10/07/2021
I had the privilege of helping a family out on the Gibb River Road last week while I was on holidays. I could hear a sound from their alternator and they looked very concerned. I walked over to help and found the one way clutch had failed on the pulley. They mentioned it would cost $4500 to be towed out to Derby and then more to get it fixed in a remote town.
After setting up camp near them, I worked out a plan to hopefully fix the car. I removed the alternator and using a welder from a remote tyre repair guy thankfully not far from our camp, I welded the clutch on the pulley and refitted it. We started the car and everything worked as it should. Hooray!
While I was fixing their car I noticed there was a dual battery solenoid just sitting in the engine bay, not fitted to anything. I asked him who had fitted this and he said he paid good money to have it fitted before the trip. If this had shorted out, it would have started a fire🔥 .
I mounted the solenoid correctly and explained how to activate his second battery as it was not set up with a switch to help that battery operate with ease.
It was a pleasure to help this family out in such a remote location as it is really a case of working in survival mode if something goes wrong out there and it is costly and stressful if something goes wrong.
So, I’ve decided that from this experience, and also after many years of setting my own car up for remote camping and 4WD trips, I am going to offer my services for setting up 4WDs for safe touring, remote drives and extended family holidays. This can include setting up your vehicle to operate dual batteries, accessories like solar panels and charging sockets within the car for your devices and any custom work required to suit particular needs.
Call me on 0415746665 for any enquiries or bookings. I look forward to helping you plan your next safe family holiday!