I am a new member planning my first system and have been pouring through this site which I find to be incredibly helpful. I have a small travel trailer that I want to upgrade to Lithium batteries and solar for boondocking. The existing power center is a 30 amp WFCO 8735 which, based on research, is not an ideal charger for lithium batteries. I am tight on space so hoping to get by with a single 200ah lithium battery so need to get full charge. Given my basic power needs (lights, fan, furnace fan, rare microwave use) the calc's show this should work.
Given my current power center limitations I intend to install a new shore power battery charger and a new DC to DC charger to charge while driving. My goal is to leave the existing power center in place and use as an AC breaker and DC fuse distribution panel only. I will disconnect and leave the original charger in place. I have growing kids so in a few years will likely upgrade to a larger trailer and want to take these added components out and return trailer to original OEM set-up.
I have modified Will’s Classic 400 watt system to add the two chargers…I went this route over the Renogy DC-DC with MPPT because of the low solar voltage limit that unit has.
System components:
Questions:
Given my current power center limitations I intend to install a new shore power battery charger and a new DC to DC charger to charge while driving. My goal is to leave the existing power center in place and use as an AC breaker and DC fuse distribution panel only. I will disconnect and leave the original charger in place. I have growing kids so in a few years will likely upgrade to a larger trailer and want to take these added components out and return trailer to original OEM set-up.
I have modified Will’s Classic 400 watt system to add the two chargers…I went this route over the Renogy DC-DC with MPPT because of the low solar voltage limit that unit has.
System components:
- SOK 200 ah lithium battery (1)
- Progressive Dynamics 12V 30-Amp Battery Charger
- Renogy 20 amp DC to DC Charger
- 60 amp MPPT solar charge controller
- 2200 watt pure sine wave controller for laptops and occasional microwave use. Will manually plug in microwave here when needed. All else runs off DC or LP gas.
- Two (2) 175 watt roof mounted solar panels
- Possible future addition: 100 watt suitcase panel if needed.
Questions:
- Any concerns or recommendations on the system and connections shown? I want to be sure that I am not doing anything unsafe. My primary concern is that I have the chargers wired correctly with the system and 7-pin from truck.
- Should I up the charger to a 45 or 60 amp model for better future proofing? I assume this would still work with my 30 amp shore power connection?
- With solar on the roof to charge while driving is the DC to DC charging really needed/recommended?