Discover how Phil maximized his truck camper’s potential for artistic pursuits with LightningVolt™ lithium batteries and DC-to-DC chargers.
The Perfect Canvas on Wheels
Meet Phil and his trusty traveling companion—a 1999 Ford F350 truck fitted with a 2003 Kodiak K99 camper. With a keen eye for unique landscapes, Phil explores off-the-beaten-path locations, capturing stunning images for his oil paintings. Due to the need for reliable power and remote work capabilities, Phil embarked on pursuing a robust, self-sufficient power upgrade for his artistic pursuit.
Finding the Perfect Spot
Phil realized that his camper’s vented battery bay, designed for lead-acid batteries, wasn’t ideal for his requirements. In order to overcome this limitation, he relocated the battery inside the camper, ensuring temperature protection while avoiding the hassle of extensive cable runs. He skillfully repurposed the space beneath the first step leading up to the camper’s bed. Originally, this area was intended for the freshwater tank, water pump, pipes, and electrical distribution panel. The modified battery bay can even accommodates future expansion with space for up to three LightningVolt™ lithium batteries.
Precision Installation
Undeterred by limited accessibility, Phil meticulously wired the battery installation under the left side of the camper step. Armed with determination, he labeled every wire and organized all positive connections on a bus-bar/post on the left, while negatives were placed on the right. Phil invested countless hours of careful work, ensuring a secure and well-organized setup.
As an artist and novelist, Phil’s truck camper is his mobile studio and office. Although he doesn’t venture off-road extensively, he frequently boondocks, seeking inspiration in lesser-explored areas. This type of adventure demands reliable power to fuel his creativity. With the LightningVolt battery and inverter system, Phil powers his essential tools and devices, including his laptop and other 110V-powered equipment.
Despite encountering initial challenges with DC-to-DC charging, Phil is delighted with the performance of his LightningVolt battery and DC to DC charger/isolator. It has effortlessly powered all his activities within the camper. Phil highly praises the exceptional customer support provided by LightningVolt. Their technicians patiently listened to his data and theories, offering valuable insights throughout the troubleshooting process.
Ultimately, the charging issue turned out to be unrelated to the LightningVolt equipment. The lithium chargers demanded precise voltage and current measurements, and the culprit turned out to be the original trailer battery relay in Phil’s truck. While the relay functioned to some extent, the quality of the current it provided did not meet the charger’s standards, resulting in intermittent or no charging. Replacing the relay resolved the problem—a solution cleverly proposed by Phil’s son. This experience taught both LightningVolt and Phil a valuable lesson, providing technicians with an additional troubleshooting suggestion for future scenarios.
With LightningVolt™ batteries and onboard DC-to-DC chargers, Phil brings his artistic vision to life amidst awe-inspiring landscapes. Moreover, his truck camper has become an oasis of creativity, allowing him to chase the perfect image and craft captivating stories on the road.
To explore Phil’s remarkable artwork and learn more about his literary endeavors, visit Phil’s Art Website.
The images and story Phil provided are based on his real-life experience and recreated for this blog post.
