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I need more power Scotty!


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#11 badtoytrd

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Posted 12 October 2016 - 12:59 AM

One thing I didn't see was that you would need 2 of those batteries if I am not mistaken to get to the 12v needed. That seems like a lot of space taken by batteries and a lot of weight. Please correct me if wrong. Just wanted to clarify.


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#12 Vic Harder

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Posted 12 October 2016 - 03:37 AM

yup, two batteries.  Seems the smart folks are running 2x 6v batteries, and for the AH we need, it seems they don't make 12v batteries that big.  Crowns biggest 12v is 240 AH and it weighs 162 lbs.  That would be fun to get into the battery box.

 

And yes, the 2 CR330 batteries are 103 lbs each.No way around that except to reduce how much power you use, and then scale back everything.


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#13 97grandby

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Posted 12 October 2016 - 04:45 AM

I found and baught most of my system from eBay. It can be tricky on eBay but I've always had good luck and saved over 20% on the prices you have listed. I have a smaller but similar system and I'm in it around 1700.00. Good luck and look forward to seeing your upgrades. You can see my upgrades on my link in my signature


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#14 Vic Harder

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Posted 12 October 2016 - 05:35 AM

Thanks 97.... problem for me is shipping/customs/duty to Canada, not to mention the exhange rate.... simply brutal.

 

I've done a bit more digging and:

 

Ntqsd – says here that he is having good luck with 6 gauge cables.

 

Ronanmd1 suggest in here – and – here to upgrade the wire between camper and truck batteries, so that the isolator can work properly.  After doing so his camper is getting a good charge from the truck, and thats with 4g wire.  He also mentions that you can very quickly kill your expensive AGM batteries by under charging them.

 

Brh4n, you mentioned that you have a ctek D250S and a SMARTPASS unit.  How is that rig working for you?

 

DavidO’s experience documented here is also very valuable.  He also is having good luck with just 6g wire from the truck to camper, and confirms that an upgrade in wire gauge can instantly increase the amount of charge going to your camper batteries from 12A or so to 55A.  Wow.

 

DrJ documented the install/upgrade to the BlueSea ML-ACR here


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#15 Old Crow

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Posted 12 October 2016 - 03:20 PM

Vic-- Great thread.... thank you!

 

Also- re: the D250S... post 23 here says its solar controller isn't great on a partly-cloudy day but does OK on a sunny day. The guy tested using a Watts Up meter and compares to his Morningstar Sunsaver.  He includes a link to a jpg of his test results but you'd need an account on the forum to get it.   Also: see posts 5 and up here (same guy).

 

(I don't have time to look more today and I don't know if this info is supported anywhere else)


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#16 ski3pin

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Posted 12 October 2016 - 03:28 PM

Old Crow, thanks for searching out this information. Now I'm curious how the ctek works as a charge controller for the power from the truck.


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#17 Vic Harder

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Posted 12 October 2016 - 04:32 PM

Good stuff Old Crow.  The other things is that the Ctek is only a 12v unit, so if you are wanting to use 24V like I do (DrJ does too, maybe others?) then it isn't much help.

 

The CTEK system also does not seem to be configurable for the voltage set points.

 

Ski, I am curious too.  IF a guy were to have $$$ to toss around, using the CTEK/Smartpass for the alternator to battery connection and a Morningstar MPPT controller for the solar to battery connection would be interesting.  But that's $1000 for just your charge controllers.

 

Not to mention that this is a NEW problem for us FWC owners, and you won't have a "how do I limit/adjust my battery charging from the alternator" problem until you upgrade the wiring.  For most of us, the wire is the biggest constraint.


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#18 ski3pin

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Posted 12 October 2016 - 04:48 PM

Vic, my curiosity is piqued because I wish for a single, efficient charge controller from multiple sources (i.e. truck alternator and solar) that would have programmable set points to match your battery's optimum charging requiem.

 

I guess we aren't there yet.

 

Vic, thanks much for all the effort you've put into helping others.


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#19 PaulT

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Posted 12 October 2016 - 05:41 PM

Vic, my curiosity is piqued because I wish for a single, efficient charge controller from multiple sources (i.e. truck alternator and solar) that would have programmable set points to match your battery's optimum charging requiem.
 
I guess we aren't there yet.
 
Vic, thanks much for all the effort you've put into helping others.

+1 to Vic in documenting and sourcing a ton of info. Thanks for your ongoing effort.

The challenge is in having a single battery charger with multiple power source inputs to accept power from the "optimum" source(s) and control battery state of charge according to battery manufacturer's protocol and display SOC, power in and power out to batteries, time to depletion, etc. under current conditions. Here, we want a single system solution rather than separate battery charging solutions for charging by solar, shore, and truck alternator.

Ski is right that we're not there yet. Sure looks like a great opportunity for an entrepeneur with excellent electrical + software engineering skills. Would need to support FLA, AGM, and LiFePo4 battery chemistries.

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#20 Alley-Kat

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Posted 12 October 2016 - 05:59 PM

And, for another electrical generation source...

 

Back in 2010 when I purchased my ATC Bobcat Shell, I was looking into the "solar only" ability and no electrical connection to my truck's alternator (which is what I have now and has worked great for me).

 

AND, I did some looking at wind generators for when the solar charging was less than optimal, as in cloudy, overcast, even rain and stormy conditions. 

 

Seemed like a good combination to me; either I was going to be camped in SUNSHINE, or I was going to be camped in WINDY conditions. And, if there was wind at night, I could get some battery charging even when the sun was not present. 

 

At that time I found that all of the small, sort of portable, wind generators had the charge controller built-in to the wind generator housing, without any ability to do any fiddling around with the electrical output. Plus, I think all of them were designed for lead acid batteries, the kind that might be used in a homestead, cabin, etc. No option for AGM batteries.

 

I was looking for an all automatic system that could integrate the two battery charging devices, i.e., solar and wind, together. Talking with several wind generator "experts", they didn't recommend using such a wind generator with a camper sized solar charge controller. I wonder if there is something available now.

 

BTW, I was NOT thinking of having a wind generator mounted and exposed while I was driving. The units I was looking into all had 2' to 3' long blades and needed to be at least 5' above the top of any roof to get clear air for maximum wind speed.

 

For when I was camping I was thinking a nice fiberglass antenna mast that was in a couple of sections would do nicely to place the wind generator on top of and the whole wind generator and mast could be stowed when not in use.

 

Still doesn't look like this is a possibility, however, maybe some day.


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