Defender 130 Overlander build

[coetzer94]

looking good.

Pic of my system covered with rubber.

Quick question, and not to highjack the thread,

how do you go about setting the Fridge temps on such an arrangement?

Snowmaster should be easy, NL not so much?

[BruceT]

I am a big fan of NL products and their after sales service so maybe a bit biased.

I find the digital display and temp settings very easy. Just use the digital display and settings. Drinks fridge and food fridge is usually set to around 1C and freezer is usually set to about -5C

the 90lt is on a drop down slide and completely comes out the back so easy to get to the control panel, the 52lt’s panel is easy to see and get to from the side door.

[BruceT]

Next up;
Tino from G4 is coming to upgrade and redo the dual battery system. He has done all of my vehicles and being pretty fussy he is the only one I trust to instal a decent system.
watch this space

[coetzer94]

I am a big fan of NL products and their after sales service so maybe a bit biased.

I find the digital display and temp settings very easy. Just use the digital display and settings. Drinks fridge and food fridge is usually set to around 1C and freezer is usually set to about -5C

the 90lt is on a drop down slide and completely comes out the back so easy to get to the control panel, the 52lt’s panel is easy to see and get to from the side door.

Apologies, was referring to @grips 's post with the fridges against the cab of the bakkie. Also a big fan of NL, but that remote of the SM makes life easier and opens up some fitment locations

[grips]

Quick question, and not to highjack the thread,

how do you go about setting the Fridge temps on such an arrangement?

Snowmaster should be easy, NL not so much?

There is about a 300mm gap between the fridges and the 130l water tank. Which I left for chairs and light stuff Fridges are actually very easy to reach and adjust.

The National is a fridge/Freezer. Set on - 8 and 1.

Snowmaster at - 10. Snowmaster remote makes life easier. Have a wireless remote display for the NL.

Sorry Bruce no intention to hi-jack your thread

[BruceT]

Grips not at all. Please carry on. Gives me ideas for this build

[grips]

I am taking tips from you

[BruceT]

Haha ok good that we helping each other and someone is getting something out of this thread ��


ive had a couple messages asking why I am upgrading the dual battery system.
the main reason is it’s very untidy right now and I don’t know who fitted the current t-max system, so I don’t trust it.

In the past G4 have done all my vehicles. From my defenders to my discoveries and not once have I ever had any issues and they systems they fitted worked faultlessly. So although my system is performing well I am getting it redone as a safety precaution! Nothing worse than warm captain and no ice while in the bush

[grips]

I share your views on T-Max. Had one that died on me on a Namib trip.
Currently I am running DC to DC chargers.
Still need to sort the electrics as well.

[Nys]

Haha ok good that we helping each other and someone is getting something out of this thread ��


ive had a couple messages asking why I am upgrading the dual battery system.
the main reason is it’s very untidy right now and I don’t know who fitted the current t-max system, so I don’t trust it.

In the past G4 have done all my vehicles. From my defenders to my discoveries and not once have I ever had any issues and they systems they fitted worked faultlessly. So although my system is performing well I am getting it redone as a safety precaution! Nothing worse than warm captain and no ice while in the bush

Nothing worse than opening up and finding a untidy second battery installation - had that with the Cruiser and immediately pulled all fuses until I could redo the wiring. Told them to rip out everything and rewire from scratch.

[BruceT]

Tino and Eddie from G4 accessories have come out to redo the battery system and are still busy with it. Their work quality is amazing and I’m very glad they are redoing it. They have removed the Tmax system and fitted a National luna system and replaced all of the wiring. Whoever installed the Tmax system did a terrible job. Have a look at some of these connectors and how they were crimped. Small connectors were used for big wires with the copper wire just being cut down.
very worth while exercise and well worth it.

Here are some of the old connectors as they were removed!

ps. The tmax system is available very cheap if anyone wants it. (Swop for Two bottles of Captain) ��

[BruceT]

As a comparison here are some of the G4 connectors (not finished yet)

Tino has also replaced the battery which was 4 years old as a precaution.

Highly recommend G4 Accessories and their quality of work and attention to detail.

[D-tox]

nice! that's how its supposed to look, like you said, well worth it, and the peace of mind from here onward is priceless!

[BruceT]

I couldn’t be happier and I’m a fussy oak!

here it is finished. Has another deep cycle in the rear so basically 210ah worth of power with about 50% useable to be safe. Around 16 hours with both fridges running full time which they don’t ever do so I estimate about 35 hours without any charging.
I also have ordered another 150w fold up panel so will have 300w of solar power to charge during the day when not driving. Should be enough I think.

before and after pics

[DiscoFrans]

Tino did the split charge system in my D3 and it was of a very high standard

[Rainmaker]

Tino did the split charge system in my D3 and it was of a very high standard

He has done 3 Disco’s over 10 years or so for me and I have also been very happy with the result

[BruceT]

I did a a quick trip to the bush yesterday with some mates

Club Defender year end get together
https://youtu.be/yyNTl5vxewg

[grips]

Lekker

[BruceT]

Some more work in prep for the Gonarezhou Soccer Ball Drive in 3 weeks.

fitted:
- mud stuff dash cubby
- mud stuff Centre console tray
- mud stuff aircon vent to direct the air into the footwell not just your calf
- side mounted table and I switched the kitchen door to open upwards

also got a second flexible 150w panel as a back up that can be added to my existing panel if one panel doesn’t produce enough power in the December heat.

Also fitted the mandatory reflective stickers for Zim. Looks terrible so will be removed when we are back.

[RossJ]

i like that table - a lot

how stable is it

say cutting a pineapple where sawing motion required

does it wobble much on the single leg