Victron Energy: Alternator/Solar Charging - LFP Battery System

[1leglance]

@shade are you cool if I post up my Victron setup in your thread to get input on wiring? These has become a great resource and reference on Lithium/victron/solar but I didn't want to keep budging in

 

[shade]

yeah both panels full in sun is totally overkill for me, **** it can run more than half the microwave off the frigging sun haha.. when I mount the second one to the side of the trailer and make it portable it'll be even easier.. only when the fixed is in a tough spot or if I want comfortable outputs in overcast would I need to take the portable one off the side..

I figure that might change tho if I get an eBike or something with its own sizable lithium battery that wants to charge at several hundred watts.. then I might find my self dragging the portable one out into the sun even if the fixed panel is doing fine.

Given my much more modest needs, that's very encouraging.

@shade are you cool if I post up my Victron setup in your thread to get input on wiring? These has become a great resource and reference on Lithium/victron/solar but I didn't want to keep budging in

I don't mind a bit, but there's nothing wrong with starting your own thread. I'll be following along either way.

One of the failings of a flatview forum is the lack of any branching organisation, so things can become confused.

 

[1leglance]

Given my much more modest needs, that's very encouraging.


I don't mind a bit, but there's nothing wrong with starting your own thread. I'll be following along either way.

One of the failings of a flatview forum is the lack of any branching organisation, so things can become confused.

I hear ya on the branches....I know when I search I tend to look more at theads with lots of post as that tells me there is a lively exchange so I know this thread will be a reference for the future.

 

[1leglance]

Ok I am playing with draw.io which was a great tool that was mentioned around here....so addicting.

But while I am getting it wrong others can chime in...
Here are the bits I am getting from Victron in exhange for marketing:
150Ah Lithium battery
100/30 Smartsolar controller
712 Battery Monitor
BMS
Color Control GX panel
Buck-Boost 50a DC-DC converter (Ford Transit to Victron connection)
IP67 12/25 battery charger (shore power when at indoor events)

Things I am getting from Northern Arizona Wind & Solar but paying full price when I drive up there Thursday (so a little time to change things)
LG LG360Q1C-A5 360 Watt Monocrystalline Solar Panel With Black Frame
Something like this to be a circuit breaker/disconnect between Ford battery and lithium and another between Solar & lithium, no sure on sizes
MRCB 187080F-03-1 80 Amp DC Circuit Breaker with Switch
and more bits I am sure like solar panel wires and things I don't know I need yet.


And then I already bought
BlueSea 6 spot fuseblock with neg
Bus bar to put more neg or ?? on
BlueSea dual usb (2)
BlueSea Cig socket (2)

So while I am playing with draw.io others can chime in on how I should wire all this, what gauge wires and all that. The goal is to put it all in these inset areas with some custom panels. Cover with Lexan and keep it visible at events.

 

[1leglance]

Ok playing with draw.io I have this much done and now reading through all the manuals for how it should all wire together
EEEEKKKKK

 

[shade]

Ok playing with draw.io I have this much done and now reading through all the manuals for how it should all wire together
EEEEKKKKKView attachment 541061

I found it helpful to refer to diagrams Victron has released, and create a basic diagram from that information. You can see mine on the first page of this thread.

Once I have the alternator side finalized, I'll make a detailed schematic, with separate + & - wiring, fuses, switches, and control wiring. Trying to create a detailed diagram without that rough draft isn't worth the trouble, at least for me.

 

[1leglance]

Smart, I think I will print out the wiring diagrams for each bit of kit and then rough out something on paper, then jump back onto draw.io to make it pretty.
Thanks

 

[hour]

didn't see this posted yet and was uploaded in last 5 days

 

[hour]

Sorry, but was this already posted? https://www.invertersupply.com/inde...glMWzGbE1DW3R8gCysYMSKJ-Gzk6LIhIaAjZxEALw_wcB (er not this one, the smart one that hasn't hit markets yet)

They mentioned it at the end of the above video, their DC-DC smart charger line that seems incredibly affordable and I believe they're stating it's completely controllable. Definitely glad I didn't get the Renogy unit yet.

 

[Rando]

I think these are the units that Victron has been hinting about releasing in November.

Spec sheet:

https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Datasheet-Orion-Tr-Smart-DC-DC-chargers-isolated-250-400W-EN.pdf

 

[Alloy]

didn't see this posted yet and was uploaded in last 5 days

Great video. One thing I noted is the alternator often has a smaller pully so engine RPM does not = alternator RPM.

 

[shade]

didn't see this posted yet and was uploaded in last 5 days

@luthj posted that in my voltage regulation thread. Good stuff.

Sorry, but was this already posted? https://www.invertersupply.com/inde...glMWzGbE1DW3R8gCysYMSKJ-Gzk6LIhIaAjZxEALw_wcB (er not this one, the smart one that hasn't hit markets yet)

They mentioned it at the end of the above video, their DC-DC smart charger line that seems incredibly affordable and I believe they're stating it's completely controllable. Definitely glad I didn't get the Renogy unit yet.

View attachment 541191

Yeah, but they top out at 30A, and that's kind of puny for LFP.

I think these are the units that Victron has been hinting about releasing in November.

Spec sheet:

https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Datasheet-Orion-Tr-Smart-DC-DC-chargers-isolated-250-400W-EN.pdf

The new DC-DC chargers may be an extension of the Orion line, but I don't think the currently available products are what people have been waiting for.

 

[1leglance]

I went with the Buck Boost 50am DC-DC as that is the best in the current Victron lineup.
My hope is that down the road I can swap in something better they make without too much trouble.

 

[hour]

Yeah, but they top out at 30A, and that's kind of puny for LFP.

Is it though? If you have solar established (most of us) and didn't grossly undersize (a whole lot of us don't - for long - because of this forum and solar prices), 360w of charge on an hour long trip roaming or going to the grocery store in a bumfuck town isn't anything to dismiss. Wire them in parallel if you need more and still likely come out on top feature, functionality, and $wise of a 1990's looking Sterling that overheats.

I'm struggling to think of a reason to necessitate more power if you already have solar and ash from Yellowstone isn't filling the sky. 8 day camping trip with a house battery on board? Go get a change of scenery relocating or exploring every couple of days. House battery getting low at the end of a trip? Cool, you now have a 12 hour drive back home and once you get home you can plug in your wall charger.

What's the next best option aside from clown shoes 120a Sterling? The 60a unit? If two of these 30a units in parallel is anywhere near the cost of the 60a Sterling I'd expect the Victron to win for all the other benefits associated with it, especially being in a Victron ecosystem.

 

[shade]

Good points. 30A doesn't run any risk of smoking an alternator, either. I'll take another look at the Orion tonight.