Rocketman3

One more item…

I am very involved on the DIYSolarForum, and on that site Renogy does not have a good reputation.  It seems they remarket other manufacturers products. Some are good others not so much… Their customer service and technical knowledge seem poor. They do a fabulous job marketing their products.

I have only used some 100w Solar Renogy panels- they have worked just fine. May want to pop over there and look at reviews.

The reason I went with Victron:

#1 Reliability- They started in the marine world

#2 interconnected. If you go “all Victron” (except batteries), it all talks to each other. Plus most devices store their data for a while - so when you have issues you can see what was happened.

This is where Victron shines: You can tell the inverter how many (120v) amps to pull from the grid. My usual options are 50a, 35a (generator), 30a, 15a and 7.5a the minimum (they can be adjusted by .1a). If there are more loads than can be pulled from the grid, PowerAssist will pull the amps from the batteries to makeup the shortfall, then after the loads drop it automatically recharges the batteries.

This last winter we were in Baja at a park (30a).  As the park filled up, the power got worse. I lowered my input to 7.5a. I didn’t even notice that our PowerWatchdog kept dropping power and restarting it for a while - the lights and computer and Starlink never had a flicker. My wife was cooking - using the convection microwave. Never even noticed. The park manager asked me how the power was (he had been getting complaints) - I said - There were issues huh? Later other people gave me an earful about how bad the power was. 

Victron inverter has a very low standby watts (important for us boondockers), it also has a very good surge to help get things started.

For our 50amp rigs (with 12v) this is what you want:

inverter - Multiplus II 12/3000 2x120v 120amps of 12v charging. You can set all voltages (bulk, float, storage) by .1v and use any kind of battery- because you can give the battery the charge it wants. Cost $1134

Here is the spec sheet:

 https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Datasheet-MultiPlus-II-3kVA-2x120V-EN-.pdf

Shunt/Battery Monitor: SmartShunt $112 or BMV712 $159 the difference is a remote display.

Dc-Dc charger 50a $328

GX Device: this is a small “computer” that ties everything together. There are several variations- Cerbo & Touch are the most common $495 

Solar charger : depends on the size of your array… a 800w array mppt 100/50 $184

various communication Cables etc - $100.

The advantage of connecting everything to the Cerbo is first you can see exactly what is happening. If your rig has internet, you can look at what is going on anywhere on the Web. (Very nice when my rig was in the shop and the Residential fridge was full of food).

This is my older CCGX, not the newer Cerbo &Touch.

A few nice things it does is it will pass the temperature and battery current and voltage to all charge devices, so each device can compensate for voltage drop and help supply current uses.

Each device can hookup to a phone app - Victron Connect. And you can see the exact details (that’s one way to program each device).

My Victron dealer is https://www.continuousresources.com/

Buy from a dealer not Amazon - your dealer will help you get everything and know the systems well.

I installed my inverter 4years ago -2-1/2 years of full-time 24/7-365. No issues…
 

Good Luck

If there are any parts I didn’t explain well - let me know - also there is a lot on YouTube.

I can’t help with Magnum- I went with a Victron Multiplus for the inverter/charger. Yep it is expensive- but there are many benefits for RV’s. (If you want to know them - ask).

I don’t know the Renogy batteries - can you see the individual cell voltages in each battery with an app or the monitor device? This is a must have feature!!! a ways down the road the cells may get out of balance - with some kind of monitoring- you can know they are and you can know when they are back in balance.

Also do they have low temperature charging protection (most batteries do - but you want to make sure).

I did the CV/CC charging to 14.3v and float at 13.5v - set equalization to 14.4 if it has it (a good safe voltage).  I would only set CV charge time to 30 min. But before you lower you need to know what voltage the BMS starts balancing and make sure there is plenty of time for the balancing to occur.
 

I believe my batteries are slightly happier being charged to a lower voltage- which is why I slightly lowered to charge voltage.

Good Luck!

Hello everyone,

our 2000 Dynasty uses these screen clips to keep tension on the screens.

We have broken several and can’t seem to locate them on any website - probably because they are really called something else .

Anyone know their real name and/or where to find them?

thanks

I just noticed your GX says float and voltage is at 14.1v (if I am reading it correctly).

Did that just switch to float? Usually you want to float Lithium’s at 13.5. (Bulk and absorbing at 14.2 to 14.4).

If your float is set to 14.1 then you probably needs to lower it a bit - if it just changed to float and your float is about 13.5, then disregard this post.

Next Victron Project… 

Solar Panels so you can fill in the bottom right section of the GX screen.😎

that looks good these

27 minutes ago, Judi Peterson said:

Can you give more info on the strut? Brand, part number, etc?

When I did mine in 2021 these are the Amazon parts I ordered:

RV Designer G21, Gas Prop Door... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002XM5E6S?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
 

10mm Ball-Stud Mounting Brackets... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QZTSV3G?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
 

RV Designer G825, Gas Prop... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003YJPIVK?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
 

Good Luck

Thank you everyone, 

I ordered in the star nuts, but didn’t end up using them this time (maybe next time).

I just added some blue locktite and it is working great!

One other option is to remove the scissor hinge and put in a gas strut.  We did that years ago and it has worked very well.

Door stays open when we want it open - even with a breeze.

If you want details - let me know.

Hello everyone,

on my 2000 Dynasty, while traveling I noticed my ladder supports 

Has broke/unscrewed from the rig. The supports bar has not twisted.

Before I started disassembling, I was wondering if anyone knows how that attaches. Do I need a new support bar because something broke inside? Or just retighten it up?

thanks

What house batteries do you have that started the engine?

Also, I am curious on how many amps it took to start the motor? on your Victron app, look at the trends page- select current and go bank in time until you see those start events.

If you purchase the standard Victron BMV712 that has a 500a shunt- not recommended to put more than 500amps through it - so I would not redo the experiment.

Post a picture of your rear electrical bay.

That often helps

Hello everyone,

I broke one of the pins on the fuel door - so now it is being held on with one pin and the lock.

Anyone have a clue where to get one?

The door (one the outside measures about 8” wide and 8.5” tall), once I find it then I’ll need to get it painted it’s black-ish color to match.

Thanks

Passenger side - look for like four wires connected to a module - my guess is a foot over and a foot up.

This is your fan resister pack it has has failed.

on my 2000 Dynasty I opened the generator compartment, then on the left side of the generator twisted my arm up and it was there.  
 

good Luck

4 hours ago, Bill C said:

Hi Michael, please send me anything that you have that will  help, I might go this route.

Thanks,

Bill

I thought I did a writeup on it - but the search says I didn’t…

Here is what I remember…

I got a Fisher & Paykel- bottom freezer - 2 doors for fridge - no ice maker.  It was taller and slightly narrower than the old 1200. Ordered from Best Buy and had the two beefy delivery guys  take it through the front door (chairs out and door wide open) and fridge doors off.  As I was looking at fridges, the size came down to two companies- Samsung and Fisher & Paykel- Samsung lately seemed to be having quality issues… I asked my Brother-in-law an appliance repair guy - he said stay away from Samsung and you will like the Fisher & Paykel until you need to order parts - then it will take a while…

I have my furnace below the fridge, so to gain the height needed I needed to lower the furnace. It was 3-1/2” up on a 2x4. The furnace is rated to sit on the floor- so I moved it down. The two holes out (air & exhaust) I moved down - the top one went into the bottom and I drilled a new bottom hole. Used the plug and filled and caulked the top hole. Then got an aluminum plate to cover the area - kinda like the original.

Then we reinstalled the fridge bottom shelf to get the needed height. (My new Kreg Pocket Hole “toy” worked really well to add even more screws).

Built a little platform that had wheels on bottom so we could slide the fridge in and out and roll it out of the way easily.

Plugged up the top hole to the roof. Added some boards on the sides (with carpet) so the fridge can’t move much side to side.slid it in and screwed it down well on the bottom back plate. Measured and tried  a dozen times - then it worked!

used big stretch caulk to fill in all the little vent holes on the old access door. Added some oak trim on one side to take up the space and look good. And to keep the doors closed when traveling added some stainless Bimini top strap pads 1” to run some straps through.

Ready for travel - Bonus! places to hang nieces new art treasures.

Hard to tell that’s not 22 year old oak.

The one place I messed up is when we relocated the 120v plug, we put it in a spot so the fridge has to come out 6” or so to unplug it.  No issues until the rig went into the shop, then no solar and we were out of it for 2 days. My Lithium’s handled it just fine, I was just nervous.  If I could go back - I would relocate the power plug in the furnace area - so I could access it.

For power I had already changed out the inverter- my Victron Multiplus 12/3000 stays on 24/7 and doesn’t use much power. I noticed that Monaco used REALLY big wires for the 12v fridge power - 8ga if I remember correctly. Those wires would support a 600w inverter.i think my fridge runs on under 150w when it is cooling- you will need more for the locked rotor amps to start - but how much more - I don’t know.

i added 400w of solar at the time I did the fridge install as my guess of how much additional power it should use. I think I was close.

My current setup 1400w of solar, Lithium DIY 12v 544ah battery, Multiplus Inverter 12/3000. All the power I need until the clouds roll in - then the generator needed exercise anyway… We full-time and boondock most of the time.

It was not a difficult install- We had three people for moving the fridges in and out of the hole. 

Good Luck with whatever decision you make.

If you go Residential you will love the Fridge - more room inside and more consistent temps.

I used a Fisher and Paykel (ordered from Best Buy).  When I  added the residential I also added 400w of solar (two 200w panels and a Victron 100/30 mppt solar charge controller). That seemed to be about right - just for the added fridge load.  You could also get a smaller inverter just for the fridge.

we full-time and boondock most of the time. 
 

if you decide to go this route- let me know and I can send photos and things I learned from my install. Our rigs are both Dynasty’s and only one year apart - so probably very close.

Good Luck!

Yea that line in my post above is accurate…☹️.

Probably need to have someone with Cummins software scan it.

I doubt it (without replacing the inverter)- because it uses programs (assistants) in both the Cerbo (computer) and the Multiplus (inverter/charger).

Here is one of three videos that discuss how to set it up and program it. There are several slightly different ways. Adam’s channel has the other two as well - his use is for a home - but RV would work too.

Now if you really wanted/needed to do this - here is a list of equipment that would be needed for MotorHome :(all Victron stuff):

shunt - Smartshunt or BMV712

inverter - MultiPlus 12/3000 2x120v

GX device - Cerbo (and touch)

solar if needed (really can use any solar charge controllers) Smart MPPT Solar charge controllers - (sized for your array).

plus a few connector data cables.

42 minutes ago, Dr4Film said:

You have to convert the SilverLeaf code over to a Cummins code.

How do I do that? 

Hello everyone 

Yesterday and today while going abt 60mph with the Cruise control on, I had a momentary decrease in power, I looked down and the warning light was lit for about 1 second.

I checked on my Silverleaf and I have the following:

ENG PID 94 42 Fuel delivery pressure- Abnormal change 

The rig ran fine for about 5 hrs (mostly on cruise) and ran fine for abt 1 hrs after with cruise off.

How do I find details on this PID?

I seem to be lost on the Cummins site.

Notes: 2000 Dynasty ISC350. I have installed the FASS and the fuel pressure was 16 or 17 psi both times (right in the normal range).

thanks

It could but…

You need an expert on your inverter to know if there is an easy way to reduce your 120v grid usage other than flipping the pedestal breaker off. 

i have changed out my inverter to a Victron Multiplus. Let me give you a the two ways to handle that in the Victron system and maybe you can translate them to your system.

1. I can easily change the inverter from  “On” to “inverter only”. This ignores the grid power. So the solar charges the batteries and the 12v and inverter uses the power.  Manual process with all the limitations of the battery bank and inverter size.

2. With Victron system that includes a shunt, inverter and GX Device (Cerbo- master communications device), I can setup some “assistants” (internal programs) that can automatically change the inverter from “On” to “inverter only” depending on criteria. So if the loads go over _____watts (user setable) for 1 second the inverter pulls from the grid, or when the batteries get below ______% state of charge, the inverter switches on - so it charges the battery. You also have to setup the parameters to turn it back to inverter only too.  Then you set a bypass so if you start the generator when boondocking it can charge up and will not just ignore the power.  
 

I haven’t done it yet because it involves running a pair of wires between the GX device and the inverter (and that will be a bit of a chore in my rig). And we usually boondock and are not in campgrounds.

The other thing this does is it keeps the batteries not at 100% which will be a good thing for my Lithium’s.

FYI - I have 1500w of solar

Edit: I forgot to add one important item - the Victron inverter has an assisting mode so it can assist the grid.  But it probably can’t help offset the air conditioners without massive expenditures.

As a Victron user for over 5 years on my 2000 Dynasty- yes the Multiplus II 12/3000 2x120v would be a very nice direct replacement for the inverter that was in my rig.

i wired mine up with a regular Multiplus 12/3000 (because that unit was not out yet).

Additional stuff needed, you will need to change the AC input limits: (one of the following):

1. VE.Bus Smart Dongle (with this you change on your phone in an app)

2. Cerbo and Touch - awesome display for inside the rig that puts all info at your fingertips (and can also allow changes from internet w/VRM).

3. There is a DSU- but get one of the other ones instead.

There are some great features that the Multiplus has.

One that I used a lot this Winter RVing in Baja, the power was very poor in one park, so my Watchman kept dropping the power as voltage drop below 106v, I didn’t even notice the dropped power if I didn’t hear the click from the transfer switch. I just kept the AC power input at 7.5amps to not stress the parks grid, when power came back - the charger slowly recharged if needed. We used the microwave during that with no issues.

If you have any Victron questions- let me know.

I can’t help you where yours battery boost is - sometimes it is called a BIRD -  My unit 2000 it is in the rear run bay.

I was able to keep the Battery Boost because it has its own solenoid in my rig. A few years later they used a BIRD relay to cover bi-directional charging and boost. I think some people disabled the automatic charging to make it work.

I completely separated the engine battery side from the house (lithium) side - then added back in a Dc-Dc charger.

can you take a photo of your rear run bay?

I have 544ah of a DIY LifePo4 battery, the Multiplus 12/3000, 1400w of solar for house, 100w solar for chassis battery.

I think a great low frequency inverter of about 3000va is just right for the MotorHome. I can run the convention microwave without even thinking about it. Although only one large draw item at a time.  Fridge (residential), Starlink, computers just run.

i put a MicroAire EZ start on my air conditioners. I can run the bedroom one for about an hour on the inverter, then I either need to turn it off or start the generator- otherwise the battery will not have enough until Solar is good the next day. 
 

anyway - enough of my rambling 

Good Luck!