Not Your Average 12v Setup - Project Cyan

[@JustPete65]

Its good to see someone with a smaller budget that I can relate to

[@kingrpriddick]

@@SeekAdventure I think a lot of DIY people just don't feel confident enough and they don't want to deal with the haters youtube, in the US we have the "Built not Bought" movement, where it's cool because it's your hobby as much as what it can do, like the video of the guy that built his v12 motor for his motorcycle by hand in his shop. I just wish more of them would share their knowledge online, as Forums have fallen off so hard there doesn't seem to be a good place for them. I'm glad I found you! Keep on making great content!

[@darrenjones5885]

I also have an Anderson plug addiction. I use lots of the small ones (30A) for internal wiring in my cars. Gives me flexibility without having to do too much rewiring. Hardwiring dashcams only needed the 5V power supplies connected to a spare Anderson plug behind the dash.

[@johnmoreta8650]

Your enthusiasm,passion and zest for 12 volt systems ( and the great outdoors) pours out from my TV and into my Lounge room...Thank you for motivating me to install a 12 volt duel battery system on my Van so i can see this great country of ours....Keep up the good work.

[@blastar55m3]

The quality and content of all your vids is top notch mate. Genuine Aussie bloke. Keep them coming mate.

[@turbostyler]

Great vid mate, you pretty much summed up the information perfectly. One thing I do for my fridge/freezer is during the day when my solar system is charging or my alternator is charging, I'll put a few bottles of water in the fridge freezer to freeze, then when i go to sleep i shut it off and let the ice keep everything cold. In the morning I turn it all back on. I'll chuck it one a timer soon so its not a chore, but i find that the saving of 40ah at night really helps for battery longevity. keep up the great work, ps i got the same car in the same colour, I reckon they are great rigs.

[@Voltechs]

Great tip!

[@pearcem66]

Like others have said. It's great to see someone working too a budget. Love the thought that has gone into your setup. Just found your channel and really enjoying your honest approach. Keep up the great work.

[@pjetenere1]

You are a smart young fella,, with a good attitude,, I like that,, well done

[@beginners4x486]

Nice set up and well presented. I have the same sort of equipment in my Ranger and I found it handy to put Red Anderson plugs on all the solar equipment, to the BCDC and on all the panels. This way you can't mix them up as the red and grey plugs don't go together. Keep up the good work.

[@fionaludbrook8193]

Loving this. Beginning to understand 12 volts systems and dual batteries thankyou so much, Have so struggled to get my head around this stuff! Thanks again!

[@rodh2168]

Just dropping by to rewatch some vids. Michael, I hope you are staying safe and enjoying what you love to do rather than having the pressure of having to catch everything on camera. We miss your wit and humour but truly understand. ATB mate.

[@tomskimcdouglegaming806]

Didn't you hear? He died of turbo cancer after too many cobid jabs.

[@michealmcintosh2265]

Mate I was super sceptical about watching your videos but I have now watched a few and I’m hooked, I don’t know what is is your doing but it works. Keep up the good work mate

[@whisthpo]

You have a natural talent for making the complicated understandable Sir! Really enjoy your fabulous channel!

[@jc-crafford]

I discovered your channel 2 days ago. Man, I am impressed. You are so much better at this than some of the “big guys”. When you have 200 000+ subscribers I will be able to say I was one of the early ones.

[@linz_in_NZ]

Great info. I'm considering adding an anderson plug between my solar charge controller and the house battery in my van, so I can swap the solar set up over onto the van battery to keep it charged when stood for a while. Now thinking of using them to connect my fridge too. No wonder they sell them in packs of 6 pairs or more, so useful.

[@Fjsbdjdh]

😭 miss this channel 😭

[@andrewford80]

Yeah it is/was one of the best

[@DuzBee]

Hahaha 16:42 that’s a seriously long Anderson extension cable. Just came across your channel for the first time tonight - Awesome, enjoyable viewing.

[@aussieboomer-theturtoncrew6996]

Informative video Michael, thanks. I found the more amps you have at your disposal, the more time it takes to recharge the batteries. My 130AH agm is plenty for me. I also use an AC charger when 240 is available, makes it easy to top up and maintain. Cheers..

[@apex.amatuer]

The other important thing to remember about having more than one extra battery is, one battery only has an input limit of 20 amps, this will limit you to 20amp dc chargers and solar chargers (if you want your battery to last that is). If you link two batteries in parallel you double the amp hours but you also double the input limit so now you can use a 40 amp charger to full efficiency which also means you can use cheap second hand house panels with up to 40v VOC.

[@shawnholloway2142]

I have a Toyota Tocoma that I 4-wheel and camp with my family with. I been modding on for the last two years. Love your videos about the stuff you do with your truck. I've been wanting to add duel battery and solar. Appreciate all the ideas. 😉

[@Dillonpickle]

Good tip on packing an Anderson extension lead. I made one same night 👍

[@hauptuhrdotnetblog6700]

We use the smaller Anderson power pole connectors (30A) and 7 and 15 Amp DC cable from Jaycar, depending on how much I can afford. We’ve made up so many extension cords. They are very useful for extending out camp lights, powering our 12V TV etc.

[@Dillonpickle]

Yeah remember a wire does not have an amp rating, that varies with distance, just talk mm2. I use 4mm2 for 5m up to 10A

[@superman01011]

Mate absolutely brilliant vid and brilliant channel. A mate from work told me about your channel and I found some time to take a look. You need and certainly will get more Sub’s as you totally deserve it! Well done again mate and keep up the good work

[@carolleenkelmann3829]

Boy you really do travel in comfort...electric shaver, e-toothbrush, probably a coffee machine as well. You are amazing. Just as well you have qualified hands to help you with this project, no small task! A real learning experience for me. Must have been fun putting up the LED lights. And more of a comfort to use them. - you can see all those dangerous snakes before you step on them. I've never heard of Anderson plugs. I'll look into this. Anderson to Alligator??? Yes, I just hate ticks. In Australia they are Soo big.

[@MrRoma70]

Wouldn't mind to see your shopping list and connection diagram if you don't mind, great video keep coming

[@lmelen1471]

Usually not one to comment on youtube videos mate but just came across your channel last night and have to say, ripping job! It's nice to have someone who just shows what works for him and not try and shove products down your throat. Ya 12v setup with one that I aspire to get mine to one day! thanks for some great ideas! Cheers

[@kingrpriddick]

You might know this already, but if you don't, just some small resistors can make a huge difference in the efficiency of cheap LEDs. Grab a variety of resistors so you can tune them to the light output you actually need. I'm planning a 6, 6v deep cycle, battery setup because I should have access to some cast offs with a cheap charger (might upgrade later) and a 100W hard panel. Install is in a building, so LEDs will be lighting the whole space and it's been really impressive how much power you can save dimming down your LEDs, like 5A to .25A at what looks like 1/4 the brightness on the strips I'm using. Based on your power use try chucking in some 47 Ohm or 22 Ohm ones and see how you like it.

[@normanmazlin6741]

I like your setup, elegant and effective. You need to fit covers over the Anderson sockets fitted under the car, filthy terminals don't work. You can buy excellent shunt battery monitors for less than $30 on Ebay.

[@RyDawwg]

Love the fact that your batteries are out of sight. Wish i had the space to hide two big units where you did. Killer setup mate, well jell.

[@mattlewandowski73]

I like the idea of adding the Andersons to the solar input in a couple locations. I think I am going to have to add that to my own build plans

[@mikehoffman3690]

Great overview. My opinion is there is no such thing as overkill when you are relying on your setup to get you on and off the trail.

[@lowranger4x49]

I always find it interesting how people have set up their 12v systems; it's always something different from person to person / rig to rig! A nifty setup you've got going there mate 🤙

[@lowranger4x49]

@@SeekAdventure yeah, it's interesting but sometimes overwhelming with the amount of ways you can go about certain setups but I'll settle on one some day! Yeah I try to get around a little bit haha, planning on filming more in the future.

[@ScorpionRegent]

Seek Adventure - Thanks for the video. Your system is a lot more involved than mine. I forgo a lot of your glamping luxuries. My tooth brush is powered by hand, my swag isn't wired for power and if I ever vacuum seal things it will be with a hand held pump. So it would appear that my budget is even more limited than yours. That said I do appreciate the wiring information. Cheers.

[@DaveGalligher]

Great video, would it be possible to include some links to a list of parts you used on Amazon? Thanks for the excellent explanation and showing your rig.

[@richardachyde]

Great setup mate, very well thought through too, like the idea of converting dash cig plugs over to aux. battery.

[@jessiematthews2432]

Shameless plug for ICU window cleaning... Good vid.

[@chrisspies8123]

Thanks mate! Plenty of good info. And glad you are still making the vids! Keep it up

[@johnnybighorn1221]

I really miss your work Michael. I hope you come back to it one day mate.

[@stephenbaker3616]

Love yer work bro, I absolutely love being self sufficient while out scrub, I just broke my gearbox in my trusty Mazda bravo2003 ex telstra which had basic set up, too expensive to fix so it went to wrecker heaven now have a wicked 2015 Ford ranger but back to basic, your stuff gives an electric numpty like me some hope. thanks

[@Phil_McAvity]

Very enjoyable video. 12v always confuses the heck out of me.

[@jackturtle131]

Plain and simple mate, thanks for showing

[@rudy6170]

Great channel bud, you turn out good information. Can't beat the good old Anderson Plug.

[@taylorfanumbr1]

Amazing setup, I will be doing the same thing to my rig here in the states. Very inspiring!

[@ashmodownunder]

Great video. Thanks for all your great content!

[@rjl110919581]

THANK YOU FOR DETAIL VIDEO ON YOUR 12V SYSTEM IN YOUR BT-50

[@tonybeach4725]

Awesome straight forward no nonsense video's. Thank you.

[@stevecrowe176]

Luv your vids, subscribed and liked, they're easy to listen too, explained in plain English and without the bloody annoying background music OMG! One tip if ok, when explaining PLEASE tell us what size cable you used in each situation, e.g. l used 8AWG for my Anderson extension. Thanks again, cheers

[@WesternAustraliaNowAndThen]

Nice setup. One day I will take the cover off the circuit board in the Coaster and take a picture of the real 'spaghetti junction'. It was wired up before I bought it and all it took was one look for me to be so freaked out I put the cover back, never looked again and prayed nothing would ever go wrong. So much better to be able to do your own wiring. Good idea to have different adapters, I keep promising myself that I will sit down and make a full set one day....

[@kingrpriddick]

I think it's worth getting prepared to handle it, the wiring won't last forever. Start by just drawing things out, get every end you see on paper then open it up and take a lot of really good pictures and start to work things out. If you need help, idk /r/diyelectronics might be a really good place just be sure to mention that you are new and want to learn, and people should be pretty friendly, they have a bunch of real Electrical Engineers on there that can figure out just about anything.

[@Voltechs]

15:28 This man showers with pure direct current electricity. Watch out Chuck Norris.

[@CaliVapor]

Awesome setup bro! Seeking adventure with some luxuries

[@chas2can124]

Well explained. I've got spare 10 Anderson plugs and may get rid of my MC4 solar connectors and use them all over my 105 Landcruiser. When your coming over East let us know and we can meet up.

[@homebase1958]

You are fun to watch as always👍

[@Dmhlcmb]

For the peeling paint on your box roof.... scuff it lightly, tape off and plasti-dip it grey. It will look like it was meant to be that way from the manufacturer. It’s what I did on my haulmark trailer, couldn’t be happier.

[@Only_Cans_101]

Absolute fantastic content for us who want to give it a go ourselves!

[@bjgtrev1970]

Have the same projector bcdc charger from the team at Kickass great product and with the pre wired set up it was so easy to connect.

[@leeriley66]

Mate I love your videos. Entertaining and informative. Keep it up.

[@4p1mp]

Love your videos... great content done by a cool guy.

[@kctan742]

just stumbled across this. its been almost a year since he quits youtube, i am so thankful i have not see this video before. really miss his content and his presentation style. can you please come back!

[@maggeto0o07]

Awesome vid mate. Loving your battery meter to see how much amps is running. Only thing I'd change on that set up is instead of a 25 dcdc is getting that to a 40 minimum given that you're running 2 batteries. Probably going to use your 240v outlet idea i think. Such an easy and neat way to run plugs around the vehicle.

[@IvanStewartHunting]

Awesome vid mate!! I really got a lot out of it thanks keen to see what’s to come 👍

[@essequamvideri]

seen enough clips to happily subscribe. keep having fun! 😃

[@Scooopdog]

love the vlogs mate and being on a budget appeals more than the other sponsored money to burn overlanders. The DC looks OK, be very careful when doing DIY wiring i'd say the amount of overlanders that set there rigs on fire is massive, just be alert on proper fusing/discrimination. Fusing as you possibly know is protection of the cable. Just be aware of the size cable , also the DC/DC system works best as its an intelligent charger, im a DC specialist and have seen some very dodgy systems and some marine boats on fire. Keep up the good work

[@Mattsworldwideadventure]

We miss you! Please come back ♥️

[@2-old-Forthischet]

Spaghetti junction...........LOL! As a former telecom tech, I found that wiring harnesses that are really fancy actually make it hard to troubleshoot later. Good job!

[@RealMenLiving]

I love this video mate. Very informative and nicely explained. Thanks mate. Keep it up.

[@VideoShowMeHow]

What an epic setup! Nice man

[@John-zo6do]

Good stuff mate! I'm of similar age and an auto electrician. Great to see someone working on a smaller budget compared to all the popular people on KZbin that are given everything for free! Where did you get the water tank made up?

[@slowboat6021]

another great video, thanks for sharing your setup.

[@jakkob489]

Absolute legend, great video.

[@groundgrabbatm6379]

Another great informative video. :) Just a note you said AGM batteries at 50% is about 12.5v...Cool. But your pop up title says 12.05v (which is nearly a dead battery). Keep em coming. Great vids. :)

[@larrymouse]

You should do a review of the EverShower - awesome Aussie invention.

[@marksomerville1275]

Nice work on the board & wiring...I've done almost exactly the same, love Anderson plugs, converted everything. Makes life easy, only ever had troubles with ciggy plugs. Have a portable moniter (I think I seen you use one). Able to check anything anywhere.

[@sacramentoman228]

That's a clean setup I'm in the u.s.a and I see low budget solar setups and they have 2 or 3 out backs 4 lithium batteries etc I check the cost on the outback there about 500+ depending on the model lithium batteries 600 a piece and I'm trying to figure out what part of there setup is low budget? So thanks for a reasonable setup view

[@noelgreig1358]

Yes Lithium batteries are expensive but far more benefits than AGM. I installed a 120AH Lithium in my rig as an auxiliary battery (almost 3 times the power of 3 linked AGM's) & will never go back to lead acid/gel etc again.. much more cost effective over time too..

[@randomoldbloke]

Something worth noting if you are running a VSR system, make sire your batteries are the same size and chemistry or you can have real problems. The alternator will only charge up to the capacity of the start battery so the aux batteries will not get a full charge . The charge profiles are different for different batteries, the lead acid are not compatible to AGM ect ect . Lead acid are not very fussy about the rate or voltage coming into them , AGM are very fussy about the voltage , to much and they are toast . I am running all the same batteries in my setup N70 x3 start and aux . I am mainly on dirt roads and tracks with corrugated bits that shake your fillings out . I am very happy to get 2 years out of a battery as no matter what style the I use or have used the vibration kills them

[@shanegrangrad8559]

Clever lad . I'm learning lots

[@chrishiggins1811]

once again mate very nice setup and very well explained too keep up the great work

[@jackturtle131]

You've done a good job on the electrics mate

[@Tommyt14]

I really liked your video. Very informative, and funny. You are a good talent. Stick at it.

[@bryanohalloran9001]

Yellow light on it's own =bugs Have a small hanging Primus Lantern about 10-15 mts away, and all the bugs go there ! Worked for us in the Outback, and Tropics for years

[@drromando3871]

Inspiring and informative. Thank you! Very helpful.

[@super-sim1665]

Best to have a regular for each solar panel and to get 24 volt panels for mppt. The regulator converts this to 12 volt systems.

[@MrStewieH]

Awesome info, love the setup, well done

[@sambuzz8494]

Great vid mate.. informative and entertaining 😉👍

[@TheAussieGeocacherSeemyshell]

Just found your channel mate, loving it..... I’ll be hooking into some 4x4 action in the new year.. I’ll be combining it with my hobby of Geocaching.

[@dhops81]

Great vid. Do you have a link to an instructional on wiring up the panel you made?

[@dash8brj]

That is one wicked setup. Great job. Subbed :)

[@christoffer1973]

Love your videos. I heard that Blue coloured light don't attract bugs/mosquitos... never heard amber, but blue. I tried it I don't know how it works but when I tried it I didn't got so many mosquitos

[@TimsBitsnPieces]

What a great vid and thanks for the info on the parts used as this is always a big issue replaying the video each time to find the names spoken about. I wish there were more like you to help us that are just getting into the 4wd fun. Keep up the great work and I have sub'd to your channel and will keep an eye out for more vids ~;0)

[@Dmhlcmb]

I’d like to see a full tour of your rig.

[@donfinch862]

Nice one mate. I like your style, good tips. Subscribed

[@markthomas4594]

Great excellent set up ,I have dual battery batteries in me cruiser could I run me inverter of the Anderson plug on me towbar to power vacuum seal ?thanks for sharing

[@WildTouring]

Nice setup mate. Similar to mine. I've got the same idc25, 240ah AGM and 300w solar, but I've found that my batts arnt doing too well with fridge, freezer, lighting, pump, oven and heavy inverter use. I think I'll swapout the agms for 200-240ah of lithium batteries and 40a charger.

[@WildTouring]

@@SeekAdventure thanks mate. Running two fridge/freezers, oven, lighting, pump etc I can quite easily be drawing 20a. But it's the 2kw inverter thats knocked the life out of the batteries. Just running the 650w milk frother draws around 50a which is too much for a battery bank my size, and Its done some damage to them already. Actually Havnt had a problem recharging though with the idc25. It's normally back on a float before midday on solar alone. That's a good price on the idc45, I think If/when i upgrade the charger I'd probably go for the enerdrive DC 40 just for the fact that it has the lithium charge algorithm.

[@davidmanning4047]

Got any plans for a full vehicle walk through of the dmax Cam? Would love to see the setup in detail.

[@WildTouring]

@@davidmanning4047 yes definitely on the cards sometime soon! I keep putting it off as I'm never really finished. But I'll pull my finger out and do the video of where it's at now.

[@aussiegruber86]

Just a handy thing to remember is that most standard AGM batteries are rated at a 20hr rating, for example your 240ah bank is good for 12ah draw over 20 hours, increasing the current draw will shorten the life of the batteries. Heat is also another factor, if your charging and draining batteries when they are hot this will decrease the life as well. Or buy a $240 king's 2kVa generator lol as mentioned above and save yourself $2k in Battery costs

[@shanedawson720]

Mate - great content and sad to see it sort of go/slow - enjoy just enjoying it again tho! quick one if you keep an eye here still: can you give a bit of detail or a link to the switchboard panel material and where you sourced it? keep travelling, cheers, Shane

[@kevinrusso6849]

Well done mate , very professional

[@bunnyholecrypto9561]

Been using Korr orange and it does work.

[@rahalati]

Nice work. @ 8:07 you talked about the fuse box, what size of power cable coming from your battery to the fuse box? And is there a fuse connected between the battery to the fuse box and what size?

[@bethelteshuwah9824]

I really like your set up!!

[@GaryBoyd02]

The life cycle of Lithium Phosphate is so much longer and you can take 90 percent out. The upfront cost is more but they are actually more economical than glass mat batteries. The only draw back is you can't charge them below 0 C which isn't a problem for you. 😉

[@robertsternberg6147]

mate, did you mention WHERE you are there? good stuff!

[@ScottTurnerformeindustrious]

Thanks mate! Great helpful video!

[@samsue1224]

Love your work mate👌🏼