Our Journey Begins - 2018 AI TB Lounge

[Protagonist]

Originally Posted by BurntAsphalt

To secure the console from moving, I stuck a 3x6" Velcro to the console and parking brake. I'm a flatlander and rarely use the brake (I know I'm supposed to) but I can detach the console and pull the brake lever if needed.

When I travel long distances, I carry a small 12vDC Dometic portable fridge between the front seats to carry a supply of street-legal cold beverages. Can't reach the Interstate's built-in fridge while I'm driving, you know! I've thought about using Velcro to attach cup holders to the portable fridge's top-opening lid, but haven't gotten around to it yet.


To hold the fridge in place, I use a couple of short bungee cords fastened to the front seat pedestals (actually to the seat swivels), one in front and one behind the fridge, so even if the fridge slides an inch or two, it can't slide any farther.

The fact that there's a power outlet built into the driver's seat pedestal makes the portable fridge even more convenient, because there's no need to snake the power cord up to the dashboard.

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by Protagonist

When I travel long distances, I carry a small 12vDC Dometic portable fridge between the front seats to carry a supply of street-legal cold beverages. Can't reach the Interstate's built-in fridge while I'm driving, you know! I've thought about using Velcro to attach cup holders to the portable fridge's top-opening lid, but haven't gotten around to it yet.


To hold the fridge in place, I use a couple of short bungee cords fastened to the front seat pedestals (actually to the seat swivels), one in front and one behind the fridge, so even if the fridge slides an inch or two, it can't slide any farther.

The fact that there's a power outlet built into the driver's seat pedestal makes the portable fridge even more convenient, because there's no need to snake the power cord up to the dashboard.

I will first try to see if I can attach some cup holders to the arm rest. It has bolted plastic trim under them held with two screws, will see if I can use those as support. I just want the bottle water closer to me.

On other news. Cooler now in AI, just need to see where to get the power from...

[wachuko]

Valve stems and TST TPMS kit installed.

Dealer was nice, had a screen where you could see the work shop. Got a few photos of my AI as it was being worked on and when it came out...

[JayP]

Found this adjustable cup holder on Amazon, it has the added feature of getting a little closer to the driver as well as being adjustable. Fits inside the removable ashtray receptacle. We each can now enjoy our beverage and not be limited to the size of a soda can.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by JayP

Found this adjustable cup holder on Amazon, it has the added feature of getting a little closer to the driver as well as being adjustable. Fits inside the removable ashtray receptacle. We each can now enjoy our beverage and not be limited to the size of a soda can.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Excellent. Less complicated than what I was going to do. Ordered.

[wachuko]

Let the games begin... house and chassis batteries disconnected (both poles, photo was before disconnecting positive terminal), solar panels covered, shore power disconnected... breakers, switches all off... may God have mercy on me...

[cjrdad]

Originally Posted by wachuko

Let the games begin... house and chassis batteries disconnected (both poles, photo was before disconnecting positive terminal), solar panels covered, shore power disconnected... breakers, switches all off... may God have mercy on me...

You are one brave man!

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by cjrdad

You are one brave man!

More like an ignorant with initiative... even more dangerous...


I have had to move everything around to make it all fit... heading out to buy some wire terminals...

One question:

On the Blue Sea ML-ACR - where do I attach the Gen (gray) wire???

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by wachuko

More like an ignorant with initiative... even more dangerous...





I have had to move everything around to make it all fit... heading out to buy some wire terminals...



One question:



On the Blue Sea ML-ACR - where do I attach the Gen (gray) wire???

I don't think the ML-ACR has a provision for a generator input like the logic module on the BIM installed by Airstream. It is there to prevent the batteries form being connected when both Sprinter engine and generator are running. Not a very common condition and one you can deal with by using manual control of the ML-ACR.

[FlyFishinRVr]

Originally Posted by wachuko

More like an ignorant with initiative... even more dangerous...





I have had to move everything around to make it all fit... heading out to buy some wire terminals...



One question:



On the Blue Sea ML-ACR - where do I attach the Gen (gray) wire???

You don’t need to connect that. As Mike said, in the rare case where you have the engine on and also want the generator on (only scenario I can think of is having the rear A/C on while driving, but having your propane on while driving is NOT recommended) you can flip the switch on the dash (or wherever you mounted it) and force the ACR open.

[Pahaska]

Originally Posted by wachuko

One question:

On the Blue Sea ML-ACR - where do I attach the Gen (gray) wire???

On any of the isolation inputs that are free. You want to override the ACR connecting both batteries when the generator is running. Otherwise, when the ACR sees charge voltage from the generator, it will connect the batteries.

[wachuko]

Originally Posted by Pahaska

On any of the isolation inputs that are free. You want to override the ACR connecting both batteries when the generator is running. Otherwise, when the ACR sees charge voltage from the generator, it will connect the batteries.

Thank you. Will attach to one of those that are free then.

[wachuko]

Blue Sea ACR installed... only wire left to connect is the yellow one that goes to the switch in the front... need to figure out how to get one there... Used the Isolation #2 (Green) for the Gen-Stat wire and left Brown without connection.

On to the Victron Solar charger controller...

AI has the negative solar wire going elsewhere... is the green wire on the photo. Do I tap into it, do I undo the connection and connect to solar charger controller???

Yellow one is the positive... that one is easy and already connected. As well as battery side... connected as well.

[wachuko]

Okay... diagram shows that green wire going to common ground. So I just cut the green and attached to negative on controller. Almost done...

[wachuko]

Okay... installed... it was a lot of work rearranging everything... moving the inverter just a little bit to the right... moving the breaker bridge a little bit to the right... had to make a longer positive cable from the breaker bridge to the Blue Sea ACR...

But at the end, everything is in place. Photos is just before attaching that positive cable to the positive busbar... that is on the left wall...

Now to make the cables for the extra set of batteries and test it all...

[wachuko]

House batteries connected... Victron software updated...

Now to install the ACR switch and connect chassis battery.

I also need to find a place to install the TST TPMS repeater...

[wachuko]

Forgot to share the photos of the cables... abrasion resistance (also fire retardant) cover and then the plastic cable loom over that. Should be well protected. This was done for the cables that go from the new battery bank to the other...

[FlyFishinRVr]

Looking good!

Will be interested to see where/how you install the remote switch for the ACR.

[FlyFishinRVr]

Originally Posted by wachuko

Blue Sea ACR installed... only wire left to connect is the yellow one that goes to the switch in the front... need to figure out how to get one there... Used the Isolation #2 (Green) for the Gen-Stat wire and left Brown without connection.

If you really want automatic isolation, you need to rewire to follow Blue Seas recommendation:

The ML-Series ACR can be confgured to automatically open when two engines are simultaneously running to ensure that two running engines are never electrically connected.

To enable Engine Isolation for two engines:

Connect the brown wire (ISOLATION #1) from the harness to the ON terminal of the start key switch on one engine. Make this connection through a 2 Amp in-line fuse. This connection must be to the line that is positive while the engine is normally running. • Connect the green wire (ISOLATION #2) to ENGINE #2 in the same manner as above.

You can find this info in the Blue Seas Installation Instructions found here:

http://assets.bluesea.com/files/reso.../990180180.pdf

[Boxster1971]

Originally Posted by Boxster1971

I don't think the ML-ACR has a provision for a generator input like the logic module on the BIM installed by Airstream. It is there to prevent the batteries form being connected when both Sprinter engine and generator are running. Not a very common condition and one you can deal with by using manual control of the ML-ACR.

I was wrong. Thanks to FlyFishinRVr for researching the ML-ACR info and posting the right answer. Good job!