TC.Barky's NW Buildup Thread

[02-SR5]

Instead of the awning out the back, can you turn your tent around so it opens towards the rear?

[TC.Barky]

Instead of the awning out the back, can you turn your tent around so it opens towards the rear?

I can, I prefer it off the side though

[Corker]

Awesome, that tent set up is fantastic!

I can feel some G.A.S coming on.

[grhyso]

Can I ask why you have the awning on the drivers side? Personally I put mine on the passengers so I don't have to walk around the open rear door whilst I'm camped but thought you must have a reason to do differently?

[TC.Barky]

Can I ask why you have the awning on the drivers side? Personally I put mine on the passengers so I don't have to walk around the open rear door whilst I'm camped but thought you must have a reason to do differently?

Because of the roof top. I'd have it the other way round without it. Privacy when camped roadside

[allanmac]

Looking good TC.... Enjoy the weekend at Paradise Valley; is a great spot on the river, maybe a little expensive but again, good spot.

[TC.Barky]

Looking good TC.... Enjoy the weekend at Paradise Valley; is a great spot on the river, maybe a little expensive but again, good spot.

We really love it as far as paid sites go. Need 2wd access and this is where we go when that's the case.

[TC.Barky]

Small update to make, had my CTEK D250S (DC-DC charger) moved this week. It was originally mounted underneath the starter battery in the engine bay (which is in the aux tray spot). I had mixed feelings about this initially but figured it'd be alright.

Next day I was flipping through the manual and noticed it was IP65 (splashproof but can't be submerged) and would wind the charge back at 50 deg. So I rang around a few places to get a few different opinions (describing that I do big river crossings, it's a turbo diesel etc etc) and was advised to not put it in the engine bay at all, definitely not where it is now as it would be possibly submerged and there would not be adequate ventilation to keep it cool.

Rang the installer, they were very good about it and booked me in to move it wherever I wanted. We looked at it for a bit with a display unit seeing where we could squeeze it. Basically nothing suitable for what I wanted in the engine bay and I had a few suggestions for possible spots inside.

Bit limited with where you can put it inside the car, it's ENORMOUS! No joy in the passenger footwell behind the glovebox. Best options are either next to the steering column drivers side or in behind the radio.

Ended up putting it in behind the radio. Very pleased with it back there. Suprisingly easy to access and can see all the lights and everything just by pulling off one panel. The installers did a great job (doesn't rattle or foul anything) and they did it all for no charge (woo!) even after I insisted I pay them some money as they changed to a bigger cable to allow for the extra distance etc.

[sparks2285]

Hi mate, any reason you went with the CTEK over a red arc ?

[TC.Barky]

Hi mate, any reason you went with the CTEK over a red arc ?

Mostly cost. Apparently they take less fiddling around with to get working as well, something about having to change some settings if you change the battery type (no idea if that's true or not).

[sparks2285]

So pretty much a plug and play job with the CTEK but a uni corse for the redarc ?

[TC.Barky]

So pretty much a plug and play job with the CTEK but a uni corse for the redarc ?

Tbh that's only what I was told. You'd have to check with people who have it. Doubt its particularly complicated, more that you've gotta remember

[rotor138]

The redarc you push a (1) button to select battery type. It has 3 leds with the type labled next to them. Hardly difficult but all do the same job.

[Nik]

Because of the roof top. I'd have it the other way round without it. Privacy when camped roadside

Couldn't you just park the car facing the other way when camped at roadside?

Good location for the CTEK. I've got one of those in mine. It's mounted in the engine bay and it's not a good place for it. It's fine when I'm not towing but it gets too hot in the engine bay when I'm towing and it stops working so the aux doesn't get any charge.

[TC.Barky]

Couldn't you just park the car facing the other way when camped at roadside?

Good location for the CTEK. I've got one of those in mine. It's mounted in the engine bay and it's not a good place for it. It's fine when I'm not towing but it gets too hot in the engine bay when I'm towing and it stops working so the aux doesn't get any charge.

Certainly could, this is just the way I've always run it I spose

Yeah I'm glad I got it moved. Very pleased with where it is now. Do you run the extra little relay in yours to compensate for the voltage cutout? They told me I shouldn't need it but I'm not convinced. Book says it cuts out at 12.5V and I think the alt charge goes down to 12.2. Waiting to get a good dual bat monitor before I go out and fit the relay up though.