Overlanders
The AM Solar Wildcat series kits and accessories give your 4x4 rugged and compact power systems for overland adventures. The components are marine-rated and designed to operate in extreme conditions. Choose one of our pre-configured kits, or design your own system.
OVERLANDER Inspiration
Capabilities
PreConfigured Kits
Solar: 100W Noir
Battery Bank: Rich Solar 100Ah LiFePO4
Monitor: Victron SmartShunt Monitor
DC Distribution: 6-Circuit, Dual USB
Solar: 110W Noir
Battery Bank: Rich Solar 100Ah LiFePO4
Monitor: Victron SmartShunt Monitor
Inverter: Victron 500VA
DC Distribution: 6-Circuit, Dual USB
Solar: 110W Noir
Battery Bank: Rich Solar 100Ah LiFePO4
Monitor: Victron SmartShunt Monitor
Inverter: Victron 1200VADC
Alternator Charger: 30A
Distribution: 6-Circuit, Dual USB
Configure your own / Expand
1. Battery bank: The battery bank is the heart of the system. We have two options for LiFePO4 energy storage:
Rich Solar 100Ah
This battery delivers low-cost reliability and stores 1280Wh of usable energy.
LiFeBlue Low Temp 100Ah
This battery has more bells and whistles and stores the same 1280Wh of usable energy. The additional features include a Bluetooth monitor and an internal heater that uses redirected charging current to bring the battery above freezing so it can start accepting a charge sooner in cold environments.
Select (100Ah Low Temp) from the dropdown menu.
Battery Bank Wiring Cable Kits
For added capacity, matching batteries can be connected in parallel using the battery bank wiring cable kits.
Select (Battery Parallel Cable Kit) from the dropdown menu.
Victron SmartShunt Battery Monitor
To see the state of charge on Rich Solar batteries, you will need a shunt-based monitor. We recommend the Victron SmartShunt.
Select (SmartShunt Kit) from the dropdown menu.
Rich Solar 100Ah: H8.5” x W 12.8” x D 6.6” 21.8lbs
LiFeBlue Low Temp 100Ah: H 9.4" x W 12.5" x D 6.5" 28lbs
5,000 Cycles. LiFePO4. 10+ Year Lifespan.
RICH SOLAR 12V lithium battery has a much longer cycle life capacity, and is easier to maintain compared to other battery technologies. The LiFePO4 technology has better thermal and chemical stability, which improves battery safety and packed with power in a small and lightweight footprint. Easily uses the same space as your existing 12V battery and replaces lead acid, AGM or Gel battery applications in RVs, boats, commercial vehicles, off grid back up power and much more. Not intended to replace starting batteries.
LifeBlue lithium batteries have integrated controls to automatically protect against overcharging, overly discharging, and frozen charging. This integration makes installation much easier for DIY projects. LifeBlue offers the most comprehensive Bluetooth monitoring showing status, temperature, voltage, current, cycle life, battery health, Faults and state of charge.
For helpful advice on the differences between Parallel & Series connection and which might be best for you and your project, please see our wiki article here.
Cable, Lugs, and Heat Shrink needed to connect two batteries in parallel or series, depending on kit choice. These kits are ideal for 12V batteries.
This battery monitor that measures voltage, current, capacity, and temperature. It can work with any battery type. Built-in Bluetooth. It is compatible with the Color Control Monitor or Cerbo.
Monitor Dimensions: H 1.3" x W 2.4" x D 2.4"
Shunt Dimensions: H 1.4" x W 4.8" x D 1.6"
2. Alternator Charging and/or Jumpstarting: Due to the limited roof space for solar panels and frequent driving, common to overlanders, the alternator charging system may be the primary source of energy for your rig.
DC/DC Charging
The DC/DC Charging kit uses a Victron Orion 12|12 30A charger to draw current from your starter battery when it detects an elevated voltage created by the alternator. The Orion reformats this energy to safely provide three-stage charging to any type of auxiliary battery. This kit will deliver up to 30A of current while your alternator is running.
Select (Orion 12|12 30 Kit) from the dropdown menu.
Boost Bypass Kit
If you find yourself stranded with a dead starter battery, this kit will manually bridge your starter battery with your lithium battery bank, like a jump starter. Press and hold the momentary switch to combine the batteries. A breaker prevents your excessive current from leaving your lithium battery bank.
Enable DC/DC charging from your alternator to a secondary Lithium, AGM or Flooded battery bank. This kit is ideal for van conversions and skoolies with older alternators or lithium batteries with input current limits under 100A.
Ideal for: Vans, skoolies, motorhomes
*Please note that cables length needs may vary by application. Please email info@amsolar.com if you would like to customize the cable lengths to better suit your needs.
Designed for alternator charging kits that utilize an Orion or other form of DC/DC charging. This kit will allow a momentary emergency boost feature if one is in need of jump-starting their chassis battery. This kit comes with 32’ of 2/0 cable, a 200A EV200 Relay, a 200A Breaker for over-current protection, and a momentary switch for activation. Note: It is important to note that a chassis start-up can consume more current than can be safely discharged from a small lithium battery bank. It is best to use this system by pressing the momentary switch for 30 seconds, releasing it, then turning the ignition.
3. Solar charging: On a sunny day, you might get 300Wh (30Ah) of charge per 100W of rated solar wattage. Our Complete Solar Charger (15A) gives you all the hardware you need for solar charging: solar panels, mounts, wire harness, combiner box, sealant, charge controller, disconnect switch, fuse/breaker, lugs, heat shrink, etc. You can select one of the standard solar panel options from the drop-down menu, or design your own with the panels listed below.
Check out our Solar Panel page to see panel dimensions.
When adding panels from the list below, be sure to select the options that end in “ATP” from the drop-down menu.
If you want to use a portable panel in conjunction with your roof array, you can add a Zamp Side Port Integration kit.
Portable panels can be connected directly to the battery bank, utilizing a built-in solar charge controller, or routed to a side port, through the master charge controller.
Communicates battery voltage and solar charge rate to a smart phone or tablet via Bluetooth, Expandable up to 230W, Advanced MPPT charge controller delivers approximately 20% more energy than PWM, Combiner box covers roof penetration and allows for easy upgrades, Panel(s) can be tilted
Custom designed by Grape Solar for mobile applications, this 100W panel is ideal for Airstreams trailers, vans, truck campers, and any application where roof space is limited.
Wattage: 100W
Type: Monocrystalline
Operating Voltage (Vmp): 19.1V
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 23.1V
Operating Current (Imp): 5.23A
Short Circuit Current (Isc): 5.59A
Size: 41" x 22" x 1.38" 15.4lbs
Frame: Black Anodized Aluminum
Custom designed by Grape Solar for mobile applications, this 110W panel is ideal for Airstreams trailers and vans.
Wattage: 110W
Type: Monocrystalline
Operating Voltage (Vmp): 21.3V
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 25.7V
Operating Current (Imp): 5.18A
Short Circuit Current (Isc): 5.60A
Size: 68" x 15.4" x 1.38" 17.9lbs
Frame: Black Anodized Aluminum
This panel has it all, a low-profile, a narrow footprint, and high output. It is ideal for van conversions, Airstreams, or anyone wanting the latest in mobile solar panel technology. Custom-engineered by Zamp Solar and made in Bend, Oregon.
Wattage: 100W
Type: Monocrystalline
Operating Voltage (Vmp): 21.9V
Open Circuit Voltage (Voc): 25.62V
Operating Current (Imp): 4.83A
Short Circuit Current (Isc): 4.58A
Size: 20.7" x 43.6" x 0.67" 10.78lbs
Frame: Obsidian Black Anodized Aluminum
These kits integrate a Zamp side port to either an existing solar charging core or directly to the battery bank.
Ideal for Zamp folding panels that are regulated (Zamp Side Port to Battery Kit) or unregulated (Zamp Side Port to Central Controller Kit).
Portable panels are an excellent option for rigs with limited roof space and the Zamp folding panels are some of the best we have found. These portable panels do not have a charge controller. They are meant to be used in a "solar ready" system with an existing charge controller or integrated into an aftermarket system. We also sell the Zamp Portable Kits with a charge controller.
Wattage: 90W
Type: Monocrystalline
Open Dimensions: 30.7" x 28.8“ x 1.5”
Closed Dimension: 30.7" x 14.2“ x 3.1”
Weight: 27lbs
Frame: Folding, Silver Anodized Aluminum
Connection Type: 15' Zamp cable
Portable panels are an excellent option for rigs with limited roof space and the Zamp folding panels are some of the best we have found. These portable panels do not have a charge controller. They are meant to be used in a "solar ready" system with an existing charge controller or integrated into an aftermarket system. We also sell the Zamp Portable Kits with a charge controller.
Wattage: 180W
Type: Monocrystalline
Open Dimensions: 40" x 39.5“ x 1.5”
Closed Dimension: 20" x 39.5“ x 3”
Weight: 34.35lbs
Frame: Folding, Silver Anodized Aluminum
Connection Type: 15' Zamp cable
4. Inverter / Charger: The Victron Phoenix inverter kits draw power from your lithium battery and turn it into 120V AC. The inverters have a single outlet for connecting loads or power strips.
Victron Blue Smart Charger
This enables you to charge your battery by plugging into an electrical outlet via an extension cord.
Select (12V/30A IP22 Kit) from the dropdown menu.
Victron Phoenix Inverter Kits
Select a kit that matches your expected loads. A 250VA inverter is great for laptops and small personal electronics. The 1200VA inverter can power and Instant Pot and some small microwave ovens.
This kit includes all the standard components for the do-it-yourself installation of a Victron Phoenix 1200 inverter system. This inverter offers Bluetooth communication compatibility through a dongle and is ideal for refrigerators, laptops, entertainment centers, and cell phone chargers.
Steady State: 1200VA
Peak Power: 2400W
Voltage Output: 110V AC
Voltage Input: 9.2-17.3V
Waveform: Pure Sine
Frequency: 60hz
Efficiency: 92%
Dimensions: H 4.6" x W 9.1" x D 12.9"
The Blue Smart Charger is a professional-grade battery charger with built-in Bluetooth. The Blue Smart Charger can be used on devices in your workshop and on motor vehicles, such as cars; motorbikes; boats and camper-vans.
Kit option for the 30A IP22 includes wiring, breaker, and lugs for a hardwired solution.
The IP22 we offer is the single output. Please email us at info@amsolar.com if you are interested in the 3-output option.
Compatibility: Flooded, AGM, Lithium
Communication: Bluetooth
5. DC Distribution: In order to safely draw power for DC loads, you will want a DC Distribution kit. The 6-circuit option should be plenty adequate for any overlander application. This kit includes cable to go from the battery bank to a DC fuse block. A breaker protects the cables and a Victron Battery Protect prevents the battery bank from being overly discharged.
The 6-circuit fuse block comes with one ATC fuse. For additional loads, you’ll want to add more ATC fuses.
Outlets and Outlet kits can be added to the base DC Distribution kit.
This kit includes everything you need to connect DC loads to a battery bank. A Victron Battery Protect prevents the batteries from being overly discharged.
Other DC Distribution kits and components:
6. Optional components and tools: You may consider including these items in your purchase.
Tools - Here is a list of our favorite Installation Tools.
Conduit - If you plan on routing cable in an area that might be exposed, get some conduit.
7. What you get for free: Every AM Solar purchase comes with the following for free.
Tech Support - You get the phone, email, and video support to guide you through any installation challenges you might encounter.
Wiring/Programming Guide - We create custom diagrams and guides with the purchase of any system.