Basic Diagram Review

[gmflash88]

This should be self explanatory to many of you, but I need to crawl before I can walk and I think I have my system needs/wants finally narrowed down. I know there are other parts (shunt, fuses, breaker boxes, bus bars, etc), I'm just asking for a "second set" of eyes on my plan to make sure I have things in the right order.

Any input on my parts listed would be appreciated as well. Thanks all!

EDIT: I just realized that I didn't put a line to show that I would need to go from the house battery TO the inverter as well to feed the system when shore power isn't available

[ABBus]

I would add an "alternator to battery charger", to be able to charge your house batteries while on the road. I have the Sterling Power (400 amp). Much more efficient and better for the batteries than a direct connection to the alternator.

Edit: I didn't notice the DC-DC charger. Different system, same result, I guess!

[gmflash88]

Originally Posted by ABBus

I would add an "alternator to battery charger", to be able to charge your house batteries while on the road. I have the Sterling Power (400 amp). Much more efficient and better for the batteries than a direct connection to the alternator.

Edit: I didn't notice the DC-DC charger. Different system, same result, I guess!

No worries. Thanks for the reply! I’ve read a lot over the last couple weeks and just want to make sure I’m not missing any “major” components before I create a diagram that includes all the other pieces like shunt, bus bars, fuses, etc.

That Renogy DC-DC/MPPT combo device seems really nice and has gotten great reviews but my understanding is that while it’s a 50a charger, when the alternator is running, it will only allow 25a max to come from each source. So night driving/idling = 25a charging. I don’t know how much I should care about that just yet.

[ABBus]

Depends on your needs
My battery bank can be charged at 240 amp (0.15xC20), so that was my target. But we live in the bus and our needs in electricity may be higher that others.

[gmflash88]

Originally Posted by ABBus

Depends on your needs
My battery bank can be charged at 240 amp (0.15xC20), so that was my target. But we live in the bus and our needs in electricity may be higher that others.

We will be weekender/road trippers. We will seek out shore power but want to at least be able to get by for a day or two on battery power. If we know, for sure, we will be on a trip with questionable power, we will bring a gen.

The Renogy DC/DC charger does seem underpowered using the alternator, but I'm trying to cut down on the amount of parts.

Thanks for the reply!

[ABBus]

I think you'll be good.