Batteries

The right battery capacity depends on what you're powering, how long you're planning to stay off-grid and how often you can recharge. A 100Ah lithium battery may be plenty for a basic fridge and lighting setup, while larger systems running multiple appliances or inverters can benefit from 200Ah, 300Ah or more. The best place to start is by calculating your daily power consumption, then allowing enough storage for your camping style.

That depends on the fridge's average power consumption, ambient temperature, thermostat settings and how often it's opened. A 100Ah lithium battery can often run an efficient 12V camping fridge for a couple of days without recharging, but actual runtimes vary considerably. Remember to account for other appliances drawing power from the same battery, as well as the battery's usable capacity.

For most modern 4WD dual-battery systems, a suitable DC-DC charger is the preferred way to charge an auxiliary lithium battery from the vehicle while driving. It regulates charging to suit the battery and can accommodate varying alternator voltages. The correct charger and settings depend on your vehicle, battery specifications, wiring and installation requirements.