New product for wiring up 12V auxiliary battery systems, looking for product testers

[Skykomish]

Edit: Giveaway is closed, thanks everyone!

Howdy all!

I've been working on a new product to simplify auxiliary battery installation that I'm calling the Auxiliary Power Distribution System (APDS). I'm looking to find a few people that would be willing to test it out and provide feedback. This isn't strictly a 5th-gen 4runner product so hopefully I'm not bending the rules too far with this post. I figured I'd start with this forum though since that's the rig I own (and love) and am most familiar with.

What is this?

The APDS replaces many of the bus bars, ring terminals/lugs and fuse blocks normally required for a 12v auxiliary battery installation with one integrated unit. You'll still need a few ring terminals to make connections to your batteries and such but we do also have kits available that include all the necessary cables with ring terminals/lugs preinstalled.

My website includes some wiring diagrams so you can compare and get a better idea of where this fits into the system:

Main page
Wiring diagrams
Frequently asked quesitons
Installation guide

What I'm looking for

We've done about as much testing as we can do ourselves and need to get it into some customer's hands for additional testing and feedback. The first three people that message me (either PM or direct reply on this thread) will get an APDS for free, provided you meet the criteria below. If you need an installation kit (check our website for details) I'll provide that as well at cost.

Who can get an APDS for free

You're a good candidate to test this if:

• Your install is going to happen within the next few weeks
• You plan to use a dual input DC-DC charger
• You plan to use a lithium battery within the interior of the vehicle (this ain't gonna work under your hood but neither will Li batteries)
• You have basic understanding of and familiarity with 12V electrical systems, don't need to be an expert though

What I need from you as a tester

Just a commitment that you will install it within the next few weeks and provide feedback:

• Do the installation instructions make sense?
• Was it as easy to install as advertised?
• etc.

Thanks!

-Chris

 

[nglayton]

Anyone jump on this yet?

 

[lewdog998]

I am possibly interested as I just recently purchased a 12v fridge....an I am currently looking at power stations.

The extra space under my hood is occupied with a compressor...where would these components be mounted? If its not too intrusive I would have interest.

 

[Skykomish]

Anyone jump on this yet?

Still open for signup!

I am possibly interested as I just recently purchased a 12v fridge....an I am currently looking at power stations.

The extra space under my hood is occupied with a compressor...where would these components be mounted? If its not too intrusive I would have interest.

The APDS is designed to be installed within the interior of the vehicle. If you go with a lithium battery it'll need to go inside the cab anyway, while some manufacturers say their batteries will survive being installed in an engine bay, it's a terrible place for it long-term. If you're looking to go with a AGM battery under your hood then you'll want to stick with bus bars and ring terminals so everything is waterproof.

Overall dimensions are 230mm (~9 in) x 150 mm (~6 in) x 40 mm (~1.5 in). It'll save you quite a bit of space over using bus bars since the connections between components are all within the APDS itself:

https://www.tesotaoverland.com/static/apds-wiring-diagram.pdf

https://www.tesotaoverland.com/static/busbars-wiring-diagram.pdf

 

[RivMan]

Count me in for this!

I run a Redarc BCDC 1240 w/ an SOK Lithium battery behind the rear seat. Currently have a Bluesea fuse panel powering my Compressor, Fridge, Diesel Heater plug and accessory plugs.

I have a background in 12V installs (Worked at as a Circuit City vehicle installer, Best Buy installer and currently in vehicle control systems) with a degree in electronics.

Let me know!
-Rob

 

[Skykomish]

Count me in for this!

I run a Redarc BCDC 1240 w/ an SOK Lithium battery behind the rear seat. Currently have a Bluesea fuse panel powering my Compressor, Fridge, Diesel Heater plug and accessory plugs.

I have a background in 12V installs (Worked at as a Circuit City vehicle installer, Best Buy installer and currently in vehicle control systems) with a degree in electronics.

Let me know!
-Rob

Replied to your PM! Any other takers?

 

[aesthetics]

This is perfect timing. Currently rewiring the rear of my 4R, currently have a redarc 1240 + Victron bmv712 + lithium battery along with variety of comms gear and accessories.

I sent you a PM, look forward to trying and cleaning up the back of my 4R

 

[Skykomish]

This is perfect timing. Currently rewiring the rear of my 4R, currently have a redarc 1240 + Victron bmv712 + lithium battery along with variety of comms gear and accessories.

I sent you a PM, look forward to trying and cleaning up the back of my 4R

Replied! Got one more left before I close the giveaway

 

[Skykomish]

Last chance, giveaway ends tonight!

 

[nglayton]

Last chance, giveaway ends tonight!

PM sent

 

[Skykomish]

PM sent

Replied!

For anyone that finds this thread in the future: add "t4r" and your username to the notes on your order for 10% off all power distribution products!

 

[nglayton]

My Initial impressions

Just a commitment that you will install it within the next few weeks and provide feedback:

• Do the installation instructions make sense?
• Was it as easy to install as advertised?
• etc.

Okay, my test unit arrived yesterday. For anyone wondering what you missed out on, here are some of my initial impressions.

• The build quality on this item is fantastic! - Looks and feels heavy duty, more than adequate for interior install.
• Everything on the board is clearly labeled - I wouldn't even need to read the install instructions, if I wasn't requested to review them.
• Included 20 various full size common automotive fuses, twice as many as needed to populate the system. (Nice!)
• Perhaps they could have used mini fuses instead to reduce the size of the overall system or just make the layout more consistent. (OCD on the one sideways fuse!)
• Did not include any extra of the bigger MIDI fuses, but did have 3 installed as noted when the order is placed.
• Install instructions from the link listed is more than adequate for anyone with an understanding of 12v systems. There is way more info there than any other 12v wiring solutions I've purchased in the past.
• I see no reason this install won't be as easy as advertised.
• I'm not sure how I feel about the rectangular layout of connections with all 4 sides potentially having wires connected and running out in every direction. (Again my OCD getting in the way)
• $400 price seems a bit steep to me, but I've never looked for anything equivalent to this, if it even exists. However, Quality DOES NOT seem to be an issue.

I need to plan my install, more to come

 

[Skykomish]

Okay, my test unit arrived yesterday. For anyone wondering what you missed out on, here are some of my initial impressions.

• The build quality on this item is fantastic! - Looks and feels heavy duty, more than adequate for interior install.
• Everything on the board is clearly labeled - I wouldn't even need to read the install instructions, if I wasn't requested to review them.
• Included 20 various full size common automotive fuses, twice as many as needed to populate the system. (Nice!)
• Perhaps they could have used mini fuses instead to reduce the size of the overall system or just make the layout more consistent. (OCD on the one sideways fuse!)
• Did not include any extra of the bigger MIDI fuses, but did have 3 installed as noted when the order is placed.
• Install instructions from the link listed is more than adequate for anyone with an understanding of 12v systems. There is way more info there than any other 12v wiring solutions I've purchased in the past.
• I see no reason this install won't be as easy as advertised.
• I'm not sure how I feel about the rectangular layout of connections with all 4 sides potentially having wires connected and running out in every direction. (Again my OCD getting in the way)
• $400 price seems a bit steep to me, but I've never looked for anything equivalent to this, if it even exists. However, Quality DOES NOT seem to be an issue.

I need to plan my install, more to come

Great feedback! Few notes:

T4R members get a 10% discount on all power distribution products, just put "t4r" in the notes field and it'll be applied to the order.

Purchased units will come with spare MIDI fuses, just updated the website to reflect that.

With regards to the mini fuses, I agree that a lower profile would be ideal but electrical considerations took precedence over mechanical considerations or aesthetics. Mini fuses will fit in those holders but they're quite difficult to remove without a tool. To show a little of how the sausage is made, the problem here is the current ratings on fuse holders. I spend more time than I care to admit looking at datasheets, if there's a THT ATC/ATO fuse holder with a rating higher than 30A I haven't found it yet.

You'll be happy to know the latest board design moves the small fuses a bit to fix the sideways one, I was a little worried about leaving enough access space to remove a blown fuse but seems not an issue so far.

The only equivalent product I'm aware of is the Egon DC hub sold out of Australia. Seems like they're selling them for AUD$599 for the board and AUD$149 for the bracket (plus shipping). Funny enough when you convert to USD it's about the same but we include the bracket in our base cost - it's an integral part of the design, not a nice to have.

I actually looked into importing and reselling their product a while back but after investigating the regulatory and compliance issues with reselling electronics in the US I determined that it wasn't viable from either a business or compliance standpoint. Making distribution boards to route connections like this is a standard engineering technique and these are very trivial circuits that aren't patentable. I'll credit the 4xoverland guys with applying this idea to the 4wd space but the cats out of the bag as it were.

 

[nglayton]

Great feedback! Few notes:

T4R members get a 10% discount on all power distribution products, just put "t4r" in the notes field and it'll be applied to the order.

Awesome deal, I see the other PD products - They look great as well! I will keep them in mind for other projects for sure.

Purchased units will come with spare MIDI fuses, just updated the website to reflect that.

With regards to the mini fuses, I agree that a lower profile would be ideal but electrical considerations took precedence over mechanical considerations or aesthetics. Mini fuses will fit in those holders but they're quite difficult to remove without a tool. To show a little of how the sausage is made, the problem here is the current ratings on fuse holders. I spend more time than I care to admit looking at datasheets, if there's a THT ATC/ATO fuse holder with a rating higher than 30A I haven't found it yet.
You'll be happy to know the latest board design moves the small fuses a bit to fix the sideways one, I was a little worried about leaving enough access space to remove a blown fuse but seems not an issue so far.

My OCD thanks you! :thumb3:

The only equivalent product I'm aware of is the Egon DC hub sold out of Australia. Seems like they're selling them for AUD$599 for the board and AUD$149 for the bracket (plus shipping). Funny enough when you convert to USD it's about the same but we include the bracket in our base cost - it's an integral part of the design, not a nice to have.

I actually looked into importing and reselling their product a while back but after investigating the regulatory and compliance issues with reselling electronics in the US I determined that it wasn't viable from either a business or compliance standpoint. Making distribution boards to route connections like this is a standard engineering technique and these are very trivial circuits that aren't patentable. I'll credit the 4xoverland guys with applying this idea to the 4wd space but the cats out of the bag as it were.

Thanks for the update and the insight on your process.

 

[Skykomish]

I have redesigned the fuse cover and supports based on the feedback I've received so far. It now protects all of the fuses, provides space for applying labels, and doesn't require tools to remove. I've also replaced the M5 hex screws holding on the MIDI fuses with standard Phillips head screws for easier access.

I will get the new version out to the testers on this thread in a week or so along with some replacement standoffs and screws. All orders will ship with the new design.

I'm also running a sale on the APDS through the end of April - $359. The "t4r" 10% off discount code will work on top of the sale price as well!

 

[nglayton]

Looks good! Thanks for the updates!

 

[aesthetics]

First off love the new cover plate and standoffs, very elegant solution I was going to do something similar with a piece of spare plexiglass myself. I'm mounting in the little area between the backseat and my drawers. One idea that would be awesome is to include some stickers for the outputs (will be using Blue Sea Systems 8214 stickers for now)


Here is my beta board to mock everything up to my drawers, will replacing the board to a matte one and adding a plate behind the Redarc BCDC charger.

I'm coming from an all in one battery box I built after many hours of research and then trial and error getting the connection right between the shunt and the redarc bcdc. I really wish this out when I built it 2 years ago.

This makes the connections plug and play, you really just need to buy the components and wire it up as instruction guide lists. The wiring guide is great letting you know exactly which cable goes to which slot and the recommended gauge (I highly recommend double checking a wiring gauge chart to what amp and length you should gauge your wires)


Notes
- Build quality is excellent the standoffs and components (even the midi fuses are high quality)
- Easy to read legends and labels on the PCB
- Installation was super simple just had to cut and strip some wires (painful to cutoff all my perfectly crimped lugs) but this a superior solution.

 

[AMLOR]

This is really a great solution for DIYers. Simple, adaptable, more options than a Blue Sea Safety Hub...genius really. That said, am I going to rip out everything I have done electrically over the last few years...no. But if I have to do it over again this would be purchase #1! Nicely done!

This would also be of great interest to those converting vans to RV's as well...just sayin...

 

[aesthetics]

Chris send over the plastic cover piece and new plastic standoffs and replacement mounting screws. It looks like replacement screws are a lil bit longer, the original ones only had a few treads into the plate.

It also came with replacement philips screws to replace the midi fuse t15 torx heads but I couldn't get them off with precision driver set, will have to see about getting a bit to loosen em up. But I don't plan on replacing to philips.

Really enjoying the plastic standoffs and the cover, it was a little scary working having it exposed.

 

[Titanpat57]

I'm guessing this window has closed. I'm looking on adding 12 to 12 charger and redoing my wiring on my off road trailer this spring.