KICKASS POWER

A COMPLETE PLUG-AND-PLAY LITHIUM DUAL BATTERY SYSTEM, PAIRED WITH SOLAR, FRIDGE AND INDUCTION COOKING, HAS TRANSFORMED THIS HILUX INTO A SELF-SUFFICIENT TOURING MACHINE

- WORDS & PHOTOS MARK ALLEN

Shopping for a dual-battery system can be a minefield. At the top end, quality setups deliver exactly what they promise - smart battery management and reliable power for fridges, lights, induction cookers and charging devices. At the other end, cheap and poorly made gear can fail to perform, offer lousy value for money and, in some cases, create dangerous situations.

It gets trickier when some suppliers only offer a one-size-fits-all kit, leaving no room for upgrades or changes. At the other extreme, you might have to piece together all the individual components yourself - a daunting task if you're not sure exactly what you need.

It’s also a bonus if the same company or brand can supply other gear beyond the dual battery system, with the confidence that everything is designed to work seamlessly together.

For those not fluent in all things electrical (I include myself in that camp), wading through glossy brochures, slick websites and dense technical specifications can be a daunting exercise.

Yes, I've done my due diligence, speaking with many companies promoting products that appeared to tick all my boxes and meet my needs.

KickAss consistently came out on top for me, offering a wide range of high-quality batteries in different sizes and configurations. Their range spans from basic kits to complete plug-and-play systems, catering to the varied needs of 4x4 owners, camper trailer users, motorhome travellers and caravaners.