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NEW PRODUCT RELEASE –
Author: dev
Our auxiliary battery systems are Australian-made certified meaning you’re supporting Australian jobs and helping drive innovation & manufacturing in Australia.
Custom Lithium vehicle-specific battery to suit Toyota Landcruiser 79 Series dual cab facelift and pre-facelift models, fits 200ah battery capacity.
Easy install behind-the-seat solution for your 79 Series Dual Cab Landcruiser.
This system does not require an additional battery tray as our battery is an all-in-one solution designed to perfectly complement your Toyota Landcruiser dual cab.
Easy installation simply requires 2 nutserts on the back wall.
Mix & Match to create the perfect setup to power your path.
Add the components you need to charge your battery and power everything for your adventure.
Please note that not all items in the images are supplied unless selected in the customisation options. Wiring Kit not included. Suits dual cab variant only.
May not work with aftermarket child seat anchor points.
#canberraautoelectrical #customlithium #dualbattery #Landcruiser #79series
In our last article, we discussed why you can’t charge your new lithium battery with any charger. Just like choosing a battery, there are plenty of options on the market when it comes to choosing a charger for your battery. Choosing a high-quality charger will prolong the life of your battery, and significantly increase the safety of your electrical system. When we refer to battery chargers, there are two main types; AC/DC and DC/DC chargers are for different uses, you would use an AC/DC charger to top up your battery at home, or at a caravan part. DC/DC chargers are used inside the vehicle or caravan, and can sometimes be mounted in the engine bay.
AC/DC chargers
Much like the name suggests, these chargers take the AC current from a wall outlet and provide charge to your batteries. Generally, these are used in large caravan systems where shore power is available at caravan parks. These chargers do not provide any power while the vehicle is moving, so they are often paired with a DC/DC charger.
DC/DC chargers
This type of charger is the most common in 12v setups and will be present in almost every 4×4 and caravan auxiliary battery system. These chargers work by taking the current generated from your vehicle’s alternator and charging your auxiliary battery with it. However, your vehicle’s alternator isn’t designed to charge an auxiliary battery because it doesn’t provide the specific charging profile needed, therefore a DC/DC charger is required to convert the alternator’s output into a consistent & optimised charge tailored to your battery’s chemistry. The introduction of smart alternators in modern vehicles increases the need for a high-quality DC/DC charger to increase the life and efficiency of your battery.
Picking the right charger
Based on the information above, you may need both an AC/DC charger and a DC/DC charger. Different options on the market will provide a different voltage and current, so it’s important to choose the correct charger for your battery. The more current a charger provides, the faster your battery will charge.
In order to pick the correct size charger, first you need to know the size of your battery. We generally recommend that the charger you choose should be around 20% of the Ah rating of your battery. For a 200Ah battery, this would mean having a 40-50A charger. For our batteries with a similar Ah rating to our 400Ah RV Battery, this would mean a larger charger like the REDARC Alpha Manager range which is available in 50A, 75A and 100A charging options.
Different chargers will also come with different features, the most popular features you should look:
Inbuilt Solar Charger: Allows you to stay off-grid longer by regulating the current from external solar panels and topping up the battery when away from mains power, or when the vehicle is not running.
Bluetooth Connectivity: Enables you to monitor the charging status of your battery charger remotely.
Overcharge Protection: A high-quality charger will have an intelligent overcharge monitor to protect the battery from damage due to overcharging.
POST BY Custom Lithium
Switching between AGM (Absorbed Glass Mat) Deep Cycle and Lithium (LiFePO4) is quite straightforward, with lithium now being far more common, most chargers and 12v systems can accommodate lithium batteries. In addition to being far lighter, lithium batteries boast a significantly longer life expectancy, reducing the long-term cost of your 12v system. Finally, lithium batteries can withstand deeper discharges compared to AGM, giving you more usable power when compared to the same-capacity AGM battery. If you’re looking to upgrade to lithium, here is what you need to know.
Battery Charger
Check that your battery charger is capable of charging lithium batteries, as not all AGM battery chargers are suitable for lithium batteries. This is because AGM battery chargers generally have charge profiles that are not compatible with lithium batteries, which require specific charging parameters to ensure safe and efficient charging.
When you’re looking for a battery charger, it’s also worth getting a charger that can have direct solar input with an inbuilt solar regulator. For all of our installations, we recommend the REDARC BCDC Core DC to DC In-Cabin Battery Charger which is available in 25A and 40A, if you’re running a larger setup, we also recommend the REDARC Alpha Manager range which is available in 50A, 75A and 100A charging options.
Physical Mounting & Installation
As lithium batteries are generally lighter and more compact than traditional AGM batteries, you may need to purchase a new mounting kit for your vehicle. The compact form factor of lithium batteries means they can be installed in tight spaces like behind the seat, or under a false floor in the rear of your vehicle, without any compromise to space. See our range of vehicle-specific mounting kits to maximise your storage space. If space is a concern in your setup, we have a large range of Ultra-Slim Lithium Batteries available.
When mounting your lithium battery ensure you consider new AS/NZ 3001 Standards that require batteries to be mounted in a sealed & vented location if installed inside the living space of the vehicle. We have compliance kits available to ensure our RV range meets these standards.
Battery Monitor
Not all battery monitors are equal! Most traditional battery monitors that display the battery voltage converted to a percentage, will not work with lithium batteries. This is a result of lithium batteries not having straightforward voltage-to-capacity indicators. Lithium batteries require more complex monitoring due to their different discharge characteristics. A high-quality battery monitor like the REDARC Smart Battery Monitor or Victron BMV-712 can monitor voltage and provide real-time power estimates, along with a time until the battery is depleted, ensuring that you won’t be stranded without power.
Ventilation & Safety
With the introduction of the AS/NZ 3001 Standards, batteries are required to be mounted in a vented and sealed location, if they’re inside the living space of the vehicle. It’s important to keep your lithium battery away from any sources of liquid or heat to prolong the life of your battery.When shopping for a lithium battery, you’ll notice a huge variation in price from extremely cheap, to expensive.
Cell Quality
Generally speaking, there is a difference between the quality of cells used inside the battery, and the construction of these cells. Much of this comes down to the manufacturing quality control, materials used and manufacturing processes. Buying from a reputable brand that backs its products with a strong warranty ensures your camping setup’s reliability, safety and longevity. Custom Lithium use only A-Grade Automotive Prismatic LiFePO4 Cells from reputable brands such as EVE, CATL and GFB.
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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
We hope everyone has a great Merry Christmas & New Year, we would like to thank everyone for the support over 2024. We are now closed until 6th of January.
Check A/C system pressure levels Inspect for leaks Pressure test with Nitrogen Recover all gas Vacuum System Regas with R134a + add oil & UV Dye
OVER 15 yrs experience in Air conditioning
Open Monday- Friday 830am – 4pm
Compressor’s
Condensor’s
Leak detection and repairs
10 Buckland St Mitchell ACT 2913
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Dash Camera January Special
Thinkware 4K Front & Rear Dash Camera (Suits EV, Hybrid Vehicles) 32gb + INSTALLATION* $1185
Thinkware 4K Front & Rear Dash Camera (Suits EV, Hybrid Vehicles) 32gb
#dashcamera #autoelectrical #dashcamerainstallation #thinkware #ev #hybrid
All cars — even the most powerful, expensive, and technologically advanced, are completely helpless when their car batteries are dead. This should make you think twice about taking yours for granted.
Even your battery needs TLC every now and then. Here are some of the things you should and shouldn’t do when caring for your car’s battery:
Dos
1. Do familiarize your senses on your car’s engine so you can easily spot signs of impending battery death.
Training yourself to notice how your car works normally allows you to easily recognize signs of problems For instance:
- How bright is your car’s headlights when functioning properly?
- What does your car smell like? Are there strange smells coming from your car that you’re not familiar with?
When you get used to how your car and its engine function normally, your senses will be more attuned if things are out of place. A murky headlight means that the car’s battery might be going down, while a surphuric smell can indicate leaking batteries — or catalytic converter problems.
Whatever the case, knowing that something is wrong with your car allows you to take steps to solve the problems earlier that waiting for things to get worse.
2. Do inspect the terminal clamps to see if they are tight and free from corrosion.
Corrosion is the bane of all car parts — including batteries. You can clean them by mixing one or two tablespoons of baking soda and water, then brushing the corroded part with a wire brush. By the way, before you do this, make sure to turn off the engine first and disconnect the cables. Once you do this, you can brush both the negative and positive posts on the battery with a wire brush.
If there’s a lot of corrosion, it would be best to have them cleaned by professionals, instead.
3. Do disconnect the battery if you plan to keep your car in storage for a long time.
It’s normal for batteries to self-discharge slowly even if you’re not using your car. You can prevent unnecessary battery drain by simply disconnecting them — especially if you don’t plan to use your vehicle for a long time.
4. Do keep jumper cables inside your emergency kit / tools.
You should always have jumper cables in your car, because there’s always a possibility that your batteries can die out on you in an instant. If this happens on you, then you can always ask a friend or any random driver that passes by to help you jump-start your car. This can at least make you mobile enough to go to a nearest car mechanic or station to have your car inspected for problems.
5. Do protect your battery by using a special grease or spray designed for them.
These sprays are specially designed for car batteries so they don’t get rusty and corroded.
Don’ts
1. Don’t make it a habit to completely discharge your battery.
Your car’s battery often works by harnessing the power generated by its lead cells. Discharging your battery can damage them fast.
2. Don’t let your car sit in hot places.
Heat is another enemy of car batteries. Hot temperatures actually cause the battery fluid to evaporate, which shortens its life in the process.
3. Don’t idle your car.
It’s easy to wait for someone even in your car. Just turn on your aircon, listen to the radio — and even charge your phone while you’re at it. This practice is not only gas-guzzling, but it can also be hard on your battery. It’s much better to turn the engine on from time to time so your car’s battery doesn’t do all the work when your car’s idle..
4. Don’t leave the lights on.
It’s one of the most common mistakes that people make — leaving their headlights or cabin lights on after they go home. This can drain your battery overnight, so do double checks before you get out of your car at night.
5. Don’t use your car’s alternator to charge a dead battery.
Your alternator is not designed to act as your battery’s charger, and doing so will damage or shorten your battery’s life.
6. Don’t disconnect the positive cable first when removing your car’s battery.
Always start with the negative cable first; otherwise, you might cause your battery to short-circuit.
7. Don’t use a high-charge setting when you’re charging your battery yourself.
Many chargers have a low-charge setting, and you should use this first as a safety precaution. If you don’t have this setting, then it’s better (and much safer) to let a professional do it for you.
Categories
Dash Camera Buying Guide
Purchasing Dash Cam
Consider the following when shopping for a dashboard camera:
- Some dash cameras come with a built-in LCD viewing screen. While this can be useful, it is also likely to increase the size of the unit.
- Consider how you intend to access recorded footage. Almost all cameras can be connected to a computer but know that some enable you to watch footage through a mobile app.
- For round the clock recording, be sure to opt for a dashboard camera with night time recording features. If you plan to leave your dash cam in position all the time, consider a model with some level of heat resistance.
Types of Dash Cameras
Single Lens Dash Cameras
Single lens cameras record footage through the windshield of your car. They are easy-to-install, uncomplicated to operate and are often the most affordable option.
- Most single lens dash cameras are powered through the cigarette lighter on your car so you can set it up with ease. Note, installation may require some cable management to keep your view unobstructed.
- Some GPS navigators come with a built-in, single lens dash cam. These are a great space-saving option for anyone who needs to have both devices in operation at the same time.
- The downside of forward-facing dash cams is that they can miss incidents that occur to the sides or rear of your vehicle. It is worth noting that rear-ending remains one of the most common accidents in Australia.
Multiple Lens Dash Cams
Multiple Lens dashboard cameras allow you to record footage of what’s in front, behind and in some cases to the side of your vehicle so you’ll always be covered if you need to make a claim.
- Front and rear dash cams come as one or two units. Single unit models are easy-to-install. Two unit cameras may give you a better recording angle but they can be more complicated to power.
- These power restrictions may mean that the dash cams need to be hard wired into the electrics of your car. This should only be undertaken by a trained professional so factor this cost into your budget.
- Single unit models can be of particular use to anyone who needs to record events within the car. Taxi drivers and couriers, for example, may benefit from such functionality.
Hybrid GPS & Dash Cameras
Combine all your in-car device into one with a Hybrid Dash Camera. This type of dash cam also includes GPS functionality for extra convenience.
- Don’t have enough space to put both a dash cam and a GPS in your car? A hybrid solves your problems and saves you space.
- As with single lens dash cams, hybrids rarely allow you to record what’s happening at both the front and back of your car.
- Consider cost when opting for a hybrid dash camera as many are more expensive than either a single lens or standalone GPS navigator.
Dash Camera Features
Storage
Dash cams use loop recording, which means old footage is constantly being replaced with new footage. Be aware of the following if you are keen to use your dash cam to document journeys as well as record incidents:
- Practically all dash cams record footage on to an SD card. Some models are sold with an SD card included. If not, you will need to make a separate purchase to start using the camera.
- The amount of footage that can be recorded comes down to the size SD card. Modern SD cards offer as much as 64GB of space. However, if you need to buy a card for your camera, check capacity compatibility before making a purchase.
- It is also important to purchase an SD card that can cope with the resolution of the camera (higher resolutions require faster speeds). As such, it is advisable to shop for a class 6 SD card or above.
Resolution & Frame Rate
Resolution and frame rates are an essential consideration when shopping for a dash cam as they can dictate whether or not recorded footage is good enough to be used as evidence.
- In the broadest terms, the higher the resolution and frame rate, the better. Be aware, however, that resolution above 1080p and frame rates above 30fps can use a lot of storage space very quickly. Bear this is mind if you want to record footage that you can keep.
- We recommend that you shop for a dash cam with a minimum of 720p (high definition). Drop below this and footage may be too grainy to be admissible as evidence.
- Similarly, it is advisable to choose a camera that records in a minimum of 24fps. Most dash cams record in 30 fps, which will produce perfectly smooth footage.
Features to Look Out For
Dashboard cameras are available with a range of functions and features that can improve performance and usability. Look out for the following when making your choice:
- Always choose a model that can detect impact or sudden changes of direction. Good cameras will mark and lock footage at such times to prevent overwriting.
- Many dash cams come with GPS tracking so you can pinpoint exactly where footage was recorded and in many cases, how fast you were travelling. Some dash cams can even issue speed camera and red light camera warnings.
- Parking modes ensure your interests are covered when you’re not driving. Impact sensors can set the camera to record if anyone bumps into, or tries to enter, your vehicle
Dash Camera Installations from $145
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INNOVATION INPERFORMANCE
High Quality Performance Upgrades that Deliver Results
** POWER MODULE **
The Torqit Power Module performance chip uses less fuel, yet creates more power by maximising the energy output from each drop of fuel.
The Power Module is a 4WD performance chip that safely unleashes power, torque and fuel efficiency lost through factory programming in your vehicle’s on-board computer.
Your vehicle will be under considerable stress when towing heavy loads, and this stress can impact the life of your vehicle. A Power Module reduces that stress, increasing all round power and torque.
Perfect for anyone towing a caravan, boat or trailer, a Power Module allows your vehicle to perform to its maximum ability. You’ll notice the pulling power immediately, enjoying a much smoother driving experience.
PLUG & PLAY INSTALLATION
Every Torqit Power Module is specifically programmed for vehicle make, model and engine type.
It sits between two existing plugs in the vehicle’s fuel operating system. As this is located in different areas depending on the vehicle, ensure you review vehicle-specific fitting instructions. Installation is quick and easy, taking just 15 minutes.
This unit can be used as a hardwired or Bluetooth-controlled module. The best part is that you do not have to choose – once the Power Module is installed on a vehicle, it is automatically set to the highest performance mode. The Bluetooth mode has three optimum settings to choose from, Economy, Cruise and Sport, each increasing with power and torque. To switch between settings, download Torqit’s Connect app and follow the instructions.
