Projecta’s ICB2000 power board has not been turned off since it was installed in our Editor-at-Large’s canopy 12 months ago and to date it’s doing far more than keep the beer cold. But how does it rate when it comes to fitment and value for money?
A little over a year ago, when I was researching equipment to add to my canopy build, I had a long “wish list” of items to make life on the road in my new ute easier, but a decent dual battery system was on my short “must-have” list. I embarked on an extensive research exercise to find a suitable power system to sustain enough power for the off-grid camping we intended to do with my new Isuzu D-Max.
Luckily, during my long career in the transport industry, I’d had pleasant experiences with Projecta power systems capable of driving large microwave ovens, portable fridges and freezers for weeks on end in the remote outback. Sure, a big heavy-duty truck style dual-battery power system would have more than enough grunt to power my ute, but honestly, it might be somewhat of an overkill.
System Requirements:
I decided to jump on the Projecta website. I scrolled through the site to the technical support tab and sent a message using their team requesting some information and suggestions on a system that might be suitable for my new canopy. The power requirements I envisaged for my off-grid system are as follows;
- to power a 60-litre Engel fridge,
- charge camera batteries
- charge power tool batteries (drills, rattle gun, electric chainsaw)
- charge/power laptop
- power water pump
- operate canopy LED lights
- operate canopy external work lights
- auxiliary power sockets to charge phones
- Lithium compatible
Also, it would be nice if it could power a small portable induction cooktop, and I wanted the flexibility to charge the system from the vehicle’s alternator, solar or shore power.
Within half an hour, I’d received a response from Projecta’s Technical Support Officer Benny Blood (he is the guy on the Projecta YouTube videos) with a few suggestions ranging from a cheap system that would keep the beer cold in the fridge to a comprehensive power board capable of driving the 2000-watt induction cooktop I’d hoped to include in the build. I opted for the 2000-watt power board.
In the interest of full disclosure, I purchased this system. It wasn’t given to me free of charge as part of a media test package.
There were several good reasons why I chose the 2000-watt power board. As stated earlier, running an induction cooktop was high on the wish list. But truth be told, secretly, my wife was hoping it was capable of running the coffee machine too. And it does this very well indeed.
In fact, when we’re off the grid with our caravan, I often run a power lead from the caravan into the ute to get the 240-volt power points operational in the caravan. These mainly operate my office equipment and charge cameras. I don’t power the fridge, hot water or air conditioning unit through the inverter. The fridge and hot water run fine on gas when off-grid. Consequently, the power draw on the inverter is minimal.
IP2000 inverter
At the heart of this power management board lies a robust 2000W pure sine inverter. Pure sine wave inverters are best for use on sensitive electrical appliances such as computers and televisions. However, the substantial power capacity of the 2000-watt output enables me to run a multitude of devices and appliances, from power tools to kitchen appliances, ensuring the wife and I can maintain creature comforts even in remote locations.
The IP2000 inverter features an Eco-Mode. When the inverter detects power is not being drawn from the inverter it will automatically switch to Eco-Mode reducing power consumption to extend battery run time. It’s a terrific feature for those overcast days when the solar panel gets little sun to replenish the batteries.
It also includes a Residual Current Device (RCD) switch that detects if there is any earth leakage and will automatically disconnect all power sockets protecting users from electrocution. This meets Australian Standards for AS/NZS4763:2011 (portable inverters) and AS3001 (caravan installation).
Impressively, the IP2000 inverter is capable of delivering 4000 watts of peak power and 2000 watts continuously. The built-in automatic transfer switch ensures a quick transfer of power when switching between mains (shore) and battery power. The automatic changeover function eliminates the need to manually swap over AC plugs or switch dials between the two power sources. When mains power is available, mains power passes through the inverter to power the accessories directly. When the mains power is disconnected the appliance automatically switches across to inverter power.
Smart Charging Capabilities
The inclusion of the IDC25X smart charging capabilities ensures efficient replenishment of battery reserves. The unit allows for simultaneous dual battery charging from both solar and alternator inputs with no manual switching required. The unit prioritises solar charging as its default and automatically adjusts to the alternator if sunlight is insufficient, thereby reducing the power usage placed on the vehicle’s electrical system.
The inbuilt multi-chemistry technology lets me tailor the charging profile to suit multiple battery types: AGM, GEL, WET, Calcium and LiFePO4 batteries. I’ve fitted two 135AH Lithium batteries in parallel. The operator’s manual suggests checking the lithium battery’s datasheet to see if IDC25X is suitable for the charging profile before connecting.
The IDC25X boasts a few protective features which include, over and under voltage protection, where the charger will automatically shut down if there is an over-voltage or under-voltage problem. Over temperature protection, where the charger will lower its output current if the temperature of the unit begins to overheat.
Integrated Monitoring System
The ICB2000 is equipped with the advanced BM500-BT Bluetooth battery monitor kit that comprises a 500A Smart Shunt and Bluetooth battery monitor that optimises battery performance and longevity. The BM500-BT – Bluetooth Battery Monitor can show a wide range of important battery parameters. The monitor will cycle through the following items; Time to go, Voltage and Current for the auxiliary battery. You can alternatively press the scroll up/down button to cycle through the screen. However, the screen will automatically turn off after 150 seconds and will turn on again once any button is pressed.
But I almost always use the more convenient iPhone app to monitor my battery parameters as I’ve mounted the power board in the middle of the canopy and it’s more often than not hidden by camping or camera gear.
The LVD50 is a robust and compact unit that protects my expensive deep-cycle lithium batteries from damage caused by over-discharge. The LVD50 controller turns off the load of the system automatically when the load drains the battery bank to my pre-set low voltage of 10.5 volts.
Thankfully, the ICB2000 board boasts multiple outputs which include five 20-amp switched DC outputs, plus two 50amp heavy-duty Anderson plugs, a 20amp and 10amp cigarette plug and 5amp and 3.5amp USB sockets providing flexibility to power various devices simultaneously.
Ease of Installation
The biggest installation decision you need to make is where to position the ICB2000. At 828 mm long by almost 500mm high and 200mm deep, it’s a substantial item to mount inside a dual cab ute canopy.
To be honest, I’d have preferred to mount it up on the internal headboard of the canopy, but sadly, as the fridge, drawers and pantry were installed during my canopy’s manufacture space for such a large item on the headboard was impossible. Consequently, I was forced to search for an alternative position. In the end, I mounted it lengthways and made up a protective cover from a plyboard sheet to shield the electrical components from camping gear during the rigours of outback travel.
But, on the other hand, when it comes to wiring the inputs, it is virtually a simple plug-and-play operation. You merely plug the Anderson plug from the alternator into the ALT input and the Anderson plug from the solar panel into the solar input. The trick is running a lead from the battery under the bonnet along the chassis and up into the canopy. Also, you’ll have to run a wire from the ignition to IDC25X. Apart from that the pre-wired system is good to go.
Wiring up the fridge, LED canopy lights DC and AC outlets on the left and right-hand side headboard took the best part of a day which included fabricating and cutting out the slots for switches and plugs in the mounting boards. Honestly, if you’re handy with tools and have a basic understanding of 12-volt wiring, installing the ICB2000 is a simple DIY project. A word of caution here! Get a licensed electrician to complete any 240-volt wiring, 240 volts in not for the DIY.
Conclusion
Projecta’s ICB2000 12V DC Power Management Board with 2000W Inverter represents a paradigm shift in off-grid power solutions, offering a comprehensive suite of features especially tailored to the unique needs of ute canopies, off-grid caravans, and camping setups. However, the value for money on these boards should not be overlooked as these power-boards offer significant savings on power system installation. Through Projecta’s clever engineering and manufacturing processes the ICB2000 retails for around the same price that all the components would be individually this means that you can have a high-quality fully engineered power solution minus an expensive auto-electrician’s installation invoice.
In the 12 months I’ve had my ICB2000, I can’t fault the unit’s performance. Even when we’ve run the induction cooktop for lengthy periods cooking a hearty breakfast of bacon and eggs followed by barista-made coffee and finally boiling water for washing the dishes. For the most part, I very rarely know it’s there, because it works silently in the background. All my appliances function correctly, and occasionally I check the charge status on the phone app, but its virtually maintenance free and doesn’t require any monitoring on my part, it looks after itself.
Another word of caution, I discovered that when running two batteries in parallel, it pays to ensure that each battery lead is the same size, this ensures that batteries will charge evenly.
Can the ICB2000 be improved? For my application, I’d like to trim approximately 200mm off the power board’s length and move the switches, BM500-BT Bluetooth battery monitor and power outlets to the side which would make the unit more compact enabling better use of the space inside my canopy. While I’d like my compact power board mounted on the right-hand side of the canopy, I’m sure that a left-hand version might better suit other canopy designs.
Overall, the ICB2000’s combination of power, versatility, reliability, and convenience makes it an indispensable companion for my wife and me as outdoor enthusiasts seeking to embrace a lifestyle of freedom and self-sufficiency.