Seneca Inverter Upgrade - Page 2

SloPoke · 01-19-2022, 09:27 PM

We should chat over the phone sometime...

but No disrespect intended with this question...

Why not using something like forklift battery quick-connections to allow maintenance or isolating one?

Rustynuts · 01-19-2022, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SloPoke

We should chat over the phone sometime...

but No disrespect intended with this question...

Why not using something like forklift battery quick-connections to allow maintenance or isolating one?

Some use Anderson connectors but would have just added more cable and more resistance. From all my research, unless you have an extremely rare cell failure, there is no maintenance. With the packs being so tight together and I built them with the terminals on the ends of the packs, short 4/0 cables were pretty simple. I made up a couple of extra cables to carry and if needed I can easily bypass a battery if needed. I looked at hundreds of builds for ideas on building mine.

Semix-Hex · 01-20-2022, 09:15 AM

That looks really nice. There is reall no maintenance needed, which is why I'm putting mine in a harder to reach area also.

DonkeyFluffer · 01-20-2022, 06:59 PM

Extremely impressive

bluztoo · 01-20-2022, 09:15 PM

What voltage? 24 volts? I have not seen a 12 volt multiplus II yet, but it makes sense to run with the 24v or even 48v.

bluztoo · 01-20-2022, 09:17 PM

I stand corrected. See the 12v II on Amazon. The larger 48v had been out first.

Semix-Hex · 01-21-2022, 08:57 AM

When you run a different voltage, you loose the ability for the coach alternator being able to charge the batteries without a lot more modifications.
You just have to choose which way to go.

billcf7 · 01-21-2022, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semix-Hex

When you run a different voltage, you loose the ability for the coach alternator being able to charge the batteries without a lot more modifications.
You just have to choose which way to go.

All you require is a DC to DC charger

bluztoo · 01-21-2022, 02:25 PM

Was wandering if @rustynuts was using the solar panels at a higher voltage and then stepping them down. Yeah - I’m working on a dc to dc installation on mine today.

Rustynuts · 01-21-2022, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluztoo

Was wandering if @rustynuts was using the solar panels at a higher voltage and then stepping them down. Yeah - I’m working on a dc to dc installation on mine today.

My solar panels are rated at 24.3 volts and go to a Victron MPPT 100V 50 amp 12/24-Volt Solar Charge Controller which you can choose the output charge voltage in the settings. I stayed with a 12 volt system to make everything easier and for now I have switched to a Lithium BIM to charge the coach and chassis batteries off the alternator and see how it performs but may switch to Victron Orion-TR Smart 12/12-30 DC to DC smart charger in the future.

Rustynuts · 01-21-2022, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semix-Hex

When you run a different voltage, you loose the ability for the coach alternator being able to charge the batteries without a lot more modifications.
You just have to choose which way to go.

It’s pretty easy with the appropriate Victron DC to DC charger, just hook from chassis batteries to the coach battery bank. I decided it was easier to just stay 12 volt with the way that Jayco wires things up.

crumgater · 02-15-2022, 07:56 PM

As a home DIYer, I am pretty comfortable on electrical mods around the house, but am a little less confident in my abilities when it comes to my Beast. I want to do this upgrade (Lithium, Inverter, and Solar) on my Seneca and looking at all the posts from Rustynuts (Very Impressive!!), I find myself lacking. With that said, does anyone have any recommendations on an installer in the Pacific Northwest that I can work with? Preferably somewhere in the Greater Seattle area?

I have an open thread going with Battle Born Batteries as a starting place.

Thanks,

Crumgater

Rustynuts · 02-15-2022, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crumgater

As a home DIYer, I am pretty comfortable on electrical mods around the house, but am a little less confident in my abilities when it comes to my Beast. I want to do this upgrade (Lithium, Inverter, and Solar) on my Seneca and looking at all the posts from Rustynuts (Very Impressive!!), I find myself lacking. With that said, does anyone have any recommendations on an installer in the Pacific Northwest that I can work with? Preferably somewhere in the Greater Seattle area?

I have an open thread going with Battle Born Batteries as a starting place.

Thanks,

Crumgater

I got some equipment and some info from AM Solar in Springfield OR, they are pretty well known for their work. Don’t know if you would want to come down that far, if not maybe they could recommend somebody up there.

Yngwie · 02-17-2022, 10:52 AM

Dude, I can't keep up with your mods. I was thinking pulling stocks out and going all Lithium. Look like you put reflectex on the bay ceilings too. Love the LED touch.

Semix-Hex · 02-27-2022, 05:10 PM

Just a partial pic. I ran out of 2/0 ring terminals.

Semix-Hex · 03-02-2022, 07:41 PM

Finished the big stuff wiring. I found that if I had paid more attention at first I wouldn't have had to buy any 2/0 or 4/0 wire. I've ended up with more wire than when I started.

It does hum a little since people have asked.

Rustynuts · 03-02-2022, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Semix-Hex

Finished the big stuff wiring. I found that if I had paid more attention at first I wouldn't have had to buy any 2/0 or 4/0 wire. I've ended up with more wire than when I started.

It does hum a little since people have asked.

I wired everything between the batteries and inverter with 4/0 welding wire. I just read last night that there is a firmware update for the Multiplus II addressing the hum that is suppose to significantly reduce it. I really don’t notice the hum while inside the coach but I plan on updating later this week.

Semix-Hex · 03-03-2022, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rustynuts

I wired everything between the batteries and inverter with 4/0 welding wire. I just read last night that there is a firmware update for the Multiplus II addressing the hum that is suppose to significantly reduce it. I really don’t notice the hum while inside the coach but I plan on updating later this week.

I had specifically asked the company about the two 2/0 vs the 4/0 to the inverter itself, hence the two 2/0's. Everything else is 4/0. I mades the runs as short as possible.

I'll be looking forward to the update.

Deputydawg · 03-03-2022, 10:02 AM

Nice work! (and a lot of it) What did you use for a wiring diagram when you first started the lithium/solar install?

I am embarking on a Li/solar install myself and it appears daunting. Would you recommend using the OEM converter (Progressive Dynamics PD4590) it has a single stage lithium charge option 14.6v and the Magnum Dimensions CSW2012 inverter?
Thanks

Deputydawg · 03-03-2022, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rustynuts

My solar panels are rated at 24.3 volts and go to a Victron MPPT 100V 50 amp 12/24-Volt Solar Charge Controller which you can choose the output charge voltage in the settings. I stayed with a 12 volt system to make everything easier and for now I have switched to a Lithium BIM to charge the coach and chassis batteries off the alternator and see how it performs but may switch to Victron Orion-TR Smart 12/12-30 DC to DC smart charger in the future.

What brand model BIM did you install? I asked Battleborn about the Victron Orion but they stated it would be a very slow charge from the alternator.

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