Powering your fridge/lights etc while camping

[pzver]

Hello Guy's,

Need your input on some questions that I have on how to power my Engel, lights and other items while camping.

I've got a KJ and as you know their is no room for a second battery under the bonnet. At the same time while I'm driving I would like to run the Engel but I'm not wanting to plug the Engel into the cig lighter to keep it going.
I have been looking at the following set ups but am not sure which one would be the best to go. I would just like to know how you guy's power up your items and what experiences you have.

The items that I looked at are as follows:

1. a) While going from a to b I could install decent wiring in the back and plug to handle the Engel using the main battery to power it while driving.
b) When arriving at the camp site power all my items, Engel, light etc using a Honda Eu10i. I can use this thing to power up my lap top also.

2) Scrap all the above and purchase a Thumper 70amp battery system. It comes with a set up kit(wiring, plug etc). While driving the Thumper is plugged in and recharging and when I get to the camp site just take it out from the KJ plug the fridge in and what ever else.

Only problem with this is if I'm staying at a place for more than 2 days I'm stuffed because of no where to recharge the battery.

Any input on what you guy's do would be great just to give me some ideas as I want to look at all options before spending my $$$

Peter

[Fouros]

i think froop has a second battery in his KJ

[froop]

Yes, I do have a second battery, but you'll only manage to fit it under the bonnet of a CRD, not a petrol. And even then only after rearranging the existing battery, power distribution block and ECU.

Another alternative is to see what size battery you can squeeze under the front passenger seat.

And yet another option (haven't really thought too hard about this - its really just an observation from some KJ pics from the US) is if you replace the existing air inlet with something like the K&N air-tube (below) you can remove the airbox and possible fit a second battery in there.

[Fouros]

that might work froop

[goodol55]

Originally Posted by pzver

The items that I looked at are as follows:

1. a) While going from a to b I could install decent wiring in the back and plug to handle the Engel using the main battery to power it while driving.
b) When arriving at the camp site power all my items, Engel, light etc using a Honda Eu10i. I can use this thing to power up my lap top also.



Only problem with this is if I'm staying at a place for more than 2 days I'm stuffed because of no where to recharge the battery.


Peter

Hi Peyter,
I went the 1a) and 1b) route. The little Honda Eu10 runs the Waeco 60l quite well - we just run the Honda a couple of hours in the morning and a couple at night. You can always use it to charge your car battery as well.

We use gas lights though.

HTH's

Kel

[pzver]

Thanks Fouros & Froop for the info.

Goodol55, cheers mate. I'm going to go down the same path as you on this one.

Peter

[Pipeliner]

I have the Everkool fridge in the back of the KJ running off the cig lighter power socket whilst driving. At the campsite I either power it from the GMC gen set or a Supercheap jump start battery. If all else fails I just leave it unpowered overnight.