Where/How to integrate Lifepo/solar into 2004 Roadtrek system

[FaithI]

Soooo. Fair Newb here.
Bought a 2004 Roadtrek with a mostly working factory power system (I removed the dangling 300w inverter...) and a sad/old wet cell battery that barely holds a charge.

Planning an upgrade-

I have mounted 200w on the roof, and a 40a Renogy Elite in my cabinet. Nothing is connected yet because I have no idea where in the House System to attach the power coming from the controller.
Soon my 180ah of Lifepo4 will show up, along with a bms. It will replace the g24 sad-battery. And will be mounted under the seat in the rear cargo area in its own dedicated space (not 'outside' like the current wet cell battery..) And until I can afford to add a dc/dc charger unit, I will just remove the alternator charging from the mix.

Been looking into where to properly integrate the new solar into the existing system and am finding only vague instruction or none at all. "Then connect to rv power system. " Is not helpful to me. Lol

I have some knowledge, but I do not speak the lingo and so- can anybody help me out here in english- Not quantum rocket surgery please

You all have such a huge wealth of information. I really appreciate any help I can get.

 

[FaithI]

I have built stand alone agm systems before so I have some knowledge. Just never had to integrate it into an Existing 12v/120 system... eeek

 

[John Frum]

Welcome to the forum.
The first thing to do is make a diagram of the current setup.
Post it here and we can start to help with the integration.
This app is popular for drawing systems https://app.diagrams.net/

 

[FaithI]

I have No idea how the existing system is put together at the factory..

 

[John Frum]

I have No idea how the existing system is put together at the factory..

I know generally how rv's are put together but there is variation.
Do you have a digital multimeter?
Does the rv have a shore power inlet?

 

[FaithI]

Found this in the manual..


Yes it has 30amp shore power, and yes, I have a digital multimeter (and need a refresher course on how to use it..hitting up youtube for that -- lol)

 

[John Frum]

Hi @FaithI can you please post that diagram as an attachment for easier viewing?

 

[FaithI]

Like this??

 

[John Frum]

View attachment 19517View attachment 19518

Like this??

That should be fine.
I can't see well but others should be able to help with this.

 

[FaithI]

I really appreciate the help

 

[John Frum]

Hi @FaithI lets see if we can get the ball rolling.
Please attach as files, pictures of your panel with the cover open and closed.

 

[FaithI]

Need to rearrange the sleeping/lounge area to get at the panel. Will have time today- I hope-

 

[Freddmc]

In general in your existing system 110 power goes into the converter as 110 and then come out as 12v which goes to all the lights and other 12 equipment. On mine when I installed house batteries (I originally ran house off starter batteries) I put in a bus bar that got 12v power from the converter as well as the house batteries. Make sure to use proper sized 12 wired from solar panels( to reduce voltage drop) to the Charge controller and mount charge controller as close to batteries as possible.

 

[FaithI]

Inside and front panel-

 

[FaithI]

I have power To the scc, I am just trying to not have to wire it twice. While I wait for lithium battery kit to arrive. Wanting to temporarily tie it safely to the existing 'marine' battery

 

[FaithI]

Might this one be the one I am looking for?

 

[John Frum]

Might this one be the one I am looking for?View attachment 21932

High @FaithI my eyesight is poor, can you please transcribe the labels for the ac and dc fuses.
AC are on the left A-F
DC are on the right 1-9

 

[John Frum]

And I will re-read the thread to figure out why I'm looking at this.
You are drawing attention to the big red wire on the top left, why?

 

[FaithI]

I am trying to find the 12v lead To the battery. To safely integrate small solar charge controller into the existing house system (not wanting to have to build/wire a whole separate system alongside the factory one. )
Planning on disconnecting alternator power, and soon replacing existing wet cell marine with lifepo

 

[FaithI]