Planned Mods

[krbjmpr]

Victim is 2012 Yukon SLT...

-Going to be adding a pwm box to alternator to better support LFP battery(s). Saw 15.2vdc on torque pro, last night. Had for a while, too busy to fuss with and is my Daily Abuser.

-Add a pair of EcoFlow 12v 100Ah LFP batteries. Will be shoe horned for sure. Batteries state not for vehicle starting, but TM version rated at 300A/30seconds. Gotta knock down that 15v+ alternator output.

-Whilst doing battery upgrades, gonna redo my Big3+ cables. 4awg isn't adequate, have several feet of 2/0 and a bunch of 2 to play with. As well as 4 and 7 (yes, 7). Smoked a 4awg cable going to battery2 (driver side) due to abrasions and current. Alternator survived. Cable didn't. Using factory cable left in place.

-Inverter in DS rear jack storage area towards rear. Have to figure out ducted cooling. Which got me to thinking about...

-Converting rear AC to Electric but standalone. Condenser on roof, compressor under & inside frame. Anybody else contemplated / accomplished?

-Add exhaust fans to rear vents on either side of lift gate top trim pieces. Be nice to keep air circulating when truck parked in TX summer sun.

-Make / Buy sliding adapters to 'close mount' cargo carrier on top of roof and support other project (incl AC condenser), and might include solar power.

Saw a Dodge hybrid mini pickup last year. Had electric assist via motor/generator. Doubtful can get a strong enough belt on aftermarket crank pulley, but will do due diligence. Be nice to add 50 ft# torque if needed.

What is on your list?

 

[justchecking]

“-Add exhaust fans to rear vents on either side of lift gate top trim pieces. Be nice to keep air circulating when truck parked in TX summer sun.”

You might find the little rubber flappers are already dried up and broken off. If you buy new replacement assemblies you could mount quieter computer fans to blow out from the inside and power them with solar. Then when ever the sun is beating down the fans will power on and exhaust hot air.
On my old old dodge truck I had something similar set up. I had bought some small fans and solar panels to help exhaust hot air from bee hives. One I never got installed so instead put it in back window of my truck. Worked great.

 

[krbjmpr]

Computer fans are what I had in mind. Would prefer to fit inside cavity, will just have to see what I can work with.

Surprisingly, the flaps are still in good shape. Every 1 or 2 quarters, I pull off the fascia / trim pieces to replace the pieces of EPDM foam Imused to eliminate squeaks. What started out as quick fix couple years ago (until can shim screws) will continue. Maybe once fans are in will do something longer term.

Eventually. Though not at current rate, will have a LFP battery 'somewhere' in back. That will be primary power, with solar charging whenever I get around to cargo rack / sled.

Anybody happen to know default position for fresh air blend motor? If is closed, fans will help minimally.

 

[justchecking]

“default position for fresh air blend motor?“ i believe it stays in the last commanded position. Unless you remote start the vehicle and the defrost comes on, then it may go to recirc.

 

[mikez71]

My impression is it defaults to open, as I'm always having to hit the recirculate button..
Just did a test, had recirc on. Shut truck off, key on, recirc was off.

As others have mentioned, GM seems to have an aversion to recirc for some reason..
No recirc on defrost allowed. Or feet only. Needs face vents to allow recirculation.
Recirc seems to cycle off periodically as well. I'll be going down the highway, smell outside truck exhaust and notice the flipping recirc went off again.
Will have to see if it happens with the manual hvac controls, but I remember it did that with the auto controls.