hi ranger peeps!
looking for knowledge, ideas, suggestions, needed parts & potential hazards about my intended project.

I'm planning to go full-retard on my electrical system...upgraded alternator, big 3 mod, dual battery & re-location,mount solar panel/ charger, install 1500w inverter (and eventually an air compressor of some sort)
Right now I'm collecting parts, and I think I have most of the big ticket items..

I currently have:
1500w inverter
3 large capacity (105ah) marine batteries
90w solar panel and all needed controllers, fuses, etc..
200w alternator

I get paid next friday and i'll be ordering additional items..
I'm thinking a 80A continuous duty solenoid?, could use some input on this..not sure if i want or need anything larger?

and i also want to get any inline breakers/fuses i will need, again- I could use some input to keep everything safe and reliable as possible

suggestions on mounting a solar panel on a topper would be helpful also.

thanks in advance!

 

so why are you doing all of this?

 

I'd like to have mobile work station, for powering & recharging tools.

I'd also like to help people that may be stuck on the side of the road..give them a jump start or whatever.

and because i think its a cool & challenging project.

thanks for commenting, I think I put this in the wrong section or something.

 

When running your new grounding system add two additional ground wires one from the battery to one of the starter bolts and the other to the alternator housing (that one might be included in the big-3), use some anti-corrosive paste on all connections.

Don’t add any of the new batteries to your system until you can add all three at once.

If you haven’t thought of it add Plug in Jumper Cable Connections on the front and rear of the vehicle. Also, add a relay, (250 amp) to the jumper-cable connector(s) circuit, both connectors off of one relay or two relays if you like extra wiring and switches.

If you were to add a welder under the hood you can use it to power some 120 v components.
It won’t be as clear power as your 1500w inverter but for power tools it can work.

Will the solar panel be enough to charge the batteries, i.e. 7.5 amps, a good trickle charger.
If you mount the Solar Panel on the top of anything on the truck watch out for the branches scraping it, not sure how to protect an exposed panel…

I didn’t see any mention of high powered LED work lights, where will they be ? ($$$ - could be expensive)
Any warning flashers, like LED Strobes; when you stop to help people you will need strobes of some kind ?

One last thing, if you haven’t already purchased the 80 amp relay, consider the higher amperage models (250), they aren’t a lot different in price but will take all you will need to dish out... OR size the relays per the circuit load, each being different and you might save money in the long run.


I am part of the Emergency Reaction Team for the local CD Unit and Amateur Radio Response Team.
We set up communications where needed within the city and adjacent towns with The Red Cross backing; it is interesting volunteer work.

The grounding system is the most important system on the truck, yes you need good power and supply lines but with a good grounding system things get sketchy really quick; power problems and noise in the line can usually be cleared up with better grounding.
Remember to keep all of your connections sealed and use a good quality non-conductive, anti-corsive paste on all connections.
Clean all mating surfaces before making an electrical connection.
Solder and clean all wire joints, you can crimp the joint, then solder it too.
Use Heat Shrink with adhesive inside to seal all soldered joints.

Luck with the project, an interesting one !