Power Bank size for truck

[802flyfish]

Just put a deposit down on a Super pacific camper. Looking at picking up a power bank that can charge off the alternator. Can anyone recommend a size that can handle medium use and have the ability to endure the colder climate in the Rockies?

Main purpose is to power lights, diesel heater and various misc handheld devices.

 

[mevertsen]

For the powerbank, you just have to add up all the usage, for every device. Just simple math.

And see if you can get a bigger alternator.

 

[802flyfish]

For the powerbank, you just have to add up all the usage, for every device. Just simple math.

And see if you can get a bigger alternator.

Thanks. Do you have any recommendations of brands ?

 

[mevertsen]

Thanks. Do you have any recommendations of brands ?

The alternator may or may not be available for your truck. Talk to a trusted mechanic about that.

It seems there are a lot of the power banks, and they are not created equal, for surge capacity and sine wave, so really have to see what you want to run and make certain it would be compatible. Just looking at what your requirements are (thinking the diesel heater) will narrow the available brands pretty quick.

I dont recall all the details, but even in the same brand, the math might work out, but you might need to step up a level to get the surge capapcity.

 

[802flyfish]

Thank you.

 

[mevertsen]

Sorry im not much help, but it really is so specific and dependent.

Its like asking "what backup generator for my house" when we know absolutely nothing about your house.

 

[Redmt]

Sorry im not much help, but it really is so specific and dependent.

Its like asking "what backup generator for my house" when we know absolutely nothing about your house.

Figure out what you need and double it .

 

[Moserkr]

All I have is RV experience from a travel trailer, but fairly similar when you look at it. I would be looking at overland and van life builds for intel.

For your setup, this is what I would build. 200 watt solar panel on a quick connect plug so you can move the panel to the sun. Hook that up to a victron energy 15 amp MPPT charge controller. Also wire in a smart shunt to monitor the battery amp hours, makes off grid camping batteries fool proof. For the batteries, I have 2x 6v 100ah SLA batteries wired in series to make 12v. Not being lithium, that only gives me 100ah of useable battery capacity (200ah useable to 50% of total). Lithium was just gaining steam when I bought them, so for you I highly recommend a single 100ah lithium battery. A lithium battery can use 100% of its 100ah. Wire all that into your existing battery system for the alternator to charge as well so you have a great setup with multiple ways to charge, and fail safes.

If you want to have just 12v power then stop there. Add an inverter for 110v household power. That gets expensive so instead of that whole list, you could just get a jackery or "solar generator". 200w solar, 100ah of battery. Those are premade packages ready to go. Go way bigger if using an ebike to hunt with, otherwise that will keep you powered for a week i bet without even recharging. With solar and sun, indefinitely. It wouldnt charge off the alternator unless your truck has a 110v outlet wired in already, thats the only downside.

 

[Scott85]

Build your own.