20/09/2024

A 12 volt vehicle power system gives you the flexibility to power your appliances, lighting, fridges, and other electronics while you’re off the grid. Whether you’re heading on long-distance trips or simply need a reliable source of power for work in remote locations, 12 volt vehicle power systems provide peace of mind with robust, efficient energy solutions.

Pre-wired and pre-assembled board power systems, come in a range of shapes, sizes and power deliveries to suit a variety of applications including 4WD Canopies, Caravans, Camper Trailers, Campervans, Commercial Work Vehicles and more.

Designed for the DIY handyman with basic electrical knowledge through to the professional 12 volt electrician looking to save installation time, pre-wired boards ensure professional-grade reliability. These systems are perfect for those who want a ready-to-go solution without needing custom wiring.

4×4 Canopy Power Systems are fully integrated, easy-to-use power solution, eliminating the need for multiple components. It’s a ready-to-go system perfect for 4×4 vehicles, camper trailers, and overlanding setups. The system can be charged through solar power, making it an excellent choice for off-grid adventures. With a built-in MPPT solar controller, it efficiently converts solar energy, maximising charging performance.

It supports multiple charging methods including AC mains power, vehicle charging (via DC to DC), and solar. This flexibility ensures that you can charge the system no matter where you are. They are designed to withstand tough outdoor conditions, making it ideal for rugged environments like camping trips, road adventures, or remote worksites. Its durability ensures reliable operation even in harsh environments.

The power system includes a digital display that shows the state of charge, battery capacity, and charging/discharging status, making it easy to monitor your power usage. This helps you stay on top of your energy needs with real-time information. Despite its robust power capabilities, the vehicle canopy power systems have a compact footprint, designed to fit into tight spaces like 4×4 canopies, ute trays, SUV’s or small camper setups without taking up too much room.

Batteries are the core of any 4×4 canopy power system, acting as your primary source of stored energy. They allow you to power appliances, tools, and electronics when you’re off-grid, ensuring you have access to electricity whenever and wherever you need it. Enerdrive | Dometic offers a wide range of high-performance batteries, including Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) models, designed specifically for rugged outdoor and off-road use.

Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) Batteries

LiFePO4 batteries are the gold standard in off-grid and mobile power systems due to their excellent performance, longevity, and safety. They are quickly becoming the preferred choice for 4×4 enthusiasts, campers, and adventurers due to their superior characteristics over traditional lead-acid batteries.

Key Benefits of LiFePO4 Batteries:

• Lightweight: LiFePO4 batteries are significantly lighter than AGM batteries, reducing the overall weight of your canopy power system. This makes them ideal for 4×4 setups where weight distribution and efficiency are critical.
• High Energy Density: LiFePO4 batteries store more energy per kilogram than AGM batteries, allowing you to pack more power into a smaller and lighter battery.
• Longer Life Cycle: LiFePO4 batteries have an exceptionally long cycle life, often rated for over 2000 cycles (depending on depth of discharge and usage). This far exceeds the life of traditional lead-acid batteries, making them a long-term investment for serious off-road users.
• Deep Discharge Capability: These batteries can be safely discharged up to 80% or more of their capacity without affecting their lifespan, meaning you can use more of the available energy in each charge cycle.
• Fast Charging: LiFePO4 batteries can be charged much faster than lead-acid batteries. This means less downtime waiting for your batteries to charge, whether you’re using solar, DC-DC, or AC chargers.
• Safety: LiFePO4 batteries are incredibly stable and are less prone to overheating or thermal runaway compared to other lithium-ion chemistries, making them safe for use in extreme environments.

Key Features of Enerdrive | Dometic Batteries

Enerdrive | Dometic’s range of LiFePO4 batteries is designed to meet the demands of off-road enthusiasts, campers, and adventurers who rely on reliable, long-lasting power in remote locations. Here’s what sets these batteries apart:

1. Built-In Battery Management System (BMS):
Enerdrive’s LiFePO4 batteries come with an integrated Battery Management System (BMS), which monitors and protects the battery from overcharging, over-discharging, and short circuits. The BMS ensures optimal performance and safety, extending the lifespan of your battery.
2. High Discharge Current:
Enerdrive batteries are designed to handle high discharge currents, allowing you to run power-hungry appliances like inverters, compressors, or fridges without the risk of overloading the battery.
3. Rugged Construction:
LiFePO4 batteries from Enerdrive are built to withstand the harsh conditions of off-road travel, including vibration, temperature fluctuations, and rough terrain. They’re designed for the toughest environments, ensuring reliable power no matter where your adventures take you.
4. Smart Monitoring Options:
Many Enerdrive LiFePO4 batteries are equipped with Bluetooth connectivity (see B-TEC range), allowing you to monitor your battery’s health, charge status, and power consumption through your smartphone. This makes it easy to manage your power system and ensure that everything is running smoothly.
5. High Efficiency:
LiFePO4 batteries from Enerdrive offer higher efficiency during both charge and discharge cycles, meaning less energy is wasted, and more power is available for your devices.

Sizing Your Battery for Your 4×4 Canopy Power System

Choosing the right battery size is essential for ensuring that your power system can meet your energy needs while off-grid. Battery capacity is measured in ampere-hours (Ah) and indicates how much energy the battery can store and deliver.

1. Assess Your Power Needs:

To determine the right battery size, start by calculating the total power consumption of the devices and appliances you plan to run in your 4×4 canopy system. This includes items like:

• Fridges and freezers
• Lights
• Inverters for AC appliances
• Fans or air conditioning units
• Power tools or equipment chargers

You can calculate your total energy consumption by multiplying the power rating (in watts) of each device by the number of hours you plan to use it daily. This gives you the daily energy consumption in watt-hours (Wh). Divide this figure by 12V (for 12V systems) to get the equivalent Ah.

2. Consider Battery Capacity:

Enerdrive | Dometic offers batteries in various sizes, from smaller models like the 100Ah LiFePO4 battery, perfect for weekend trips, to larger models like the 300Ah LiFePO4, which is suited for longer adventures or users with higher energy needs. Keep in mind:

• 100Ah-150Ah Batteries: Ideal for light energy users running a few DC devices such as lights, a small fridge, and chargers. Perfect for weekend trips or occasional off-grid use.
• 150Ah-200Ah Batteries: Suitable for moderate energy users who need to run a larger fridge, lighting, and occasional AC devices through an inverter.
• 200Ah-300Ah Batteries: Best for users with high energy demands, such as those running multiple AC devices, heavy power tools, or spending extended periods off the grid.

3. Battery Depth of Discharge (DoD):

LiFePO4 batteries can be discharged up to 80-90% of their total capacity without significantly affecting their lifespan, meaning you can use most of the stored energy before needing to recharge. In contrast, AGM batteries typically have a lower depth of discharge (around 50%) to prevent damage, so you may need a larger AGM battery to achieve the same usable capacity as a LiFePO4 battery.

Conclusion

Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries are the backbone of any reliable 4×4 canopy power system. Enerdrive | Dometic offers a range of high-quality LiFePO4 batteries designed to meet the demands of off-road and off-grid enthusiasts. With their lightweight design, long cycle life, and superior performance, these batteries are perfect for adventurers looking for dependable, long-lasting power solutions. Whether you need a compact option for weekend trips or a large capacity battery for extended off-grid use, Enerdrive has the ideal LiFePO4 battery to power your journey.

Explore our full range of LiFePO4 batteries and equip your 4×4 canopy system with the best in mobile power technology!

DC-DC Battery Charging

For users who frequently drive between campsites or off-grid locations, a DC-DC charger is a must-have. These chargers allow you to harness energy from your vehicle’s alternator to charge your auxiliary batteries while on the move. Enerdrive offers both standard and smart DC-DC chargers, the latter providing advanced features like multi-stage charging and solar input capabilities, making them perfect for modern vehicles with complex electrical systems.

AC Battery Charging

AC battery charging refers to the process of charging your battery bank using alternating current (AC) power from a standard household outlet or a generator. This method is often faster and more efficient than relying solely on solar or DC-DC charging, especially when your batteries are deeply discharged or you need to charge them overnight before heading out on your next adventure.

AC chargers are particularly useful when:

• You have access to mains power at campsites, RV parks, or base camps.
• You want to charge your batteries quickly before setting off on a trip.
• Solar energy isn’t available due to cloudy weather or shaded parking areas.
• You want to ensure your batteries are topped up before long periods of off-grid use.

Solar Charging

Solar charging complements DC-DC and AC battery charging methods by providing a sustainable, off-grid power source, ensuring your 4×4 canopy power system stays charged even in remote locations where vehicle or mains power isn’t available.

Solar power is a vital component for those who spend extended periods off-grid, allowing you to recharge your batteries using the sun’s energy. Enerdrive | Dometic offers a variety of fixed solar panel options, ensuring there’s a solution to fit your setup:

• Fixed Solar Panels: Mounted on the roof of your 4×4 or canopy, these panels provide a constant trickle charge to keep your batteries topped up throughout the day. Fixed panels are a great solution for users who plan long trips in remote areas where plug-in charging isn’t an option.
• Portable Folding Solar Panels: These panels are lightweight and foldable, making them easy to store and deploy when needed. Portable panels allow flexibility, as they can be placed in the sun while your vehicle is parked in the shade.
• Solar Blankets: Ultra-lightweight and compact, solar blankets are perfect for adventurers with limited space. They can be draped over your vehicle or laid out on the ground to capture solar energy wherever you are.

Inverters are a useful component of any 4×4 canopy power system, enabling you to convert the direct current (DC) stored in your battery bank into alternating current (AC) power, which is necessary for running many household and commercial appliances. Enerdrive | Dometic offers a range of True Sine Wave Inverters, designed to deliver clean, reliable AC power for all your off-grid needs, whether you’re powering sensitive electronics, kitchen appliances, or tools.

Choosing the right inverter size is essential to ensure you can run all the devices you need without overloading your system. The wattage of the inverter should be based on the total power consumption of the devices you plan to run simultaneously.

• Small-Scale Use (1000W): Ideal for basic appliances such as laptops, small kitchen appliances (e.g. coffee makers or blenders), and lighting systems. A 1000W inverter is compact and efficient for minimal energy use scenarios.
• Medium-Scale Use (2000W): Suitable for users who want to power more demanding appliances like microwaves, TVs, or several devices at once. A 2000W inverter offers flexibility and enough power for typical off-grid setups.
• Large-Scale Use (3000W): Best for users running multiple high-power devices, such as fridges, air conditioning units, and heavy-duty tools simultaneously. A 3000W inverter ensures you have enough power to run everything you need without worrying about system overloads.

When sizing an inverter, always consider the starting or surge wattage of appliances like fridges or power tools, as they can temporarily draw more power when starting up.

Inverter/Charger Combos

Enerdrive | Dometic also offers inverter/charger combinations, which provide both AC inverting and battery charging in one compact unit. These combo devices are highly efficient and perfect for users who want to consolidate space and reduce wiring complexity in their 4×4 canopy setup.

For complete control and oversight of your power system, Enerdrive | Dometic’s Bluetooth monitors, LCD touchscreen displays and mobile apps provide an intuitive interface for tracking energy use, battery levels, and charging status. These displays are easy to install and are perfect for users who want to keep an eye on their system’s performance without needing to check individual components manually. With Bluetooth and WiFi monitors, you can even access your system’s data remotely via your smartphone, giving you the freedom to manage your setup from anywhere.

Enerdrive | Dometic’s pre-wired power systems are designed for simple installation, but professional installation is recommended to ensure everything is set up correctly. Enerdrive also provides extensive support and resources to help with setup, including user manuals and troubleshooting guides.

Short Trips & Basic Power Needs: If you’re using your 4×4 for weekend trips or light usage, the Explorer system paired with a B-TEC 200Ah may be perfect for you. It’s compact yet powerful enough for fridges, lights, and small appliances.

Extended Adventures & Heavy-Duty Power: For those who need to run more equipment or spend long periods off the grid, the Adventurer or Voyager system paired with a B-TEC 300Ah Lithium Battery and Fixed Solar Panel is ideal. These solutions offer higher battery capacity, vehicle and solar charging, and more outlets to handle additional appliances.

Custom Needs: If your setup requires specific customisations, Enerdrive’s DIY-friendly ePDM power distribution module paired with components allow you to design a system tailored to your energy demands. For example, you may want to start with a simple set up including a DC2DC Battery Charger and a Lithium Battery, but later add an AC Battery Charger, Inverter and a second battery. Perfect for upgrading your power system as your demands change or for installations that require components to be installed in different locations.

Disclaimer: The wiring diagram provided is for illustrative purposes only and is intended to show the potential connections to the Enerdrive distribution module in principle. Actual wiring configurations may vary depending on specific installations, components, and individual system requirements. For accurate installation and safety, we strongly recommend consulting a licensed electrician or certified installer. Improper wiring or installation may result in damage to components, personal injury, or voiding of warranties. Enerdrive | Dometic accepts no liability for damages or losses resulting from incorrect installation or misuse of the information provided.

Enerdrive | Dometic also offers a range of accessories, including additional solar panels, solar controllers, inverters, battery monitors, digital switching, tank senders, USB chargers, rocker switches and more, allowing you to fully optimise your canopy power setup.

Hot Tip: USB-C is quickly becoming the standard cable type for charging your mobile devices, drones, cameras and other deivces. You can upgrade your existing USB-A type outlet to a new Dual USB-C & USB-A 100W socket. Learn more.

Enerdrive | Dometic’s 4×4 Canopy Power Systems provide everything you need for reliable, off-grid power. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a doing the big lap around Australia, there’s a system that suits your needs. Explore our range today and experience the freedom of power wherever your journey takes you!

For more information, visit our 4×4 Canopy Power Systems page.

Not right for you? Explore our Pre-Wired and Assembled Board Power Systems range.

Includes everything in Explorer, plus:

✔︎ 3000W True Sine Wave Inverter

✔︎ 100A AC Battery Charger (Inverter-Charger combination unit)

✔︎ Twin GPO Power Point Socket

✔︎ 4 x additional Circuit Breakers

✔︎ Dual USB-C and USB-A socket