Spare Wheel Mounts Finished

So that's the spare wheel lifts finished, I am happy to say they worked out very well.

 

More work on the rear end

The sliding frames for the spare wheel lifts are now installed,  along with there winches.

Also added the high level reversing lights and the rear camera for the 360 degree look down camera system.

Just a little bit of wiring to do now and this part is finnished.

Balmar Marine Altinator

I am using a Balmar Marine Alternator  95 Series 140Amp, connected with an MC 624 Regulator, I chose this unit for many reasons:

It has a very large output for fast charging of Lithium-ion batteries.

It has external Battery and Alternator temperature sensors and is able to adjust the charge rate based on the temperature readings.

The controller is programmable for every battery type including Lithium-ion.

Charging lithium batteries from an alternator, in a vehicle, presents some challenges when compared to the straightforward nature of charging lead-based batteries.

1    Alternator overheating 
2    Alternator rectifier diodes failing because of overvoltage after disconnect by a BMS

Lithium-ion batteries can draw the full 140Amp from the alternator, nearly all alternators will not be able to cope with this for long periods.

When fully charged the BMS disconnects the batteries from the alternator, again not good.

The Balmar MC 624 regulator takes care of both of these.

Galvanised Spare wheel lifts

The parts for the spare wheel lifts are back from the galvanizers,  now I have to work out how to lift them on to the back of the truck !!

Rear Body Fin

The main reason for this "Fin" apart from the fact that it looks cool!   Is to protect the winches for the spare wheel mounts from excessive water.

The spare wheels will stick out 550mm from the rear of the body.

It also serves as a mounting point for the High level reversing lights and

the rear camera for the 360 deg look down camera system.

It's sealed and sanded now ready for paint.

Water Tanks

The truck will have two water tanks,

Tank one is 700Lts  and will be used for Shower (inside and outside), Sink,
Toilet flushing,  Washing Machine

Tank two will be used for drinking water only. Via a filter system.

You can see in the picture below:

Inspection Hatch.

The level sensor (900mm long)

Float switch to control the automated fill valve

Fill Valve

Air Bleed.

Some Body Painting

So with the help of the good lady once again and her impeccable sanding skills. We managed to get the rear end and one of the sides sanded and painted.

Again I used Rustoleum Combicolour RAL 7005

It's starting to look like something now.