Upgrades and Modifications

[dlhigdon]

Getting to do a few modifications to my 2013 QBUD346. I just got my LED bulbs to replace the factory bulbs in the camper, LED light strip for under the awning, 2-6 volt batteries, a 2500 watt pure sine wave inverter, automatic transfer switch and marble/glass back splash for the kitchen.

I will be starting%

[garbonz]

????

[dlhigdon]

Sorry. I'm not sure what happened to the rest of the message. I will be starting with the transfer switch and inverter then to the LED lighting and back splash. I will upload progress pictures as I go along for anyone that is interested.

[TURBS]

We love pictures!
As a matter of fact the saying goes aero nd here "no pics then didn't happen"

Have fun!


Turbs

[dlhigdon]

Here is the LED awning lights we installed. Purchased the waterproof light strip on EBay for $10 delivered. More mod pictures to come.

[warno]

Hi. Old thread I know.

I just bought a similar trailer and wanted to do the led light strip as well.
I was wondering where you routed the wiring for the 12v and if you tapped into an existing 12v line or just ran a new one.
I really want to do this mod, just want to do the cleanest install possible!

[dlhigdon]

Hi Waro,

I used the channel that the powered awning cable runs through down to the hole in the side of the fifth wheel where it ties into the 12 volt bus bar. Then I drilled a hole in the side of the under belly compartment where I installed a switch and tied the 18awg wires from the switch to the bus bar in the battery compartment. Hope this helps and just FYI I purchased the light strip on eBay for a fraction of the cost to buy it locally.
Good luck and let me know if you need any other assistance.


Cheers,
Dave

[dlhigdon]

So I have a few pictures to update everyone on the status of the inverter and auto transfer switch install.

First a picture of some of the equipment and tools I used to complete the install.


Next I had to remove the double light switch for the through storage light and the light by the king pin hitch. This was removed so I could cut the hole to install the inverter.


Once the switch was removed I made a template of the inverter out of cardboard and cut the hole for the inverter in the 3/4" plywood between the through storage and the factory battery storage compartment.




This was the best location I could find for the inverter due to the close proximity to batteries and the 12 VDC terminals for the camper DC power supply. (I removed the original 12V battery when we bought the camper last summer and installed 2 new 6V golf cart batteries in the front storage compartment.)

The Go Power Automatic Transfer switch is installed behind the finished wall in the through storage compartment. (I forgot to get a picture of the transfer switch install location to post. I will do that when I go to the fifth wheel next time.)

I removed the converter/charger from under the main electrical panel and installed it inside the factory battery compartment with the inverter and tied it into the transfer switch as per the schematics supplied with the Go Power Auto Transfer switch.


I have a few more things to do in order to put the system in operation. If you are interested I will post more pictures and description of the work I complete as I go. Hope you enjoy the post!

[dlhigdon]

These pictures didn't upload properly on the previous post.

[Kuba]

So let me get this straight...once you loose "shore power" the inverter kicks in?

[dlhigdon]

Hi Kuba,

Yes with the automatic transfer switch when shore power is disconnected or not hooked up the inverter. The automatic transfer switch has normally closed, normally open and common contacts. The shore power and the charger are on the Normally Open (NO) contacts and the inverter is on the Normally Closed (NC) contacts and the AC panel is on the common contacts. This means the inverter is always on feeding the AC panel unless the shore power is plugged in. When the shore power (generator, AC power) is plugged in the Automatic Transfer switch changes state and the switch goes from NC state to NO state. When the transfer switch changes to NO the charger will automatically turn on and start charging the batteries.

[bubbles]

Just curious. Understand the contacts but what/how are the contacts switched. Is it an AC/DC coil/solid state/current sensing or what?

[Kaadk]

I like the concept, but I didn't see anywhere on the schematic where you'd put a disconnect. How are you planning to prevent battery rundown while in storage?

[dlhigdon]

Originally Posted by bubbles

Just curious. Understand the contacts but what/how are the contacts switched. Is it an AC/DC coil/solid state/current sensing or what?

There is a relay built into the automatic transfer switch along with a small circuit board. Hope that helps.

[dlhigdon]

Originally Posted by Kaadk

I like the concept, but I didn't see anywhere on the schematic where you'd put a disconnect. How are you planning to prevent battery rundown while in storage?

I have a 12VDC disconnect which I will install on the positive wire between the inverter and battery terminal along with a fuse and fuse block. I will update the thread with pictures when I complete this step.

[dlhigdon]

More pictures or my upgrades.
Had to fish wire for the meter control wires for monitoring the battery voltage, amperage and amp hours.

Finish meter installed in wall.


The old battery compartment with the inverter and charger installed.

Inverter with remote installed and operational.

[Kuba]

Nice!

[noprobrob]

You have pics of the backsplash complete?