Solar Power & Battle Born batteries

[rk06382]

The FR3 28DS is at Cache Camper for the battery trays to be modified.



After I removed the Battle Born batteries and placed a 6 AWG jumper cable between the House & Chassis terminal on the BCC. (See BLUE tape below.) The jumper allowed the electric steps to work from the Chassis (engine) battery.

I am thinking of installing a battery switch to jumper between the terminals for when I winterize the Battle Born batteries next year.



Planned six Battleborn battery lay out with the heaters.

[rk06382]

Cache Camper called. My FR3 is ready for pickup.

I will bring it home tomorrow.

[rk06382]

New battery compartment:


The front OEM battery tray is not at 90 degrees from the frame. That is why they touch. The rusty steel straps on the side connect to the steel floor frame above. The trays are designed for the lightweight Battle Born batteries.

I will put a rubber mat on the bottom under the batteries and add straps to hold the batteries down. I am thinking of cutting a 25 x 30 mud flap in half for 25 x 15 mat for each side.

But not today. It is 24F outside.

[drburns]

Robert,
Thanks for sharing the details of your impressive solar system. :-)

I am not planning on going quite as nice as yours, but I am planning on doing 5 - 100 watt panels in parallel connection to a Victron MPPT controller.

I know a lot of people push serial connections...but, I camp in partial shade most of the time...and need all of the help I can get....which is why I am planning on parallel connecting my panels.

Are you still happy with your parallel connected panels?

Thanks in advance. :-)

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by drburns

Robert,
Thanks for sharing the details of your impressive solar system. :-)

I am not planning on going quite as nice as yours, but I am planning on doing 5 - 100 watt panels in parallel connection to a Victron MPPT controller.

I know a lot of people push serial connections...but, I camp in partial shade most of the time...and need all of the help I can get....which is why I am planning on parallel connecting my panels.

Are you still happy with your parallel connected panels?

Thanks in advance. :-)

If you have room for one more panel why not put 3 pairs in series and then wire the pairs in parallel. Get the best of both worlds, power when some are shaded and the advantage of higher efficiency of an MPPT controller.

As long as panels are the same spec (voltage & amperage) this is very doable.

[rk06382]

Originally Posted by drburns

Robert,
Thanks for sharing the details of your impressive solar system. :-)

I am not planning on going quite as nice as yours, but I am planning on doing 5 - 100 watt panels in parallel connection to a Victron MPPT controller.

I know a lot of people push serial connections...but, I camp in partial shade most of the time...and need all of the help I can get....which is why I am planning on parallel connecting my panels.

Are you still happy with your parallel connected panels?

Thanks in advance. :-)

Yes. It has worked for me. Just be aware of the higher amperage of parallel panels. Make sure you use 10 awg or larger wire. I have two pairs of 10 AWG solar cable running through my fridge vent.

[drburns]

Thanks for the feedback.

I will need to double check...but, I don't think I have room for 6 panels...and I don't think I can do series/parallel mix with an odd number of panels.

Worst case I can do a combiner box with flexibility to change the setup afterwards if necessary...as long as I keep an eye on the wire gauges...

[TitanMike]

Originally Posted by drburns

Thanks for the feedback.

I will need to double check...but, I don't think I have room for 6 panels...and I don't think I can do series/parallel mix with an odd number of panels.

Worst case I can do a combiner box with flexibility to change the setup afterwards if necessary...as long as I keep an eye on the wire gauges...

No, in the scenario I suggested it wouldn't work with an odd number. You might want to look at the efficiency increase from using a series/parallel system feeding an MPPT controller though by merely using 4 panels, two sets in series and series sets in parallel. The higher efficiency of the MPPT controller, and reduced voltage drop in the PV array, may offset the loss of output from the 5th panel.

Also, you could place the 4 panels in more optimum positions, avoiding any shade from rooftop mounted items like A/C, TV antenna, Vent Covers, etc.

One less panel is a few saved $$ as well as weight with possibly no sacrifice in real output.

Just my thoughts.

[drburns]

Titan Mike,
Thanks for the valuable feedback. :-)

[babock]

Keep in mind that things like black tank and grey tank vents shouldn't limit you. I just make taller mounts to go over those.

The back right panel has a taller mount to clear a vent. These are 175W panels.

[rk06382]

Another week or two, it will be warm enough to work on the Battery compartment.

Until then I watch the snow melt..........

[rk06382]

I forgot to update the six batteries install. (Photo taken May 2020)

I installed four Heat Pads on the outside batteries. The center batteries will be keep warm from the Heat Pads on either side. The heat pads are powered with the OEM battery disconnect switch.


The six Battle Born LiFePO4 batteries installed with four heat pads:


There are two Battery shut-off switches. The 500 amp main on the left side comes from the 400 amp fuse.

The 2nd in the back center is a dual battery bank 4-way switch. It will bypass the BCC to power the entrance steps from the chassis battery. This is for winter storage or if I leave the FR3 at a repair shop.