Minimal Power Installation

[Brendan Harle]

Hi Everyone

I am a new member of the jimny tribe and I am overwhelmed with all the possible modifications and accessories that lay before me. That being said my question is this: I want to run very little off of any power from the vehicle, dual battery or otherwise. I don't want to install a fridge (too much space) nor run lights if the vehicle is not running (the whole point of camping is to get away from the lights as much as possible). All I want to install is one light bar for extra visibility whilst driving for the sake of safety and two anderson plugs for a compressor. Can I run all of this from the main battery if the vehicle is running? Are there any other critical powered components/options I am overlooking? Main goal is to use the vehicle for "light" overlanding. Probably 1 week maximum.

Would appreciate any and all feedback.

[Racer-X]

It would be quite simple to install a set of cables with fuses for a harrison/anderson connector in the load area.

I would then just install the largest capacity battery u could fit in the engine bay

[Bob9863]

In that case I'd be putting in a larger battery, it's not 100% necessary but it does provide a little extra fudge factor.
One mob out my way does a no drill battery conversion mentioned for running a bigger battery for a winch, but if you put something like that in with a dual purpose battery so you have drinking and a bit more draw then you should be in good shape.

A lot will depend on the size of the light and compressor, if you run them only when the engine is on then you probably don't need to change anything.

But definitely carry a small lithium jump start unit, it's a heap of reassurance to have.

In your situation a dual battery wouldn't help anyway, you shouldn't run driving lights, winches, compressors ect off of a second battery anyway. The draw is too much, they need need that constant alternator power.

[3bar]

Before fitting a light bar - learn about the rules - 99% of lightbar installs are wrong and open you up to being stopped / fined / bribing your way out of a situation you dont even need to get yourself into
work out the possible amp draw of accessories before even worrying about a different / bigger battery

also only buy what you really really will use - not because some salesman said - never trust the opinion of someone you are about to give money to......

[BruceHun]

Before fitting a light bar - learn about the rules - 99% of lightbar installs are wrong and open you up to being stopped / fined / bribing your way out of a situation you dont even need to get yourself into
work out the possible amp draw of accessories before even worrying about a different / bigger battery

also only buy what you really really will use - not because some salesman said - never trust the opinion of someone you are about to give money to......

Lightbars are illegal….many threads about this. I had one on my Jimny and was forced to remove it at a roadblock but still got a fine although the fitment centre fitted it legally.

[PsyPhin]

Sounds like you dont need a dual battery system and your lights and compressor options will work just fine if the car is running powered by the alternator.

Maybe a tiny portable power pack just to charge a camera/phone/laptop at camp and get some lights while you are cooking or cleaning at night kind of thing. Add a decent headlamp with red light option and for your needs you should be sorted.

[kippie2]

Might be worth running one power cable from main battery via a relay switched from the ignition for the power points in the back.
That way you can't accidentally leave something on and kill the main battery.
It does mean that your ignition will have to be on for the power point to work though.

[CraigWatt]

Hi Everyone

I am a new member of the jimny tribe and I am overwhelmed with all the possible modifications and accessories that lay before me. That being said my question is this: I want to run very little off of any power from the vehicle, dual battery or otherwise. I don't want to install a fridge (too much space) nor run lights if the vehicle is not running (the whole point of camping is to get away from the lights as much as possible). All I want to install is one light bar for extra visibility whilst driving for the sake of safety and two anderson plugs for a compressor. Can I run all of this from the main battery if the vehicle is running? Are there any other critical powered components/options I am overlooking? Main goal is to use the vehicle for "light" overlanding. Probably 1 week maximum.

Would appreciate any and all feedback.

You don't need a second battery. But as noted by others, light bars are not legal in South Africa.

Rather find a pair of nice spots and make sure they comply with local legislation.

They should be a certain distance apart (I can't remember how much) and should only be able to be activated when your headlights are set to bright IIRC.

[3bar]

Lightbars are illegal….many threads about this. I had one on my Jimny and was forced to remove it at a roadblock but still got a fine although the fitment centre fitted it legally.

yip thats what I am warning about

there are some lightbars that are legal (seperation etc) and then fitted in accordance with height / split etc - hence my 99% comment - as there are some that are legal but 99% are illegal and will lead to drawing unwanted attention

[Brendan Harle]

Thanks Everyone for the great feedback! My takeaway is that I might reconsider the lightbar/look for something legal. I think I will proceed with the anderson plug power install. Would this be a feasible project to take on myself (I think my electrical skills are more or less okay) or should even a small project like this be left for the professionals? Would they even take on such a small project?

[PsyPhin]

Regarding bars and spots as I just went through this exercise :

The front of a vehicle must have an even number of lights on left and right.
A vehicle cannot have more than 6 headlights, including stock.
No lights may be placed higher than 1400mm from the ground.
No light may be placed higher than the leading edge of the bonnet.
No light may be placed across the vertical median of a vehicle. This is what makes LED bars illegal.
All lights must be in a working order. Even if they are covered or disconnected, still illegal.
Spots cannot be adjustable.

They are only illegal because our law hasnt caught up with the rest of the world, that is probably why it isnt enforced so much. But you just need that one cop in a bad mood.

https://www.arrivealive.mobi/lightin...es-of-the-road

[iandvl]

Regarding bars and spots as I just went through this exercise :

The front of a vehicle must have an even number of lights on left and right.
A vehicle cannot have more than 6 headlights, including stock.
No lights may be placed higher than 1400mm from the ground.
No light may be placed higher than the leading edge of the bonnet.
No light may be placed across the vertical median of a vehicle. This is what makes LED bars illegal.
All lights must be in a working order. Even if they are covered or disconnected, still illegal.
Spots cannot be adjustable.

They are only illegal because our law hasnt caught up with the rest of the world, that is probably why it isnt enforced so much. But you just need that one cop in a bad mood.

https://www.arrivealive.mobi/lightin...es-of-the-road

Yes. It's a pet gripe of mine - seeing some of the folk driving around with the terra-watt light set ups. Normally a light bar on the leading edge of the bonnet and 60 spots mounted on the roll bar...

Whilst my truck is legal in all aspects in terms of lights and driving lights, I gathered the other day that my work light on the back of my roof rack is actually technically illegal. I shall remedy this...

[Imvubu]

Could a case be made for a rear worklight being an extra reverse lamp?

I had 2 roofrack-mounted led lamps on the back of my Defender, that were wired to come on when in reverse, but could also be switched on and off independently of the reverse lamp (which I might add was useless, as there was no way to see through the canopy).

[PsyPhin]

Could a case be made for a rear worklight being an extra reverse lamp?

I had 2 roofrack-mounted led lamps on the back of my Defender, that were wired to come on when in reverse, but could also be switched on and off independently of the reverse lamp (which I might add was useless, as there was no way to see through the canopy).

They are higher than 1400mm and you cannot have white light at the back, only red. But again so many people have rear working lights for camping and such.
My last Ford Ranger came with one stock so I dont know how that is legal. Maybe because it only shines in the load bin, was very dim and could not be permanently switched on?

"Also, bear in mind that spotlights that emit white light – or those with a blue tinge – are permitted only at the front of a vehicle, while spotlights that emit red light are allowed only at the rear. So, the backward facing white spotlight you have fixed to your 4×4 to illuminate your camp site in the bush is illegal."
https://www.getaway.co.za/brand-feat...s-and-the-law/

[Bob9863]

We had a similar rule here about light bars, I fould a way around it by putting an inch or two of black duck tape in the middle making it 2 lights.

That was the only way to get it passed rego when it went over the pit.

But your definitely safer off with spotlights by the sounds of it.

If you are going to wire anything up to the rear, have it connected to the axillary circuit with a relay like lights.
That way you can't forget about something and end up with a flat battery at an inconvenient time.

[PsyPhin]

We had a similar rule here about light bars, I fould a way around it by putting an inch or two of black duck tape in the middle making it 2 lights.

That was the only way to get it passed rego when it went over the pit.

But your definitely safer off with spotlights by the sounds of it.

If you are going to wire anything up to the rear, have it connected to the axillary circuit with a relay like lights.
That way you can't forget about something and end up with a flat battery at an inconvenient time.

Light bars are legal in Aus though? And they have to be center mounted...

[Bob9863]

Not always, they got their act together but when lightbars were new there were the usual teething problems and were regarded as off road only for a period.
At least in the state I moved to after I got one fitted and has to pass a roadworthy.

[Pieter de Waal]

Thanks Everyone for the great feedback! My takeaway is that I might reconsider the lightbar/look for something legal. I think I will proceed with the anderson plug power install. Would this be a feasible project to take on myself (I think my electrical skills are more or less okay) or should even a small project like this be left for the professionals? Would they even take on such a small project?

No reason why you cannot do it yourself. Just get all the facts straight before you start. Wire thickness, connections soldered, isolation, fuses, routing issues to look out for etc. Think twice about installing 2 and the Brad Harisson. You are welcome to come and talk to me in Centurion. I do not want to do the job or sell you anything. Experience I give away.