Four battery pack 2015 newmar 2903

[zrobotman]

On our maiden voyage we had problems with our battery pack. The two factory installed battery system just didn't last while dry camping. So, I bought the big system. Already had two solar panels on the roof hooked up to the batteries thru the controller shown in the picture. This was ideal , but when you install a magnum 2000 watt inverter, the battery just would not hold. Went to my mechanic , which told me of the start that I need more batteries, and rebuilt the system. First off to the body shop where the frame was built to hold the batteries. As you can see in the pictures, it was a tight fit. Even the engine battery was moved a small amount. As the picture show the system sits behind the molded front bumper. In a 2014 this area is a little shorter, which only means you see more of the batteries. In my 2015, as you can see in the pictures its hidden from sight. New Mar engineers stated that the air flow is mostly from below so there was no significant air flow blockage. Now I can use the microwave , coffee maker. and watch TV. No problem with my wife's hair blower, works just fine on battery power. By mid afternoon the solar has almost completely changed the system. But you can start your generator, turn on the 100 amp battery charger and top off your batteries. I have RV camped for 25 years and this is by far the best system. Also you don't need a surge protector, the magnum 2000 watt pure sine inverter watches everything. Can't go wrong.

[PDR John]

Very nice, how many panels?

[avid_dk]

Jim,

Thanks for sharing some photos of your new solar electric setup.

["007"]

Jim have added this thread and your rear window install in Bay Star section of QT's # 3.

[zrobotman]

There are two 130 watt panels

[roadtraveler]

Originally Posted by zrobotman

There are two 130 watt panels

I have 4 - 6volt batteries and 1 - 150 watt panel on my 2903 Baystar. I am going to up it to 450 watts hopefully in September. I am hoping that will do it for me. Is 4 batteries enough? I do have the 2000 watt inverter also.

[zrobotman]

Four batteries and more than two panels should last a long time depending on your usage.

[roadtraveler]

We use a coffee pot in the morning (keurig with K cups), lights & TV at night & sometimes the gas furnace. If we could accomplish that we would be extremely happy!! Coffee pot is the big one and it has worked with just the one panel but can be a struggle. We can't wait to add more!

[zrobotman]

I have just two 130 watt panels and it is more than enough

[zrobotman]

Roadtraveler it is not the panel that make the system strong , its the four battery back that gives AMP HOURS.

[roadtraveler]

Originally Posted by zrobotman

Roadtraveler it is not the panel that make the system strong , its the four battery back that gives AMP HOURS.

Seems like mine is always charging and never tops off. I was told I needed more panels to get a full charge. Someone else here mentioned that the batteries might not be connected or working properly. I was just thinking one panel was not enough. I better check my batteries.

[joes2901]

I thihenk that most of Newmar's gas models has room for the batteries in the compartment in front of the fresh water tank. That is where I laid 4 Lifeline L16 AGMs for 800 AH of battery power and the Magnum inverter/charger and Outback solar controller connected to 3 Mitsubishi 255 watt solar panels for 765 watts. It is a compact design, and the battery weight is balanced over the chassis rails. I wrote about in earlier posts if you want more details.

[donnickerson]

Originally Posted by zrobotman

On our maiden voyage we had problems with our battery pack. The two factory installed battery system just didn't last while dry camping. So, I bought the big system. Already had two solar panels on the roof hooked up to the batteries thru the controller shown in the picture. This was ideal , but when you install a magnum 2000 watt inverter, the battery just would not hold. Went to my mechanic , which told me of the start that I need more batteries, and rebuilt the system. First off to the body shop where the frame was built to hold the batteries. As you can see in the pictures, it was a tight fit. Even the engine battery was moved a small amount. As the picture show the system sits behind the molded front bumper. In a 2014 this area is a little shorter, which only means you see more of the batteries. In my 2015, as you can see in the pictures its hidden from sight. New Mar engineers stated that the air flow is mostly from below so there was no significant air flow blockage. Now I can use the microwave , coffee maker. and watch TV. No problem with my wife's hair blower, works just fine on battery power. By mid afternoon the solar has almost completely changed the system. But you can start your generator, turn on the 100 amp battery charger and top off your batteries. I have RV camped for 25 years and this is by far the best system. Also you don't need a surge protector, the magnum 2000 watt pure sine inverter watches everything. Can't go wrong.

VERY NICE! Did you do the work yourself? We have a 2014 Bay Star Sport 2903 and I would like to install solar and batteries but I am concerned with messing with the Newmar
installed house charging system and I have never installed Solar.

[gremlin]

Originally Posted by donnickerson

VERY NICE! Did you do the work yourself? We have a 2014 Bay Star Sport 2903 and I would like to install solar and batteries but I am concerned with messing with the Newmar
installed house charging system and I have never installed Solar.

Keep us up to date on how you do it, I'm in the same boat BSS2903 and would love to put solar and a few more batteries on it.