Building a Custom 12v Lithium System for My 4WD

[@bradlucas1730]

Dan is the definition of do it once and do it right the first time

[@joels2517]

Looks like his second time 😂

[@jonnewton5929]

And that right there is why I love your channel. Practical advice showing us how to safely do it, and why it's done that way. Great to see you back Dan. Cheers lads.

[@kabluwi]

Cutting the tie downs at an angle and burning them is so bloody simple that Im mad I've never thought of it. Dan's got smarts years beyond his age

[@TheSilmarillian]

I hear you aggggggg..............

[@swishswish386]

I am pretty sure that Dan and MacGyver are actually one in the same person…Great stuff Dan, you make this stuff look so easy and I love your OCD / attention to detail👍👍👍

[@WaitWhat99]

Dan’s attention to detail is unmatched and a real pleasure to watch. Awesome seeing someone do it right and not just “she’ll be right”

[@Bmad77]

By far the best camping/4wd content channel! So relatable and informative.

[@frednurks8528]

Magnificent build and this example makes me think your new venture will do well. Just a tip for those who are looking at going to lithium , inspired by your project, there are many cheap eBay batteries about and their rated capacity are often over stated. Simple rule of thumb is -divide the rated capacity by 10 and that’s how much the battery should weigh . In your case 240 ah should weigh 24 kg , and it did. Anything significantly lighter means the battery has been manufactured with less cells than required to give the stated capacity. I was a victim . My first battery was rated 100ah and weighed 7.5kg. When I tested the battery it only had 78ah capacity. Keep up the great vid content. Never a boring moment with Aussie arvos.

[@mitchacosta7233]

Dan is like that 70 year old tradie you learn so many little tips and tricks from that you’ll remember for forever but he’s in his 20s

[@Nonessentialsquid]

Haha

[@aserta]

I know you don't care, but the reason you don't solder connections (just solder) is because of heat. If things heat up, you have nothing there, the wire is perfectly able to get loose and fall off and touch metal. I know, 1 in 1000 etc. But the point still stands. You crimp and solder. In today's world where a decent hydraulic crimper and die set cost less than a battery, there's just no excuse to do things properly, which is to do both. Solder is not something you want current to go through, it's just a binder. You want metal contact between the different things, in this particular case, solder is just an element to take up gaps and futher increase the structure of the connection. Just my 2 cents.

[@KarlEller]

If it's getting hot enough to melt the solder, you're going to have much bigger problems than a connection coming loose, like the fact that your car is on fire. The issue with soldered connections that I have always been told about is that as it wicks up into the wire, it creates a stiff section that as the wire bends and flexes, can be a fatigue point. Copper work hardens as it bends, and eventually the constant bending will cause it to split at the solder point. Having said that, we're talking over decades of constant use, and proper wire management will reduce the potential bending to the point where it isn't really a factor 🤷‍♂

[@richiewagstaff2156]

Pretty sweet build. Please put covers over those battery lugs; you don’t want to drop in a camp chair and find it makes a path to ground! Also; I really recommend changing the fridge switch to a covered switch. Last thing you want is to have someone stuff a jumper down the back of the chair as it warms up , only to discover at the end of the day your fridge has bee off for the last 8 hours..

[@dagamore]

I would recommend a cover over the entire open back, but at least the lugs and all 12+ connection points.

[@granddolph]

10:50 Semantics - the pins are common for all anderson plugs, only plug housing changes - and black and grey plugs are actually compatible. Regardless - very interesting episode

[@JasondenHollander-qj5hp]

Big advocate for the ‘CAD” design system. Make all your mistakes and tweaks in cardboard. Done multiple campervan fit outs this way and a great way to workshop layouts with clients so they can see the realities of space-v-wishes

[@fatmanoverlanding]

Another brilliant DIY episode. So engaging to watch. Pat, you most definitely have great skills in editing. And Dan, you're doing it wrong. Just kidding. 😁 Love your work mate. Always practical and useable. Good luck with your fabrication business. I can see you becoming the next KAON. 😁

[@jeffreydean1032]

Great design build and video. Aussie arvos content just keeps getting better. Cheers

[@maxfish4770]

DSA will be a huge success, Dan has a mature head on young shoulders

[@35manning]

A tip which I'm guessing you already know, but may be useful for others. A normal household power socket is rated to use 2,400watts of power. Some items around your house can draw that sort of load, like a microwave or electric kettle or arc welder. I'd personally go for a 2,500w inverter at minimum for general usage or 3,700w if you want a 15amp socket. They each have 100w more capacity than their sockets are rated for, but it's always better to avoid running at 100% capacity. Inverters are also temperature sensitive, their rated output is at a set temperature (25 degrees with Victron gear) and output reduces at higher temps.

[@robertgeddes511]

DSA Fabrication will take off and be successful. There's always a market for quality well thought out and products.

[@Shauny808]

This guy is a legend, natural presenter 👌🏼

[@johncarter5428]

I love your C.A.D, it such a great technique. We used it to make a back bar for our landcruiser and it worked a treat.

[@fredir3596]

The folding table/shelf idea is brilliant.

[@MicahBell_1860]

Oh, yes!!! You can't forget the hair straightener!!! Giggles Aussie Arvos is always the first video I watch on a Sunday morning with my Weetbix & coffee. Cheers Dan, Pat & Liam

[@chuckberry7692]

Tip my hat lads. You have done a cracking job. Could possibly be the best 12v setup I have seen on the tube. 🤘🤘🇦🇺🔥🍻

[@mesahatesayou]

Dan! Protip for having that much capacity. If you want it to be 'useable' without having to turn your car on to charge it. Try to budget 2watts of solar per amphour of battery capacity you have. So in order to be fully self sufficient without the need to ever charge the battery via alternator you'd need 480watts of solar. That sounds like a lot but you've kinda dug yourself into that hole by buying such a large battery haha. You can obviously get away with less if you plan on doing a mix of driving/solar. Just something to think about

[@madcat4563]

15:14 I did not know they existed. That's very cool, especially for a neat freak. Usually, things are a mess behind rocker switches.

[@MrKeenaz]

Dan I ain’t your old man but I can honestly say I’m mighty proud of you and that goes for Patrick and Liam too. The Aussie Arvo crew are a great inspiration even to a 60 year old fart like myself. Cheers 🍻

[@SolidSnake-]

Dans work is always top notch

[@HammerRocks]

Cardboard Aided Design, classic. 😁 Good work Dan. I've always liked your sensible thinking for your setups.

[@stephenlatimer1428]

not using redarc, pretty sure the world is going to stop rotating now. thank goodness Dan can look outside the closed blinkered box of the youtube world, well done mate. in my 2023 F250 i run a full kickass twin 200 lithium set up with twin bushman upright fridges n its been awesome. charging comes from the F truck a 300 solar panel with geny for bak up if needed(not needed yet)with all the standard charging systems. gud on u Dan.

[@MiniLuv-1984]

"Someone's going to say that's wrong and .... I don't care" - well said! Nice work Dan.

[@anotheraussiebattla233]

Man you lads are so underrated deserve way more views and keeping it old school no brand new 2023/24 Dmax or hilux just good ol patrols and land cruisers let’s get it hope to see you boys out on the tracks of course I have a sticker on the back window 🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@PUUMBA4x4]

Im pretty sure that you need to run a relay for a fridge switch guys. Apart from that awesome job and it looks mint

[@IamHerbie]

Always impressed with your attention to detail and practical solid advice. Great job mate. Still the tidiest GQ I have ever seen.

[@Lio.Thunder]

Another absolutely awesome video. I love your work lads. Keep it up. Always very informative and clear for the viewers to understand. I always recommend the nephews to check out your channel when they are working on their projects to help their knowledge grow. I am very impressed with how meticulous Dan is when doing something. Makes the end result look absolutely mint 👌🏽 Top jobs again lads. Well done

[@ianweal3081]

Guys, as per usual you smashed it outa the ballpark. Awesome outcome. I love Itech gear, that setup is absolutely trouble free outcome. No power issues now. Itech Black Friday sales currently under way, your viewers should get some if their gear whilst sale on.

[@FourbieFreaks]

Dans the GOAT at DIY 🥵

[@kabaottoemulsion1869]

OMG thats so neat! I love that bracket is nothing like I have ever seen in the market! Looks like Starwars design! Mint! Dan has heavy OCD symptom! Your truck is so clean! But yep if you don't do things to how you want it, you cannot sleep at night, that is so true! I have been thinking about lithium as well but That will be too expensive for me so I will have to go with Kings!

[@TristanMaiolo]

You might want to put a cover over the exposed terminals. You don't wanna risk any piece of metal slipping down behind the seat and shorting it out to start a fire. Other than that great use of the dead space. I mounted my second battery behind the rear wheel up within the tub of my ute and built a similar power system to what you have that I fitted within my tub rack. It's nice and slim and takes up bugger all room plus the battery is using up dead space. I mounted my air compressor in the same spot on the other side.

[@davidberry2542]

Came here to say the same thing… just that exposed positive terminal 😖 Awesome design with all the homework done in advance 🙏👍

[@rodneywilliams4024]

Hi Dan good to see you, 1 way to make sure you don't get a dry joint is to tin the wire before putting the terminal on . Meaning heat & apply solder 1st. Rgds Roddy W😂

[@callumwhite1501]

I did something similar in my GQ but for a stainless water tank. Goes from one side to the other. Holds 52l. Good spot to use.

[@RGVJ21]

Nice build. 1 thing I would do is to cover the + terminal on the battery. You could have a plastic cover 3D printed.

[@overlandme]

Your videos guys are amazing...never missed any of them...I'm actually making my own DIY stuff inspired by your videos and believe a lot of people do.

[@aTissa]

I'm loving to ocd! Always results in an awesome finish and quailty of workmanship 👍

[@silver2.5]

Always impressed with Dan's work. Best of luck with DSA Fab.

[@MattysWorkshop]

Top setup Dan

[@andysnow7458]

Very nice build. If it were mine, I'd want a cover on the back to protect from dust/debris/water coming over the backseat. A couple holes in it covered with speaker covers would be a clean look, and add some dust mesh over the existing air holes to keep crud out of the system.

[@tharr8221]

Dan, you need more chain saws. Nice fit out. The lengths you went to, to keep that things as clean as possible doesn’t surprise me at all.

[@JRCadventures]

It would be great to have a cover on the front of that to hide the wires. Great job and another great video

[@wozzyb80]

First time watching you mate and I gotta say brilliant 👏 👌 the detail of work and quality of explanation during the vid was the best I've seen in a long time. Finish was spot on as well. Fantastic work 👌👌

[@lexicase8805]

The only little thing to note is with anderson plugs, black is the only one that is keyed the same as grey, all the others are only compatible with their own colour, but black and grey can be plugged into eachother unless otherwise specified

[@brunosperka6933]

The 75ah AGM only gives about 35 to 40 ah before the battery needs to be charged. So a 240ah LIFEPO4 battery is actually 5 to 6 times the capacity.

[@kabluwi]

Not just that, but the draw on the AGM is very limited

[@jmac822]

Neat little setup Dan👍good luck on your fabrication gig mate. Be interested to see what you come up with😎

[@rickreeder2412]

Instead of those switches with all the wiring, you could simplify with something like an auxbeam switch panel. Also has Bluetooth switching from your phone

[@BaldingTravels]

aaaa Mate, what a cracking video. all the detail and hints and guides is just fantastic !!!

[@samcollins3049]

Awesome choice of gear man I've had the 25a dc dc charger for a couple of years and it performs amazing all day everyday

[@frmtrkr]

good job Dan.all neat and orderly.my power box dont look anywhere like that,lol,but im not an electrician .as in all you guys videos there is always something learned from em

[@nathoilboy2053]

Dan you are an incredible presenter well done mate. I reckon first one for DSA is a 12v housing for all dual cab ute trays running the same set up. You can shut up and take my money 💰 💰

[@adamsankey8702]

Is Dan Jason Bourne 😂 he is a perfectionist in everything he does and it inspires me to be the same way 🙌🏼 as always guys epic content 🍻

[@Portyhouse]

This was awesome. I'm just about to pull the trigger on lithium and probably Itech. Unfortunately only have space for 100ah slim but it what it is. Great setup and very neat!

[@Jeremy.huntnzld]

Nice work Dan , love ya work 👌 And just about to order some wire plugs for the back of the rocker switches , didn't know they existed ! Gold !!! Keep up the good work 😊

[@keilfestin4606]

Dan the man is back

[@TheAussiebloke87]

Black and grey Anderson’s are the same - they will plug into each other. Red/blue etc are different

[@matthewkulhawy864]

Yes he is back!!!!!

[@andrewt3952]

Awesome. I reckon ur side business will become ONE of ur main businesses!👍🍻🎯

[@leightonB69]

Great work guys onwards and upwards

[@Jay-uw2eb]

Awesome job, I hope you do well in your new venture 😎

[@maximkaye6891]

That is beautiful install man. Well done.

[@arjayclaveria2921]

That’s a compact neat setup, I like it.

[@rodneywilliams4024]

Might be an idea to put rubber boots on your battery positive terminal.

[@michaelhermans4753]

Very professional Dan Well thought out design Cad skills a very useful to get the professional look I designed and built my Ali boat the same way I am a drafty by trade

[@Jagermonsta]

dude - nice work! great showcase of your abilities

[@dancotter7050]

Killer sponsor. Good on you guys

[@brandongoberdhan6335]

Dan is the man with the plan 😂

[@KarlEller]

Definitely need to put a cover on that positive terminal, the last thing you want to do is accidentally drop something down behind the seat and have it arc out!

[@ianweal3081]

Dan, Karl is 100% correct. If you haven't tidied up yet, be sure to cover that exposed positive battery terminal. Outcome of a short there would be terminal, burn to the ground stuff.

[@nemyla]

Best of luck with your new side business - I have followed!

[@colinmclaughlin9258]

Neat as, Fabrication Shop will be mint

[@-PORK-CHOP-]

As always Dan awesome build, just a few things I would have changed, painted the cage black, used black screws for the iTech controller as the silver ones are OCD nightmare 😂😂, and would have put a pigtail on the negative lead to the shunt, it was a bit too short and tight for my liking, other than that excellent build and explanation.

[@Captainbazz2]

Great job mate I’m sure your new business will take off 🤘🤘💪💪

[@pauledwards4257]

Good ep Dan is the man

[@aarontownley1]

Absolutely love your work boys - another great video!!

[@MrCharrrles]

Since you don't have a cover you should put split conduit over the wires it will make it look mint

[@andrewrichey7374]

Wow that is awesome, I just subscribed I’ll be watching for more. I need a power system for in the back of my pick up truck. I’ll watch for the next one

[@nolimits7076]

Love the video boys! Dans work is amazing! good luck with venture also

[@Cicada4WD]

The Q bus is clean as 👌

[@ryanleffler3532]

Dan is back

[@petermeeny1038]

How about a perforated alum cover for the exposed battery etc so that nothing can enter that space..............just a thought...The whole process and construction and functionality is excellent.

[@darrenc4096]

Dans an ideas man. Absolutely mint mate. Love your work bro. 👍🍺

[@Jimmy_Saf]

That patrol is mint

[@BushmansAdventures]

That is slick Bro! Damn ! Well done

[@harryridley2714]

Great work Dan , legend matey

[@Chopper1392]

Such an epic setup!

[@davidrobinson997]

I'll be super keen to see how you get the solar from the roof to the battery. Do you think you will modify the emu wing? Would love to know as I have a similar setup and at the moment have the cable running through the door 🤣

[@michaelsullivan5641]

Agree - same

[@mitchharsant5451]

when you started talking about RCD's i knew instantly that you were a sparky haha

[@Sethjxl]

Was about to give you some flack for a single battery on a 2kw inverter. But nope, that 240x battery is rated at 250A continuous discharge 500A peak, that's impressive. You could jump start with it too.

[@bentheguru4986]

Not bad work at all, well done.

[@Billthebott]

I used to have batteries in my car but now I just use the EcoFlo so much better don't need to be locked down in one place anymore

[@Andrew-hu1bx]

Well done boiz! Keep up the great content

[@coreymarrero]

Dude this setup is so sick lol 😂 I wish I had this

[@vaskodimoski5690]

You need to use ignition cable so you don't drain your start battery its not because you have smart alternator or old alternator the dc charger takes care of charging problem with smart alternators but ignition cable notifies the dc charger disengage the start battery when ignition is turned off

[@lexgarritt]

Looks perfect, I'd be keen for one for my Pajero Sport

[@kaide-bellis2452]

Who’s the rich one with the solid works licence 😂😂 tops video