Using a rental camper-motorhome

Charging Second Battery

You will want to charge the second battery whilst driving.

If you are renting a 4WD or may change your unit soon, you can avoid the cost of modyfing the vehicle charge circuit by doing the following: Install a second battery pack and the booster/multi stage charger. Plug into the cigarette lighter outlet IF it is a high current outlet. (Some vehicles have high current outlets in rear). Dont worry about the voltage drop at the outlet, the booster will fix that!

12V Battery Pack
with Booster and
Multistage charger

Using a refrigerator in the back of the vehicle

Keep the fridge as full as possible of liquids as these create a thermal mass that keeps the space efficient. If your budget allows it, consider an “eutectic fridge”. Once initially started, these will operate for up to 23 hours without any power and maintain temperature. During this time the eutectic compound changes phase absorbing energy. After this time it will take power to operate and restore the eutectic state.

For stays overnight or 1-2 days, the eutectic will work very well with the second battery. For longer stays, consider solar panels.

Autofridge 73litre or 40 litre fridge/freezer

Cooker

Small Metho or Butane portable cookers are very efficient and reduce the risk of carrying LPG

None, But visit
rucsacsupplies.com.au

LED light mounted to side of vehicle or inside tent

Plug this into any 12v outlet and connected to battery system. Most LED's are less than 3W of power which is approx one quarter of an amp. This is a quarter of the power consumed by most portable fluorescent lights.

Selected LED lights have NO UV spectrum in them and will not attract insects.

Try to get the LED pointing down on the subject area you want lit. Avoid the old fashioned "coleman style" miners lamps that radiate light horizontally. It is a waste of power and directly into your eyes. (every USA Trailer campsite has hundreds of these)

Try to have several task related LED lights that you can selectively turn on rather than the one big fluoro.

LED Camping Downlight

LED Flexistrip

Portable LED Light

Use this as a personal light and to Velcro onto shovel/stake to give light over cooking plate on open fire.

Try to buy the rechargeable type that dont need battery changes. A solar charge Torch is a huge Plus!

Solar Rechargable
LED Flashlight

Using Solar Panels

A solar suitcase of 80W will give about 4-5 Amps maximum of 12V power. A 120W Solar Suitcase is better with 6-8 Amps maximum. Typically most fridges use 4-6amps of power. The more efficient fridges don’t use less current but the cycle off for a longer time and thus use less overall power.

Use a lock to attach a security wire between the solar panels and a secure point on the vehicle. If the security wire is cut, your insurance policy may cover as it is “forced theft”. However, check your policy!

80W Solar Suitcase

120W Solar Suitcase

Roof Top Tent

A permanent mattress makes all the difference to weeks away. Add to that the peace of mind of being off the ground in locations that may have dingoes (Fraser Island) or other unwelcome curious reptiles (big reptiles are hungry)

If you are staying more than a night, then an awning to cover the rear of the vehicle is a must as well as walls for wind and/or privacy protection if required.

MYCUBE

If Desert or high country travel

One of the major challenges for roof top tents is the condensation buildup under mattresses. There are also people with allegies from mould spores and find camping in winter difficult.

A 12V Membrane heater under mattress will eliminate condensation and keep the mattress dry. The amount of time for it to run is the only question you will need to resolve and this is based on your own comfort and the conditions. Typically, most people find 6-7 hours "on" about right. The Membrane heater consumes 1A approx for each side of the bed. So 6-7 hours for 2 people will consume 13Ah approx. 

Membrane Heater

Water Tank or Bladder

These come either as the rear upright type sitting between the wheel arch of the vehicle or a remote permanent water tank.

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Diesel hot water suitcase

Big advantage of these is ability to pump from billabong or stream as well as virtually instantaneous hot water.

This gives the ultimate luxury for the long showers when there is a billabong near by!

They are a must for fisherman as the clean up is excellent.

A Filter can also be fitted with these to give easy filtered drinking water.

Diesel Hot Water Suitcase