2021 Ford Ranger FX4 TRS-3 Project Build

[Curious Hound]

So how long you think the Jackery alone would last? I've been looking at them. Was thinking the 1000v2 though. If the 500 is enough I'd rather go that route for space/weight savings. Maybe a Christmas present for myself..

It’s going to depend in what you use it for. For example; my refrigerator is rated at 84 watts maximum load, if I recall. 84 watts, divided by 12volts = 7 amps. 7 amps continuous for 1 hour = 7 amp-hours (7ah). So, a 100ah battery source will operate the refrigerator for around 14hours. That’s roughly how you figure it out and plan your system. The refrigerator, if it’s already at setpoint and you don't open the door a lot, will not need that whole 84 watts. It will probably operate the compressor on and iff less than 50% of the time and many models have an economy mode that runs the compressor at a lower power when it dies run. So now our 100ah battery source should last at least 28 hours, maybe a bit more. Figuring out how many amp-hours you need and comparing it to how many amp-hours your source can supply is the key. Every device you want to run has voltage and amp or watt ratings. So you can calculate how many amp-hours it will use.

If you run an inverter to supply 120volt loads, there are losses within that. So, if you run an inverter and plug your refrigerator into that at 120volts, you will use more power than running the refrigerator in 12 volts directly because you will have the amp-hour load of the refrigerator PLUS the overhead internal inefficiencies of the inverter converting 12volts to 120volts AC. Some with charging tool batteries. If I want to charge the Milwaukee batteries for my flashlight and chainsaw, my Milwaukee charger runs on 120volts. So, charging a 2ah battery will require more than 2ah from my house batteries source.

Always figure in some extra capacity. These numbers are “ideal” but there will be losses in the system - wire resistances and losses within the electronics and control devices. That’s just part of life. Always help the system in any way you can. Make sure food is cold or frozen before you load the refrigerator. Pre-cool the refrigerator down to its setpoint before loading it and taking it on the trip. Keep it full. The cold food helps regulate the temperature and keep it from fluctuating as much every time you open the door. Minimize how much you have it open. Keep it in the shade as much as possible.

 

[sgtsandman]

During our Vagabond trip to Colorado, I relied on the lithium battery to power the fridge at night, run the air compressor, and then power the fridge from around 1pm on Friday to late Sunday morning while we were at Overland Expo.

Then last weekend the lithium battery powered the fridge from Thursday evening until Sunday afternoon on bright sunny days with 93-degree daytime temps and 68 degrees at night.

The system worked flawlessly and had more than enough power to run the fridge. I'm guessing the battery could run this fridge for 5-days, and if I have my Jackery 500 as a backup it will easily run for a week.

All and all I'm really happy with the setup. I don't imagine I'll ever be stationary on any adventure long enough to run out of battery power.

I decided that I really need to add an awning. I was stuck camping out in the open last weekend with no shade, and the sun was so intense I was tempted to throw my sleeping bag under my tailgate just to get some shade for a while. I had been considering an awning before, but this trip really drove the point home to get one.

I noticed that a couple of people had Devos telescoping lights at their campsites and were using a red light instead of amber. Having a good camp light is something I want. I had thought about mounting an amber light on the back of my rack to light up the tailgate. While in Colorado I laid my camp lantern up there, but I want something more convenient. So, I may add a light and get a telescoping camp light as well.

I'm pretty happy with this setup, and I'm still good with having a ground tent instead of a rooftop tent. I saw a 3 MPG gain over the other Rangers that had roof top tents and / or were weighted down with a ton of stuff.

Red light attracts even less bugs than amber does. I learned about that from the Aussie overlanders. Most of them don't use amber at all anymore.

 

[sgtsandman]

So how long you think the Jackery alone would last? I've been looking at them. Was thinking the 1000v2 though. If the 500 is enough I'd rather go that route for space/weight savings. Maybe a Christmas present for myself..

Running just my 35 liter refrigerator, the 300 watt unit I have is just enough to keep it running for one night. It gets recharged during the day while driving and the truck powers the refrigerator. So, that should give you a rough metric to work off of.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I just use the regular truck battery for my fridge, it works fine for me on econo mode.

Incredibly handy just to have a fridge in a vehicle, I had mine in for two weeks without an issue before I reluctantly pulled it out.

 

[sgtsandman]

I just use the regular truck battery for my fridge, it works fine for me on econo mode.

Incredibly handy just to have a fridge in a vehicle, I had mine in for two weeks without an issue before I reluctantly pulled it out.

I don't trust the tiny AGM battery they put in these trucks. They don't last very long as it is. One would think they were made by Optima or something.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I don't trust the tiny AGM battery they put in these trucks. They don't last very long as it is. One would think they were made by Optima or something.

They are AGM so they can take the beating from start/stop better than a normal flooded battery. If anything they should do better than a comparable flooded battery.

 

[sgtsandman]

They are AGM so they can take the beating from start/stop better than a normal flooded battery. If anything they should do better than a comparable flooded battery.

They are supposed to but the track record on the 2019+ Rangers hasn't been great. I think they went to small on the battery. I've been told you can barely shoehorn a H7 battery in the same spot the H6 goes. I think I may try that when this one gives up the ghost. Based on it's static voltage after sitting for a while, that will probably be in about a year.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

They are supposed to but the track record on the 2019+ Rangers hasn't been great. I think they went to small on the battery. I've been told you can barely shoehorn a H7 battery in the same spot the H6 goes. I think I may try that when this one gives up the ghost. Based on it's static voltage after sitting for a while, that will probably be in about a year.

Quite a few F-150's call for the H6 also... mine included lol.

 

[Snoranger]

I’ve read people blaming the smart alternator keeping the battery just barely charged, not fully charged.

 

[Rick W]

Personally, I never thought of putting a refrigerator in the truck. There’s no 711s where you guys go camping?

 

[Curious Hound]

There’s no 711s where you guys go camping?

Sometimes, “Nope”.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I've been told you can barely shoehorn a H7 battery in the same spot the H6 goes. I think I may try that when this one gives up the ghost. Based on it's static voltage after sitting for a while, that will probably be in about a year.

Your truck is 6-years old, so I feel like that battery should be at the end of its life.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Your truck is 6-years old, so I feel like that battery should be at the end of its life.

6 years is a respectable run if it still has the original battery in it.

3-4 years is about average.

 

[sgtsandman]

Your truck is 6-years old, so I feel like that battery should be at the end of its life.

It's not the original battery. The original failed about 3 years after I bought the truck. This one is about three years old.

 

[sgtsandman]

6 years is a respectable run if it still has the original battery in it.

3-4 years is about average.

Nope, not the original battery. I'm used to getting about 5 out of a battery. The best I ever saw was 7 out of a Panasonic that came in the Honda. I had never seen a Panasonic car battery before or since.