Glad to finally get to work on my truck!

[Dodger-TC]

You know the best part about being home from Iraq is getting to just head out to the driveway and work on my project truck. So today I installed the new exhaust and relocated the drive shaft hangar bearing bracket. Then with the aid of my 12 year old daughter, we removed the battery box to get ready for the second fuel tank installation. Just figured I would update everyone on what all is going on with my project.

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

Dont' forget to take pictures for us visual learners.

 

[Dodger-TC]

Much needed pictures:

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

Very cool. So, you've shortened up the frame and moved the axle forward? And then you're going to mount the ambulance box right behind the cab and cut through into the back of the cab? Oh boy, this is great.

 

[Dodger-TC]

Yeah, it is my baby. It is set up like a camper inside as well as a shop for all my hobbies. The box should be moved over with in the next few weeks. I am still waiting on some parts like the 12 rubber mounts, cab seal, another fuel tank, and what not. I got the truck for next to nothing when I was home on leave from Iraq. I got to start it for the first time last week, and it runs great, so that was a plus. I just moved the batteries from under the hood of the E350 to a side locker of the ambulance. That way I do not need the International's battery box, and have room for an extra fuel tank. I will keep you guys updated.

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

So you've got seperate batteries for the truck engine and the living quarters, right? I think you want them set up with two seperate systems. That way if you're camping you can use the house batteries all you want and if they go dead you can still start the motor. And put a switch in to tie all the batteries together when you've got the engine running that way it'll charge up your house batteries. But you probably already knew that huh?

 

[Dodger-TC]

You are correct! I have four batteries total, they are linked by an isolator to keep em all charged. I based it on my old motorhome's power system. The only issue I am dealing with now with the electrical system is the generator. I have a 5K Onan that does not charge the battery on its own. It uses power from the battery for the coil, but has no stator/rectifier setup built in. So I will need to set it up to power the battery charger. I did get the chance to hang my drive shafts today. So it is slowly making progress.

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

My rig has a battery charger/converter plugged into an 120v outlet in the battery compartment. So, when the generator is running that outlet is hot and the charger starts charging the house batteries. At least I think that's what happens. Could you do it that way?

This might be a job for Ran D.

 

[Dodger-TC]

That is pretty much what I was planning, right now I have a pretty nice charger, I really think that I should get a converter, but my camper has one. I am not really how much time I will spend in the box yet. What brand it yours? Do you have a picture of it?

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

Mine's an Iota. I can't remember which one tho. http://www.iotaengineering.com/12vdc.htm

I'm heading down to my shop today to p/u my truck and bring it home for a couple days. We're getting some wood floors sanded and poly'd and the wife wants to stay in the motorhome because the smell is too much for her. Also they're doing the steps so we can't get up to the bedroom or bathroom either. Sure is handy having a mobile house to bring on site.

Anyhow, those Iota charger/converters are supposed to be pretty good. I just did a quick search on ebay and found a bunch. Doesn't look like too bad prices either.

 

[Dodger-TC]

how many amps is typical for a converter in a smaller truck?

 

[Bob86ZZ4]

I checked mine, it's a DLS55. 55 amp converter/charger.

 

[Ran D. St. Clair]

Dodger,

For what it's worth, I have the 90A Iota converter. I would say you want the largest that you are willing to spend money on. That way you won't have to run your generator any longer than necessary. Just make sure the converter input doesn't exceed your generator output, and in your case you probably need excess generator output capacity for whatever other AC loads you might apply. You can't really charge the batteries too rapidly. The 3 or 4 stage circuitry in the converter will limit the current appropriately. In the bulk charging phase, when the battery is flat to about 80% charged, the current will either be limited by the converter current (90A in my case) or whatever the battery will take at the specified bulk charge voltage. The batteries will probably take far more than the charger current limit, so that will prevail. As the batteries near full charge the current will drop off, so the current limit on the charger no longer matters.

Some of the IOTA converters require a separate module to be 3 or 4 stage battery chargers. Without the module they are a single stage battery charger. Depending on your situation that might be just fine. It is in my case.

 

[Dodger-TC]

so, the project drives on, just a whole lot slower than I had wanted. I am waiting on the welder to finish my brackets so I can mount the box. Figured I would keep everyone updated...