Well I’m getting close to actually having my own unit running in the Prado.

Last weekend I had the generator and bubbler mounted and did a test run with the new PWM unit.  For those that don’t what a PWM is, here’s my simple explanation.

A PWM (pulse width modulator) effectively turns the current from analogue to digital.  That is the current is either on or off.  The adjuster on the PWM simply lengthens the OFF section.  These PWM’s are used in speed contrls for electric motors as each on pulse is still a full 12 volts.

The biggest problem I have encountered with my generator prior to the PWM was heat build up and consequently amperage going too high (30 amps) after 1.5 hours of operation.

I love my 4WDing and in a couple of weeks we are off to Coffs Harbour which will involve a couple of 12 hour driving days, so you can see the problem with heat etc.

I fitted my new PWM, turned it clockwise so I would get maximum amperage and started the test.  The unit started producing around 7 amps from stone cold, but from there it was a very slow climb.  The reason I believe is that at maximum position the PWM is still pulsing.

It took just under 1 hour to get to 15 amps which is almost 4 times slower than without the PWM.  But I was consoling myself that at least the heat problem should be fixed.  Guess what, it wasn’t.  After 1.5 hours the unit was drawing 20 amps so I turned the amps down to 15.

For the next 20 minutes the amps stayed at the 15 I had set, but the temperature still climbed.  In fact much hotter and my PVC would have started to melt.

This weekend I am going to try another idea to beat the heat.

Stay tuned and “See You Out There”.

When using the 4x4’s brakes hard, your vehicle’s front suspension compresses and you ‘use up’ most of its suspension travel. When braking heavily to avoid an obstacle e.g. pot hole or rut, and you cannot stop in time, release the brake pedal just prior to hitting the obstacle. This will allow the front suspension to return to its normal height and give more suspension travel when hitting the obstacle.