Who Has installed Lithium and Victron on a 20FB?

[vanderwielen]

Odds are slim, but...who has installed Lithium and a larger inverter in their 20? I'm looking for feedback about routing wire within the unit. I have all the expertise in doing this integration, but would like to contact someone who has done it before to compare install notes. BTW, this will be a full Youtube install series with LifeBlue Lithium and VIctron equipment.

[Jay22]

I just finished my install. Two Battleborn batteries, additional solar panel, new MPPT controller, battery disconnect, Xantrex Freedom XC 2000 inverter. Batteries are in the battery box. Quite a bit of work but wiring was not particularly difficult. Let me know if you want more info.

[PB_NB]

I have a similar layout in the 22FB and have installed a big 250ah battery under the bed at the very front of the trailer. I have a Victron 712 monitor and and 1500 W inverter next to the hat water tank. I have a shore switch rigged to run all my outlets with my inverter. Going to get a MPPT Victron Solar Charge controller and panels but still undecided on which ones to get.

The wiring was quite straight forward. Hardest part (pretty easy) was fishing the inverter power lead under the cabinets to the breaker panel. Once you get in there and remove the bed plywood, you will see that it is a blank canvas.

[vanderwielen]

Primarily wondering about how to route wires. I need to route a 10/2 to the new 3000VA inverter under the bed and return a 10/2 to the fuse panel under the fridge. In the most recent schematic of the 20FB, the factory inverter is powered on the same string as 3 of the receptacle and I'd assume this was a 12/2 which is too small.

[PB_NB]

I had a look at the 20FB layout and while there are similarities at the bed area. Running a 10/2 from the road side and all around to the curb side will be a challenge especially getting past the bathroom.

Much easier in the 22FB layout.

Are there any existing wires that can be reused from the old inverter? Otherwise, maybe Airstream left a conduit that can be used for this?

I don’t know what the ducted ceiling looks like but that may be another way to get wires across the trailer?

[Jay22]

In my 2020 Caravel 20fb, the new wiring was pretty simple because Airstream uses a wiring chase under the floor from under the rear dinette seat across to the main power panel. I used that channel to run a 10/2 cable back to the bed area where I located the new inverter/charger (full pass through) and the back to the now sub-panel. The wires can then be routed back to the bed area around the water heater. There is a short wooden chase running back along the wall under the dinette table. You will need to install a new main 30a breaker before the inverter.

Not particularly complicated…have fun.

[vanderwielen]

Originally Posted by Jay22

In my 2020 Caravel 20fb, the new wiring was pretty simple because Airstream uses a wiring chase under the floor from under the rear dinette seat across to the main power panel. I used that channel to run a 10/2 cable back to the bed area where I located the new inverter/charger (full pass through) and the back to the now sub-panel. The wires can then be routed back to the bed area around the water heater. There is a short wooden chase running back along the wall under the dinette table. You will need to install a new main 30a breaker before the inverter.

Not particularly complicated…have fun.

that's the answer i was hoping for!

[vanderwielen]

Originally Posted by Jay22

In my 2020 Caravel 20fb, the new wiring was pretty simple because Airstream uses a wiring chase under the floor from under the rear dinette seat across to the main power panel. I used that channel to run a 10/2 cable back to the bed area where I located the new inverter/charger (full pass through) and the back to the now sub-panel. The wires can then be routed back to the bed area around the water heater. There is a short wooden chase running back along the wall under the dinette table. You will need to install a new main 30a breaker before the inverter.

Not particularly complicated…have fun.

Jay, how high is the bed platform? I'm wondering if I can mount the Victron Mutiplus 3000 vertically or if i need to mount it horizontally.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by vanderwielen

Jay, how high is the bed platform? I'm wondering if I can mount the Victron Mutiplus 3000 vertically or if i need to mount it horizontally.

Hi

Either vertical or horizontal, it needs a way to get air out to "the world". In an enclosed box of any sort, the temperature will rise when the beast is working hard. There are fans on the unit, they really want to blow air well away from the device.

The stock unit has a plate on the end for vertical mounting. This keeps stuff from falling into it. In some cases, you can pull that cover and get better ventilation. It all depends on how likely this or that is to fall into the unit.

Bob

[Jay22]

As Bob notes, these type of units require space for the fans to do their job. I don’t remember how high it is but I had to mount my 2000w Xantrex on a side wall and opened up the area to the main storage area with vents. I imagine a larger unit will require at least as much ventilation and you will need to mount it horizontally or on the floor.

[Woolecox]

I wanted the dealer installed Lithium battery option when I ordered my 2022 Globetrotter. They wanted almost $5,000 for the option.

No thanks. I will add it later if able.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by Jay22

As Bob notes, these type of units require space for the fans to do their job. I don’t remember how high it is but I had to mount my 2000w Xantrex on a side wall and opened up the area to the main storage area with vents. I imagine a larger unit will require at least as much ventilation and you will need to mount it horizontally or on the floor.

Hi

The classic application for the Multi's seems to be vertically mounted on a wall. They show a lot of pictures of boats in their advertising. If you talk to them, a whole lot of these go into "off grid" housing in Africa. Same vertical mount on a wall approach there.

The unit it's self could care less what direction it's mounted. It does care about junk being dropped into it, but not about mount direction. The fans will come on when it gets warm and cool it down. As long as they can pull in cool air on one side and dump the hot air someplace, they will be happy.

In a tight box, the hot and cold air quickly mix with each other. That severely impacts the ability to cool the unit. This isn't just an RV problem. You see it in various telecom systems and a lot of server installations ....

Bob

[cobrawine]

Originally Posted by Jay22

I just finished my install. Two Battleborn batteries, additional solar panel, new MPPT controller, battery disconnect, Xantrex Freedom XC 2000 inverter. Batteries are in the battery box. Quite a bit of work but wiring was not particularly difficult. Let me know if you want more info.

Hi,

I'm doing the same battery install on our 22FB this weekend. Do you have a picture of the finished project in battery box?

BattleBorn is saying wire exact same way but I know I need to change post mount to ring mount.

Hoping a picture will confirm.

Thanks in advance.

[PB_NB]

Just ordered my Charge Controller (Victron MPPT 100/50) and will install it this winter in preparation for some solar panels in the spring to complete my setup.

Here is where I put my battery. I lost a bit of storage but that’s okay. I really cleaned up the area outside!

[waninae39]

we have done that in out as 22FB.
here is our Ac and DC schematic

the Victron products are EXCELLENT, STABLE and and VERY reliable.

[uncle_bob]

Hi

My problem was that the battery box is a really awful place to put anything. All of the "dirty stuff" fits fine in the back bumper with room to spare. Unless batteries go in the battery box, it just sits empty. That seems to be a waste. Also replacing the sofa / recliners with a battery enclosure didn't meet with approval from the rest of the crew .....

Bob

[vanderwielen]

Originally Posted by waninae39

we have done that in out as 22FB.
here is our Ac and DC schematic

the Victron products are EXCELLENT, STABLE and and VERY reliable.

Why have the Cyrix between the 7 pin connector on the trailer and the DC to DC converter? Also, I wire the Shunt's DC to an always hot battery connection or one that stays on when the main switch is off. The value in that is you 'should' never lose your state of charge from the Shunt.

[Jay22]

Not at the trailer until Monday. I’ll take a picture then. I removed all the original wiring and replaced it with 4/0 cable. Left jack on the positive terminal and ran solar connect negative into the trailer to the V-712 shunt.

[cobrawine]

Thanks! That helps.

[bonediggy]

I have a 2021 Caravel 22FB and am looking to do a phased setup because I can't afford all this equipment at once. If I buy 2 battle born batteries is the stock converter sufficient or do I need to buy that as well?