Thought it was time I showed my DIY camping setup. Let me know your thoughts. It has 4 gel batteries, an alternator disconnect with HOA, an inverter with hand made dash and battery charger.https://ift.tt/2qmMCsY lucked out and found the topper for free. Was a miracle it matched the color, down to the peeling clear coat. The carpet kit was found old and dirty for $50. Had to be modified for my bed as it had some spacers for a modern bed. Thurough cleaning and new cup holders made it pretty liveable.I did everything custom after that. Started by adding the combo 12vdc socket and usb chargers in every corner. Then I added the 1000 watt inverter which is wired to to outlets in the carpet kit and one hidden outlet under the back bumper, so I can run things with everything locked up. Made the custom dash so I could control the inverter without having to open the bench to turn it on and off.Next I added a 40 amp multi cell ac charger. It can charge all the batteries including the front cranking battery if needed and support a load if needed. I ran the ac plug for the charger out under the fuel door of the truck. It hangs up hidden in the side of the truck until needed.Used heavy gauge welders cable to run battery positive and negative to the engine compartment. There I have a 200amp disconnect relay that closes and connects positive leads to starting battery when engine is running. I added a three position toggle "Hand/Off/ Auto" switch to the circuit so I could disable the connection or force it on (to charge all batteries from charger, or to jump start the truck using the camper batteries if needed) aside from the auto function. Plus a nice indicator led to show the relay is closed. Whole thing works great. When engine cranks, the systems are disconnected, because it's on the ACC circuit. Then when the engine is up and running the ACC circuit energizes and thus the battery systems connect and become one, allowing the alternator to charge the batteries in the back if needed. If engine is off systems are isolated( unless switch is in hand mode), protecting front cranking battery from discharge.Everything is properly fused. And even made sure to run a negative back to the engine comp and bond to the cranking battery. Rear battery system is also bonded to the frame.Fyi if you like the tach, voltage and temp displays in the cab, found them on amazon. "DROK" was the brand. Tach was meant for a lathe. All together I call them " The time circuit". via /r/DIY https://ift.tt/2qnQzxr
