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pianotuna
Regina, SK, Canada
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Joined: 12/18/2004
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Golden_HVAC,
The best way to limit current may be a dc to DC converter (or charger). That allows for optimization of the charging voltage, too.
When I had 875 amp-hours of lead acid batteries I'd observe over 70 amps of charging. That was not so good for my oem alternator, though it did not fail.
I do have a dc to DC unit installed now--for other reasons, but it does limit charging current on the output side to 20 amps @ 14.7 volts. There are dip switches to set the voltage.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.
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StirCrazy
Kamloops, BC, Canada
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Joined: 07/16/2003
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skanj0 wrote:Thanks for all of the responses. My truck is already setupfor high amperage charging and has a DC Power 275 amp alternator with 2 ga. copper wires run through a circuit breaker and continuous duty forklift solenoid to the front passenger corner of the truck bed. Planning connect this to the new camper as well when I add solar, victron charger/inverter, and larger wires to the battery bank.
Northwood is currently not offering a 3 way fridge in their truck campers due to manufacturer supply issues. Therefore I want my setup to be able to run the fridge in AC mode using the solar & truck alternator while going down the road. In the past I have tried to use propane going down the road and it would not stay lit in our Lance. It may be since we go offroad in the national forests and often its a fairly rough ride.
I have my eye on these particular https://www.sunfunkits.com/category/3/pre-built-batteriesbatteries if they will fit (option 1: 300 ah and option 2: 275 ah):
here is another option for the batteries. these have been discussed, tested, and taken apart by will Prowse and Showen to be decent batteries.
load testing
tear down
If you are going to run a 110 fridge, when you switch to Lithium I recommend a DC-to-DC converter. if your already set up for high amperage out of your alternator you could get a larger one and you just have to make sure total draw won't tax your alternator.
Renogy makes a 30 amp one and a 50 amp one that are pretty decent.
You should be able to run your fridge. If it's a newer one it will auto relight when it needs to, unlike my 1991 camper Haha.
and finally, I am a big proponent of running as much solar as you can. If you can get two panels on there and have the space to run two 300's I would. This would also reduce the load off your truck alternator during the day while traveling.
* This post was
edited 04/15/23 07:49am by StirCrazy *
2014 F350 6.7 Platinum
2016 Cougar 330RBK
1991 Slumberqueen WS100
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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Fwiw, rough roads don’t blow out LP pilot lights. Unless you happen to be going really really fast on them…
2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold
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skanj0
N CA
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Grit dog wrote:Fwiw, rough roads don’t blow out LP pilot lights. Unless you happen to be going really really fast on them…
Rough as in offroad, no where near level with, side to side rocking going over small to medium size rocks and ledges, etc.
2016 F350 SRW, Diesel, FX4, CCSB
Icon 2.5 CDCs
Icon 2.5” Coil Springs
Add a Leaf in Main Pack and Twin Auxiliary Springs
Custom rear Sumo Springs
Edge CTS Monitoring System
Toyo AT3 295/65/20
2023 Arctic Fox 865 with Victron galore
2 Ga Charging System
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Reality Check
North Bend
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Joined: 08/29/2007
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skanj0 wrote:Grit dog wrote:Fwiw, rough roads don’t blow out LP pilot lights. Unless you happen to be going really really fast on them…
Rough as in offroad, no where near level with, side to side rocking gi.e.oing over small to medium size rocks and ledges, etc.
Still won't be the cause. A strong gust of wind, sure, but LP could care less about motion.
'16 F550 CC, 4x4 with Link Ultraride air suspension, '18 AF 1150. Just so we can play with our snowmobiles, dirt bikes and fishing boat. And new 20' tag along...kayaks, bikes, mc's and extra water and food!!
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skanj0
N CA
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Reality Check wrote:skanj0 wrote:Grit dog wrote:Fwiw, rough roads don’t blow out LP pilot lights. Unless you happen to be going really really fast on them…
Rough as in offroad, no where near level with, side to side rocking gi.e.oing over small to medium size rocks and ledges, etc.
Still won't be the cause. A strong gust of wind, sure, but LP could care less about motion.
I hope the fridge in the new Arctic Fox works this way. The one in the 2005 Lance worked great when parked and almost perfectly level, but would not light on propane if off level much at all and would not stay lit in motion. But it was also a 3-way fridge so it really didnt matter. I just flipped it to 12v and off we went with the solar on the roof and the truck keeping it charged.
* This post was
edited 04/19/23 08:49am by skanj0 *
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skanj0
N CA
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https://photos.app.goo.gl/MvDY5pAPB3U117e56
Update: Solar install and battery upgrade is complete. To answer my own original question (for the benefit of others) the stock Arctic Fox 865 battery box will hold two Sun Fun Kits 300 ah lithium batteries if you remove the oem slider battery tray. I only installed one as its plenty for our power needs.
I decided to start from just about scratch and remove the existing sliding battery tray and the battery box (with help from a Sawzall). Then installed 580 watts of Zamp Obsidian solar on the roof and routed it to a Victron 100/50 mppt controller. Then connected the oem Zamp 45 watt panel and a bumper plug in for my portable 90 watt zamp panel, to a Victron 75/15 mppt controller. Then installed 2 Victron Orion 30a dc-dc chargers in parallel and wired them to a 100amp phillips lift gate plug at the right front of the camper. Then installed a Victron links distributor and multiplus 2000/80 inverter charger. All this is tied together with a Victron Cerbo GX and routed to a Touch 50 digital display. The multiplus is also connected with a digital multiswitch for easy access to ac power. Then I tied in a generator auto start relay to the cerbo gx and set it such that if the battery state of charge drops below 40% the generator will start and charge the battery using the Multiplus. Once it gets to 70% SOC the generator will automatically shut down.
Overall quite pleased with the outcome. Will load a few pics.
* This post was
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edited 06/27/23 09:52pm by skanj0 *
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mellow
Salisbury, MD
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Joined: 06/10/2014
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That is a sweet setup! Only thing you are lacking is a way to clean the greywater to make it drinkable again and you could stay offgrid for a long time!
2002 F-350 7.3 Lariat 4x4 DRW ZF6
2008 Lance 1191 - 220w of solar - Bring on the sun!
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3 tons
NV.
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Joined: 03/13/2009
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That is truly a remarkable installation, possibly even the standard bearer of installs!! ![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile") GREAT Work!
3 tons
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skanj0
N CA
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mellow wrote:That is a sweet setup! Only thing you are lacking is a way to clean the grey water to make it drinkable again and you could stay offgrid for a long time!
Thank you, Sir for the complements. I like to take my time and do things the best possible way. Its not quick though.
I like the idea of grey water reuse. You got me thinking. ![[emoticon]](http://www.rv.net/sharedcontent/cfb/images/biggrin.gif "biggrin")
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