Battery/Inverter/Solar Controller Location

[Tom SKP]

I'm close to getting an Excel, but I have not figured out where to install my 4 Trojan T-105 batteries plus a Xantrex inverter and my solar controller.
From what I've read here, most of you with more than 2 batteries are using the front generator compartment.
Have you also mounted your invertors and solar controllers there too? Any problems?
What about fumes? Have you added any vents?
Are you batteries mounted in individual plastic boxes?

Thanks. Sorry for so many questions.

Tom

[rockintom]

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom SKP: I'm close to getting an Excel, but I have not figured out where to install my 4 Trojan T-105 batteries plus a Xantrex inverter and my solar controller. From what I've read here, most of you with more than 2 batteries are using the front generator compartment. Have you also mounted your invertors and solar controllers there too? Any problems? What about fumes? Have you added any vents? Are you batteries mounted in individual plastic boxes? Thanks. Sorry for so many questions. Tom

First of all, welcome to the forum and the world of Excel!

There will be folks in here to help with the battery location, as there are some serious boondockers here. We never park anywhere for more than one night without hookups, so I'm not much help! We just have 2 group 27s and a little 800W inverter. I mounted my little inverter in the electrical center mounted with velcro on top of my Dirt Devil vacuum center. Mounted a knife switch and fuse very near the bay door/battery disconnect. I simply ran a multplex extension cord inside behind the TV. I can hook up my TV, computer, printer easily. I know this doesn't help you much but thought I'd share. Again welcome! rockintom

[Workshop]

I mounted a single, extra battery in the front generator compartment. It is in a typical plastic battery box. Because it is not used often and is a back up, I have not vented it to the outside and with the Charge Wizard have noticed no gassing or ill effect. I believe a vent system could be added easily if needed.

I chose this area for convience and it is stored beneath a shelf. It can be slid out for service. If an addition battery is installed in the future, I will use a KWIKEE battery tray in the same location to make it easy to move the batteries out when needed. I like having a shelf above the batteries as I like the storage space it provides. On my older, 2001, unit...I don't have the space the newer units enjoy.

I do not have solar or an inverter but chose to place my battery switch, extra 12v and 120vac outlets and other 12v related items there. Its convient.

Good luck.

[Tom SKP]

Quote:

Originally posted by Workshop: I mounted a single, extra battery in the front generator compartment. It is in a typical plastic battery box. Because it is not used often and is a back up, I have not vented it to the outside and with the Charge Wizard have noticed no gassing or ill effect. I believe a vent system could be added easily if needed. I chose this area for convience and it is stored beneath a shelf. It can be slid out for service. If an addition battery is installed in the future, I will use a KWIKEE battery tray in the same location to make it easy to move the batteries out when needed. I like having a shelf above the batteries as I like the storage space it provides. On my older, 2001, unit...I don't have the space the newer units enjoy. I do not have solar or an inverter but chose to place my battery switch, extra 12v and 120vac outlets and other 12v related items there. Its convient. Good luck.

Thanks for the replies Tom and Workshop. That Kwikee look neat.
I'll hang around for a day or so and see if any of the 'heavy solar' users drop in and comment.
Because of wire size and length, it would make sense to put the batteries & inverter & contoller together but I'd love to see a couple of pictures of how it is best done and any battery fume problems. Your tray idea is interesting.

Tom

[Workshop]

Tom, here's a photo of my generator compartment. As I had no intention to add a generator, I removed the LP line and associated equipment. Did wire in a pigtail for an external generator to the transfer switch.

The single battery is below the shelf. I left space there to add an additonal battery if needed. If I was to use the KwiKee drawer, I would have to raise the shelf about an 1 1/2".

You are right about the wire size and length. I had to rewire the existing batteries to the new switch as well as the new battery. Was surprised by the total length of wire used in the project. Was able to get away with #6 wire as I have a 60 amp converter and used the original wire size.

Left the center of the compartment open to store larger items if needed or for future growth. The large door allows easy access to everything.

[rockintom]

Isn't that the most beautiful "garage" you've ever done seed. And, of course, I've got to see the "beast" in the "real live". Chris does fabulous work and has super ideas. However, he's a weekend warrior and unfortunatly there is not enough room for those of us FTers to do that. We've got bikes, huge totes for Christmas decorations, extra parts for Journey and Tug, more tools, etc., etc.!!

I be so envious....of Chris' skill and luggage room!!! (actually his storage room is alot less as an antique than ours!) Ha! I beat you to it, workhorse! As always thanks for sharing!

Wouldn't you like to stop over sometime and let Chris, the workhorse, do a "makeover" on your rig??? Be the first on your block!! He'd wine and dine you too! What a guy! rockybaby

[Tom SKP]

Quote:

Originally posted by Workshop: Tom, here's a photo of my generator compartment. As I had no intention to add a generator, I removed the LP line and associated equipment. Did wire in a pigtail for an external generator to the transfer switch. The single battery is below the shelf. I left space there to add an additonal battery if needed. If I was to use the KwiKee drawer, I would have to raise the shelf about an 1 1/2". You are right about the wire size and length. I had to rewire the existing batteries to the new switch as well as the new battery. Was surprised by the total length of wire used in the project. Was able to get away with #6 wire as I have a 60 amp converter and used the original wire size. Left the center of the compartment open to store larger items if needed or for future growth. The large door allows easy access to everything.

Wow, thanks for taking the time to get a photo, Workshop!
I'm sort of working blind as I am purchasing a 'left over' 2007 and won't see it for a couple of months. As I said I have 4 Trojan batteries that probably must go in the generator compartment.
I gather you have a converter and not an inverter/converter...??? Also have you seen any problems from the one battery you have due to its acid fumes? Did you add any venting?
Tom

[LindaH]

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom SKP: From what I've read here, most of you with more than 2 batteries are using the front generator compartment.

We don't have a "generator compartment" in our Excel (we didn't order it generator-ready). However, we DO have our 4 AGM batteries installed in the front compartment.

Quote:

Have you also mounted your invertors and solar controllers there too?

Our inverter is mounted in the front compartment, too, close to the batteries. However, our solar controller is inside where we can see it. We have a cabinet in the bedroom that you can see as you're walking up the stairs (the angled cabinet shown in the King Suite Option E. We took the door off this cabinet so we could use it as a display cabinet and the solar controller as well as the display for our Prosine inverter/charger is in this cabinet.

Quote:

Any problems? What about fumes? Have you added any vents? Are you batteries mounted in individual plastic boxes?

Since we have AGM batteries, fumes are not a problem...which is the reason we went with sealed batteries since they are in an unvented area. We do not have the batteries in individual plastic boxes; instead, Earl built a framework for them to sit in. We haven't had any problems with our setup.

By the way, the compartment that was originally meant to hold two batteries is now used to house our 50-amp electrical cord.

[HB Phil]

I mounted 4 4D size batteries, (about 800 Amp Hours), an inverter/charger, solar controller and DC breaker junction/utility box in the front generator compartment. I built a box to hold the batteries.

We do mostly boondocking in the woods and about 1/2 in Northern CA in the winter where it is rainy w/o a lot of solar production. Therefore, the system is set-up to go 3 nights at 150 Amp Hours w/o charging and w/o dropping below 50% discharge of the batteries.

When there isn't enough solar production to top off the batteries, I use a Yamaha 2400 IS to run the 100 amp charger in the Magnum 2100 inverter/charger.

I opted to get the compartment prepped for a generator installation, but w/o the generator. Since it is pretty airtight I used AGM sealed batteries.

I also have two Group 27 AGM batteries in the battery compartment which I have isolated from the main battery bank and which are used only for the hydraulic pump for the slides and jacks. They can be combined with the main bank for back-up power. The isolator/combiner tops off the group 27's once the main bank is fully charged.

I purchased all of these seperately and had RV Sales of New Mexico install these and my solar panels (6 ea KC 130's) and the controller, inverter and DC breaker box upon delivery of my Excel.

[rockintom]

Tom,

I told you the boondockers would show up!

[clspds]

I think we will put our name in the hat for a makeover by Chris. From the looks of his pics he does nice work.

Maybe we could spend next winter down in FL in that nice garage he built.

Paul

[Workshop]

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom SKP: I gather you have a converter and not an inverter/converter...??? Also have you seen any problems from the one battery you have due to its acid fumes? Did you add any venting? Tom

My unit has the 60 amp Progressive converter that came with the unit, I did upgrade with a plugin Charge Wizard. What a difference this is from my prior unit and its system.

I use the two 27's that are in the exterior battery box about 70% of the time and switch to the second battery bank just to put use on it and to keep it charged and ready. Right now it's all I need. If they ever fail, will possibly replace with two 6v batteries. Just like the security/comfort of another source of 12v power if needed.

As for as gassing and vent. I haven't noticed an issue, maybe because of the way it is used. It's not having a charge going all the time....according to my meter, the Wizard mostly just maintains the batteries as, like Rockin', I'm on 120vac most of the time. I'm sure if I was using the systems harder, I would work on a vent system for the single battery.

After the prior two post...I'm looking like a 'Light weight' talking about my single battery.
Good luck with your selections.
....if we can help.

'weekend warrior'

[Tom SKP]

Quote:

Originally posted by HB Phil: I mounted 4 4D size batteries, (about 800 Amp Hours), an inverter/charger, solar controller and DC breaker junction/utility box in the front generator compartment. I built a box to hold the batteries. We do mostly boondocking in the woods and about 1/2 in Northern CA in the winter where it is rainy w/o a lot of solar production. Therefore, the system is set-up to go 3 nights at 150 Amp Hours w/o charging and w/o dropping below 50% discharge of the batteries. When there isn't enough solar production to top off the batteries, I use a Yamaha 2400 IS to run the 100 amp charger in the Magnum 2100 inverter/charger. I opted to get the compartment prepped for a generator installation, but w/o the generator. Since it is pretty airtight I used AGM sealed batteries. I also have two Group 27 AGM batteries in the battery compartment which I have isolated from the main battery bank and which are used only for the hydraulic pump for the slides and jacks. They can be combined with the main bank for back-up power. The isolator/combiner tops off the group 27's once the main bank is fully charged. I purchased all of these seperately and had RV Sales of New Mexico install these and my solar panels (6 ea KC 130's) and the controller, inverter and DC breaker box upon delivery of my Excel.

Boy, Linda, Phil and Workshop again... thanks and great pictures! According to the Order Sheet of my future 2007 RT 28TRW, it has a 'steel generator box only'. You've cofirmed that it is the logical (only) pace to mount everything and keep the DC wire lengths short.
My solar controller can be mounted there too as it has a telephone wire remote that can be mounted in the coach. I have 3 KC 130 W panels that will have to find a home on the roof.
I see that both Linda and Phil have the AGMs. I sure would like those, but my Trojans are exactly 3 years old and the prices I see for replacement AGMs is about $300 each!!! Wow, tough decision. $1200 decision!
With AGMs the box that I see in Phil's pictures looks like wood, which would be fine with AGM but not acid... But with AGMs the box could have a cover and allow some storage on top.
I see Phil has a Magnum inverter. PI tells me that they will install an inverter, but a Xantrex and a 3000 W at that. Comments?
I currently have a 1000 Honda for emergency charging although this winter we will be hooked up for 7 weeks straight... a record for us!
Tom

[HB Phil]

My Magnum inverter/charger has a remote display/controller inside the rig above the thermostat. Magnum now offers an amp hour counting meter, like the Xantrex Trimetric meters, that reads from the same remote display as the inverter/charger display/controller. Getting the inverter/charger/meter in one package with one meter/display would probably be cheaper and more convenient than going piecemeal - less holes in the walls and wire runs. I have the 2000 Watt one the ME 2100S I believe. It runs everything but you can't run the microwave and the coffe maker at the same time. A 3,000 would probably run both.

The battery box has wooden covers (not shown) that are on each side of the inter-connecting cables.

AGM's have many benefits but they also require extra care to avoid over charging them and outgassing. But, for best longevity the batteries need to be frequently fully charged. So the temp compensation works both ways. It keeps the charging volts down in the summer but at temps in the 20's I've seen the Magnum charging at over 15 VDC.

I paid $1,100 for about 1,000 Amp Hours of MK brand AGMs (4 ea 4D's and 2 ea Group 27's). I was able to get a good price by picking them up straight from the West Coast distributor/warehouse. So for peace of mind the Magnum charger/inverter, the solar controller and the isolator/combiner have temp compensated charging.

It's nice when the solar production is adequate to top off the batteries every day. Like being "on grid" full auto no worries about setting up/stowing a generator or standing by at the campsite watching the gennie waiting for a charge cycle to complete. But, even with 6 ea KC 130's, I've had to use the generator a lot too. An advantage of the AGMs is a very high charge acceptance rate which helps cut down on generator run times. They take everything that my 100 amp charger feeds them.

For about 10 years with our previous trailer we got by with 2 ea Group 27's, limiting our power usage to about 50 amp hours per night. We'd be replacing them about every 3 years. I recall the last time we got 2 at Costco for $111.00 - not too bad at all. But this rig is for my retirement so I wanted to set it up for longer term, more comfortable boondocking.

That being said, if I had a vented compartment and did not have to install my inverter/charger and solar controller in the same compartment with my batteries, I probably would have gone with the Trojans. They are the best value, tough, and don't require the added expense and wiring of installing the temp compensation.

Quote:

Originally posted by Tom SKP: <BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by HB Phil: I mounted 4 4D size batteries, (about 800 Amp Hours), an inverter/charger, solar controller and DC breaker junction/utility box in the front generator compartment. I built a box to hold the batteries. We do mostly boondocking in the woods and about 1/2 in Northern CA in the winter where it is rainy w/o a lot of solar production. Therefore, the system is set-up to go 3 nights at 150 Amp Hours w/o charging and w/o dropping below 50% discharge of the batteries. When there isn't enough solar production to top off the batteries, I use a Yamaha 2400 IS to run the 100 amp charger in the Magnum 2100 inverter/charger. I opted to get the compartment prepped for a generator installation, but w/o the generator. Since it is pretty airtight I used AGM sealed batteries. I also have two Group 27 AGM batteries in the battery compartment which I have isolated from the main battery bank and which are used only for the hydraulic pump for the slides and jacks. They can be combined with the main bank for back-up power. The isolator/combiner tops off the group 27's once the main bank is fully charged. I purchased all of these seperately and had RV Sales of New Mexico install these and my solar panels (6 ea KC 130's) and the controller, inverter and DC breaker box upon delivery of my Excel.

Boy, Linda, Phil and Workshop again... thanks and great pictures! According to the Order Sheet of my future 2007 RT 28TRW, it has a 'steel generator box only'. You've cofirmed that it is the logical (only) pace to mount everything and keep the DC wire lengths short.
My solar controller can be mounted there too as it has a telephone wire remote that can be mounted in the coach. I have 3 KC 130 W panels that will have to find a home on the roof.
I see that both Linda and Phil have the AGMs. I sure would like those, but my Trojans are exactly 3 years old and the prices I see for replacement AGMs is about $300 each!!! Wow, tough decision. $1200 decision!
With AGMs the box that I see in Phil's pictures looks like wood, which would be fine with AGM but not acid... But with AGMs the box could have a cover and allow some storage on top.
I see Phil has a Magnum inverter. PI tells me that they will install an inverter, but a Xantrex and a 3000 W at that. Comments?
I currently have a 1000 Honda for emergency charging although this winter we will be hooked up for 7 weeks straight... a record for us!
Tom </div></BLOCKQUOTE>