MJ.STIGER

I have a bit older Xantrex unit Not much for programing that i am aware of at the moment. I am thinking about the Victron 12 | 3000 MultiPex II. After looking at the cost its not as bad as expected. I need to check wiring. but i think it will be a pretty close swap out. I do need to check foot print. But figure that might be a latter this year project.

That makes sense the wire that triggers the relay. So Everything is intact incase you had to revert. Smart thinking. I think was over thinking this. Did you change out your Inverter/Charger or are you using the Xantrex one that was existing on your coach?

@Grey Goose yes i do have the Aladin system. Did not think about the monitoring of Voltage while Driving aspect. My understanding is the the Big Boy is the contactor between both House and Chassis. So in theory if the the Big Boy is not making contact between the two. There is no Charging via alternator . Aladin should still show voltage of both House and Chassis. And if running a DC/DC charger you should still see both voltages on Aladin. And would have to check the Victron to see the status. May i ask how you added your DC/DC charger and did you remove the function of the Big Boy?

So after reading a bit more and watching some videos. I think i have a better understanding of the BIM vs DC to DC charger. And my thought is to go with a DC to DC charger Likely Victron. And just run wiring Battery Leads from Coach Batteries to House Battery Bay and install the DC to DC charger their. With my type of trips that i take i can see this being more useful and Nicer to the lithium batteries of my choice. With more controls over the charging profile. Where i think the BIM will do an OK job their is not much to it other than charge for an amount of time then stop charging with out getting the house batteries up to snuff. I do like the idea of running a Noco plugged into the block heater outlet at the back of the coach to keep the coach batteries up to par while on 110v. I think it comes down two disconnecting the Big Boy Relay and Isolator relay board. My firs thought is just remove the Fuse or Unplug the Molex connector and that would disable it. But not sure if it would throw any other Errors in the system? Then i can keep all the OEM gear in place incase i wanted to revert or sell to someone that did not want the expense of Lithium.

@John C i am looking at doing the Lithium upgrade as well. And @RoadTripper2084 did post some good information. Maybe he can weight in that would give us both some bit of info. Looks like your engine bay is similar to mine. And all the OEM isolators and Maintainers are located to the right. Posted a photo of what i think @RoadTripper2084 spoke about removing. But not sure of all the parts and pieces? I like the idea of having the ability to revert to the old system aka batteries as factory like Tom mentioned. With all the relays and Fuses i think their might be a way to disconnect in the event of having to revert back.

@RoadTripper2084 Thanks for the post. It was a good read and nothing too crazy to be able to deal with or handle. I think i have decided to go with 2 x 230Ah but i know i can start with 1 and migrate to 2. But after seeing the price jump on Amazon almost a 100 per unit. Might end up with 2 and get direct for the vendor. I like the thought of doubling my Ah how ever i have not run by current batteries to the end. So figuring i dont consume more than 75-100Ah on average. Then going to a total of 460AH should give me a large overhead for the worst case scenario. Add that the batts that i am looking at are in a metal housing and not plastic. Gives a bit more reassurance of any failures not to mention the cargo bay my current batteries are in are lined with metal aside from the access door. UPDATE - Placed my order on Vendors Site vs Amazon Saved about $300 on the order. Now on to the next steps when they arrive. https://www.vatrerpower.com?sca_ref=5402281.De58wQVXXY

So Essex Called me today. And said they had not heard of this issue. But did say it sounds like it was shorted in the potting of the keypad. And asked my to let the vendor i purchased it from to send it back for replacement under warranty. Good news is they read my comment that i sent in and called back to discuss and are going to replace the unit.

Just checked and my battery bay will fit 2 of the Vatrer 230AH so i could run 460Ah. I just have to connect them two together.

2 x of those might fit. I did not do a full measurement. but i think the 460Ah might night be able to fit 2 of them. 800+Ah would be nice. But 400+ would likely be more than enough.

Dr4flim i agree. I work in the access world and the essex product has always been top notch. This one seems really odd. I did reach out to the manufacture via their website. Still nothing back from them. Going to give it a day or too then call direct.

LOL. Yep watched that video. I like his videos too. That is the battery i am thinking about putting in. I know i have room for 1 of them Maybe two. Right now i have not had any issues with the current batt and amp hrs. But going this route would likely put me right where i need. Not planing on running much on inverter. Have not tried to run AC yet. But my drives when i do are long days close to 6 hours.

Rocketman. I get the DC to DC converter for the alternator. Ivylog - you say the Magnum controller will work the Xantrex Charger/Converter removing the RC-7GS that i currently have? To be able to set lithium profile. But i could use the existing if need be? And if i understand correctly the PowerMax unit is used to charge the Battery more efficiently with out running genny to long? Is this in conjunction with the xantrex still providing charging to the battery or in Lue of? Sounds like this is not a needed item unless you want charge efficiency? So if i where to remove my Lead Batts now and slap in a Lithium replacement. I should be able to be up and running with out additional expense. Other than upgrades for DC/DC charger and AC/DC PowerMax and Magnum controller? Thoughts are if i make the lithium change now my next would be to change the Xantrex to something like Victron an put the $$ there so then i would not have to worry about (AC/DC powermax, MPPT) and only other add would be DC/DC charger and some solar panels.

Its possible a tree limb could catch. Good Point. I can lower the mount at more of an angle. and still get the unit to sit flat. or possible angle to keep that from happening. I will give it a once over before i hit the road. Might be a risk i take. I was thinking behind the vent would keep things from snagging against the mount.

Rocketman Thanks for the feedback. Issue#1. I do not have the BIRD in my coach. I will need to investigate what the alternator charging setup is. Issue#2. Alternator pt2. I would assume the new BMS in the Lithium battery should counter act this? Issue#3. My older Xantrex system does not have a lithium setting. but a setting that will be close and again relay on the advanced BMS of the battery to stop taking a charge. issue#4 solar. No Problem here. Issue#5 Boost starting. Great recommendation. I have never had success starting the coach in boot starting. I dont think there are enough amps to really turn over the Monster Engine. Issue#6 generator. Just learned my Genny i think runs off the Chassis battery. I Shut off the Chassis battery switch while my Genny was running and it shut down. Leads me to think its run off the Chassis. Issue#7 - monitoring. Not worried about monitoring i dont have any battery monitoring at the moment. But i can add something very easy if need be.

I disabled the motors. Drilled a 1 inch hold and uplugged the cable. Put a plug on the hole incase i need to reconnect. From what i have see it should not complain about the motors since the power to the motor is disconnected. Will let you know how it goes when i get it on the move.

yes the code reset is just inside the cup holder. I will need to check those locations and have to pull the meter out to see if i still have voltage. all my wireless remotes do still work.

Ok as i read through this thread. It sounds like i should be able to Replace my Lead batteries with Lithium Batteries and still charge it from my Old Xantrex RV3012GS? With the correct settings. This pending that i get a battery with a good BMS that will disconnect when it needs too. I know i should upgrade the Inverter/Charger. But i feel that the $$ spent on Batteries now will be the better direction and then go for Inverter charger later on. Right now i have 4 225ah 6v Batteries and looking to replace with 1 x 12v 460ah battery. And then add some solar down the road. Not looking for a complete boon docking setup. But something that is reliable and effective. Thought, Comments and experiences?

Any one have issues with the KE-1701 Frying it self? Just installed a new $300 dollar part about a month or so ago. It was working with out issue. Yesterday i went to the coach to do some work. Turned on the Chassis and Coach Batteries. Opened the front door and smelt burning coming from the the passenger arm rest area. Pulled the Cup holder and smoke was bellowing out. Grabbed a screw gun and pulled the whole cover off trying to see if there was fire. Before pulling an extinguisher. Come to find the Keypad was smoking from the back where the wiring goes into the epoxy. Keypad was hot to the touch near keys 1/2. It was so hot that the wiring Red, Black and White wires just pulled out. No signs of cut or frayed wiring. Looking to see if any one has seen this with this keypad? Concerned that it did what it did and thankful i was there. Also concerned to why it did not blow a fuse. Its possible it did i did not check the voltage. But something Cooked in this unit. I reached out to the manufacture to see if its covered in warranty.

Ok finally got some better weather to get my Starlink mounted. Trip planned in March taking me across a couple of states going to see how this works out. I have to tidy up the wiring. But the unit can be disconnected and placed in other locations if need be.

I also have the Roaming Gen 2 Dish. with the 150 a month service. Have not mounted it yet we had some weather come in so i need to wait until it warms up. But here are some photos of on my mounting setup so far.

@Tom Cherry Thanks. Its possible i was searching in the wrong place. @Bill R i have not used it in motion yet. But heard that it can be done. Might have lower priority. But worth a try. We have a trip coming up and the wife needs to work as we roll down the road. So going to give it a shot. I will post some photos of my install when i get it completed.

I did a search and did not see any post regarding Starlink. So i figured why not create one. Not looking to debate whats better Starlink.. Blah Blah and such. LOL Ok onto mounting. I do have Starlink and i currently have the Pole mount for the ladder and it works Great no issue. Nice that i can take it down when in tree cover and put i on the stand and move it out in the woods. LOL So on to Roof mounting to use while in motion. I found a great youtube clip of someone doing a roof mount. Posted below. My plan is is currently working on this method. With a different mount since the one the video uses i could not find. So i elected to go with the Pivot Roof mount. My idea is using the pivot mount and disconnect the motor power to the starlink when its in the Stow Mode. Think will give me a low profile on the starlink sitting roughly 12 inches off the roof. My next thought is location and i plan to put it behind a roof vent. For a bit of protection from anything that might come in contact forbid that ever happens. I also plan on its location to be near the bath room vent since is to the side of the Coach. So i can use a ladder to get up to it and remove if i am in a stationary place with tree coverage. I am debating weither or not to use a pepwave mobile router so i can have back up cellular. Just a though and still need to do some research. Ok thats what i have for now. I will post some photos of how this turns out. But i would like to hear from others on what they have done if any thing remotely close to get some ideas.

So my slow leaking tire on the inside. Was the O Ring on the valve it self. Took it to the tire shop. And the smallest Kid ended up doing the work. When i released i needed to air up the bags for him to get the tire out of the wheel well it went smooth. Check the tread and what i could see while it was opened up. Little guy popped that bead on that thing and got her all back together. Went inside to pay for the service. $46 dollars. I was shocked and felt like it was cheap and at the end of closing. Gave the kid a tip hope he had a good dinner or beer afterwards.

I hear the pain in finding indoor storage in the winter. This is my first year with my coach in a winter area. My approach is a 100w solar panel to keep coach batteries up pair. Visit every 2 weeks. Start the coach and Gen. Run for about an hour sometimes less on the coach. And get my heaters working to warm it it. level the coach out (i am on air bags) Do a check on exterior and Tire pressure. My plan is to drive it about 30/40 mins about every month. Keep tires moving. And work on little additions and fixes as needed. Around here indoor storage is about $500 a month and tough to find if any. On a list for covered storage at least it would be a step up.

Yep going to get this checked when i pick it up next. Having the sleeper couch re covered. That is likely my next stop to the tire shop. I have one here that did my initial tire inspection.