Starting to think about Solar/Lithium upgrade

[Marine359]

storage bay isn’t inside. Because it’s not being heated. Many Class C owners mount them under the dinette seats. TT owners typically mount under their bed. It really depends on where you have the easiest wire run to your distribution panel. If re-wiring would be a hassle, just get a heating mat. With a thermostatically controlled 12v mat, the batteries can power the mat at temps as low as output spec for the batteries.

BTW: Hopefully you either have a programmable converter/charger. If not, a standard WFCO charger will not fully charge your new LiFePo4 batteries, and you won’t be able to take advantage of their faster charge times. There may be a drop in LiFePo4 charger replacement for your Minnie.

[steved28]

Originally Posted by Mashmaster

Well, I maybe a sucker but Cyber Monday got me. I ordered two LiPo AmpereTime RV batteries for un $300 each. I also ordered a Renogy 20A DC to DC charger.

Lol! I ordered 4 of them! (100 Ah each) I am keeping them in the basement until the Spring.

[Mashmaster]

This is the charger I ordered: DCC30S 12V 30A Dual Input DC-DC On-Board Battery Charger with MPPT

I can work to get them under the dinette Bench.

[Mashmaster]

Originally Posted by steved28

Lol! I ordered 4 of them! (100 Ah each) I am keeping them in the basement until the Spring.

Glad I am not the only one :-)

[Mashmaster]

Originally Posted by Mashmaster

This is the charger I ordered: DCC30S 12V 30A Dual Input DC-DC On-Board Battery Charger with MPPT

I can work to get them under the dinette Bench.

Quick question is the 30A version the correct one or should I have gotten their 50A version?

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Mashmaster

This is the charger I ordered: DCC30S 12V 30A Dual Input DC-DC On-Board Battery Charger with MPPT

I can work to get them under the dinette Bench.

The amps you need are dependent on the voltage and total wattage of your solar panels:

https://www.thesolarbiz.com//blog/ho...ler-do-i-need/

Note that the output voltage of your panels is dependent on whether you connect your panels in series with each other or in parallel. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. The most common RV method is parallel. In general, parallel is best when the panels might be in partial shade like on an RV:

https://battlebornbatteries.com/sola...s-or-parallel/

[Mashmaster]

Originally Posted by BobC

The amps you need are dependent on the voltage and total wattage of your solar panels:

https://www.thesolarbiz.com//blog/ho...ler-do-i-need/

Note that the output voltage of your panels is dependent on whether you connect your panels in series with each other or in parallel. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. The most common RV method is parallel. In general, parallel is best when the panels might be in partial shade like on an RV:

https://battlebornbatteries.com/sola...s-or-parallel/

The wierd thing is that it seems to split between inputs, but I think the 30 amp will work

[Mashmaster]

I like the idea about putting it all in the dinette bench, but I am not sure how to get the wires all there, since it is on the slide. There is an outlet on the dinnette wall so there must be a way. And suggestions?

[powercat_ras]

I used the Renogy DC-DC that is rated 40 amp output. It can draw 60 amp from the chassis worst case, but I found that real world worst case is less than 50 to output 40.

Renogy recommend that this is the largest safe size for the Ford F53 chassis.

It was on sale for Black Friday / Cyber Monday. I paid $ 172 via Amazon a few weeks ago.

Here's my thread on my project: Vista 27N LiFe04 Upgrade

[No1Hunter]

Originally Posted by Mashmaster

Would putting them into the storage bay be inside? Not sure where I could put them "inside"

Does it have a furnace vent?

[Mashmaster]

Originally Posted by No1Hunter

Does it have a furnace vent?

Not on that side of the coach

[Mashmaster]

I think I am going to have to put them either in the cabinet under the kitchen sink or the exterior storage cabinet next to the door and directly under the sink.

I love the idea of using the area under the dinette bench, I just don't know how I would get the wiring over to the other side on top of the slide.

[Mashmaster]

Here are pictures of the rig, exterior and the sink area.

[BobC]

I vote for under the sink. With a little creativity you can retain most of your storage. Remember that LiPFeO4 batteries can be in any position, stacked, etc. so you may be able to stack them behind the plumbing. There are endless possibilities. Just make sure the terminals are protected. One advantage of this is that it's close to the stock battery location which simplifies re-wiring.

[Mashmaster]

Originally Posted by BobC

I vote for under the sink. With a little creativity you can retain most of your storage. Remember that LiPFeO4 batteries can be in any position, stacked, etc. so you may be able to stack them behind the plumbing. There are endless possibilities. Just make sure the terminals are protected. One advantage of this is that it's close to the stock battery location which simplifies re-wiring.

Agreed, that is my thinking as well. Just figured out last night that I will also need to buy a new charger unit so shore power or generator will work with the new batteries.

I certainly will be writing all this up in a guide for beginners as it feels like a set of dominoes.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Mashmaster

Agreed, that is my thinking as well. Just figured out last night that I will also need to buy a new charger unit so shore power or generator will work with the new batteries.

I certainly will be writing all this up in a guide for beginners as it feels like a set of dominoes.

As mentioned by Powercat ras, you'll also need to deal with the charging from your alternator. Here's some more information, including a video on the topic. I purchased the Renogy model that's reviewed in the video. If you have, or are planning to install solar, Renogy also makes DC to DC chargers that are combined with a solar controller for less than two stand alone units.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcVjPap9dkY

https://www.renogy.com/battery-charg...tery-chargers/

[Mashmaster]

Talked to renogy yesterday, was going to get the dc to DC charger from them but they recommended me to do their charger and mppt 30 amp charger which will handle going from the alternator and solar panels when I decide to add them.

[Mashmaster]

OK, I modified the diagram on the Renogy page, does this look correct?

I currently have:
2 100ah 12v Amperetime (LiTime) Lithium batteries
1 Renogy DCC30S 12V 30A Dual Input DC-DC On-Board Battery Charger with MPPT
1 PowerDrive 1000W Bluetooth Pure Sine Wave Power

Stuff to add according to my diagram unless I am wrong. I realize Solar addition can happen after.

300-400 Watt solar panels (Optional: Needed when adding Solar)
Converter/Charger replacement since the current one I assume won't work with lithium batteries.

I am assuming there is already an automatic transfer switch between the on board generator and shore power prior to the converter/charger. Is that a correct assumption?

[Mashmaster]

Originally Posted by Mashmaster

OK, I modified the diagram on the Renogy page, does this look correct?

I currently have:
2 100ah 12v Amperetime (LiTime) Lithium batteries
1 Renogy DCC30S 12V 30A Dual Input DC-DC On-Board Battery Charger with MPPT
1 PowerDrive 1000W Bluetooth Pure Sine Wave Power

Stuff to add according to my diagram unless I am wrong. I realize Solar addition can happen after.

300-400 Watt solar panels (Optional: Needed when adding Solar)
Converter/Charger replacement since the current one I assume won't work with lithium batteries.

I am assuming there is already an automatic transfer switch between the on board generator and shore power prior to the converter/charger. Is that a correct assumption?

Thinking about my diagram, I don't need a switch between shore power and generator, because those are the same. So disregard that.

[powercat_ras]

Automatic Transfer Switch?

It may just have the generator AC output tied to a NEMA TT30R receptacle and you plug the end of the shore cable into it when you want to power the RV from the generator. This is the standard way Winnebago does it on their less expensive RVs.