Anyway, after arriving, I checked in to a hotel, then went to visit my friends - so no time to post or such. Quickly got up to speed on latest in our car modifications, which were sufferring some delays and setbacks, so today at dawn headed off to help.
Our car, "Ruby", is a 1993, 80 series Landcruiser. And it is getting mods that put it somewhere in the class of those diesel-electric Collins class submarines. (except Ruby has solar too
) Maybe lucky we are attempting this in Adelaide, where said subs were actually built!
A hectic and long day, between assisting with wiring and mechanical work, to shopping for bits and pieces ranging from new fun gear through to finding bits in wreckers....
Having already becoming quite attached to "Ruby", I refrained from taking photos today - she was in chaos still. But eventually will furnish detailed snaps of all the various mods. Just to rouse the interest of any off-road enthusiasts (or rev-heads or whatever people are called?), this vehicle mod includes some of the following key parts: (details including brands, specifics, etc when I have more time)
(1) electrics: This is the biggest challenge, and is done in sheer joy at going "overboard": under the hood is a primary 100 AH battery, with an second, auxiliary 100 AH. Apart from new upgraded alternator, these can be charged directly via solar input also. The heart of the system is however a single large (300 AH !) lithium battery mounted in front of the cargo barrier (we have removed rear seats for one of the fridges and other gear). There is a fixed 150w solar panel on the roofrack, and we also have another 150w solar blanket.
(2) lighting: I enjoy the dark, but my friend likes light - so - LED spotlights mounted on bull bar and on front of roof rack. LED spotlight arrays on rear of roof rack and on sides of roofrack. LED strip lights in rear of cab for working with rear open. LED strip lights for the Rhino batwing roof-rack mounted awning. Interior simple lights replaced with LED patches.
(3) Refrigeration: centre console mini fridge, large unit mounted across where rear seats were, large unit mounted on pull-out tray in rear of cab, arge unit in trailer.
(4) various electronics: battery management systems, inverters, plethora of power input and output connections (including maybe a dozen USB ports???), sound system with subwoofer etc, HEMA GPS/nav system
(5) Roofrack: Rhino with inbuilt awning, etc.
(6) Fuel: second long range fuel tank.
(7) Comfort: brand spanking new Recaro seats
etc etc
Am hoping to sleep now as another big day tomorrow solving small issues.
