No current from Interstate factory solar

[73shark]

So with my battery configuration where one is inside and one is outside, which battery would the temperature sensor be placed on

[lewster]

Originally Posted by 73shark

So with my battery configuration where one is inside and one is outside, which battery would the temperature sensor be placed on

I never split batteries as an inside/outside configuration for that exact reason.......where do you place the temp sensor????

Neither location will be sufficient as it will charge one battery correctly (the one with the sensor attached) and either overcharge or undercharge the other..

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by lewster

I never split batteries as an inside/outside configuration for that exact reason.......where do you place the temp sensor????

Neither location will be sufficient as it will charge one battery correctly (the one with the sensor attached) and either overcharge or undercharge the other..

I think you would want the temperature sensor on whichever battery is warmer, because that battery needs a lower charging voltage, and it's marginally better to under-charge the cooler battery than to over-charge the warmer battery.

But on an Interstate with stacked house batteries, the lower battery is right next to ventilation holes in the floor of the battery box, and the upper battery is right next to the exterior vent in the side of the van. The fact that one battery is below the van's floor and the other is above makes very little difference. Neither battery gets much heat from the furnace or cooling from the A/C due to the sofa's insulating properties and the fact that the box is not vented to the inside of the van and so does not directly receive heated or cooled air.

I suspect that the temperatures of the two batteries will not be so very different most of the time, probably within a couple of degrees of each other. So in practical terms, putting the sensor on the top battery is more convenient since you have to remove the top battery to access the bottom battery.

[Marks71]

Originally Posted by lewster

Give AM Solar a call to see if they have any experienced installers in your area. 1-541-726-1491


Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357

If I stick with the current single stage charger, and disconnect the negative battery terminals while stored on a lot, will my 100 w solar overcharge the batteries?

[lewster]

Originally Posted by Marks71

If I stick with the current single stage charger, and disconnect the negative battery terminals while stored on a lot, will my 100 w solar overcharge the batteries?

Unless the solar charger has it's own direct connection to the batteries, there will be no charge from the solar going to your batteries with the negative terminal disconnected.

If you store fully charged Lifelines with the negative removed, they should hold their charge for a minimum of 3 months before needing a boost charge.


Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357

[Marks71]

Originally Posted by lewster

Unless the solar charger has it's own direct connection to the batteries, there will be no charge from the solar going to your batteries with the negative terminal disconnected.

If you store fully charged Lifelines with the negative removed, they should hold their charge for a minimum of 3 months before needing a boost charge.


Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357

thanks. That's my back up plan until I can find someone to do a solar charger upgrade

[gator.bigfoot]

[QUOTE=lewster;1666777
Finally, even 50 watts will, at best, give you a couple of amps (basically a trickle charge) into your batteries. Airstream uses Lifeline AGM batteries from the factory in the solar option. These batteries demand proper voltage and 3-stage charging for maximum longevity, which is 14.2-14.4VDC for the Bulk and Absorption charge and 13.2 VDC for the float charge. BTW, this is NOT THE SAME as using a liquid lead acid battery setting on a Morningstar controller!! That's why the AGM setting is available on the Morningstar controllers.
[/QUOTE]

Lifeline changed there stance on this a while back. Your working with old data. Setting it to flooded will work fine. The sealed battery setting is useless.

[lewster]

Originally Posted by gator.bigfoot

Lifeline changed there stance on this a while back. Your working with old data. Setting it to flooded will work fine. The sealed battery setting is useless.

Changed their stance on what? Care to elaborate??


Lew Farber
RVIA/RVDA Nationally Certified Master Tech
Master Tech Energy Systems, Inc.
AM Solar Certified Installation Center
Lifeline Batteries**Magnum Inverters
541-490-6357

[Marks71]

Originally Posted by Marks71

Great. Will do THX!

AM couldn't help. incredibly difficult to find anyone to install a charge controller on an RV in Chicago area. I have one (mostly residential) solar company now that is telling me they can probably do it, but they're leery of access to the underneath of the RV, and trying to figure out how long it will take them.

Also ...I haven't been able to tell them which controller other than saying Morningstar would probably be good, 3-stage of course.

[lewster]

Originally Posted by Marks71

AM couldn't help. incredibly difficult to find anyone to install a charge controller on an RV in Chicago area. I have one (mostly residential) solar company now that is telling me they can probably do it, but they're leery of access to the underneath of the RV, and trying to figure out how long it will take them.

Also ...I haven't been able to tell them which controller other than saying Morningstar would probably be good, 3-stage of course.

In my experience, most residential solar installers don't have a clue as to how an RV electrical system functions.

You might be better off seeking out a well qualified car stereo installer with a better understanding the RV's DC electrical system.

[Marks71]

hmm ok, that's an interesting suggestion

[Marks71]

Originally Posted by lewster

Proper temperature compensation for battery charging should accurately measure the cell temperatures at the battery and not the ambient air temps. They can vary dramatically........ and with it the charging voltages that the sensor should be controlling. This is why Magnum and Blue Sky require their temp. sensors be secured to a negative battery terminal for accurate measurements.

Is that true ... the existing controller is only about a foot away from the batteries? The AM service guy I'm corresponding with to expand my system wants to know where the batteries and controller are on the 2015 AI Grand Tour EXT. I told him the batteries are underneath, behind the rear wheels, driver's side But I didn't know where the controller is.

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Marks71

Is that true ... the existing controller is only about a foot away from the batteries? The AM service guy I'm corresponding with to expand my system wants to know where the batteries and controller are on the 2015 AI Grand Tour EXT. I told him the batteries are underneath, behind the rear wheels, driver's side But I didn't know where the controller is.

The solar controller is identified as M4c2 in the wiring diagrams. See attached clip from the 12V DC wiring diagrams. If you then look for that code (M4c2) on the GT 12v Layout diagram in the 2015 Owners manual you see that the controller is located inside the roadside compartment that covers the rear wheel behind the bath cabinet on the GT model.
Hope this helps.

[Boxster1971]

Since we are speaking of the location of components - I noticed that all the new Interstates have their batteries in the same location. It's the location first offer in the Grand Touring models under the rear roadside corner of the van. I was at the Hersey show this week and got some pictures of this new battery location. The attached photo is the best overview shot. This location offers easy access to the batteries.

[UKDUDE]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

Since we are speaking of the location of components - I noticed that all the new Interstates have their batteries in the same location. It's the location first offer in the Grand Touring models under the rear roadside corner of the van. I was at the Hersey show this week and got some pictures of this new battery location. The attached photo is the best overview shot. This location offers easy access to the batteries.

They appear to be located on their side. I wonder how easy it would be to upgrade them to larger 6 Volt batteries.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[Marks71]

Yep that's where mine are 2015 AI GTExt

[Marks71]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

The solar controller is identified as M4c2 in the wiring diagrams. See attached clip from the 12V DC wiring diagrams. If you then look for that code (M4c2) on the GT 12v Layout diagram in the 2015 Owners manual you see that the controller is located inside the roadside compartment that covers the rear wheel behind the bath cabinet on the GT model.
Hope this helps.

Yes ... very helpful. THANKS

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by UKDUDE

They appear to be located on their side. I wonder how easy it would be to upgrade them to larger 6 Volt batteries.

Yes - the batteries are on their side, short side down, on a simple tray attached to the inner side of the Sprinter van substructure. There is a separate tray for each battery and they look like a very tight fit. I took the pictures because I want to add my new batteries in the same location. But I'm going to make my own trays that will each hold two Lifeline GPL-4CT 6V batteries, long side down. I plan to add a tray on each side for total of four 6V batteries of 440 AH.

The way Airstream installed these batteries they hang below the Sprinter sheet metal, just above the plastic trim. Mine will be above the sheet metal better protected from possible damage.