New Lithium Battery / Inverter Install

[Rawn77]

So after a long internal debate and extensive research; I decided to travel all the way to Southern Arizona (from Montreal) to have a major upgrade to my battery/inverter equipment.

I chose Marvin Braun from www.precisionrv.com to perform the upgrade.

The main purpose of the install allowing me to run the A/C for the evening while boondocking. I'll often boondock at the normal places at the end of the day while en route to a final decision. I don't like the idea of running my gen while sleeping. After examining all options, my thoughts were to run my gen for a couple of hours, running the AC all while topping off the batteries, then using my battery/inverter to take over for the evening.

So here's what was done:
1. I already had 4x100w solar panels; so left them in place.
2. Removed existing inverter and charger and replaced with a Magnum 3000w hybrid inverter/charger.
3. Replaced existing batteries with 1000 Amp Hours of Lithium (800AH useable)
4. Installed a battery management system with a 7" screen monitoring; battery level, charging or consumption rate and battery voltage
5. A Blue Sky solar controller.

Marvin did an excellent job both with the removal/installation as well educating me on the proper use. He really takes pride in his work.

In the end, I'm super happy with the end result. I'm able to do exactly what I had intended.

Here are some pics of the install.

[Meeks]

Awesome! Enjoy your amazing setup!

[Troutboy]

Looks cool, that's a lot of amphours!

[KJRitchie]

Interesting. Went back and reviewed this post from Gone with the Wynns

http://www.gonewiththewynns.com/off-...r-conditioning

How long can you safely run one of your ACs? The Wynns performed their test with 960w of solar in full sun and 700ah lithium. They mentioned the system would draw around 85ah from the batteries without solar, 35ah with the solar. Do you have any soft start installed.

Kelvin

[wcrockett]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Interesting. Went back and reviewed this post from Gone with the Wynns

http://www.gonewiththewynns.com/off-...r-conditioning

How long can you safely run one of your ACs? The Wynns performed their test with 960w of solar in full sun and 700ah lithium. They mentioned the system would draw around 85ah from the batteries without solar, 35ah with the solar. Do you have any soft start installed.

Kelvin

I was told by the folks at Star Light solar in Yuma, Az that as a rule of thumb you need 100 Watts solar power for every 100 Amp-Hrs battery capacity. I have 345 Watts of solar for charging my AGM batteries that have 315 Amp-hrs capacity. On cloudy days and cold nights in the winter in the Southern States my Solar does keep the batteries charged. It works great in the summer but I never use the A/C or the heater in the summer. Your install looks really nice. I am envious and I would love to have those Lithium Batteries.

[Troutboy]

I have 320 amphour of lithium with a hybrid inverter/charger at 2400w, 500w solar on roof. Also an easy start. By accident, I ran the AC for nearly 6 hours on a sunny warm day in Colorado. From 10am to 4pm, set at 68 in trailer, outside peak temp 80.

I drained batteries from 100% to 26%. I am sure solar was maxing out to keep up.

I learned from this that I could on sunny day run AC for short times if needed. Not sure how long it would have lasted with no solar, I guess I could calculate it.

I also wonder if I would have fried the batteries i didn't catch that it was on and they fell below 20%?

[dames7]

When you get to Arizona, come visit the Arizona Airstream Club we have some great rally coming up.

[URL="http://www.arizona.wbcci.net"]

David Ames, UVP

[dmbecke]

Wow, the Cadillac of solar systems- Very nice and congrats a well planned goal worked out good

[Rawn77]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

Interesting. Went back and reviewed this post from Gone with the Wynns

http://www.gonewiththewynns.com/off-...r-conditioning

How long can you safely run one of your ACs? The Wynns performed their test with 960w of solar in full sun and 700ah lithium. They mentioned the system would draw around 85ah from the batteries without solar, 35ah with the solar. Do you have any soft start installed.

Kelvin

I am well aware of their installation. But our approach is very different. I'm not looking to run my AC during the day from solar or inverter.
My 4 flex panels will provide about 20 amps; certainly not enough to run an AC, but enough to keep my batteries maintained during travels.
When boondocking, I want to run my AC from sundown to sunrise. Remember at night the AC will not run constantly but cycle; especially when I will be cooling the trailer initially with my gen.
No soft start installed as it's not needed with my setup.

Ron

[Rawn77]

Originally Posted by dames7

When you get to Arizona, come visit the Arizona Airstream Club we have some great rally coming up.

[URL="http://www.arizona.wbcci.net"]

David Ames, UVP

David
Thanks for the invite; but I already left AZ. Presently in St. George, UT
I'll be sure to look into that next year on a future trip.

Kind regards
Ron

[dames7]

Great

[Rawn77]

Originally Posted by Troutboy

I have 320 amphour of lithium with a hybrid inverter/charger at 2400w, 500w solar on roof. Also an easy start. By accident, I ran the AC for nearly 6 hours on a sunny warm day in Colorado. From 10am to 4pm, set at 68 in trailer, outside peak temp 80.

I drained batteries from 100% to 26%. I am sure solar was maxing out to keep up.

I learned from this that I could on sunny day run AC for short times if needed. Not sure how long it would have lasted with no solar, I guess I could calculate it.

I also wonder if I would have fried the batteries i didn't catch that it was on and they fell below 20%?

Definitely have to watch the lithium batteries as they dip below 20% and/or freezing temperatures. Marvin installed a battery monitoring system from Elite Power Solutions; which will disconnect the batteries if they fall below 20% or the battery temperature falls below 32 degrees.

But it just goes to show you the amazing benefits of lithium; 80% usable capacity and a very flat voltage curve.

Regards
Ron

[SuperTrouper]

That's a beautiful set up. Nice work! - Brad

[KJRitchie]

So you've been able to test run your AC for 8 hours and then get the batteries fully charged via solar/generator the next day for the next evening AC run? How long would your Magnum charger have to run to get back the 800ah or more if you depleted the batteries to 20%?

Kelvin

[wulfraat]

1000 amp hours!

Well I guess you can now rent 30amp service to your Boondocking neighbors

[dhroberts]

Originally Posted by Rawn77

So after a long internal debate and extensive research; I decided to travel all the way to Southern Arizona (from Montreal) to have a major upgrade to my battery/inverter equipment.

I chose Marvin Braun from www.precisionrv.com to perform the upgrade.

The main purpose of the install allowing me to run the A/C for the evening while boondocking. I'll often boondock at the normal places at the end of the day while en route to a final decision. I don't like the idea of running my gen while sleeping. After examining all options, my thoughts were to run my gen for a couple of hours, running the AC all while topping off the batteries, then using my battery/inverter to take over for the evening.

So here's what was done:
1. I already had 4x100w solar panels; so left them in place.
2. Removed existing inverter and charger and replaced with a Magnum 3000w hybrid inverter/charger.
3. Replaced existing batteries with 1000 Amp Hours of Lithium (800AH useable)
4. Installed a battery management system with a 7" screen monitoring; battery level, charging or consumption rate and battery voltage
5. A Blue Sky solar controller.

Marvin did an excellent job both with the removal/installation as well educating me on the proper use. He really takes pride in his work.

In the end, I'm super happy with the end result. I'm able to do exactly what I had intended.

Here are some pics of the install.

Congratulations on your new system.

Last October, I too went to see Marv Braun and have him install a 900w / 600 AH Lithium system on my 2016 Classic. An excellent design impeccably installed.

Good luck. Happy trails. Dennis

[alhamilton]

Beautiful Job Ron. Can I ask how much it cost?
al

[Rawn77]

Originally Posted by KJRitchie

So you've been able to test run your AC for 8 hours and then get the batteries fully charged via solar/generator the next day for the next evening AC run? How long would your Magnum charger have to run to get back the 800ah or more if you depleted the batteries to 20%?

Kelvin

The Magnum charger; which can charge at 100 amps means that it can add 100 amps back to the battery in 1 hour; easy enough to then do the math.
Remember, I'll probably not need to run the AC for 8 hours straight; as I've said in a previous post, that I'll be first running the AC while on gen, then switch to inverter once dark (my gen stays in the pickup bed under an ARE tonneau cap). By then the RV should be cooled down, and then cycle on-off during the night. So far, I've seen my battery go down to about 40%.

[Rawn77]

Originally Posted by alhamilton

Beautiful Job Ron. Can I ask how much it cost?
al

I feel uncomfortable about revealing the cost online.
If you're serious, I'd recommend reaching out to Marvin for an estimate.
Better be safe; make sure you're sitting down when asking $

[Troutboy]

My self install was just over $8000, half that cost was in the batteries alone...... you can add up all the components if you look online, like amsolar.com. It took me a good number of hours, a pro like Lewster or Marvin would be more efficient.