What did you receive in the mail today for your Ranger?

[Ranger Lariat]

Have it / Love it! Was installed the day I brought mine home from the dealer. (just go slow / easy popping up the console around the gear shift)

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[Fordup]

As I continue to "wing it" with this inverter project, my dc-to-dc charger and modified marine box arrived.

My two main routes:

Now I'm at a crossroads and not sure with way to go. With the size of the charger and inverter, I have an all-in-one solution with the larger plano box. I would outfit the top with 12v, USB, and 120v outlets and charge ports for connecting an array of charging options (12vdc for the dc2dc, 120ac to 12vdc, and solar, possibly all wired to a rotary selector switch for full isolation from each other). That said, the foot print is larger than I wanted for just one battery.

Second option is more modular. Use the smaller battery box and mount the dc2dc charger and inverter on the side wall of my bed (thinking builtright molle panels down the line) and have the smaller battery box tucked out of the way behind the wheel well... I could then order a second battery and basic marine battery box- by adding an anderson plug and make a 6ft jumper, double my ampacity running the two in parallel, and have them both tucked against driver and passenger side out of the way.

Only concern would be having the charger and inverter mounted right under the edge of the tonneau cover and the possibility of them getting water in/on them.

As a bed rack and RTT are still far out additons on this project, I'd contemplated purchasing the truck bed tent (fordpass points maybe?) and air mattress by Napier in the mean time, so something tighter to the side walls was a consideration with that in mind.

Choices?...


Any thoughts, suggestions or similar setups to what I just described? Thanks!

Those inverters need a lot of fresh air to keep from overheating. Looks awful tight in there for straight in and out fresh air.

 

[SD4160]

Those inverters need a lot of fresh air to keep from overheating. Looks awful tight in there for straight in and out fresh air.

Yes, agreed! I'm not standing in front of it, but I believe the plano box has a gasketed seal around the lid and everything going inside has some requirement for ventilation for proper heat dissipation, so that certainly won't work. I was contemplating cutting two holes and mounting computer fans as a fresh air "in" (filtered) and hot air "out" to help remedy this if I go that route. I could wire it to be triggered off the remote start of the inverter or just have a separate switch. I haven't put any time into this since my original post, but I think forced air is a must in that box.

I may still go the "modular" route I mentioned and just fabricate some sort of rain shield to cover the tops of the charger and inverter if they're mounted inside the truck bed wall.

I need to take a few minutes to determine if that larger box is deal breaker space-wise in my truck bed. Then I'll go from there.

I appreciate the time and input! I'll take anymore you have.

 

[Fordup]

Yes, agreed! I'm not standing in front of it, but I believe the plano box has a gasketed seal around the lid and everything going inside has some requirement for ventilation for proper heat dissipation, so that certainly won't work. I was contemplating cutting two holes and mounting computer fans as a fresh air "in" (filtered) and hot air "out" to help remedy this if I go that route. I could wire it to be triggered off the remote start of the inverter or just have a separate switch. I haven't put any time into this since my original post, but I think forced air is a must in that box.

I may still go the "modular" route I mentioned and just fabricate some sort of rain shield to cover the tops of the charger and inverter if they're mounted inside the truck bed wall.

I need to take a few minutes to determine if that larger box is deal breaker space-wise in my truck bed. Then I'll go from there.

I appreciate the time and input! I'll take anymore you have.

One other thing you may want to look into is grounding. The unit you are building will probably sit in your truck with no path to earth ground and if handled wrong you could possibly become a path to ground through something plugged in to it. I think the NEC book has info on grounding portable power sources. Looks like you are trying to build a weatherproof version of the Bluetti type portable power unit that will be a real challenge. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

 

[Dr3wDrop]

My charging cable for the truck developed a crack in it. This was $46 off on Amazon, so I went this way instead of replacing the cable. I have @DirkM's tray coming too, so I will start working on my system.

You will love @DirkM wireless charging pad and wireless carplay setup!

 

[subquark]

I got these nifty gator clamps thanks to a link from @RedDakooter05. =)

I'm going to add 3 to each side of my Revolver X4s to make it more secure. I'm not sure they need it but the 4 on each side don't seem like enough for the 6 feet of rail.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09V1SLJ88/

And ... Kate got yet more microfiber towels! She's a nut on detailing her new car (she even has those microfiber fingers for doing the vents). And the blue thing is a bucket caddy, because you know ...

 

[subquark]

Got a 4DTech programmer today! This one disables/Enables the Auto Start/Stop.

Hmm, I had the ASS delete on mine because of when I ordered it. Would this doohickey give me ASS, if I wanted it?

 

[IdahoRanger]

Hmm, I had the ASS delete on mine because of when I ordered it. Would this doohickey give me ASS, if I wanted it?

You don't need ASS for the dump.

 

[Chris M]

You don't need ASS for the dump.

Sure you do.
Something has to counterbalance all weight he's hauling out there

 

[subquark]

You don't need ASS for the dump.

Hmm, I might! =D

 

[RedDakooter05]

I got these nifty gator clamps thanks to a link from @RedDakooter05. =)

I'm going to add 3 to each side of my Revolver X4s to make it more secure. I'm not sure they need it but the 4 on each side don't seem like enough for the 6 feet of rail.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09V1SLJ88/

And ... Kate got yet more microfiber towels! She's a nut on detailing her new car (she even has those microfiber fingers for doing the vents). And the blue thing is a bucket caddy, because you know ...

At this point, welding them on would be an option...

 

[subquark]

At this point, welding them on would be an option...

Yikes, they aren't working for you?

 

[RedDakooter05]

Yikes, they aren't working for you?

No, I meant you lmao. You already have 4 per side.


I should be fine with just center mounts.(Have not installed them, busy with work)

 

[SD4160]

One other thing you may want to look into is grounding. The unit you are building will probably sit in your truck with no path to earth ground and if handled wrong you could possibly become a path to ground through something plugged in to it. I think the NEC book has info on grounding portable power sources. Looks like you are trying to build a weatherproof version of the Bluetti type portable power unit that will be a real challenge. Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Thanks I'll take a look.

The inverter does have built in GFCI protection, so I think it might be ok.

Against my better judgment ?, I glanced at the manual for the inverter and it specifically says not to use in close proximity to the battery, so my all-in-one solution is not looking feasible. So either making the smaller marine box work or back to the drawing board.

 

[subquark]

No, I meant you lmao. You already have 4 per side.


I should be fine with just center mounts.(Have not installed them, busy with work)

But they were such a pain to get in and shim so that the tonneau rails didn't dip inward. They still do a little on the driver side so I'm hoping that more clamps with shims on each will help keep it level.

A semi-determined thief would do best by not trying to break the tonneau latch system but simply pry the tonneau rails up. Even with the clamps tight, the plastic of the bed rail caps is slick and the rails can be moved up with a bit of force.

LOL, always something that I can work myself up to worry about! =D

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