Somewhereinusa

[somewhereinusa]

I got a new toy. I was going to put in the windshield but, the tint is too dark. Now I'm going to have to build some sort of marquee. I've been having a bit of fun designing some pictures to fit. UI for the Chinese program is a bit odd but I have it mostly figured out. Here's a test of some of the pics I designed for it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsDj...ature=youtu.be

[Sleddgracer]

Originally Posted by somewhereinusa

I got a new toy. I was going to put in the windshield but, the tint is too dark. Now I'm going to have to build some sort of marquee. I've been having a bit of fun designing some pictures to fit. UI for the Chinese program is a bit odd but I have it mostly figured out. Here's a test of some of the pics I designed for it.

good stuff

[Mark_In_MA]

Originally Posted by somewhereinusa

I got a new toy. I was going to put in the windshield but, the tint is too dark. Now I'm going to have to build some sort of marquee. I've been having a bit of fun designing some pictures to fit. UI for the Chinese program is a bit odd but I have it mostly figured out. Here's a test of some of the pics I designed for it.

Totally something I want to have on my future bus.
Also either a nice dashcam, or a little window for a GoPro.

[ermracing]

Originally Posted by somewhereinusa

I got a new toy. I was going to put in the windshield but, the tint is too dark. Now I'm going to have to build some sort of marquee. I've been having a bit of fun designing some pictures to fit. UI for the Chinese program is a bit odd but I have it mostly figured out. Here's a test of some of the pics I designed for it.

Pretty cool! Can we text images to it??

[somewhereinusa]

Been working on my solar/lithium set up. Here's a proposed wiring diagram for my bus. Only thing I'm not really sure about is whether to put circuit breakers between solar panels and charge controller. I already have 4 of the batteries installed and am using them. Two more batteries to be picked up the end of the month. All solar is purchased awaiting install.



Not included in this diagram is the heated pad circuit for keeping the batteries warm and wiring for the latching contactor that will unhook batteries in case of heat fail. Latching contactor also has a switch in cabin to manually unhook batteries for everything. Start battery is included because the inverter/charger has an extra circuit to maintain the start battery.

[TJones]

Originally Posted by somewhereinusa

Been working on my solar/lithium set up. Here's a proposed wiring diagram for my bus. Only thing I'm not really sure about is whether to put circuit breakers between solar panels and charge controller. I already have 4 of the batteries installed and am using them. Two more batteries to be picked up the end of the month. All solar is purchased awaiting install.



Not included in this diagram is the heated pad circuit for keeping the batteries warm and wiring for the latching contactor that will unhook batteries in case of heat fail. Latching contactor also has a switch in cabin to manually unhook batteries for everything. Start battery is included because the inverter/charger has an extra circuit to maintain the start battery.

Looks like a nice set up! I really like the features of the victron equipment. I am no solar expert but I think it would be nice to have a breaker before each panel so that any or all the panel could be isolated in the event you need to work on wiring or have a panel get damaged.

If the location of your amp meter shunt were moved to the positive lead where all the batteries connected would it also be able to account for the amps in from the solar as well as the alternator?

Ted

[Seriousracer]

I really think you need a true isolator on the start and alt circute

[PNW_Steve]

Any time you have more than two parallel strings you need overcurrent protection on each string.

Midnite makes a "combiner box" that houses breakers for each string and combines them before the charge controller.

I think that your battery configuration is less than ideal. I heard it described well - you are "stuck in the 12v box".

There are some great stickies covering battery sizing, configuration and care over on www.solarpaneltalk.com

Good luck.

[o1marc]

It was recommended to me to have a breaker between the panels and the CC.

[peteg59]

Originally Posted by o1marc

It was recommended to me to have a breaker between the panels and the CC.

Any/all types of circuit protection is a good thing, IMO...^
"Cheap insurance" as they say.

[Drew Bru]

We've got circuit breakers on either side of the charge controller, with a double pole breaker on the solar panels side.

[somewhereinusa]

Originally Posted by Seriousracer

I really think you need a true isolator on the start and alt circute

What could isolate more than an open solenoid?

[ol trunt]

I'm just being a smart a$$ but what could isolate less than a failed solenoid?
Jack

[BlackJohn]

Good call Jack on a bad solenoid, likely messy.


John

[somewhereinusa]

Well, in 55 years or so of working with things automotive I can't say I've seen solenoids fail more than a handfull of times. Never in the closed position. Usually they operate but don't make contact. Appreciate the advice but, I'm going to go with what I know and already have on this one.

I just checked with my son, who works in the RV industry and designs motorhome, he said the high end motorhomes still use solenoids.

In looking at my diagram again I see I have left off a couple of things, I'll redraw and post again.

TJones

If the location of your amp meter shunt were moved to the positive lead where all the batteries connected would it also be able to account for the amps in from the solar as well as the alternator?

Good catch, the shunt needs to be on the negative side, all I have to do is move the negative cable from the charge controller to the other side of the shunt.

[brokedown]

I'm currently using a marine battery bank switch to manually control a connection between banks, but I have been planning to replace it with an esp32, voltage sensors, and a big solenoid to connect them automatically in the future. My experience is also that solenoids fail open.

[Seriousracer]

Originally Posted by ol trunt

I'm just being a smart a$$ but what could isolate less than a failed solenoid?
Jack

Low voltage high amp can weld a solenoid contacts together. Not uncommon.

Continuous operation solenoids (make sure you understand the difference between momentary and continuous) leave opens for other things to happen. Just think a true isolator with mosfet is better than mechanical solenoids. And safer.

[brokedown]

This all assumes you have an appropriate circuit breaker. If you're welding your solenoid shut you've far exceeded its rating and have likely exceeded the ratings of your wire and connectors as well.

[somewhereinusa]

Amended wiring diagram.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by somewhereinusa

Well, in 55 years or so of working with things automotive I can't say I've seen solenoids fail more than a handfull of times. Never in the closed position.

You brought back memories of a cross country trip in a big Uhaul truck.

Out in the sticks and stopped for fuel. When I started the truck to leave the solenoid failed in the closed position. I was really surprised at how long the starter spun before it quit. I don't know if the battery or the starter failed first.

12 hours later Uhaul brought me another truck. Then I got to move all of my stuff into the new truck and carry on.