183 replies to this topic

[rando]

 We can probably help, but we need some more details:   What monitor are you using?  Which DC-DC charger are you using?   What battery are you using that wants 14.8V to charge?

 

Are you sure the ground on the DC-DC is connected to the camper battery through the shunt?  If not, the shunt won't register the charge current from the DC-DC charger. 

[CatButt]

If your existing panels are in series, that would mean that a portable would need to be put in series with the roof panels.     To do that, you need to disconnect the wiring to the roof panels and connect the portable into the circuit, and the reverse to disconnect the portable panel.   Furthermore, all the current from all your panels would be running through the wiring to your portable panel.   

 

So yes it *could* be done, but practically it would be much easier to either run everything in parallel or run a separate charge controller for your portable.

 

Thx much.

[Tom S]

Hi Rando. Good work I think you have it nailed with the negative leads. In my quest for a clean installation I’m thinking I have somehow bypassed the shunt with the negative going back to the truck. The big lugs on the #2 wire didn’t fit nicely on the negative buss so I joined them very neatly and tidily at the negative terminal thereby bypassing the shunt. lol. Hey people who don’t do anything never make any mistakes!! I’ve made lots... Thanks. And I’m using a Renogy 30 amp dc2dc charger with MPPT and a Renogy 500A monitor and a Stark Energy 125 ah AGM battery. I’ll let you tomorrow how it all works. Cheers.

Tom

[Tom S]

Hi Rando. Good work I think you have it nailed with the negative leads. In my quest for a clean installation I’m thinking I have somehow bypassed the shunt with the negative going back to the truck. The big lugs on the #2 wire didn’t fit nicely on the negative buss so I joined them very neatly and tidily at the negative terminal thereby bypassing the shunt. lol. Hey people who don’t do anything never make any mistakes!! I’ve made lots... Thanks. And I’m using a Renogy 30 amp dc2dc charger with MPPT and a Renogy 500A monitor and a Stark Energy 125 ah AGM battery. I’ll let you tomorrow how it all works. Cheers.

Tom

[Tom S]

Hi Rando. Good work I think you have it nailed with the negative leads. In my quest for a clean installation I’m thinking I have somehow bypassed the shunt with the negative going back to the truck. The big lugs on the #2 wire didn’t fit nicely on the negative buss so I joined them very neatly and tidily at the negative terminal thereby bypassing the shunt. lol. Hey people who don’t do anything never make any mistakes!! I’ve made lots... Thanks. And I’m using a Renogy 30 amp dc2dc charger with MPPT and a Renogy 500A monitor and a Stark Energy 125 ah AGM battery. I’ll let you tomorrow how it all works. Cheers.

Tom

[Tom S]

Sorry for that it didn’t seem to be sent.

[Tom S]

The negative was definitely the culprit. I moved it over to the negative buss and everything is working as it should. Not a lot of current as the battery is now well and truly charged but it is reading in the right direction. I just couldn’t wait until tomorrow. Now it’s definitely four thirsty!!! Thanks again and cheers.

Tom

[Vic Harder]

Full disclosure, I don't have an Orion-Tr.   However, looking at demo on the Victron connect app, you can adjust the engine running detect parameters to work with the voltage drop in your cables, unless your alternator output is REALLY low.  

Agreed.  I had to tweek mine a fair bit, and then they released a software update that made it plug and play.  But my alternator puts out 14.6V.  YMMV

 

KP has also indicated the power cycling issue is real with 10g wire. 

 

I would add that the Victron DC2DC needs really good airflow to avoid self-throttling.  

[Jon R]

Thanks everyone for the help with my question.

[Jon R]

 

I would add that the Victron DC2DC needs really good airflow to avoid self-throttling.  

My Grandby is due to arrive in mid-May, and I am firming up my electrical power configuration.  I have most of the equipment now, but won't have the battery until late April. 

 

I am installing a 200Ah LiFePO battery that will take up nearly 1/3 of the volume of the Grandby battery compartment (battery is 10.5"L x 7.5"W x 12" H).  I plan to install a Victron MPPT 100/30 and Orion 12/12-30 in that compartment on the side wall opposite the door.  I was planning to put the Orion above the solar charger, with the top of the Orion 4 inches below the top of the compartment.  I could swap the position and put the Orion in the low position.  The compartment will have about 1.5 cubic feet of remaining open volume with the battery and the two chargers installed, with most of that open volume around the chargers.  However, there is no ventilation other than a tiny exterior vent and leakage around the door foam seal.  Do you think the Orion will have the self-throttling issue in this environment?