If you get a Victron IP65 you can wire one of the quick connectors in to give you an emergency top up option rather than full 240v EHU.
Battery Ah size recommendations
- Thread starter tolbot boulton
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Can you explain this to me please? I'm fairly well up on the basics but not 100% sure what you mean. Are you suggesting connecting a power station?
Thanks
I mean that if you decide to have a 12v only power solution (which is viable these days) you may want to think about having a backup plan for the rare occasions your driving and solar doesn't provide enough energy.
For that purpose installing a full EHU isn't worth it. But you could buy the Victron IP65 15A maintenance charger. That will come with 2 sets of connectors that connect to the chargers 12v lead via a "quick connector", one with the traditional "crocodile clips" and one with wiring eyelets.
If while you are doing the work you install the wiring eyelets connector into a spare way on your fuse box so that the "quick connector" is accessible then you have a backup plan.
The charger is quite compact so shouldn't take up much room to store, and the "crocodile clips" lead can be used to charge the main battery if needed as well.
![Victron-bluesmart-IP65-charger-12V-15A-main[1].jpg](https://www.t6forum.com/data/attachments/247/247267-961e1a0ab40aa2cc4683175d1c49baac.jpg "Victron-bluesmart-IP65-charger-12V-15A-main[1].jpg")
Ah okay I understand, I already have a hook up installed so it would just be an upgrade to the current battery charger. I've ordered the IP65.
Next issue is fitting it all under the driver's seat, I believe the lithiums use a taller battery case so it will probably need to go on it's side. I also have my diesel heater ducting at the rear of the driver's seat. Guess I'll see when it arrives....
What battery have you gone for?
There's acres of room in the seat base with a 100Ah LiFePO4.
www.t6forum.com
There's acres of room in the seat base with a 100Ah LiFePO4.
What Have You Done To Your Van Today?
Swapped the PWM on my folding solar panel for the new Victron 75/10 Fits in nicely with the help of some velcro Quick test, giving some output, even though it is very overcast
Most lithium can go on their side as they are not a liquid electrolyte but double check if the one you have chosen is OK - some can't because of the internal arrangement of cells and BMS.
Loads of room there, fairly sure the case is the same in the battery I ordered. You've lessened my worries so thank you!What battery have you gone for?
There's acres of room in the seat base with a 100Ah LiFePO4.
What Have You Done To Your Van Today?
Swapped the PWM on my folding solar panel for the new Victron 75/10 Fits in nicely with the help of some velcro Quick test, giving some output, even though it is very overcast
View attachment 248022
Be very careful to set the low temperature cut off in all your chargers then.
Low temperature charging isn't just one of those things that if you ignore it it will take a bit of life off the battery, it can cause serious issues, see here
Lithium LifePo4 12v Batteries - Time For An Upgrade?
Did I mention i bought a ECO-Worthy Lifepo4? this was OCT/NOV 2023. . . . but looks like i missed doing the post? 100Ah 12.8v Right, so getting back to this. . . ECO-WORTHY 100Ah Lifepo4 while abroad sunning it up in Spain for a while this popped up. . . £279.99 seemed like a good...
You will be lucky to get a battery and ip65 under the seat if there is ducting there too. I had the same issue so put the battery and DC-DC under the single passenger seat and just the iP65 under the drivers seat. Mine is connected via the quick release connector which is permanently installed and a normal plug into an extra socket under the seat so I can remove it if I want to charge other vehicles. To be honest it will be rarely used as I don’t need EHU now I’ve got lifepo4 and solar. It’s very liberating not needing EHU and makes site selection infinitely more flexible.
Pic of under passenger seat:
I'll take a look, thank you. We did factor this as we don't tend to use the van in sub zero temps but I will install a cut off. ThanksBe very careful to set the low temperature cut off in all your chargers then.
Low temperature charging isn't just one of those things that if you ignore it it will take a bit of life off the battery, it can cause serious issues, see here
Lithium LifePo4 12v Batteries - Time For An Upgrade?
Did I mention i bought a ECO-Worthy Lifepo4? this was OCT/NOV 2023. . . . but looks like i missed doing the post? 100Ah 12.8v Right, so getting back to this. . . ECO-WORTHY 100Ah Lifepo4 while abroad sunning it up in Spain for a while this popped up. . . £279.99 seemed like a good...
The IP65 will be installed next to the consumer unit in a cupboard in the rear of the van so shouldn't be an issue.
A manual cut off isn't sufficiently safe, especially if you have solar. You need to ensure the chargers stop charging near freezing.
If neither your chargers nor your battery have configurable low temperature cutoffs then I'd strongly recommend you look at other devices that do.
Ah, cool. Forgot you had said that! Should be no problem with just the battery and ducting under the seat.
This ^^
Solar is the main one but DC-DC also needs it. You can very easily find the battery charging from solar on a cold, sunny winters morning, and you can't rely on remembering to manually switch off charging.
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Okay is there anything you'd recommend as a cut off other than a different battery/bms? Thanks
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Yep, that’s good for the MPPT. You could leave the iP65 unplugged and manage that easily enough, especially if you are not camping in winter. You will need a way to prevent charging from the DC-DC when the battery is frozen as well. I’m not familiar with your charger but it’s possible you could rig up a temp sensor on the battery that switches the DC-DC on/off. Loads of YouTube videos showing how to do that with a cheap eBay/Amazon sensor. Or they may do a probe as an option.
You may not need that for the MPPT, it might have low temperature cut off built in:
However, to enable that it needs a temperature reading, and there's no option for a temperature sensor directly on the MPPT.
However, if you have a SmartShunt with the temp sensor on the aux input, you can share this with the MPPT via a ve smart network.
Yeah I don't have a smart shunt so I need a temp reading for the mppt. Would a shunt be a better option than the battery sense?
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