POWER - HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH? Victron Install

Living and working on the road full time demands power - this was always going to be a big installation.
We've learnt a lot from our time on the road, and after 5.5 years full timing across Europe, Asia and north Africa, in all conditions, we know only too well how important having enough power means....
We max out this build, and future proof it for traveling the world.
We'd love to know if you'd do anything different, let us know in the comments 🙏
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[@WoodcockFamilyOverland]

The truck is looking awesome! 👍

[@TheGapDecaders]

Thank you ☺️

[@bikerm123]

Truck is looking good

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Derek, thank you 👍🏻😀

[@livingworkingoutsidebox]

The lockers look great. Good job on the electrical. Got a bit of a chuckle out of you all taking alpacas for a walk. 🦙

[@davidnaylor5475]

Great progress. It must be nice to see all the thought and effort planning become reality. Looking forward to the next chapter 👍👏

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi David, it is indeed, although it still feels like there's a mountain to climb to be finished by late Oct 😀

[@carlredmond3642]

Looks great...nice that it is a 24v system

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Carl, thank you 👍🏻

[@spirit5_of_adventure]

Loving the progress so far guys. Hope to see it in the flesh some time. Good luck with everything Andy & Kath.

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi both, thank you. I'm sure we'll meet again for another Biriani 🍷😀🙏

[@spirit5_of_adventure]

@@TheGapDecaders Our mouths are watering already 😋

[@nashz911]

Stuart Pirie- best man for the Job.

[@raydougan7367]

Very professional. Looking fantastic, if you went out and bought the same truck and speck you wouldn’t have the same attachment to it. The satisfaction when it’s all done will be amazing. Looking forward to the next video. 👌🏻

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Ray, thank you and yes, it's heart and soul... can't wait to get going 😀

[@pathfinder303]

It's coming on ! The boxes look good. I use Victron myself, been using them for over 20 years. I use to build canal boats til ill health stopped that , now I use them in my campers. The truck is looking good the wheels and tyres make a big difference.

[@TheGapDecaders]

Thank you, yeah we're really happy with progress in general, although we need to grow another money tree 🙈😀🙏

[@meurigjones2469]

Amazing, as is the rest of the build up to now. Well done

[@williamhickinbottom9373]

Beautiful work 👌👍👏

[@mariogajewski6069]

Looks amazing love the strorage boxes plenty of room. Everthing looks so neat carnt wait to see the build inside Best of luck.😊

[@minvonuk]

Lookimg great! ❤

[@KevIsOffGrid]

You aren't looking too bad for 100 ;)

[@TheGapDecaders]

😂😂 Gee, fanks Kev I need a holiday 🏖️😄

[@johnwarburton7673]

Looks like a great install guys👍

[@TheGapDecaders]

Thanks John, appreciate your thoughts as always 😀👍🏻

[@Rob.1340]

👍🚐😎

[@Aidan-tu4un]

Couldn’t believe the picture at 10.50’. Overlooking the Five fingers beach and the entrance to Trawbreaga Bay… that is such an important part of my childhood, my parents hail from Malin and Ballyliffin and I have played on those beaches and swam in that sea so often…❤❤❤

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Aidan, so pleased it brought back fond memories. Even after 37 years of being away, it gives me that same lovely feeling. I love Donegal & often tell people to go visit - the waters clear and the coastlines spectacular, with few folk about. 👍🏻☺

[@Colorado4x4Van]

Love the amount of exterior storage and 145 gallons of water! Just out of curiosity, what does an electrical install like that cost over there? Love the build!

[@TheGapDecaders]

Thank you, yeah I’m really gonna enjoy the storage. The solar/Victron set up fitted was just under £20k (just under $25k US) We had it fitted professionally, which wasn’t cheap but the guy knows his stuff.

[@COO415]

​@@TheGapDecadersWhich is about the same damage to your pocket in the US.

[@bitminerbob6731]

2000w of solar, not 2000 kilowatts. :) Looks like an awesome power system.

[@TheGapDecaders]

Yes, watts 😁 cheers👍

[@JDOnTheRoad]

Great to see the new Tonka slowly taking shape. I still prefer the simplicity of a motorcycle 😅 When it's ready, a trip to Ireland to test everything is going to be a MUST 😊 Best, J and D

[@TheGapDecaders]

A Big Hello ☘, Yeah we're getting there, hopefully we'll have the best of both worlds 🏍😀 We've talked about it, but the reality is we're gonna be pushed to get it finished, a shortish test period and then trundling down to Spain for Christmas, as we've got family coming out 😁. Still very keen to spend a few months touring Ireland but not in November 😂👍🏻

[@COO415]

This rig is gonna be a beast. Kawabunga solar power, 565 liters of fresh water and 600 liters of gasoline. Really for zombie apocalypse 😊.

[@TheGapDecaders]

😂😂😂 this made me laugh 🙏👍🏻

[@peterfinch3548]

Sorry to pick up but surely that is 2000w of solar (2kw)? I am impressed that you have gone for a 24V system. 5000w inverter because of the aircon unit? I am looking forward to the detailed video on the electrics as I am absolutely fascinated by this stuff. Just one question now though, are you building in any forced cooling for the electrical equipment, especially the B2Bs which can run very hot under load?

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Peter, good to hear from you. It is 2kw... too much swirling about in my head 😀 We spent a lot of time seeking advice on everything electric, including additional cooling, cable sizing, ventilation and loads. There are variables, but the overall opinion was no requirement for additional cooling however, a heatproof plate behind the B2B''s advisable, we'll also ventilate the space. I suppose I could retrofit additional fans, we'll see how it performs.

[@peterfinch3548]

​@@TheGapDecaders The only reason I asked is because I was very impressed by advice from Alex Frood (Mispronounced Adventures). He did a controlled test of 2x Victron Orion B2Bs and he was able to show how output of the B2Bs increased by about 25% simply by cooling the heat sinks. I copied his installation and can confirm efficiency did increase considerably; perhaps not quite 25% but it was significant. Well worth a watch. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqe7nJedodNkhKMsi=U7w7LvMsrwZcia2D

[@alanbell6999]

You must be half way through

[@TheGapDecaders]

Hi Alan, Yeah, we're over halfway now. There's a lot of enabling work happening at present, including sourcing fittings and appliances and prepping for everything wet. Hoping to be done (thereabouts) by late Oct. 👍🏻