How To Power A 12v Fridge - DIY Battery Box Build / Dual Battery System

[@alpinetactics]

Hey guys if you liked this video check this one about what fridge I am powering with this battery set up! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hp_Ccn2qmJVgj5Y

[@ImASurvivorNThriver]

I like the way you went underneath to connect the solar cables so that you didn't have to drill a hole in the top of the car. NICE! Thanks for sharing.

[@alpinetactics]

Thanks for watching!

[@Toast90186]

This is the exact Milwaukee pack out box I’ve been wanting to do a battery box I’m glad to see someone else has also thought about this nice job!

[@alpinetactics]

Awesome!

[@UmpTSquat]

Nice video. I like that you had a 12 volt power requirement for your truck camping activities, and how you came up with a solution to solve that need. It seems to be a very well thought out solution.

[@dvalentine08]

clean build - the exact info I needed, thanks!

[@AlanMcKay]

Nice setup thanks for the vid

[@GP-tw2fi]

Thanks for content ... super useful

[@alpinetactics]

Thanks for watching!

[@alialnasri6972]

excellent video

[@alpinetactics]

Thank you!

[@bradleyjohnson452]

Great build. I am building something similar for my Tundra. A couple of changes I made was to add a disconnect switch for the battery positive side. I have some issues with a fuse block that is always hot and the cables going to the solar charge controller especially if only using the compression terminals and not ferulles. Also, I installed the fuse block with the switch block in the truck that way if I need to quickly replace the battery the fuses, and switches are all together.

[@alpinetactics]

Awesome and thank you! Since this video I have actually moved the entire system behind my rear passenger seat. I’ll have to do another update video soon when it’s all done.

[@bradleyjohnson452]

@@alpinetactics I look forward to seeing it.

[@anturadventure3642]

This is the same setup I been looking to build! Very nice video! I definitely want to do this after seeing the DC to DC charging.

[@alpinetactics]

Awesome man, thanks for watching!

[@shanefrechette613]

Thanks for the information on your setup. 👍🏻😎👍🏻

[@alpinetactics]

Of course! Thanks for watching again Shane 👍

[@koalafan1576]

I need to build one and add an inverter for ac for my cpap machine and maybe a fan or heater.

[@tucker2074]

Thankyou for sharing

[@alpinetactics]

Thanks for watching!

[@BareBackBroncos]

Thank you sharing!

[@alpinetactics]

Thanks for watching!

[@737smartin]

Nice job. Since it’s not waterproof anyway, you might consider increasing ventilation to keep things cool inside that box. The cable holes at the top are a nice start. Maybe add a vent hole or two near the bottom to increase flow. 🤷‍♂️

[@colinwilmes8318]

Did you end up making a video on DC-DC charging for this battery box? Really love how it turned out!

[@alpinetactics]

I didn’t but I mounted it to the exterior of the box. Shortly after that I ditched the box and decided to install it permanently behind my rear passenger seat. I am definitely due for an update video.

[@markharperk5tao]

You should consider powerpoles for your connection. Those exposed spade connectors will get shorted if not careful

[@htoddgriffin4787]

Nice video. Only thing wrong with this project is the battery itself. Should've gone with LiPo4.

[@alpinetactics]

Thank you! And yes you are 100% correct, I regret it so much!

[@MotomichiStudio]

Don't you need an inverter before you connect devices to the battery?

[@alpinetactics]

If they are AC devices yes

[@miguellovino7679]

TELL ME.. 12v 36ah BATTERY CAN RUN A SMALL 12v FRIDGE WITH THE SAME SETUP..? ONLY HAVE FRIDGE IN MY CAMPER....

[@joesalemi2414]

What was the thought process around putting the fuse box inside the box instead of just mounting it permanently inside the truck so that all you have is one power cable to disconnect instead of all of the auxiliary wires for the truck? Why does the fuse box have to be mobile.

[@alexalvarez9462]

Any plans on doing a how to on this?

[@alpinetactics]

Like a diagram? Or was there a specific part you were referring too?

[@alexalvarez9462]

@@alpinetactics yes like how to follow along or something.. I have no real knowledge when it comes to electrical stuff. But would love to copy your build if you don’t mind.

[@alpinetactics]

@@alexalvarez9462 got it. I am pretty beginner myself as well. Thankfully my buddy who has some experience in electrical was able to check out my work throughout the build process. I will definitely have some follow up videos on this but as far as the technical electrical stuff my recommendation is to looks up some other videos on the platform that get into connections, crimping terminals and wire gauge capacity etc so that could get you brushed up on the important stuff. After seeing some of those, how I set this up should make sense. I probably won’t get too in-depth into that stuff myself since it’s not my expertise though. I’ll try to put together a diagram here soon though. Prior to doing my build I really just watched a bunch of other KZbin videos myself lol.

[@alexalvarez9462]

@@alpinetactics thanks man looking forward to seeing that and I look into some vids the time being. Thank for you help and videos love them.

[@alpinetactics]

@@alexalvarez9462 you got it man, thanks for watching 👍

[@kevinswinyer3176]

I am seriously thinking about building a 12 volt power supply box, using 2 12 volt Deep Cycle Marine Batteries hooked up in series as power. I want to use it in my Motorhome to power my Hot Air Fryer, phone chargers, a few lights, TV/DVD, and an electric space heater, but not all at once. I plan on installing a 2000 or 3000 Watt Inverter, and using portable Solar Panels as a means of charging the batteries.

[@kwikflikzyakadventures3795]

A MPPT charge controller is more efficient, a PWM will only get your battery up to 12.8v where a MPPT Charge Controller will push it to 14.2v safely, also 50amp Anderson Plugs are a better quick disconnect to the MC4, a good build, just a suggestion not a critique. We’ll done.

[@alpinetactics]

Thank you! I have not updated with a video yet but I actually upgraded the DCDC charger to an all in one version which includes an MPPT solar charger now. Your absolutely right, the solar charging is much more efficient now

[@thomaskatter6836]

@@alpinetacticshave you made an updated video since this comment? If so I’d love to see a video on the whole fridge setup: location in your truck, power, fridge model, and maybe even wiring?? Thanks!

[@alpinetactics]

@@thomaskatter6836 I have not done it yet, but that’s definitely one I have been meaning to get to. I actually ditched the box and installed the battery behind my rear passenger seat now

[@angell6425]

What roof rack do you run?

[@alpinetactics]

Front Runner Slimline II

[@philknut9573]

Wow you've been busy... new RTT, roof racks & aux lighting. Looking forward to your videos covering these additions. Anyways, I'm in the curiosity mode on the whole solar/battery set-up thing and was wondering how yours differs from a Jackery, Goal Zero Yeti, etc. portable power stations?

[@alpinetactics]

Yes sir! I would say the biggest difference is cost. I was able to add power, lighting, outlets and a fridge for much less than just one of those power stations would have cost me. They are awesome and ready to go right out of the box they are just super expensive. The other difference would probably be use case. It might be super convenient to have something portable you can carry around but I really wanted something more permanent that I could wire to light switches etc. I think both have their place for sure though.

[@philknut9573]

@@alpinetactics COST you're speaking my language. I'm always up for a diy to save money.

[@OdySlim]

Just wondering how you plan to get the battery out of the box if you need to? That is with the industrial Velcro holding it in ;-) Thanks for the video. I enjoyed it. I did my set up a little different because of my needs. I used a battery isolator in-between the starting battery then to the battery box with 00 cable. From there Renogy power inverter. That way I can use my alternator to charge the battery as well as through a switch start my truck in the event of a dead battery. I chose an RV battery for that reason as well. I have my Renogy solar charger connected to the back of the inverter to charge the battery when Im not running the truck. Its pretty much the same as yours but wired a little different. Regards from Ody Slim...... BTW, I love the way you wired in your lights. Im going to do the same. TKS .

[@alpinetactics]

Good strong pull haha. That’s awesome, your set up sounds awesome!

[@jasonbroom7147]

That's a cool build and a great box to house it, but why did you go with a lead-acid battery? All the numbers, aside from "initial" price, favor LiFePO4, at this point. For that size, you could cut the weight by about 40lbs, or if you wanted the same weight, you could at least double your capacity, which means almost quadrupling your run-time.

[@alpinetactics]

Yeah you are right. The initial price was the only reason. Batteries are so expensive and at the time had a super limited budget. Now that everything is dialed in though it’s been plenty of energy for me.

[@jasonbroom7147]

@@alpinetactics - The cool thing is, when that SLA or AGM dies in a few years, it won't be a lot of work to put a lighter LiFePO4 in. You'll be glad when you do.

[@barntt]

SAFETY first Always! Nothing is ever easy! Check out Anderson Power Pole connectors. LOVE the Andersons ! HAM Radio's preferred connectors. Suggestions! Rubber grommets for those holes to prevent chafing it is a vibrating location. Noticed no Catastrophe fuse within 6 inches of the POS battery post? DC can & have caused fires so a fuse AT the Battery protects the WHOLE system! Don't rely on a BMS for this! It's your truck and a lot of money invested you must Protect it! Insurance companies have denied claims if a fire were to occur and no Catastrophe fuse installed. EVERY DC load needs to be fused. Same for that DC-DC charger. Do it Right don't just make it work!

[@alpinetactics]

Hope you guys like the Battery Box Build! If you have any questions about the Dual Battery Setup let me know below. I also included a list of what was used in this build in the video description.

[@douglundy5755]

lotta talk little info, thanks anyway

[@alpinetactics]

Probably not a channel you will want to follow then. This is how I do it.