Hey everyone!
I have a truck camper that is currently powered by a pair of 12V AGMs that simply are not cutting it. Just one night of boondocking, including putting down the jacks, minimal use of LED lights and water pump, and watching a couple of hours of TV are taking the batteries down to the point (60-70% per the meter) where we're at risk that there's not enough juice in the morning to work the jacks to put it on the truck to leave.
I'd like to replace these crappy AGMs with a much higher capacity bank of LiFePo4 cells (still at 12v). My system has the following connections that must still work after the upgrade:
I would like to add a second (& maybe a 3rd) solar panel. I also want to stick with 12V for now rather than switch to 24v (the truck has only a 12v alternator).
I've seen lots of plans on your site that have some of these incoming connections, but I have not yet found a comprehensive system diagram that incorporates them all. Can someone please point me to such a layout/plan/blueprint here in the forum or on the DIY website?
Also, I found these: 190Ah 3.2v LiFePo4 cells in a pack of 4 for ~$650 Would that be a good foundation for my upgraded system? With such a small size of 7" x 8-1/4" x 8.5" for the set, it seems like I could use two sets and get 380Ah in the same space as my 2 AGMs with room to spare.
What do you think?
Thanks much!!!
DaveB
I have a truck camper that is currently powered by a pair of 12V AGMs that simply are not cutting it. Just one night of boondocking, including putting down the jacks, minimal use of LED lights and water pump, and watching a couple of hours of TV are taking the batteries down to the point (60-70% per the meter) where we're at risk that there's not enough juice in the morning to work the jacks to put it on the truck to leave.
I'd like to replace these crappy AGMs with a much higher capacity bank of LiFePo4 cells (still at 12v). My system has the following connections that must still work after the upgrade:
- 120v 30A shore power connection
- Connection to the carrying truck's alternator thru umbilical
- 100W solar panel on roof (I think there's a connection for a 2nd panel already there)
- LP powered generator (that I can't even start if the battery gets too low - electric start only )
I would like to add a second (& maybe a 3rd) solar panel. I also want to stick with 12V for now rather than switch to 24v (the truck has only a 12v alternator).
I've seen lots of plans on your site that have some of these incoming connections, but I have not yet found a comprehensive system diagram that incorporates them all. Can someone please point me to such a layout/plan/blueprint here in the forum or on the DIY website?
Also, I found these: 190Ah 3.2v LiFePo4 cells in a pack of 4 for ~$650 Would that be a good foundation for my upgraded system? With such a small size of 7" x 8-1/4" x 8.5" for the set, it seems like I could use two sets and get 380Ah in the same space as my 2 AGMs with room to spare.
What do you think?
Thanks much!!!
DaveB