E-450 Godzilla!

[Samson16]

Here it is. MPPT.

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[Chris GTO TT]

Is it already on Bilstein 5100s? Those are a must along with upgrading the steering stabilizer and a proper alignment.

 

[Samson16]

Is it already on Bilstein 5100s? Those are a must along with upgrading the steering stabilizer and a proper alignment.

Bilsteins all around yes, a Hellwig rear sway bar, and Firestone Ride-Rite air bags.

There's a local shop named Josam Truck Frame and Alignment that has a reputation for dialing in the proper settings for caster/camber/toe and can add a steering stabilizer. I haven't arranged that consultation yet.

 

[Davexxxx]

Cleaned up the sawdust lol

Here is your battery spec sheet.
https://static1.squarespace.com/sta...67632815a3df9e06a3a/1744115326457/27DC-RV.pdf

And since they have a separate page for LFP BIMs, good bet yours isn't.

https://www.precisioncircuitsinc.com/product/battery-isolation-manager/

Your existing batts will keep the fridge running overnight but not a lot else, before taking them sub 50% so, be expecting a shortened lifespan on them and you'll want to upgrade to LFPs anyway. I know we talked about running aircon on batteries but a bank big enough for that, won't be fitting in that battery well and you'll need room for a substantial inverter / charger as well.

With 1200W on the roof and 600ahs, I can run mine, with no other power but solar, for ~ 3hrs. per day and not have any issues. I could stretch that and eat into the next day's reserves but overnight, would be very iffy. I know you have the generator but most places have quiet hrs. So, you have some decisions to make, sometime in the next yr. Fortunately, you can driveway surf and get risk free info, to help your decisions.

 

[Davexxxx]

Here it is. MPPT.

I'm not familiar with that controller but read enough of the manual to find that it is MPPT and LFP compatible but didn't see it's max allowed PV (solar) input. 190W is a very nice battery tender type size but it isn't going to power your trip.

It'd be a good idea to check with someone who does know it.

 

[Davexxxx]

Outlet with shore power connected/disconnected

If you have an inverter for the house batts, it wouldn't be something that was automatic, you'd have to switch it on and the factory units, generally only serve a limited amount of outlets. That could go either way. Some do the bedroom, to accommodate CPAPs. Others, supply the main GFI circuit. Your rig may only have one circuit.

 

[Samson16]

If you have an inverter for the house batts, it wouldn't be something that was automatic, you'd have to switch it on and the factory units, generally only serve a limited amount of outlets. That could go either way. Some do the bedroom, to accommodate CPAPs. Others, supply the main GFI circuit. Your rig may only have one circuit.

I think the rig is designed to lean heavily into the on-board generator for backup power. It draws from the 55 gallon fuel tank with auto shutoff at 1/4 tank. That's fine while underway or boondocking away from people, but there will many situations like National parks or Harvest Hosts where quiet hours need to be respected.

I'm excited that what I have helps keep my batts going while I build toward a solution.

I am trying to figure out if the solar also keeps my under hood chassis battery topped off. There's a momentary switch on the drivers seat down low that ties my chassis battery to the house batts, and I hear a relay engage when i press it and then following a hysteresis curve it disengages.

Is this stuff fun or what??

 

[Davexxxx]

For some scale of the amount of room we're talking about, this equipment bay, sans the panels themselves, holds all the gear necessary to be fully self sufficient, with whole house power, minus extended (more than 3 hrs. per day) aircon needs.

42" x 17" x 15" tall.

You may have to scatter things out a bit more but it is really important, that the batts, be as near the inverter / charger and solar controller, as possible.

 

[Davexxxx]

I think the rig is designed to lean heavily into the on-board generator for backup power. It draws from the 55 gallon fuel tank with auto shutoff at 1/4 tank. That's fine while underway or boondocking away from people, but there will many situations like National parks or Harvest Hosts where quiet hours need to be respected.

I'm excited that what I have helps keep my batts going while I build toward a solution.

I am trying to figure out if the solar also keeps my under hood chassis battery topped off. There's a momentary switch on the drivers seat down low that ties my chassis battery to the house batts, and I hear a relay engage when i press it and then following a hysteresis curve it disengages.

Is this stuff fun or what??

Doing a motorhome is way more involved than on a trailer like mine.

You have to accommodate the engine and the generator. Victron does include built in, automatic transfer switches in their inverter chargers but I only use that capacity for shore power or not. No experience with the others. When we had our Class B, it was before this new revolution in LFPs and big solar.

I'll be learning from you, soon enough.

There does seem to be a trend and Snake did this on his new camper, to forgo the type of system I installed and just use a large, self contained power bank. Its certainly easier but I can't say its better, especially at size.

 

[Samson16]

For some scale of the amount of room we're talking about, this equipment bay, sans the panels themselves, holds all the gear necessary to be fully self sufficient, with whole house power, minus extended (more than 3 hrs. per day) aircon needs.

42" x 17" x 15" tall.

You may have to scatter things out a bit more but it is really important, that the batts, be as near the inverter / charger and solar controller, as possible.

That's a super clean design. Very nice!

 

[Samson16]

There does seem to be a trend and Snake did this on his new camper, to forgo the type of system I installed and just use a large, self contained power bank. Its certainly easier but I can't say its better, especially at size.

So, just wheel a Jackery 5000 up into the rig and hit the road eh?

 

[Davexxxx]

So, just wheel a Jackery 5000 up into the rig and hit the road eh?

Something like that, yeah.

There are units that come with the RV 30A outlet built in and you'd need to size it, to assure it gets your air con through night and be recharged for the next.

Also the decision on how to route a switchable shore power cord., else leave it outside at night, which would not be my preference.

And remember, Snake's aircon is much more efficient than either of ours.

 

[Samson16]

Something like that, yeah.

There are units that come with the RV 30A outlet built in and you'd need to size it, to assure it gets your air con through night and be recharged for the next.

Also the decision on how to route a switchable shore power cord., else leave it outside at night, which would not be my preference.

And remember, Snake's aircon is much efficient than either of ours.

I think he’s using the newer Cube right? My AC is seriously old school. GE standard height 15k btu ducted on a 20A breaker lol. The generator handles it but I’m probably going to add an easy start to smooth out the initial LRA.

I don’t think ripping out the new under warranty AC unit is going to happen right away

 

[Davexxxx]

I think he’s using the newer Cube right?

Correct.

My AC is seriously old school. GE standard height 15k btu ducted on a 20A breaker lol. The generator handles it but I’m probably going to add an easy start to smooth out the initial LRA.

I haven't checked your specs but my Chill, is sorta in between old school and the Cube. More efficient than the former but not near the latter.

I didn't need a soft start. to run it on the batts, or PPOB so ...

I don’t think ripping out the new under warranty AC unit is going to happen right away

For me either but if / when it needs replacing ...

 

[Chris GTO TT]

Bilsteins all around yes, a Hellwig rear sway bar, and Firestone Ride-Rite air bags.

There's a local shop named Josam Truck Frame and Alignment that has a reputation for dialing in the proper settings for caster/camber/toe and can add a steering stabilizer. I haven't arranged that consultation yet.

Yeah it makes a huge difference on these E-Series chassis vehicles. I spent a good amount of time driving my parents 2019 E450 motorhome around before buying our own travel trailer. Before we put the 5100s, and steering stabilizer on it was borderline scary.

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