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Bravo. When dealing with lithium batteries, either LiFePO4 or LiNiMnCoO2 (NMC), one must forget everything they know about lead based batteries (either flooded cell or AGM). It's a totally different world. Pat

Depends on where you camp. I'm not worried about coyotes, pronghorns, deer, and the occasional bear. Not to mention the Aoudads and rattlesnakes. :-) Pat

I agree, you must match the wire to the lugs. However, it's not just the gauge but also the class and type of wire. for example: "Boat Cable has fully tinned copper conductors, stranding will be Type 3, and the strands will be Class K 30 AWG copper. The insulation temperature rating is 105C...

I have, but like the idea of only having to deal with a sterile powder I can shake out anywhere. Also, I'm going to contact EcoJohn and ask about a diesel powered tinyjohn. Pat

EcoJohn has come out with the "TinyJohn". It's pricey, but looking much more like a practical RV option. Below is the URL: http://www.ecojohn.com/ecojohn_tinyjohn.html Pat

Actually, Victron makes a remote temperature device that is compatible with your SmartSolar, BlueTooth Enabled Charge Controller. It's called "Smart Battery Sense" and the manual can be found here: https://www.victronenergy.com/live/smart_battery_sense_manual It cost about $40 bucks. Using...

Verkstad, Thanks for your comments. The wiring diagrams are directed towards the physical wiring of the system, they are not an electrical schematic. I learned long ago to leave nothing to interpretation. If you review the electrical schematic at the beginning of the article, it will give...

Dave, Thanks for your comment. I sometimes get too involved with "Techno" speech and forget that most of the time simpler is better. Again Thanks, Pat

Let me check with Mike. Pat

Part two of the article series has been published. The URL is: http://www.truckcamperadventure.com/2018/08/a-mad-scientists-take-on-the-ultimate-electrical-system-part-2/ Hope you enjoy, Pat

Open the Victron Connect app and under settings, check the battery voltage setting. Some times when you apply power to the charge controller from the PV first (a 12V PV may actually output 17V or more) the battery voltage can be set to 24V. Make sure it is set for 12V. An incorrect battery...

Just started a series of articles on Truck Camper Adventure Magazine about electrical systems. The URL is: http://www.truckcamperadventure.com/2018/07/a-mad-scientists-take-on-the-ultimate-electrical-system-part-1/ Hope you enjoy. Pat

I don't think you've stated how much "roof top" real estate you have available. The option to going with multiple low voltage panels, is to install one high voltage panel. If you have the space to install one 40" by 67" panel that weighs 40lbs. look at the LG Solar NeON R LG360Q1CA5 360 Watt...

Great place to grow up. I have a friend with a Stearman that I get to fly every once and awhile. Pat

Great explanation. Did I see "Tail End Charlie ", I was a Navy pilot. Pat

It's ok. I didn't give technically correct information. I'll try not to do that in the future. Pat

I think everyone is correct, except me in my statement about use of the "load" terminals on the 75/15. They provide 15A and do have a LVD built in. I'm not used to dealing with the smaller charge controllers with a Load output, so I should have kept my mouth shut. Thanks to others for...

Yes, bus bars are the way to go. The screw compression terminals on the 75/15 aren't large enough to hook up much. If your charge profile is setup correctly, the 75/15 should add any excess power it produces into the system to power loads. The URL for the manual is...

I agree. The optimal panel setup for "12V" panels is four, two panels in series with those two groups paralleled, if you have the roof real estate. With a good MPPT charge controller you want the panel voltage to considerably higher than the "Battery Voltage" A standard 12V panel has a Vmpp of...

The Victron 100/30 should be ok for ONE of the Panasonic panels you noted in your original post. However, if you are thinking about possible future upgrades to your panel capacity, it may not. The two numbers in most charger controller names have the following meaning. The first, in your case...