Wotpod Power Upgrade: Lithium Battery, Victron MPPT, and Field Test at Red Cliff

After 10 days at Diggers Camp last Christmas—full sun, full heat—it was clear something was off. The MPPT kept dropping out, the battery ran down fast, and wouldn’t hold a charge. Time for an upgrade.

Our private viewing point waiting for tide wind and swell

We’ve now switched to a 200Ah Gentrax lithium battery. Compact enough to slot straight into the Kings battery box, same plugs, same spot—easy swap.

I’ve been learning the basics of wiring—picked up a stripper, crimper, and some shrink wrap to keep connections clean.

Also installed a Victron 100/20 SmartSolar MPPT. Now I can monitor the solar charge via Bluetooth, which makes a huge difference.

I built a box for it, added bootlace terminals, and mounted the controller inside a waterproof lunchbox—it hangs exactly where the old one did.

We gave it a quick test run with two nights at Red Cliff—everything powered for 2 nights and 3 days, no solar needed. Now we’re heading off for 5 nights at Boorkoom—first proper test for the upgraded Wotpod power setup.

Also added a budget voltage meter in the kitchen. Checked it last night—matches the Kings box and controller exactly. The old one was reading 0.4V high, so it’s gone.

Battery charging tonight, water tank filled, gear and fridge packed—ready to leave after a morning surf. We’ll fuel up on the way; Ballina’s 15 cents a litre cheaper thanks to PetrolSpy.

Bike on the roof, board on the teardrop, fridge full, battery topped, blankets warm, firewood packed—we’re good to go.