12v Power in the Roofnest Falcon - 100 Series Land Cruiser Roof Top Tent Project

Getting 12v power inside the tent was a must for us. Being able to charge phones, run a fan, and led lighting inside was important. I value being able to setup extremely quickly so running extension cords or caring up extra gear for power was not an option for me. This setup is quick and easy and has worked great so far.

Hope you enjoy the video and it inspires your roof top tent power setup.

Here are links to all the items we used for our RTT 12v power setup.

Main Components



Installation and wiring

Battery Insulation Wrap Install

Heat can kill your batteries so a great way to protect your investment is to help shield it from excessive heat.  In this video we installed some thermo-tec heat shield battery wraps in the land cruiser.  Let us know if you have any questions and enjoy the video.

What I use for my youtube channel

A friend of mine asked what I used and what I though he might buy to get started on youtube.  He wants to start a cooking channels.  I am a super amateur but here are my thoughts.

Cameras

I have 3 cameras, first I got a GoPro Hero3 I didn't really know what I was doing.  Then I got a Yi 4K and then a Yi 4K+  My Yi products are way cheaper and I think they work well.  However, they are all action cameras.  Action cameras have a very wide angle lens and while the quality is good for video of yourself in a relatively small space you have to have the camera literally right in front of you.   I used to have the camera further back but then you have to zoom and that's extra work and you loose resolution. Unless you need waterproofing and plan on doing high action get something else.  I think most youtubers use mirrorless or SLR cameras.  If you go this route I would make sure it's 4K and 30fps (frames per second) or more.  That will give you good quality and a smooth picture.  It's also nice to have a lcd screen you can flip so you can film yourself and see what's in the picture at the same time.  Shit I might be talking myslef into one.  I could see you eventually wanting two cameras.  Maybe one action cam close to the food and one mirrorless shooting you talking and the grill.  Yi has a mirrorless, it gets mixed reviews but I think I am going to try it since it's cheap.  Oh when it comes to mirror less and slr certain ones take certain lens so research that before you pull the trigger.  I think all SLR are standard and some mirror less are SLRs if that makes sense.

Yi 4k+ action cam

https://amzn.to/2yojcD2

Yi mirrorless cam

https://amzn.to/2WAyYCL

Canon mirrorless

https://amzn.to/2L7DKT0

Lighting

Lighting makes a big diff, before I had it my picture sucked, then I used various lights.  Now I use these even outside and they make a big diff.  Keeps shadows from making shit look bad.  The color selection helps you match the ambient light.  by the way the prices change on all this stuff I got these lights for $100 like 3 months ago now there 160.  If your patient you can wait for price cuts.

https://amzn.to/3b6VZT6

Sound

I have a zoom mic and got it cuz my kids music teacher had one and the sound is awesome without a mic.  There are probably setups with mic and recorder together that are fine.  I also use a lapel mic with the zoom.  Sometimes I just use the cameras mic but it's not nearly as good.  By the way syncing separate audio and video in the software I use is doable but can be tricky.  I bet its easy in apple's software final cut pro

Zoom H1

https://amzn.to/3cg3B7e

Lapel mic I use

https://amzn.to/3dnr1Ys

Software - I again I went cheap here and it has worked out.  I initially used gopro software and it was terrible.  Now I use cyber link power director. It's a knock off of the expensive stuff.  They have like 50% deals all the time and will try and sell you upgrades constantly.

https://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdirector-video-editing-software/

Computer

I bought a dedicated desktop a couple years back for $300 and it did great when I only did 1080 now that I do 4K it gets a little rough sometimes.  I would get something with at least 16G of ram and an SSD harddrive and then get a big external USB drive.  Keep old porjects and back log on the external and whatever you are working on on the internal SSD.

YouTube

We can talk more about youtube once you get going.  Create a channel with the name you want and make it unique.  I think you can change the name once or twice and eventually pick a url.  Consider whether you cus or not.  Profanity will reduce your advertisers.  Don't use copy written music.  They will catch you then you can't monetize that video and you might get a strike.  3 strikes and your out.  Oh one important initial thing.  Youtube rewards consistency so try to come up with a schedule and stick to it, like every friday at 1200 I post something, usually.

Monetization - you will need 4000 hours in the previous 12 months and 1000 subscribers.  it will take sometime but once your there you want to be ready.  Keep an eye out and once you get close get a business bank account establish and LLC.  This isn't absolutely necessary but it's nice to have all my income and expenses from this separate.  

Music - Youtube has music it provide and some artists post on channels that offer free to use music if you put credit in the description.  This is the channel I use for music. I have had some music become copy written later but it's rare and think shit bags that do that get black balled.  You may not intend to use much music but it's still nice for intro's timelapses and shit like that if nothing else.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgOuNHmnIVxiPJYBZwhbeeA  

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCht8qITGkBvXKsR1Byln-wA  

Social media

Try to make an instagram, facebook, etc then post alerts on all when your videos post.  You can share on your personal feeds too.  I would also post on all your favorite forums, like cooking forums, specific grill froums etc.  You will likely drive a lot of your intial subs from those.

General Thoughts

I am completely self taught.  There are multiple unique jobs that you learn over time.  Actor, Cameraman, Soundman, light guy, producer, editor, writer, etc.  It takes time to learn what works.  It takes practice to get decent at all of them. Sometimes things work out and sometimes they are terrible.  Sometimes I use scripts and storyboards and sometimes I wing it. Editing and producing in the software and be really challenging and time consuming but I have learned to really love that part too.  If I were you I would just start posting things and you will get better as you go.  Keep videos as short as possible cut anything that is unnecessary  and if you worked on something and think it sucks post it anyway.  When your huge your subs will love watching your old rough shit.  

Ok I am sure I missed tons but there's an initial brain dump.  Ask me any and all questions I would be happy to answer and can't wait to do a Land Cruiser grilling out collab!  

Overland Lock for the Front Runner Pro Table Under Rack Bracket

Front Runner Pro Table Under Rack Bracket is an accessory for your Slimline II rack that allows you to store either a Pro Stainless Steel Camp Table, a Pro Stainless Steel Prep Table or a Pro Stainless Steel Prep Table With Basin underneath it. The lock that front runner sells is terrible. For the same money you can get these locks.

Master Lock 131T Aluminum Covered Locks Master Lock 120T Brass Locks

Roofnest Falcon In-Depth Walk Around - Clam Shell Roof Top Tent

Here's a complete in depth Roofnest Falcon Roof Top Tent walkaround before we get it installed on the land cruiser.

Keep an eye out for our upcoming install video and all of our adventures this coming summer. We also have a unique idea for getting the tent on and off the roof so keep an eye out for that too.

How we chose our LED light strips - 100 Series Land Cruiser Overland Rig Build

When I ordered my firstLED light strip I had no idea what I was getting and just wanted to have some fun lights while camping. I ended up installing these in the rear for general lighting and for fun. Not all LED strips are the same. Here are links to some of the products mentioned in the video:

Govee Dreamcolor APP Control Bluetooth 16.4ft Multicolor LED Light Strip


Double Sided Tape 3M VHB Waterproof Foam Tape for LED Strip Lights



Keep an eye out for the installation of a dream color music sync bluetooth led strip in the roofnest falcon. It can be a real challenge to figure out the difference between strips on amazon but here are a few things to consider. LED Types: most strips have SMD5050 LEDS indicates the size of the led 5mm by 5mm and contains 3 leds RG and B to create various colors. LED Density: some strips have 3 LEDs every for inches (150/5m) and some have 6 LEDs (300/5m) I generally look for the low density strips to minimize power consumption. LED Strip Waterproofing - some strips have a silicone cover that makes the strip itself waterproof. I always pick waterproof for overland durability. Adhesive Backing - adhesive or not - you can buy better Voltage - Strips are DC and voltage vary from 3v to 5v to 12v and 24v. most strips come with a 120v AC to DC transformer and not all indicate the DC voltage. If you want to wire them in your truck make sure the strip is 12v LED Strip Controllers: Smart/Addressable/Programmable/Dream Color/Color chasing controllers will consume some power so good to put them on a switch. Many strips can display many colors but only one color for the entire strip at a time. Some strips have integrated IC circuits and are able to display different colors for every 3 LEDs Controllers Types - Communication Types - RF/IR/WIFI/Bluetooth If you are operating disconnected you should avoid wifi RF remotes have worked well for me. Bluetooth generally have an app that give you many more light controlling features. Other Features to consider: Music sync Color chasing patterns Phone apps Levels of diming etc. Length and connectors LED Strip Length: How many depends on strip and controller Generally length is 16.4ft and some kits string 2 together or run two independently from one controller.

Why choose the Roofnest Falcon? Unboxing and Initial Impressions

Why the Falcon? We get the Roofnest Falcon off the truck, unboxed, and check it out for the first time in this video.

I was always interested in roof top tents but most of the tents that could fit the family took as much time to setup as our ground tent. Realizing that I would be taking as many trips solo, with friends, or just the kids and I, I decided to take another look. I know the biggest down side was loosing rack space. I was really interested in the Roofnest sandpiper due to its load rails that would allow me to get some items from the rack to the top of the tent. I talked with Roofnest and they pointed me to the Falcon. I didn't initially consider it due to the a-frame design but after looking at all the features I changed my mind. I am glad I did because this tent has now become the coolest piece of kit I have. We will be doing a more detailed initial workaround before we get it installed, an install video, and some sort of post install walk around and camping impression videos in the coming weeks. We also have a unique idea for getting the tent on and off the roof so keep an eye out for that too.

So here are the big reasons we chose this particular tent.

1. Profile - This tents profile is extremely low which means it will effect gas mpg less and well let's be honest it is going to look very cool.
2. Weight - The falcon is 135lbs. Tents get up to or even over 200lbs and that is more than I want on my roof. I have traveled with weight on the roof and less is better. Not only is it safer but the vehicle handles better.
3. Load Rails - The available load rails are going to allow me to get a few things that were on the rack to the top of the tent.
4. Accessory Channels - The roofnest's accessory channels take a standard M8 bolt just like the frontrunner and the possibilities are endless.
5. Fit - the dimensions of this tent fit my frontrunner perfectly. If my rack was a 1/2" longer the tent would fit down into the rack but due to the Alu-Cab Shadow Awn's mounting brackets I am going to have to mount with the Frontrunner brackets that elevate it 1.2". Most of the competition is a few inches wider and would have caused me to mount the tent offset from the middle. Roofnest also offers and XL version that is 10" wider.
6. Price - while this is no inexpensive item when comparing to similar tents like the Alu-Cab's Gen 3 Expedition, Go Fast Camper GFC, Eezi-Awn Stealth, and Camp King after you include the shipping costs (roofnest includes shipping in price) most of the direct competition cost $1000 or more over the roofnest.

Here are a few similar tents to compare:

Alu-Cab's Gen 3 Expedition

Go Fast Camper GFC

Eezi-Awn Stealth

Camp King

Getting Gear on Your Roof Just Got Easier - SUV Doorstep Overview

SUV Doorstep sent us one of these to review. I had seen these before and thought it would be nice ot have one of these for getting stuff on the roof rack. These are pretty great little items to have in your rig.

Here is a link to the site: https://suvdoorstep.com/ There are also several very similar if not identical products on amazon. This one can support both feet:


This one looks identical:

Voswitch Universal 6-Switch Relay Box Install - 100 Series Land Cruiser Overland Rig Build

We just installed a voswitch 6 relay box and some round 7" LED driving lights on our Land Cruisers ARB deluxe bullbar bumper. I have been wanting to install a rocker switch panel and relays to power up some lights on the 100 series for quite a while. I really like the spod but it is very expensive. I considered other more economical models like the trigger and s-tech. During my search I ran into the apollointech voswitch equipment on a jeep forum. It came highly recommended by that community so I decided to try it out. I purchased the apollointech voswitch 6 switch universal kit for about $150. It is remarkable similar to the spod and has many of the same features. I really like the construction of the relay box. To mount the switches in the overhead sunglasses holder I needed to buy a switch plate. I also picked up my first set of sxma led driving lights to go on the arb bumper. This is going to be a fun project and can't wait to see the results.

Voswitch Universal 6-Switch Pod/Panel Features:

• Integrated LVCO (Low-Voltage-Cut-Off) circuit that detects the battery voltage and will cut-off at 11.0VDC and cuts-back in at 12.4VDC so there is enough juice to start your vehicle in case you left an accessory on!!!
• Diodes to protect sensitive accessories such as LED lights from "field collapse"
• One touch switch and six rocker switches,one touch on touch switch to turn on/off the whole unit,long touch to dim the brightness of the backlight
• 8 gauge power leads with crimped and soldered terminal for connection to the battery
• Plug and Play

Here are links to the stuff we are using:



Here's our installation video: