M109A3 - My soon to be new and improved BOV

[archer]

that looks like a lot of potential power!

[Docwatmo]

What are the dimensions of those panels?  Sorry, no perspective in the picture.  Looks to be about 32 x 50 or so but I'm just guessing.   

[pokeshell]

We live in the area, and would love to come see it. Also, it would be nice to meet like minded people. From looking at the posts, your skill set is similar to mine. Love the truck!

PokeShell

[cmxterra]

http://youtu.be/VeU3xGbuOxg

Little video

[TexasGirl]

http://youtu.be/VeU3xGbuOxg

Little video

Cool!  I've never felt "run over" before.

That's a lot of truck.

~TG

[cmxterra]

Installed manual front lock out hubs

Stock


Remove the bolts holding the hub cap on


Hub cap removed


Main lock out assembly


Happy new lock out hub


Advantages are less rotational mass up front when not in all wheel drive which should equal slightly better gas mileage. It also makes it MUCH easier to turn the wheel at slower speeds.

[archer]

I did not know you could do that.. wow.... good to know.

[Greekman]

good job! brought abck military service memories too.

I would like to coomment on 2 things

Regarding the spare tire....should you have it in the trailer? what if you ditch it or leave it at a campsite to run errants?
How about putting the spare on the cabin roof?

I was dissapointed when you repalced the headlights with the LED ones.
unless the LEDs in them are high CRiI (high collor rendition) ones... you will be missing alot of color rendition, depth recognition and driving in fog will be harder too. It is all about the high color temp of the LEDs (starting from 5500K and going up)

[cmxterra]

good job! brought abck military service memories too.

I would like to coomment on 2 things

Regarding the spare tire....should you have it in the trailer? what if you ditch it or leave it at a campsite to run errants?
How about putting the spare on the cabin roof?

I was dissapointed when you repalced the headlights with the LED ones.
unless the LEDs in them are high CRiI (high collor rendition) ones... you will be missing alot of color rendition, depth recognition and driving in fog will be harder too. It is all about the high color temp of the LEDs (starting from 5500K and going up)

The spare tires are anything but light. putting them on the cab roof is a no go. Seeing as they are dual in the back if by chance I lost a rear I could still  make it back to base. If I lost a front I would just take one off the rear.

The LED are the drop in .mil replacements that they are putting on all the new vehicles. I can see farther with them then I could the failure prone filament bulbs that it came with. I agree with the fog comment and have been looking into finding yellow filters that can fit on the aux lights.

[Greekman]

I see on the tire.....

I did not knwo that the US mil is retrofitting lights with LEDs.....

[cmxterra]

I see on the tire.....

I did not knwo that the US mil is retrofitting lights with LEDs.....

Much better vibration resistance and much longer service life. Combine that with multiple elements that are not prone to single point failure you have a superior product.

[JerseyVince]

The LED are the drop in .mil replacements that they are putting on all the new vehicles. I can see farther with them then I could the failure prone filament bulbs that it came with. I agree with the fog comment and have been looking into finding yellow filters that can fit on the aux lights.

These might fit the bill cmxterra, http://www.offroadunlimited.com/orustore/pc/brand_results.asp?idCategory=498&IDBrand=56&pcat=Off%20Road%20Lights&dcat=Lighting%20Accessories

they have 2 sizes 140mm and 170mm polycarbonate lenses for their lights, you could make a spring wire clip or holder to attach it to the lamp and pop em on when you need them


***edited to fix link***

[cmxterra]

Took down the 4 12v 90w panels and put the 225w 24v panel up. OOoooooo Ahhhhhh.



I will see tomorrow how fast that will get the batteries back up to snuff. If not fast enough then I am already working on how to throw the other 225w panel up there. Now that would be a major upgrade from 180w to 450w.

[rpersun]

All I can say is that I want to be like you when I grow up.  Seriously though, you have done an awesome job and are a true inspiration to a guy who could only dream of having such a cool vehicle.  Keep up the great work and keep posting those great pics. Thanks.

[Nicodemus]

Nice work, cmx!

[cmxterra]

Nice work, cmx!

Thanks Nico

[Roundabouts]

This is just so great!  What a job you are doing.  I'm in awe. 

[WVMan73]

Took down the 4 12v 90w panels and put the 225w 24v panel up. OOoooooo Ahhhhhh.

I will see tomorrow how fast that will get the batteries back up to snuff. If not fast enough then I am already working on how to throw the other 225w panel up there. Now that would be a major upgrade from 180w to 450w.

Ok, I think I missed something here. You took down 4 - 90 watt pannels and replaced them with 1 - 225 watt pannel? How will going down from 360 watts to 225 watts charge your batteries faster?

[cmxterra]

Ok, I think I missed something here. You took down 4 - 90 watt pannels and replaced them with 1 - 225 watt pannel? How will going down from 360 watts to 225 watts charge your batteries faster?

90w panels were 12v.

So you had to series two of them together to get 24v.  When you do that the watts do not change but the voltage doubles. So with 4 panels I was only getting 180w @ 24v.

Now this one panel is 225w @ 24v.  So I gain 45w.

[TexDaddy]

Just curious, how many gallons per mile does it take to run that vehicle. 

[cmxterra]

Just curious, how many gallons per mile does it take to run that vehicle. 

I get between 8 - 10 MPG

[idelphic]

I get between 8 - 10 MPG

From what BSutter has told me though is that the 8-10MPG is loaded or unloaded..  So you know from the tank size that you can cover x number of miles... or idle for so long.  That is unless you use the furnace (you removed I believe) or have a leak.

[cmxterra]

From what BSutter has told me though is that the 8-10MPG is loaded or unloaded..  So you know from the tank size that you can cover x number of miles... or idle for so long.  That is unless you use the furnace (you removed I believe) or have a leak.

I still have my van heater. But I also added the second 50 gallon tank

[DrJohn]

I get between 8 - 10 MPG

Maybe you need a tow behind fuel trailer?

[grizz2225]

Maybe you need a tow behind fuel trailer?

Hell if you can't get to your bol in 800-1000 miles, ya need a closer bol.

[cmxterra]

As if I have not done enough.. More updates.

Got rid of the angle iron mounts for the solar panels and went to dedicated alum feet.


All four on the one panel (and another 4 on the one already up there)


Getting ready to lift it up.


Side by side


Installed a display panel on the charge controller


Also..

Got the inverter wired into the van's electrical system so now I have 110 on all the outlets and can run the interior lights.


Watching Fight Club and drinking a margarita


Tomorrow will be the first sunny day with both panels producing. Should be a good day.

[cmxterra]

Solar power GOOood

http://youtu.be/UJl0SYRWDqg

After the first full day of having both panels up there I can report that even with running the fridge non stop  (and part of yesterday and today were totally cloudy) that the panels can keep the batteries at full charge.  I imagine that even if I have several days of total clouds that the panels will be able to get the batteries topped off in no time.

[endurance]

Wow, strong work.  I continue to be impressed with how nice this is turning out.

[archer]

Solar power GOOood

http://youtu.be/UJl0SYRWDqg

After the first full day of having both panels up there I can report that even with running the fridge non stop  (and part of yesterday and today were totally cloudy) that the panels can keep the batteries at full charge.  I imagine that even if I have several days of total clouds that the panels will be able to get the batteries topped off in no time.

excellent.. so once this is done,, you going on a country wide show-tsp road trip?

[endurance]

What kind of charge controller did you go with?