Community Forums

twinboat · 07-01-2022, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asodergren

What is a BIRD?

B.I.R.D.

Bi-directional Isolation Solenoid with Delay

Dynasty_09 · 07-01-2022, 01:32 PM

Way to go !

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chatham

"I ordered a Renogy dc-dc 50 amp Mppt charger."

I've been charging my Renology 100amp house battery from shore and genset, while removing the 5amp BIRD fuse. Chassis batteries are charged from alt; just like my car.

Patrick
2005 Dynaquest 26footer

radar · 07-03-2022, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dynasty_09

I Believe the L/A battery in a Tesla is to heat up the Lithium in low temps.

I might be wrong.

Electric vehicles use the same automotive components as gas vehicles. Fan motors, lights, window actuators, power seats, audio systems. etc etc. The 12 volt battery in an electric vehicle can be quite small because it doesn’t have to “crank” anything but the rest is still automotive stuff.

Moira · 07-05-2022, 03:53 PM

From what I can tell in my 2003 Signature, the BIRD circuit board is connected to the 2 small solenoids that do something. Its also connected to the Big Boy.

So I think that what we are trying to do is depower one? of the 3 functions the Big Boy replaced, not the bird circuit board, correct?

The battery isolator
the battery boost
the battery maintainer.

this needs clarification, I'm totally confused now.

moira

Dynasty_09 · 07-31-2022, 10:45 AM

Finally,
I received and installed the DC-DC MPPT charger and it works as promised.

I can leave the MH plugged at home and the house Batts are charged by the Inverter/Charger and the chassis by the Solar.

Then when I unplug, the Alternator charges the Chassis and the the house. I'll see how it performs on my next trip in a month.

Thanks everybody for all the suggestions/comments.

I included a pic of the 5X170AH + the DC-DC Charger install in the former AGM batteries compartment.

RoadTrip2084 · 08-02-2022, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dynasty_09

Finally,
I received and installed the DC-DC MPPT charger and it works as promised.

I can leave the MH plugged at home and the house Batts are charged by the Inverter/Charger and the chassis by the Solar.

Then when I unplug, the Alternator charges the Chassis and the the house. I'll see how it performs on my next trip in a month.

Thanks everybody for all the suggestions/comments.

I included a pic of the 5X170AH + the DC-DC Charger install in the former AGM batteries compartment.

I have the same setup on my rig, been working great so far. Love having the solar maintain the chassis battery, great knowing that it's ready to go all the time and not having to think about it much.

Dynasty_09 · 08-05-2022, 09:03 PM

I still have to change my Magnum board to accept the Lithium charge. I'm using CC/CV profile.

Windecker · 08-10-2022, 07:50 AM

This has been a very good thread to read, very informative and helpful.

The link for the Marine how to do is good but very complex and packed with information.

I am building my component list and gathering items for install sort of a little at a time so this is all helpful.

I am confused a little about some of it but one thing specifically is the comment about SOK batteries being "bad".
Is that still true or is that dated information?

I like the boxes and the terminal connections on the SOK batteries over Battleborne but otherwise just want good batteries when that conversion happens.

Also, why are larger than 30 amp DC to DC chargers so hard to find and so costly? It is cheaper to stack 30 amp DC to DC chargers than get a larger single charger.

Lastly, the old Zantrax (Trace) RV3012 Inverter I have can be set to AGM, Flooded or I think Sealed. Battleborne tells me select AGM and I will be in good shape. Thoughts?

Thanks
Windecker

DavidEM · 08-10-2022, 09:59 AM

"This has been a very good thread to read, very informative and helpful."

Perhaps so, but the original question asked could have been answered in the next few posts. Instead, it quickly evolved to a discussion of battery isolators, DC2DC chargers and other related things. Nothing wrong with that though but I wish the title could have been changed accordingly.

David

Tom48 · 08-11-2022, 09:26 PM

Interesting to hear that about the energy DC to DC plus solar.

I have the DC to DC Renogy 40 amp and it's only annoying trait is that when the chassis battery is low and the alternator is pushing really hard to charge it, my Renogy goes into a fault mode and even when the chassis battery reaches full charge I have to go back and manually reset the fault, by disconnecting both batteries, using the inline circuit breakers that I installed on both battery connections, and then reconnecting them. I talked to a service tech from renergy and ask them if there was a bios upgrade but I got nothing. Their answer was you have to fully disconnect the unit. This guy's understanding of electricity didn't comprehend that a circuit breaker fully disconnects the unit. He kept insisting that I needed to detach the cables. So I am able to reset the fault but I don't think that technician has any practical understanding of what a pain in the ass that is. Otherwise I love the beast it throws 40-41 amps my way until my batteries start to reach 85% or so state of charge and then I think both it and my solar back off a little bit as the combined total of the two is seldom above 40 amps. That's a 600 watt solar system with proper charging voltages for lifepo , and the 40 amp DC to DC. Both are directly connected to a 600 amp LiFePo battery Bank.

And someone mentioned that Battleborn had told them using AGM settings on their existing charger would be adequate. That's what they told me too but my Magnum 2,000 watt, 2004 vintage charger was not pushing them above 80% until I bought a new circuit board and new control head for my Magnum so that it too could charge at lifepo recommended settings.

Tom48 · 08-11-2022, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dynasty_09

I still have to change my Magnum board to accept the Lithium charge. I'm using CC/CV profile.

Yup. I had to get the board from an authorized company that Magnum recommended.

I was able to order the new control head from Don Rowe out of Oregon. I've ordered several things from them and I really like doing business with them. They give you good return service and stand between you and the manufacturer when you need a quick warranty fix, or in my case complete warranty replacement of an inverter a few years back.