Description

The SnoGriz prototype #1 has two Ecoflow 48 volt rechargeable lithium batteries to power 12v, 24v and 48v DC loads plus 120v AC equipment. The total rated battery capacity is 4 kWh. The 48v batteries can directly power the 48v mini-split air conditioner or the 48v 16,000 BTU heater so no additional power is lost in changing to a different voltage. A Ecoflow Power Hub is used to control recharging plus 24v DC and 120v AC loads. The AC compressor, Power Hub, batteries, and heater are all located under the front half of the lower bunk. A big challenge was providing recommended spacing and adequate air flow for cooling all the electrical equipment.

Air Conditioning:
An off road capable, DC powered air conditioner is an essential element of the SnoGriz design. Due to height, center of gravity, and durability issues a roof top AC unit could not be used. Chris Fyre of Cruise N Comfort USA, a Tempe AZ manufacturer of DC powered mini split air conditioners (cruisencomfortusa.com) suggested we use their 48 volt DC VES Deluxe Ultra L 11,000 BTU unit and power it from an Ecoflow 48v Power Kit. The compressor, which is the heaviest part of the system, is floor mounted to help keep the center of gravity low.

The condenser, which is protected by both expanded metal and a stainless-steel screen is externally mounted to the front of wall of the SnoGriz just above the cab roof.

The evaporator with a variable speed 12v fan is mounted just below the ceiling in the front left corner of the camper.

The AC unit is thermostatically controlled so it can keep the camper cool for many hours using battery power and even longer when the solar panels are operating. The system can also be run indefinitely when the vehicle is being driven regardless of the terrain.
USA Made. MSRP with rock guard, power cord, hoses and thermostat: $6,400

Ecoflow Power Kit:
The heart of the electrical system is a 4kWh Ecoflow Independence Kit (ecoflow.com). The included integrated Power Hub controls all input and output loads simultaneously. Input power can be sourced from the vehicle alternator (12v), Solar Panels (24v), and external 120v (home, generator, or back-up battery).

The unit limits input from the vehicle alternator to 60 amps and it will only draw off the vehicle battery when the engine is running. As installed on the SnoGriz, 115v input power is limited to 15 amps although up to 30 amps is possible with different wiring and receptacle. Also included is an AC/DC Distribution Panel,

touch screen digital control console,

2 batteries, and connection cables.

The system works very well, however for the application the physical size of the Power Hub and Distribution Panel are larger than would be needed. Circuit Breakers are used for the 12v input and 115v loads while fuses protect the 24v circuits, batteries, plus the 48v AC and heat equipment.
Made in China. MSRP: $7194

Heat:
The original design of the SnoGriz called for a Diesel fueled 24v heater. Although these units themselves are compact, space is also required for the fuel system and intake/exhaust. When we decided to use 48v air conditioning, the heating system was changed to a more compact and less dangerous SD48-2000 16,000 BTU 48v ducted unit from Grapeland Texas based DC Thermal (dcthermal.com).

The same thermostat that controls the AC system controls the heater. Heater fan speed is controlled by a rheostat. Two outlet ducts supply heat to the living space.
Made in USA. MSRP: $299

Lights:
Seven LED lights are used for interior illumination. To save power, each light is individually switched and can be turned on/off as needed. All lights are from Peterson Manufacturing (https://petersonlightsandharnesses.com/). There is also an exterior LED porch light over the door. The lower bunk light switch can be turned on by someone standing on the ground for those days when you return to camp after dark and the steps are inside the camper.

All lights except one reused from a previous camper build are USA made.

Solar Panels:
Two 100 watt 24v Zamp Obsidian solar panels are flush mounted to the cab roof rack (zampsolar.com) for protection from overhanging branches. These modern panels are only .67" thick and weigh 10.78 pounds each. Power output is variable depending upon the position of the sun and the orientation of the vehicle. Mounting the panels above the cab instead of on the camper roof lowers the overall height and center of gravity plus the panels are much easier to access for cleaning.

The panels are attached to the stout cross rails of the TrailRax roof rack (trailrax.com). While it would have been cheaper and easier to mount the panels on the camper roof, doing so would have increased the vehicle center of gravity and exposed the panels to more damaging tree branches. The panels do interfere with satellite radio reception so the antenna will be relocated from the roll cage to outside the cab.
Solar Panels Made in USA. MSRP: $500 each
Roof Rack Made in USA. MSRP: $1400

Wiring:
Due to limited space, no effort was made to hide the wiring. Wires are routed through protective loom and secured and supported by clips and brackets. Aside from the cables supplied by the equipment manufacturers, the wiring was hand assembled for this camper. To move the project along, we used many standard automotive insulated crimp type connectors instead of soldered terminals and heat shrink tubing. If and when we start producing these campers for sale, we will source professionally made wiring harnesses with soldered terminals from Agri-Services of Alden, New York (wiringharnesses.com)