27FB Updated Batteries, Charging Platform

[HienzExum438]

2 new BB GC3 and Victron charge controllers, along with Lynx to tie it all together. Fits nicely on shelf under bed above existing Magnum inverter.

[jeffmc306]

That is one professional installation! Congratulations - now the fun part; getting to enjoy it! I am envious

[swift]

What’s the full breakdown of parts here? Would love to build this in my 27FB

[HienzExum438]

Thanks. Victron Solar and DC - DC (isolated) charge controllers; both 30 amp. The existing Magnum inverter/charger is a MMS3012 with remote; I couldn't justify the expense to swap with the Victron equivalent. The hub for everything is the Lynx. The 2 BB GC3's, parallel, connect directly through the Victron smart shunt and then the existing Magnum shunt with 4/0 AWG and 1/4" copper bar stock, and are fused with a Blue Sea HD master disconnect. The 2 shunts seems to work fine and allow me to monitor SOC, etc. from the existing Magnum remote as well as the smart shunt. The inverter, charger controllers (2), and whole house buss bar connect to the Lynx with individual Mega fuses. The inverter is connected with 4/0 AWG, the charger controllers and whole house buss bar with 6 AWG based on run lengths. I also used 6 AWG for the input side of the charge controllers. The solar obviously comes down from the roof of the AS, while the DC - DC terminates at the trailer tongue with and Anderson power pole. That gets plugged in next to the existing F350 7-way and is activated via an upfitter switch. I disconnected the power lead from the existing 7-way inside the trailer termination box. I also did (previously) a Square D sub panel by the original AC/DC panel in the AS and 10/3 Ancor Marine cable back to the Magnum, and then returning to the existing AC house panel. With this setup the whole Airstream is inverted. I had 1 Greenlife GL260 before which worked great. We had little issues and have been running a Vittrifrigo DC refrigerator for years. In marginal sun we could go days, sans AC, without concerns. Once we get going with the BB's and charger upgrades we should be about limitless. The DC - DC charger along with fast idle on my diesel F350 will negate us dragging a generator. That was alot, and I'm sure I forgot some. All in all a good winter project.

[strive2bmoor]

That install looks amazing!! Did you say you are using a home made copper bus bar?

[pjshier]

Outstanding approach and execution. I particularly like the covers for the battery terminals - appears more durable than my duct tape! I cover them as I think about any of the required metal objects sharing the front storage locker dislodging over a frost heave and finding a couple of terminals to bridge. I suppose I should simply commit to plastic only in that locker.

Just completed a 6 hour drive from home to here and found the DC-DC put the batteries back to 100%. I ran them down a bit before departure by forgetting I had the various electrical loads drawing during the last few hours of departure prep. Charging 8-10 amps through charge, absorption and float. Ended 14.4v and 100% state of charge.

Thanks for sharing the details of your project. Where did those terminal covers come from?

[HienzExum438]

That's funny...yea the bars between the shunts, master disconnect, main fuse and Lynx are made from copper bar stock.

The bar stock is 1/4" x 1 1/2"...based the size on total max ampacity rating. I think I found the 12" long piece on Ebay for about $40. Cut to fit, drilled and connected with SS hardware. I kept the connections as short as possible and tried to get some shrink wrap on. Probably overkill, but easier and it allowed the connections to be more compact compared to 4/0 cable w lugs.

[HienzExum438]

Originally Posted by pjshier

Outstanding approach and execution. I particularly like the covers for the battery terminals - appears more durable than my duct tape! I cover them as I think about any of the required metal objects sharing the front storage locker dislodging over a frost heave and finding a couple of terminals to bridge. I suppose I should simply commit to plastic only in that locker.



Just completed a 6 hour drive from home to here and found the DC-DC put the batteries back to 100%. I ran them down a bit before departure by forgetting I had the various electrical loads drawing during the last few hours of departure prep. Charging 8-10 amps through charge, absorption and float. Ended 14.4v and 100% state of charge.



Thanks for sharing the details of your project. Where did those terminal covers come from?

Thanks, and I've used my fair share of duct tape or zip tape as well!

Glad to hear the DC - DC charger worked that well. Definitely makes more comfortable leaving the generator at home.

[HienzExum438]

Originally Posted by pjshier

Outstanding approach and execution. I particularly like the covers for the battery terminals - appears more durable than my duct tape! I cover them as I think about any of the required metal objects sharing the front storage locker dislodging over a frost heave and finding a couple of terminals to bridge. I suppose I should simply commit to plastic only in that locker.



Just completed a 6 hour drive from home to here and found the DC-DC put the batteries back to 100%. I ran them down a bit before departure by forgetting I had the various electrical loads drawing during the last few hours of departure prep. Charging 8-10 amps through charge, absorption and float. Ended 14.4v and 100% state of charge.



Thanks for sharing the details of your project. Where did those terminal covers come from?

The battery terminal covers came with the BB batteries.

[OrangeCrush]

Nice!! Very clean install.

[guskmg]

Rather than SS connections I would use bronze alloy hardware, like that used by electrical power companies. It is available at most bolt and tool companies.
guskmg

[Life is a Highway]

Very nice work is that a rear bedroom

[gblackburn]

HienzExum438,

Your shelf idea is great. I was struggling with my Solar/Inverter layout. It never occurred to build a simple shelf to mount everything horizontally. It took me all of 30 minutes to make the shelf. Really saved me a lot of storage space.

Thanks!!

[HienzExum438]

Originally Posted by Life is a Highway

Very nice work is that a rear bedroom

Thanks! No, it's a front bed 27'.

[HienzExum438]

Originally Posted by gblackburn

HienzExum438,

Your shelf idea is great. I was struggling with my Solar/Inverter layout. It never occurred to build a simple shelf to mount everything horizontally. It took me all of 30 minutes to make the shelf. Really saved me a lot of storage space.

Thanks!!

Glad it worked...I was the same and the shelf seemed to be the best.

[Kawboy01]

Looks like you have a hinge on your shelf, to access the inverter. Did you need to run new cable back and forth to the AC/DC panels or reuse cables? Last your AS came with the Magnum at orginal?

[HienzExum438]

Originally Posted by Kawboy01

Looks like you have a hinge on your shelf, to access the inverter. Did you need to run new cable back and forth to the AC/DC panels or reuse cables? Last your AS came with the Magnum at orginal?

The shelf does have a piano hinge. I did the inverter install a few years back; the trailer is a 2017. With the initial Magnum install I did run lines from the original AC/DC panel after removing the converter. The whole trailer is inverted.