Solar Show and Tell

[DaveP]

GMFL,

What are the new features of the MultiPlus II versus the first version?

[wulfraat]

Originally Posted by DaveP;

GMFL,



What are the new features of the MultiPlus II versus the first version?

Dual 50A pass through and will feed both sides with single phase when on 120v 15/20/30A service!

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by wulfraat

Dual 50A pass through and will feed both sides with single phase when on 120v 15/20/30A service!

Correct. Duel 50A pass-through. Allows the inverter to properly assist both legs of a 50A unit without the need for a phase selector.
We just spent 71 days using ours and it performed flawlessly.

Here’s a photo of the one I installed today in a 2021 30’ Classic.

[dieseleagle]

The directions call for it to be mounted vertically to optimize airflow, but it is really top-heavy. I gather you have not had any issues with laying it down?

[GMFL]

Originally Posted by dieseleagle

The directions call for it to be mounted vertically to optimize airflow, but it is really top-heavy. I gather you have not had any issues with laying it down?

Haven’t had any issues. I do mount them on 1 1/2” uni-strut to get them up off the floor a bit. The main coil is very close to the back and the space between the inverter and floor can only help.

[dieseleagle]

Thanks for the reply. Very timely for me as I'm installing the unit this week. According to the directions: "The MultiPlus II is suitable for wall mounting. A solid surface, suitable for the weight and dimensions of the product must be available (e.g. concrete or masonry)." With the benefit of your experience I'll cancel my order with the readymix plant.

[tj402507]

Originally Posted by davep

gmfl,

what are the new features of the multiplus ii versus the first version?

victron energy, pmp483105000, multiplus-ii 48/10000/140-100/100 230v

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by dieseleagle

Thanks for the reply. Very timely for me as I'm installing the unit this week. According to the directions: "The MultiPlus II is suitable for wall mounting. A solid surface, suitable for the weight and dimensions of the product must be available (e.g. concrete or masonry)." With the benefit of your experience I'll cancel my order with the readymix plant.

Hi

If you mount it vertically, it will convection cool. That makes the fan run a bit less. If 3 minutes of fan run time per week isn't an issue, don't worry about vertical mounting.

If you do mount horizontally in an enclosed space, you can pull the end cover off what would be the "top" in a vertical mount. The fans still are protected to some degree so it's not a crazy thing to do. The advantage is that the fans ventilate much better with the cover off. This gets you back about 9 minutes of fan run time per month . Also, in an enclosed space, you need all the help you can get to dump the heat ...

Bob

[miamipanther]

Originally Posted by GMFL

Here’s my take on a 22’ Bambi install. I was able to work a little magic and get 400 watts on the roof of this little guy. 4 Renogy 100W SS panels wired Series/Parallel for 2 pairs producing 41V DC feeding a 100/30 Victron MPPT.

Looks really nice. What mounting hardware and how did mount it to the roof(drill or VHP tape)? What's peak watt this setup can produce?

We are going to pick up our 20FB bambi in 10 days, and we probably have very similar setup as yours

[GMFL]

Gotta be a record? 1200Watts!

[JMynes]

That ought to run the toaster.

[miamipanther]

We have completed the electric system upgrade in our 2022 Bambi 20FB. We ended up putting 5 solar panels on the roof. In order to get the highest capacity with the least space footprint in the storage under the bed, we DIYed a 460AH LiFePO4 battery bank with JBD BMS and heater. The rest components are typic Victron.

We also upgrade the gas cooktop to induction plus gas cooktop, so we can leverage the solar battery system.

The system:

• 5*100W Solar panels.
• EVE 460AH lifepo4 battery bank with 24W heater(performed as 36W)
• Progressive 30 Amp Hardwired RV Surge Protector
• Victron Energy Lynx Power In
• Victron Energy MultiPlus 12/3000 Inverter/Charger
• Victron Energy Orion Tr Smart 18A DC-DC Chargers
• Victron SmartSolar Charge Controllers 30A
• Victron Energy SmartShunt 500A
• Victron Cerbo GX
• Victron GX Touch 50

We also did other upgrade which can be find the 20 footer thread:
Appliance and all other upgrades:
1. Convection microwave
2. Hot water re-circulating pump with temperature control
3. True Induction burner + Gas Burner
4. Micro-Air EasyStart 364
5. Fan mod: IN/OUT switch, 0-100% speed control
6. Hatchlift RV Bedlift
7. 27" Samsung Smart Monitor

Lights upgrade:
8. LED Awning with remote/color control
9. Kitchen, Bed, and Dinnet LED light strip with remote/color control
10. Under bed storage LED light
11. Auto Switch in Cabinet LED Lights

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by GMFL

Gotta be a record? 1200Watts!

Hi

Looks like there's room for at least two more panels

Bob

[Tyler2you]

My install would have been a good one for Halloween given the battery color. I decided to try and save a few bucks and gave the Chins batteries a shot after seeing Will Prowse tear one down on YouTube. I got 4 100AH Lifepo4 batteries for just under $1200. I also got 2 b-stock 90w and 1 70w panels from Zamp for a total of 430w on the roof (including the 2 factory 90w panels). The only thing I didn't go budget on was mounts which I got from AM Solar.

I pulled just about every bit of wiring out of the battery box and ran new 10 gauge wire to the jack and Zamp port. Everything else is pretty straightforward. I put a 50 amp ANL fuse on the 12v feed to the trailer and a 150 amp MRBF fuse mounted to the Blue Sea switch for the inverter feed. There's another MRBF with a 200 amp fuse mounted on the battery output.

I also put in a new pd9160alv converter to ensure my batteries get charged to their full capability.

Only thing I'd do different if I was going to do it again is cut some 3/4" plywood to go under the batteries to provide some clearance between the negative battery posts and the hinges.

[TrotGlober]

Originally Posted by mtbackpacker

Lots of good stuff in this thread... I don't have a lot to add except that I am really happy with how my Cerbo install in my 25FBT that replaced the stock seelevel tank panel turned out.

Control box and BMV 712 were mounted in the space under the bottom drawer, pump switch was converted to relay control... original seelevel panel was swapped for a can bus version that was mounted above the ‘battery store/disconnect switch’ by the door where the power awning would be if I had that option. Bonus for this new location is that when dumping the normal level readouts are way more convenient to read being right next to the door.

Where did you find the panel? I have been searching for this with no luck, appreciate any help.

[TrotGlober]

Newer to Airstreams, expecting mine to arrive soon. For my reference, is this a 27'?

[foobar]

Originally Posted by TrotGlober

Where did you find the panel? I have been searching for this with no luck, appreciate any help.

You want the Seelevel 709-N2KP version. This unit uses the nmea 2000 subset of the canbus protocol. The cerbo gx supports the nmea 2000 bus for marine applications.

You can buy it here:

https://www.rvupgradestore.com/Garne...n2k-nlp-mo.htm

I have this version installed and the fresh/grey/black tank levels are now available on the cerbo gx and can be monitored remotely via victron VRM and on the victron touch 50 or touch 70 display units.

[TrotGlober]

Originally Posted by foobar

You want the Seelevel 709-N2KP version. This unit uses the nmea 2000 subset of the canbus protocol. The cerbo gx supports the nmea 2000 bus for marine applications.

You can buy it here:

https://www.rvupgradestore.com/Garne...n2k-nlp-mo.htm

I have this version installed and the fresh/grey/black tank levels are now available on the cerbo gx and can be monitored remotely via victron VRM and on the victron touch 50 or touch 70 display units.

Perfect, thank you for the link, that helps a ton!

[foobar]

Originally Posted by TrotGlober

Perfect, thank you for the link, that helps a ton!

Check out the instructions in the cerbo gx user manual regarding how to connect your new NK2P Seelevel display to the cerbo gx. The manual has detailed instructions on how to wire the nmea canbus and terminate the bus properly.

[TrotGlober]

Originally Posted by GMFL

Gotta be a record? 1200Watts!

I am still learning to identify Airstreams - suspect this is a 30/33?

Trying to ballpark how many watts of solar I can fit atop a 27. I frequently see 600-800.