DON'T GET RIPPED OFF LIKE I DID ! Use reputable suppliers - this will help everyone avoid rip offs !

[@maxgood42]

I've been researching batteries, regulators, chargers and solar for years and I have found that even popular reputable brands have way to many features that most would not understand and those that do may only get some of the products for the convenience of plug and play. I started out just looking for the right setup and ended up building my own setup and by that I mean soldering circuit boards and spotwelding packs with my own modified BMS that keeps the cells in the sweat spot (20-80). It's an industry that has a lot of holes in it due to the consumer has to trust what they are being told. Lots of technical jargen and diagrams with arrows pointing up means absolutely nothing to me and is often a red flag that they are trying to make it something that it's NOT. Biggest warning sign and a pet peeve is when I start seeing the "Ours vs Others" rubbish and that is when I close, delete history and move on..... AU S.A.

[@4WheelingInNSW]

yeah 100% agree mate, there can be a lot of hidden rubbish behind fancy stickers ! You see it with all the imported caravans and camper trailers now - get on alibaba and you see all the same vans just with different stickers and they all claim to do bigger and better things. Quite amusing indeed. Gee it sounds like you got right into your set up mate, would love to see it. Thanks for watching and for the comments.

[@jackturtle131]

So sorry to hear that mate. You have plenty of mates to ask what they were using. I stick to Renogy gear and Victron solar regulators and have served me right for the last 5 years. Got one 75 ltr an Evakool split fridge that I bought from Kickass 9+ years ago runs 365 days a year and has been as good as gold and the last 5 years on a Renogy Lithium so far so good

[@4WheelingInNSW]

thanks mate. Yeah it's a bugger there's so many unscrupulous grubs out there who clearly have no conscious. My old man has a huge big Evakool fridge, good bit of gear indeed as is the Renogy. Nice one 👍

[@donfinch862]

I'm from bloody Perth. I know the budget purchases, I do them. But to get bitten like that is very disappointing. I feel for you. The best installs are the simple ones, like you said, don't need the fancy stuff, if set up well just forget about it. No monitoring needed. Great to see you again mate, cheers

[@4WheelingInNSW]

Thanks Don, appreciate the kind words mate and the support as always. Yes it's that old KISS - keep it stupidly simple and then less to go wrong. All the best mate

[@raynewman4904]

I bought a lithium from a company in Queensland. So far it's been a good thing as and a lot cheaper than the bigger brands.sometimes it's trial and error. Good you are warning everyone. Cheers mate

[@4WheelingInNSW]

Yes some of the smaller companies are doing bigger and better things than the brand names, just hard to find the right one I guess without getting stung. Thanks mate, appreciate the feedback.

[@dur8349]

Hey Grant, I bouht the exact battery - or should I say - battery with the exact same stickers, back in 2016. It's run my 60lt Waco, plus a 600W inverter running a slow cooker/ blender/snore machine..ect for 5 years. Replaced it mid 2021 with an Itech 120 lithium. Sounds like these scums have bought cheap batteries from China, slapped the NPC stickers on them and sold them to unsupectings like yourself and many others. Love how you have such a practical approach to things. Keep em' coming.

[@4WheelingInNSW]

Thanks mate for watching and for the comments. That brand did seem to have quite a good reputation and even my local battery guy confirmed, after the event, that they've only had 1 or 2 back from all those they sold and was surprised too. As you suggested, they've either bought them in knowing they were all rubbish and didn't care, or, me giving them benefit of doubt had a faulty batch that they should've stood behind and warranted. The fact they closed up shop and disappeared into the night would imply they knew what was going on. There is a ton of complaints on the productreview website and everyone had the same issue I did, under capacity, not holding charge, no warranty etc. Mongrels. I'm glad to hear your system is working well as that's all we want, just simple affordable and most of all, reliable power when camping. Cheers mate and happy camping.

[@Michael_Mears]

The safe way for budget purchases is eBay or Amazon. I go back and fourth with a supplier who is trying to dodge their obligations in some way, then lodge the claim. I've had decisions made in my favour within minutes and full purchase price refunded also within minutes.

[@4WheelingInNSW]

thanks for the tip, appreciated. I'll keep it in mind for future purchases bud. Cheers and thanks for watching.

[@FlatBrokeAdventures]

Thanks for the heads up Grant. I'm live in Muswellbrook NSW

[@4WheelingInNSW]

Cheers mate and thanks for watching. side note - I like Muswellbrook, lovely country area.

[@big.red.76]

good advice mate, shitty that you got caught up in an unscrupulous business. - from southern Sydney but currently lying on a sunny beach on the Cook Islands watching all the new content, hard work...

[@4WheelingInNSW]

yes, unfortunately there are some scumbags out there that just don't care taking money from hard working people. Karma will get them though ... Thanks for watching too. Yeah those Cook Islands must be a real struggle for ya 🤣🤣

[@OnCountryWithMick]

Way too many shonkey mongrels out there mate. Personally I will buy from Aussie Batteries & Solar where I can, I have purchased my AGM and now my Lithium from them, I've had a mate buy his AGM from them as well and it appears to have been stolen from his front door after delivery and they shipped him another no charge. The batteries have worked a treat for me and been well priced. They also sell a full range of gear to install it as well. Good luck with getting the ACCC onto these mongrels mate, it happens way to often.

[@4WheelingInNSW]

Thanks mate for watching. Yes I have heard good things about Aussie Batteries & Solar. AGM does work and works well being a good solid cost effective alternative to the expensive ( still ) Lithium alternate. Cheers

[@WRHobba]

should get at least 4 days from 135ah with a 40l fridge, buy 4wdsupacentre battery if you want one on a budget. and if you use it alot and want years of service from your setup, invest in a lithium (LiFeP04) setup SE melbourne, VIC

[@4WheelingInNSW]

yeah I thought so too but now I see obviously not from this piece of junk ... thanks for the tip, I hear what you're saying. I'm still not totally sold on Lithium yet, not for the price still. But thanks for the suggestion mate and for watching too, greatly appreciate the support.

[@Yipmanhands]

Thanks for the heads up Grant, makes me glad I've never heard of the bastards. Just spent over $1500 on my electrical set up gear and got it all from Itechworld, simple set up to run a fridge and charge a phone, camera batteries etc. I don't need flashing LED's, inverters and the like so hope it all runs as it should. Oh...and local to you, Sydney. Love your channel.

[@4WheelingInNSW]

Nice one with the iTechworld. And that's all we ask, just give us some good reliable gear we can depend on at a fair and right price, surely that's not too much to ask. Sounds like you've got a great set up. Thanks for the kind words and support mate. All the best

[@OffTheBeatenPathAus]

That sucks Grant, worth calling these shonks out. Such an issue with batteries as most don't realise for some time they haven't necessarily got what they've paid for.

[@4WheelingInNSW]

You said it mate, the biggest issue is it seems to be working properly as intended however you don't see the real performance for some time and as in this case, it becomes too late to do anything about - especially once they go into hiding. I treat others how I want to be treated and see this kind of thing such a slap in the face. All good though, I'm also a huge believer in karma and as the world works in mysterious ways, they'll get their own one day. Thanks for the support and for watching mate. Appreciated. 👍

[@OffTheBeatenPathAus]

@@4WheelingInNSW yeah seen a few reviews where 120Ah batteries are more like 50Ah.....

[@Triple-N]

That sucks Grant! Likewise, I buy from reputable supplier where possible and not just for camping but in general. If it's an unknown supplier but a trusted word of mouth (not reviews as they can be fake sometimes) then I would use them. As for where I am... You know where I am Grant! ☺️

[@4WheelingInNSW]

Yes mate there's certainly some dodgy folks out there. As you say, word of mouth is always a good one to go by. Cheers mate and always appreciate the support, thank you.

[@raynewman4904]

Yes I agree mate. These guy's are just scammers

[@4WheelingInNSW]

Yeah not good. And the most frustrating bit is, they just disappear overnight then next week can start up another new company under a different name where they can then do it all over again. Mongrels 😡😡

[@leonwayne7657]

This is becoming all too common these days Grant.. Solar panels are a similar rort as far as output claims from shameless ebay sellers. Go with a lithium set-up, it can still be budget friendly (as long as there is warranty and a storefront) and you won't look back. 👍

[@4WheelingInNSW]

Yes unfortunately there's some bloody shonks out there nowadays hiding behind a desk and a laptop online and they simply fold up and run with everyone's money ... once bitten twice shy though so I'll be more careful this time around. I'm still not sold on Lithium yet but thanks for the suggestion. Thanks for the support mate.

[@louiskudlak2241]

Yeah scumbag dogs, plenty of them out there, market is flooded with knock off products & everyone is copying each other , feel your pain buddy , lov to u & the family ❤

[@4WheelingInNSW]

Thanks bud, appreciate the support as always. Plenty of scumbags out there mate but I'm a big believer in karma and they'll get their day mate, fingers crossed.

[@Sawadventures67]

Thanks for letting everyone know Grant sorry you got ripped off there’s a lot of mongrels out there but at least you have let everyone know about these ones. I have to agree with the comment up further stick with reputable dealers and Amazon don’t know how much about eBay but Amazon does have a good refund policy Don’t worry mate you’re not the first one I’ve been there we live learn Cheers mate keep up the great work 👍👍

[@4WheelingInNSW]

yeah there's certainly some scumbags out there. Thanks mate for watching and commenting, appreciated as always.

[@confuzsays7196]

Adelaide

[@4WheelingInNSW]

Thanks for watching mate, appreciate the support.

[@louiskudlak2241]

From wa also

[@4WheelingInNSW]

Thanks mate for the support, from all the way over there in WA. Cheers

[@michaelmashman2396]

Eora❤

[@4WheelingInNSW]

Thanks mate