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DiploStrat, The charging system in my van is new to me. I do not need the alternator to charge my house bats per se, but at least carry the load of my fridge as I head to camping locations. I could plug the fridge into my start system for traveling, then switch to house upon arrival, but that...

Diplostrat, thanks for the links. I am seriously thinking that the LiFEpo is not a good technology for me. For my camping and long weekends, the spring and fall here in the rockies means that many nights are well below zero, and I have not nor intend to run heat at night. I have sleeping bags...

Well, the heater looks darn interesting. I put one in my amazon wish list, for later. That looks handy, and given that my new van is diesel, might not be a bad idea to have one of those in the kit. I need a less tired brain to wrap noggin around the thermostat. Thanks for the help, Craig

DWH, Thanks for the info. I took a look at the link. I have figured out after reading a lot more, including Diplostrats links that I need to be opened minded about the actual brand. My local solar place carries one brand, and they told me that they have not sold very many. He could not give...

Ok Diplostrat, you are freaking me out. Not about the amps. I stopped working a little early today, to get my electrical box out of the shed. I had my phone on my hip, just in case. I was rooting around in my box, and my phone notified me of your reply. I had a hank of 1/0 welding cable in...

DiploStrat, Thanks for the clarification. 40-60 amps is not into winching territory, but certainly like running aux lighting (older style) or such. Not excessive, but not insignificant. Dave, in my case I have 5-6 feet of run. Pretty short. Craig

Thanks for the added details. I have only started my research on the LiFePO4, and need to dig a bit deeper on the brand that my solar shop carries. I am very concerned about my Arb 63 and whether the lowest voltage cut-off setting is going to limit me with a LiFePO4 battery. I am a lot weak...

Diplostrat, Thanks for chiming in. I was almost going to PM you with specific questions on the Redarc, as I saw that you were using a unit in another thread. I am exactly in your 3 exceptions. My new Ford e350 alternator only puts out 13.5-14 bouncing. I am looking very hard add a lifepo4...

My German is pretty dusty, but there are enough pictures to get the idea. That is darn clever.... Thanks for the link. Craig

Rayra, Everything I have read indicates Series tends to be more shade tolerant. Maybe I have misunderstood. But yes, after my discussion with my solar guy, before buying any additional panels I will be researching on construction. Right now, with my starter battteries being lead acid, and my...

Rayra, I feel like a dummy, as last summer I did some testing with 2 of my panels wired parallel and in series, and was testing shading effect. I concluded that for my two panels, that I was doing better parallel. Guess I need to retest that. I had discounted roof mounting threads (other...

I was yaking with one of the guys over at my local solar center, as I was looking at panels for my "new" van. We were discussing shading, and I mentioned doing tests in the past with my portable panels. He noted something that I had not snapped to. Depending on how your panel is internally...

Alex, I hope the 160 works for me, thanks for the tip, and confirmation. I was just pricing panels and goodies at my local solar shop. No way I can do the amount you are planning, but I should be able to double or triple what I have already proven to be able to live with. Craig

Alex, I may not be much help, and maybe this is just an OST for answers. But, I just purchased one (ACR-160), as I have a similar direction I am heading. I have a new van that I will be mounting some permanent panels. My Van is a diesel with a marginal two battery charging system. I too am...

Nater, I have not completely got the charging system ironed out as to function. I do know that it uses two 12v batteries in parallel, mounted on the passenger frame rail. The positive side runs into the engine compartment along the frame rail, but I have not looked at that yet. I do not have...

Appreciate that. I'll probably see you in the van forum, one of these days.....

Rob, My tank is 29 gallons, after the Quigley conversion. Yes, it sits about mid ship, slight driver side bias. With my batteries on the P side, sitting empty I would guess I am pretty much in equal balance with those, right now. I have no idea what the rear ac/heat unit adds to the driver...

Rob, Thanks, I've seen a lot of your posts and pictures in the Van sub-forum. I am up to about page 60 of looking at the past threads. I may decide to put them on the inside, as well. I have a cargo van with solar, and use a rolling wooden box for its battery tray.. My trailer electrical...

Art, Thanks for the link. Interesting read. I do want to add a winch at some point, but don't need to be able to weld. I am fortunate in that I do not have to fabricate or get creative with "where" for the battery. My frame rails are already drilled, and the battery boxes (and covers) are...

All, Decided to post here, as a couple of years worth of thread reading in the van sub-forum makes me think this better here. Pretty excited, I finally have my Quigley Turbo Diesel. Been working on a client for the last 5 years, and he finally sold me his 2004 Quigley E350 SD van. I am...