Tradie Triton ute build: Projecta power management

From charging multiple power-tool batteries to cooking up toasted sandwiches and brewing coffees at smoko, Projecta has us covered for our power needs in our Triton tradie ute.

The importance of a reliable power source in a work ute can't be overstated. Enter the Projecta 12V DC Power Management Board with 2000W Inverter, a comprehensive solution designed for work-related tasks and weekend activities that demand a dependable power supply.

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Having self-sufficient, on-location power is a game changer for tradies who have embraced the lithium battery revolution, and the Projecta setup allows you to even run 240v power tools when the battery tools are no longer cutting it on heavy-duty tasks.

It will even power items like fridges, lights and cooking equipment (think microwaves, toasted sandwich makers and coffee machines) - all the high-draw devices that tradies and campers require. And with everything built into the one system, it takes the hard work out of the installation.

JUMP AHEAD

• Charging and monitoring
• Clean power
• Protection
• User-friendly design

Charging and monitoring

There’s a 25A DC-DC dual-battery charger at the core of the power management board that simultaneously provides a three- or five-stage charge from solar and/or alternator inputs, to ensure you have a consistent and reliable power source.

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The board also incorporates a BM500-BT battery monitor that provides real-time state of charge (SOC%) data and offers insights into your battery’s overall health. Armed with this information, you can confidently plan your work day or weekend adventures as you’ll know exactly how much power you have available.

If you have multiple tradies charging batteries on the worksite or family grabbing drinks from the fridge and having a cook-up on the weekends, the battery monitor will let you know when it's time to start charging the batteries, either by starting up the engine or setting up the solar panel.

Clean power

For convenience, the Power Management Board is equipped with 3.1A USB sockets, a merit socket, and an accessory socket.

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There are five switches on the panel that not only provide control but a level of customisation that caters to your specific needs. The setup is such that managing your power distribution is a simple and intuitive task.

The 2000W Pure Sine Wave Inverter (IP2000) that’s mounted to the power board takes 12V DC power and converts it into 240V AC power. The pure sine wave output is a clean and stable power supply, which means it’s suitable for powering a wide array of devices including sensitive equipment such as laptops or even a printer, transforming our Triton into a genuine mobile office.

Protection

A Low Voltage Disconnect feature adds a layer of protection for deep-cycle batteries, protecting them from damage that can be caused by over-discharge.

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While Projecta offers a setup with a built-in 200Ah Lithium battery designed to work in conjunction with the power board’s 2000W inverter, we opted for the larger capacity 400Ah battery for the Triton’s system.

The 400Ah battery has overvoltage, undervoltage, overcurrent, high/low temperature and short circuit protection, while features include a top-mounted battery indicator and battery isolation switch. It also has communication ports that ensure compatibility with Projecta’s Intelli-RV and Intelli-Grid systems, displays and monitors, or additional batteries.

User-friendly design

Beyond its powerful features, the Projecta Power Management Board stands out for its user-friendly design.

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The pre-built, all-in-one unit simplifies installation, catering to seasoned tradespeople and weekend DIY enthusiasts. Despite the fact that setting the system up is quick and hassle-free, we opted to have Rhett and his team at Paul Bagnall Auto Electrical install the power board for us.

We reckon adding this Projecta power system to our Triton has significantly elevated its versatility, for both work and play.