My DC-DC Battery Box

[Marino4x4]

So I have been looking at a second battery/dual battery system for a wile now. After posting a question on this forum it seems like at the end of the day a DC-DC system is the way to go. I looked around at my options. I was very tempted to go for the HCDP DC-DC charger sold by Bush Power. Their unit that they sell with a battery is an 12A system and not their 30A unit. Their price however is quite competitive and to courier the box and battery to Bloem would have been only R350. The quote I got for the 12A system and lead crystal battery was R6649, courier included.

The option I went for after deciding to bite the bullet and rather do it right the first time was a CTec D250S Duel charger and a 100Ah AGM battery that I could get in Bloem at Current Automation. The charger and battery was R5724. Not to bad if I look at the other quotes I got.

I bought a battery box from Outdoor Warehouse (OW) and a battery volt indicator with Brad Harrison plugs and some cigarette lighter plugs. All the components can be seen bellow.

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On Saturday I took some time and started modifying the the box, wiring and assembly. I used 10A circuit breakers instead of fuses. This is just easier to reset than to replace a fuse and at R35 one it was not that bad an investment.

Here are some photos of the end product.

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Unfortunately I had to put all the plugs on the lid. I also had to make the wires to the plugs long enough so that it is not a hassle to open the lid.

My next step is to connect the CTek with the battery in front. It will connect with a BH plug, I will do this tonight or tomorrow night. We are leaving for the Richtersveld in two weeks time. I will properly test it there. The nice thing about the box is I will be able to remove it completely from my car and put the fridge and box in the tent or somewhere closely. It does not have to be in the car that might have to stand in the hot sun.

I will take some photos of the box in the car after the complete installation.

The cost of the box with all the fittings, bolts and wires are R7800.

[IanT]

Looks Great

[ricster]

Nicely done mate !!!!

[offroadbiker]

Could you not have bought the HCDP without the battery?

I bough mine (the 30A) build for me by Bushpower for under R5k in Feb so with the same battery as yours the cost was R6,300, just wondering...

But job well done, also have mine as a loose unit so can use outside the vehicle or inside another vehicle if required.

Please give feedback after the trip.

[Herrie]

Dit lyk baie goed en behoort baie goed te werk ook.

[Marino4x4]

Could you not have bought the HCDP without the battery?

I bough mine (the 30A) build for me by Bushpower for under R5k in Feb so with the same battery as yours the cost was R6,300, just wondering...

But job well done, also have mine as a loose unit so can use outside the vehicle or inside another vehicle if required.

Please give feedback after the trip.

Ek het seker net swak navorsing gedoen. Toe ek sien dat die battery en die laaier goedkoper is, toe koop ek. Dit is al die ekstras: boks, skroewe, volt meter en plugs wat dit duurder gemaak het. Ek glo tog dat wat ek het my jare gaan hou so nou te laat om my self te skop.

[ricster]

You did make the right choice in my opinion. The C-Tek unit is IP65, it is also dust proof !!!! I don't know about the HCDP unit, but I do know the C-Tek unit, and electronics and dust and moisture don't mix well when on an outing through the jungles of Africa.....

[JoshJ]

Very well done

I have almost the same setup. Just fuses instead of breakers. Very clever. I would have never thought of it. But without the luna Voltadge meter. Can you please post a pic on your connection of the meter. I would like to install one as well.

[Marino4x4]

Hi Josh

I connected the two wires to the CTek charger. My battery terminals got a bit cluttered by all the different connections there.

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I figured that it has the same effect as connecting it to the battery terminals. National Luna suggests that a 1-2A fuse is used on the + side, but I did not include this. Hope it does not bit me in the

[Tinus lotz]

Marino gebruik net een van daai blade fuse holders ....as jy mooi kyk is daai monitor direk op jou battery. ....daar is baie stroom om n vuur te feul ....miskien blaas hy nooit nie maar beter safe than sorry....great setup jy moet net n tokkel skakelaar insit sodat jou battery se cycles nie gebruik word vir werk toe en terug nie....daar is 450 charge cycles in daai battery. ..as hy vol is sit hom af dan laai jy hom net wanneer jy hom nodig het