 12V plug for my fridge and dual USB A for any other doodads that I might need during the night.
I have LED hatch lights that are powered off the dome light circuit with a switch mounted in the handle cover.
They make good reading lamps and work well for loading in the dark without losing night vision.

 

[Delta VS]

Quarter Panel Mount (QPM) is a great place to centralize power in the back