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Old 01-25-2021, 09:32 PM   #29
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Still drifting...

I’ve actually owned Midnite, Victron and Magnum charge controller/s with similar solar arrays and Lifepo4’s and I also thought they’d be basically the same. So I was surprised that the Victrons on my latest coach put out at least 15% more amps than the others (I am currently parked next to my old coach at Q so it was easy to verify). Plus Victrons having no fans and their being configurable and tracked via phone/computer is nice. Even with Magnums help I never could get the Magnum PT to play well with the Lifepo4's.
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Old 01-26-2021, 07:15 PM   #30
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SV K,

Which Victron would you recommend for 1500-1700w and the LiFePos I've got? I'd like to get it right the first time. Thanks.
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Old 01-26-2021, 08:51 PM   #31
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JacJetlag,

if you are a pilot (like me) you will want to see everything going on with your system and that's where Victron comes into play. They really are the only ones to offer a completely integrated/Networkedsolution capable of displaying and reporting information back to you on your smartphone or computer ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

I went with a similar set-up with all Victron components, albeit only 10,400WH of LiFePO4 storage in my DP and I'm able to run both rooftop AC units as well as everything else in the coach (amperage limited of course). We have 1600W of solar and DC-DC charging from our alternator so running a single AC unit while driving also allows us to also send an additional charge to the house batteries!

Here is the kind of information you can see at the push of a button with the Victron system as well as the display that is mounted inside the coach!
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Old 01-26-2021, 10:10 PM   #32
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There is a guy on YouTube with a channel named bus grease monkey, who works on vintage bus/RV conversions. He has a series of videos showing the install of his solar panels and Victron system pretty much in its entirety. He runs a minisplit AC pretty much at will even during the summer in TN. Pretty neat channel aside from this series of videos.

https://youtu.be/YHX_PQseAf4
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Old 01-26-2021, 10:56 PM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SV K View Post
Still drifting...

I’ve actually owned Midnite, Victron and Magnum charge controller/s with similar solar arrays and Lifepo4’s and I also thought they’d be basically the same. So I was surprised that the Victrons on my latest coach put out at least 15% more amps than the others (I am currently parked next to my old coach at Q so it was easy to verify). Plus Victrons having no fans and their being configurable and tracked via phone/computer is nice. Even with Magnums help I never could get the Magnum PT to play well with the Lifepo4's.
15% is significant! I have been using Midnite Classic 150, unaware of a better Victron. Time to dig deeper...
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Old 01-27-2021, 02:07 AM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paul65k View Post
JacJetlag,

if you are a pilot (like me) you will want to see everything going on with your system and that's where Victron comes into play. They really are the only ones to offer a completely integrated/Networkedsolution capable of displaying and reporting information back to you on your smartphone or computer ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD.

I went with a similar set-up with all Victron components, albeit only 10,400WH of LiFePO4 storage in my DP and I'm able to run both rooftop AC units as well as everything else in the coach (amperage limited of course). We have 1600W of solar and DC-DC charging from our alternator so running a single AC unit while driving also allows us to also send an additional charge to the house batteries!

Here is the kind of information you can see at the push of a button with the Victron system as well as the display that is mounted inside the coach!
Which inverter do you have that supports 2 lines of power and counts them both active while none is incoming? I'm thinking about upgrading my inverter (got the 12/2000 and have had it cut out on me with the microwave and entertainment unit running.... That's not going to work so I need more inverter capacity)
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Old 01-27-2021, 05:50 AM   #35
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Hi Jacjetlag,

I have (6)-310w res. panels feeding (2)-Victron 150/60amp TR controllers. I’d suggest contacting a good Victron retailer and let them help with which models would be best for your needs as I’d hate to give you bad info based on my limited experience.
Is doing your own install or partial install an option?


Hi CountryFit,
As to the Victron’s producing more amps I’d very curious to know what you learn. Of course, it could be some setting within the Midnites that are limiting them(150's also), but the settings were told to me on the phone by their tech.
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Old 01-27-2021, 06:51 AM   #36
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jacjetlag View Post
SV K,

Which Victron would you recommend for 1500-1700w and the LiFePos I've got? I'd like to get it right the first time. Thanks.

This chart from BattleBorn should give you an idea of what controllers would work for your particular system.
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Old 01-27-2021, 07:02 AM   #37
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Which inverter do you have that supports 2 lines of power and counts them both active while none is incoming? I'm thinking about upgrading my inverter (got the 12/2000 and have had it cut out on me with the microwave and entertainment unit running.... That's not going to work so I need more inverter capacity)
This is my set-up currently:

Equipment list consists of:
2 x Victron Energy MultiPlus 24/3000/70-50 Inverters
8 x Lion UT1300 LiFePo4 Batteries (420Ah @24V)
1 x Victron MPPT 150|100Tr Solar Charge Controller
1 x Victron Cerbo GX
1 x Victron GX Flat Panel Screen
1 x Victron BMV 712 Battery Monitor
2 x Victron Lynx Distributor 1000A DC
2 x Victron Orion-Tr Smart 12/24-15A DC-DC Chargers
2 x Victron Energy Orion 24/12-70 DC-DC Converters
1 x Midnite Solar Combiner/Breaker (3X 30A breakers)
2 x Midnite Solar Baby Box Enclosure MNBABYBOX
2 x 60A Breakers
2 x 30A Breakers
1X Amp-L-Start Battery maintainer for Chassis Batteries
8 x 200W Hi Tech Solar Panels w/tilt brackets
1 x Onan QD 7500 Generator
1 x AC Affinity thermostat-controlled dual-fan vent
1 x 240V Subpanel with 10/3 wire run to future location for Dual Zone Mini-Split compressor😎

The inverters are wired in Split-phase....... the only thing I currently have on the horizon is to add an autotransformer ~$600, that will allow me to feed both inverter/chargers directly from the on-board generator which while it is 7500W the output is on dual outputs that are not 120/240 capable so need a way to split-phase these outputs to feed both inverters and their resultant chargers when on other than a 50A shore power input.
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Old 01-27-2021, 09:13 AM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paul65k View Post
This is my set-up currently:

Equipment list consists of:
2 x Victron Energy MultiPlus 24/3000/70-50 Inverters
8 x Lion UT1300 LiFePo4 Batteries (420Ah @24V)
1 x Victron MPPT 150|100Tr Solar Charge Controller
1 x Victron Cerbo GX
1 x Victron GX Flat Panel Screen
1 x Victron BMV 712 Battery Monitor
2 x Victron Lynx Distributor 1000A DC
2 x Victron Orion-Tr Smart 12/24-15A DC-DC Chargers
2 x Victron Energy Orion 24/12-70 DC-DC Converters
1 x Midnite Solar Combiner/Breaker (3X 30A breakers)
2 x Midnite Solar Baby Box Enclosure MNBABYBOX
2 x 60A Breakers
2 x 30A Breakers
1X Amp-L-Start Battery maintainer for Chassis Batteries
8 x 200W Hi Tech Solar Panels w/tilt brackets
1 x Onan QD 7500 Generator
1 x AC Affinity thermostat-controlled dual-fan vent
1 x 240V Subpanel with 10/3 wire run to future location for Dual Zone Mini-Split compressor��

The inverters are wired in Split-phase....... the only thing I currently have on the horizon is to add an autotransformer ~$600, that will allow me to feed both inverter/chargers directly from the on-board generator which while it is 7500W the output is on dual outputs that are not 120/240 capable so need a way to split-phase these outputs to feed both inverters and their resultant chargers when on other than a 50A shore power input.

For split phase Multiplus/Quattro setups, I suggest spending the extra $600 for another Autotransformer on the output side to load balance L1 and L2 across both inverters. Not at all necessary but really takes the setup to a new level of "set it and forget it".
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Old 01-27-2021, 10:35 AM   #39
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For split phase Multiplus/Quattro setups, I suggest spending the extra $600 for another Autotransformer on the output side to load balance L1 and L2 across both inverters. Not at all necessary but really takes the setup to a new level of "set it and forget it".
Not that much inm the whole scheme of things but........ Does it ever end?
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Old 01-27-2021, 04:35 PM   #40
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Paul65k....

Yup, I'm another recently retired pilot. Seems there are several of us in here. I've got an FPU in Nappanee. Really looking forward to that, seriously. It will be kinda like getting a Newmar type rating.

Jack
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Old 01-28-2021, 05:03 PM   #41
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SV K.....

Doing my own install would probably be ok with some adult supervision. Being a fairly large system (to me anyway) I'd prefer to have some actual expertise at the scene of the crime. I love to help/learn stuff, but I've seen too many RV's on fire by the side of the road to feel good about teaching myself such things.
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Old 01-28-2021, 10:43 PM   #42
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For split phase Multiplus/Quattro setups, I suggest spending the extra $600 for another Autotransformer on the output side to load balance L1 and L2 across both inverters. Not at all necessary but really takes the setup to a new level of "set it and forget it".
Do you have 240VAC devices? If not.... Then you don't need to "balance" the lines, they are independent of each other. That's why the generator is outputting 2 lines of 120 that are in phase with each other, not capable of generating 240VAC across them. I've got the same generator, the QD7500.

I don't know why you might want to run both chargers at the same time, can the battery bank even support taking a charge that fast? I've got 880 amps of flooded golf cart batteries and while I could *probably* bulk them at 80 amps.... I have self-limited to 60 to avoid bashing them too much.

I need to look at the inverter circuits in my coach to see whether there's actually two or not, and maybe separate them with another inverter rather than getting the 3000. The 12v/2000 is fine for MOST things, it's really only the kitchen stuff that makes the inverter cry in pain.
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