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We use a DIY power station to run our refrigerator and extend our - stock - dual agm batteries. In our Hawk (shell) I put a pair of Anderson connectors between the solar charge controller and the batteries; That way the power station can be charged via the campers solar panels when we are hiking...

I have a SAE ring terminal connector permanently attached to the battery. Makes plugging in a charger painless, even in the dark. Bonus is its fused. https://www.amazon.com/Connector-Protection-Disconnect-Extension-Motorcycle/dp/B09WYK8HHK/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=sae+to+ring+terminal+cable&sr=8-4

I replaced one of the battery vents with a plug. See link below. Then externally plug an extension chord into the side of the camper. On the inside I use a household surge protector to plug a common automotive battery charger into. This way all the doors and windows can remain closed and locked...

Very interested. We have almost the exact driveway setup. Lifting ours off last summer was easy; but, we only lifted it to inspect the truck bed itself after 2 years. My current idea is to lift the camper, then put a "Chocked" trailer underneath; Then using the truck to back the trailer into...

We have a Hawk shell. Our fridge is simply velcro to the carpet on the driver's side. A idea I found on these forums. We trap the sleeping cushions between the top of the fridge and the bottom of the partially pulled out bunk when traveling. Only time it's been a issue was traversing a Boulder...

very clean install. Nice work!

I have not looked at portable units in depth; However, I'd recommend staying away from all chemistries other than LiFePO4 mainly because of cycle life. I hear Jackery is going to a big announcement and sale in a couple days. Just a crazy idea I had is to buy a couple more 50/60ah bicycle packs...

That's a real slick install; What I do not understand is how do you get them up when its time to replace them? I'd love nothing more than to plaster massive wattage on my roof.

Your shell should have a battery cabinet in the drivers rear, the roof and aux wiring come together in the battery cabinet. FWC has some YouTube videos on the subject. I installed Anderson connectors between the solar panel wires and the camper mppt - solar - controller. This way I can...

You didn't mention what year your Hawk shell is. However its should be pre-wired for solar. My suggestion would be to put a solar panel on the roof of the shell; then makeup an extension cable to plug your solar generator into the existing wiring. Down the road you can add a mppt controller to...

Your going to love it. We too have a Hawk shell on a 2011 tundra with Boise Spring, springs. Your Boise Spring upgrade is a game changer. We live in Boise and Drive highway 21 up over the hump all the time. No sway etc or issues dropping into Lowman. Boise spring talked me out of new shocks...

I live that life.

I've been trying to figure that one out myself.

I'm 6'6" and nap regularly on the roll over couch in our hawk shell; just lay on the diagonal.

Charlie, thanks for the cost breakdown. The single biggest ampere draw in our Hawk shell is the refrigerator. Our Dometic 75L draws over 5 amps at times. With those facts in mind, I struggle with the cost of upgrading our camper wiring. My current solution is plugging the refrigerator into a...

I have the same setup with dual 12v agm's running a Dometic cfx 75L. Summertime at 43 degrees North latitude, I can go three days without sun. Normally 100% by noon on sunny days. Late fall and winter lead to plugging in an 100 watt auxiliary panel. There are precautions when using the stock...

Good point. I completely spaced off trying it before putting the camper in storage after our last trip. Your boost converter idea lead me to the idea of using batteries I already own. Are you still using the boost converter; I really like the idea?

width 13 3/8" depth 21 3/4 height 15 3/8 Accuracy with 1/4" There's a lot of stuff to measure around.

The stock "Overland Solar" controller can handle 100 volts, I'm just going to plug it in the aux solar port directly, the MPPT controller will take care of the rest. That's an interesting link. Thank you.

I'm getting ours out of storage in the next day or two for the Rally. If I remember I'll post. Its a 2020 Hawk Shell.

Bought a $18 adapter for my 56v lawnmower batteries. Plan on plugging it into the aux solar port on our FWC. 280 whrs per battery and I have 2 batteries. Not affiliated, this guy makes clever stuff. https://minne.us/grabpower/

I'm super cheap and in a similar situation as you. Only instead of a "Goal Zero Yeti 400" we have a DIY Astro 600. When our lead batteries wear out, I intend to over battery the camper with as many Lithium AHR's as I can fit in the battery compartment of our Hawk Shell. Most likely I'll go the...

Your more than welcome. Just passing along info I've learned from others. Rumor is the Overland unit is a rebranded https://www.victronenergy.com/solar-charge-controllers/smartsolar-mppt-75-10-75-15-100-15-100-20

The 712 connects with the Dongle, giving it battery temperature. In my case with agm's, the mppt will adjust the charge profile. With lifepo4 it will know when not to charge, below freezing. Another reason was when you add the dongle you lose the connection for the meter. My 712 meter now...

Yes thats the one. I have now added a bvm 712 with temp sensor. Beginning to understand why so many like this victron stuff.