DIY Battery box

4ePikanini · Mon Mar 08, 2010 4:31 pm

I have this in mind - I think it will work out less than buying one. ( Replacement parts definitely would be cheaper )

Comments and criticism?

Maybe I'll make a few and sell them if it's a good idea....

jaco_n · Mon Mar 08, 2010 4:39 pm

This is the exact same thing I had in mind. I'm just not that electrically inclined and will need help. I was searching around for a couple of DC-DC charges, on of them is the BC and then I saw the inverter / Dc-DC charger combo in the SA4x4 mag that looks good.

4ePikanini · Mon Mar 08, 2010 9:53 pm

I'm having difficulty finding DC-DC chargers online.

What options are available for a DC-DC charger?

4ePajero · Mon Mar 08, 2010 10:31 pm

4ePikanini wrote:I'm having difficulty finding DC-DC chargers online.

What options are available for a DC-DC charger?

Phone JTF MANUFACTURING (JEAN THEART) CONTACT: zero eight two 410-1641

I think he sells the BC-1212-15 DC Input Dual Battery Splitter/Charger

4ePikanini · Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:58 am

4ePajero wrote:
4ePikanini wrote:I'm having difficulty finding DC-DC chargers online.

What options are available for a DC-DC charger?
Phone JTF MANUFACTURING (JEAN THEART) CONTACT: zero eight two 410-1641

I think he sells the BC-1212-15 DC Input Dual Battery Splitter/Charger

Jip. That is the only one I found online. I was hoping for a slightly less expensive model and available locally.

4ePikanini · Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:52 am

Aha. I sent Jean from JTF an email.

He has that specific model at R1480.00. If we negotiate a group buy we might get some discount.

he sent me 3 spec sheets

perfect. Just need to get some money together and I'll post up a build. I'm sure this will work beautifully. It will help with the power cuts we have these days as well. ( Surely a TV and decoder can run from a battery and inverter 500w/1000w )

Who is keen on buying?

tonton · Wed Apr 13, 2011 11:19 am

4ePikanini wrote:...Maybe I'll make a few and sell them if it's a good idea....

Marius,

Still considering making them? If yes, any idea of price?

Anton

4ePikanini · Wed Apr 13, 2011 11:48 am

tonton wrote:
4ePikanini wrote:...Maybe I'll make a few and sell them if it's a good idea....
Marius,

Still considering making them? If yes, any idea of price?

Anton

I think the best thing to do if you don't want to build yourself is to make a list of
what you have
what you want to spend
where you want to use it
store it
what you want to use it for
what vehicle
power requirements
etc.

And then get it custom made to your requirement - I would be happy to assist here, even if it is just sending wiring schematics or helping telephonically/email. If you create a thread here you will have way more valuable useful input for FREE. There are far more knowledgeable folk here to help than me and in turn others can learn and benefit as well.

My cost was

Battery - FREE - had one lying around that was revived with an intelligent charger - still plan on getting a newer bigger one.
Toolbox - FREE - again had one lying around
800Watt Inverter - R670 on special from midas
2x 3 pin wall socket - FREE - Had it lying around
Cabling to back of car - FREE - came with car
Flat 100 Amp Fuse and fuse holder - R100 from Outdoor warehouse
Cigarette socket, crimps and wiring - FREE - had them lying around
Brad Harrison connector - R50 from Outdoor Warehouse

So in the end it was cheap for me as I had lots of stuff already lying around and made that work for me.

If you were to go and purchase all these things separately plus factor in the time I'm sure you may get it cheaper elsewhere as a complete system.

The only thing I want to do still is to have a Cole Hersee or NL solenoid fitted in the engine bay with a dual monitor

Like these

If you splash out and get everything for every possible scenario, I can easily spend over R5k for a good system with DC-DC Chargers, deep cycle battery, monitors, solenoids, cabling, connectors etc.

4ePikanini · Wed Apr 13, 2011 11:50 am

good reads here as well

http://www.overland.co.za/Dual_Battery/

nino62 · Wed Apr 13, 2011 2:45 pm

Hi Anton
I recently bought one of the NL controller dual gauges....best money spent (even has audible warning & multiple settings), and had it linked to the factory made NL Aux battery box, which I use in either of my Padj's. At least if I sell a vehicle, the system stays with me.
Turned out a trouble free, hassle free system, for my needs.

Ps. - I'm presently in a small Sicilian (+-10 000km permanent locals) town, and I'm pleasantly astounded at the number of Gen1, 2 and 3's that are around here. I'll try to take a few photos, and post on the site.

Cheers.
Achille