Which Enerdrive | Dometic 4x4 Canopy Power System should I choose?

The Enerdrive 4x4 Canopy Power System range of products is perfect for everyone, including the DIY handyman looking to upgrade their vehicle, to the professional auto electrician looking to cut down on installation time. Available in a variety of configurations to suit nearly every vehicle based application, all Enerdrive Canopy Power Systems share the following features:

DC2DC Charging

Every Enerdrive Power System features a 12V 40+ DC2DC Charger, which allows you to recharge your deep cycle batteries from either a vehicle alternator or from solar. This allows you to stay off-grid longer and worry less about running out of power.

Pre-Wired By Our Expert Staff
All Enerdrive Canopy Power Systems are assembled in Australia by the Enerdrive Production team. This cuts down on install time and guarantees that all charging components in the system are wired correctly with appropriate size cables and fusing. Most systems also feature pre-wired switches, circuit breakers, and USB or DC sockets to allow you to easily add loads to your system. Wiring diagrams are also available for every system, making it easy for you to see where connections need to be made.

Technical Support and Warranty
The Enerdrive support team is familiar with the layout of each Enerdrive Canopy Power System and can provide users with the guidance if problems are encountered during installation or operation of the system. All Enerdrive-branded products and systems are covered under Enerdrive's 5 Year warranty policy as well. More information on the Warranty Policy can be found here.

Which System is Right for My Setup?

To determine which Enerdrive Canopy Power System is right for your off-grid setup, you will need to ask yourself the following questions.

How much space do I have?

Size will be one of the most important factors in determining which system suits your application. The Explorer is the most compact and budget friendly canopy power system offered by Enerdrive. It comes fitted with a DC2DC, Battery Monitor, and pre-installed cables for a fridge and battery connection. All canopies are available in a Left and Right orientation, allowing you to install on any side of the vehicle. The Explorer and Traveller are also available in a ceiling mount configuration, enabling you to utilise every inch of your canopy. For more information on which orientation is right for your system, click here. The size of each canopy system is listed in the table below. Do not forget that you will also need to allocate space for a battery, ventilation space, and any accessories you plan to run.

Do I want AC Charging?

After determining the amount of space you have for your electrical system, the next question you will need to answer is whether you want the ability to charge from 230V AC mains power. If the answer is yes, then you will need to purchase a Traveller or Adventurer Power system. With 230V mains power, you gain the ability to recharge quickly from a powered campsite and to easily maintain your electrical system while it is in storage at home.

Do I want an Inverter?

If you want the ability to run 230V AC appliances while you are off-grid, then you will want to purchase a  Lackey or Adventurer Power System. The Adventurer offers all of the features of a Traveller with the addition of a 2000W Inverter with AC Transfer Switch. The Lackey, on the other hand, includes only a DC2DC Charger and 2000W Inverter, sacrificing the AC Charger and external Battery Monitor for an even smaller footprint. For those seeking an inverter larger than 2000W for their system, Enerdrive recommends purchasing a Traveller system and then adding a separate inverter (a battery cable upgrade will be necessary, more information adding an inverter can be found here).

What level of monitoring do I want?

The final consideration to make when choosing your system is battery monitoring. The Explorer, Traveller and Adventurer are available with three different battery monitoring packages. All three monitoring options are compatible with AGM, Gel, Flooded, and Lithium batteries. The 01 models include an ePRO Plus Battery Monitor, which provides you with accurate monitoring, four programmable alarms, and an alarm relay contact. The 02 canopy models offer a Simarine upgrade, which provides users with a colour screen and the ability to incorporate tank monitoring into their system. For those seeking the most comprehensive monitoring package, the 03 canopy models expand upon the Simarine monitoring with the addition of a quad shunt to monitor the input of your DC2DC and current draw of your DC loads. The Lackey includes no monitoring and works best with a B-TEC battery, which comes with smartphone monitoring.

Quick Comparison Chart

There are many factors to consider when deciding which Canopy Power System works best for you. The chart below highlights some of the key differences between models for easy comparison.