Seat Base Electric + EHU + Solar Install + Charger + DC-DC -- How We Done it --

[roadtripper]

Potential alternative path, get a smaller and basic lithium for about the same price as an AGM, then upgrade to something nicer/larger later.



EcoWorthy are a not terrible brand, no frills and need a freezing charge cutoff (which you should have) and the 50aH will give about the same usable capacity as a 100aH AGM for £140 currently.



Thing is the AGM will take all the space right now, meaning you need to move kit that will stay long term to less ideal places, and when you replace with a nice 105aH Roamer you will have a gap...

 

[360ian]

That's the best way to do it, just check which way around the potential LiFePO4 battery has it's terminals, you might find they're the opposite to your AGM which makes putting wiring in with the plan to upgrade, tricky! Also, ring terminals for the battery terminals, as you don't want to be re crimping a battery cable under the seat.

If you spec everything for your planned LiFePO4 battery then when the time comes, you should be able to just lift out the old battery and put the new one in.

Maybe put a fogstar drift seatbase battery on the wedding gift list?

It’s a great idea in principal, not sure I’d get it passed by the long haired general!

 

[360ian]

I’ve had a good play over the last couple of days and with the use of some temporary flyboard I think I’ve sussed it! I will finalise layout and wiring runs and then cut the board (neater!) using hex ply to match the incoming kitchen units!

Thank you all for the advice!

 

[TallPaul_S]

Just a suggestion - put at least the main DC-DC charger vertically. Not only will you save some space, but those chargers can run hot and the air needs to flow over the fins at the back, with it vertical they'll have clear airflow.

Although, I'm guessing you have stuff underneath the board where the charger etc are mounted?

 

[360ian]

Thank you, the original plan was to have it vertical but I can’t fit it all in. At the moment the shelf it sits on has a hole cut out under the DC-DC charger and it’s reverse mounted to drop it lower. The only thing mounted underneath is the bus bars so it should get plenty of airflow underneath (hopefully!).

 

[TallPaul_S]

Thank you, the original plan was to have it vertical but I can’t fit it all in. At the moment the shelf it sits on has a hole cut out under the DC-DC charger and it’s reverse mounted to drop it lower. The only thing mounted underneath is the bus bars so it should get plenty of airflow underneath (hopefully!).

Fair enough, those chargers are pretty large so hard to fit it where you want.

Are you going to fit a smart shunt? It'll give you a state of charge of your battery, as it measures to total current in and out of the battery.

 

[360ian]

Fair enough, those chargers are pretty large so hard to fit it where you want.

Are you going to fit a smart shunt? It'll give you a state of charge of your battery, as it measures to total current in and out of the battery.

It was taller than imagined but by reverse mounting it give me an extra 15mm of space so it clears the bottom of the seat well.

Yes I have a smart shunt in the kit. I got it all from Rayne Automotive so know that everything should be there for what I need!

 

[roadtripper]

Thank you, the original plan was to have it vertical but I can’t fit it all in. At the moment the shelf it sits on has a hole cut out under the DC-DC charger and it’s reverse mounted to drop it lower. The only thing mounted underneath is the bus bars so it should get plenty of airflow underneath (hopefully!).

Is there space to hang the Orion under the shelf - the cooling will be a lot more effective if the fins are on the top as the hot air can rise straight up and cooler air flow in from the side - fins down both the hot and cool air are trying to flow in the same space and direction?

 

[360ian]

Is there space to hang the Orion under the shelf - the cooling will be a lot more effective if the fins are on the top as the hot air can rise straight up and cooler air flow in from the side - fins down both the hot and cool air are trying to flow in the same space and direction?

This is a great idea, yes there is room to flip it 180º. Thank you for the suggestion!

 

[Dellmassive]

We need to update this thread with some new installs.

There has been loads of new ones.

So Let's see them.

 

[Strettyp]

Is there a particularly suitable Lithium battery around 150ah with frost protection that people would recommend as being a good size for under the passenger seat?

There's a lot of choice out there and would like recommendations without having to fanny around taking the seat off etc!

 

[Dellmassive]

150 is a bit of an odd size. . . .

Roamer is the only one i can think of that do a 160 in a 100 size case. . . .


Roamer do a 160, but no heater. . .

Roamer - Premium LiFePO4 lithium Leisure Batteries

Roamer SMART4, XTREME and HOME - the next generation in 12v 24V and 48V LiFePO4 lithium leisure batteries for campervans, motorhomes and boats. From 100Ah to 460Ah capacity with Bluetooth BMS, Victron GX integration, Active Balancing and low temperature charge protection. 5 Star UK support, 10...

roamer.com

..


Fogstar do a 105 or 230. - with heather.

Lithium Leisure Battery | Fogstar UK

‘Fogstar Drift’ Lithium Leisure Battery | All models include Grade A EVE Prismatic LiFePO4 cells, High Discharge JBD BMS, Bluetooth, Heating | Lowest Prices in the UK. 10 Year Warranty.

www.fogstar.co.uk

renogy do, 100, 200

Lithium Battery,Leisure Battery,Solar Panel Battery|Renogy UK

Lithium batteries have a longer life cycle compared to AGM and GEL batteries. The 12 volt batteries are the solar batteries most cost effective.

uk.renogy.com

+++++++++


ecoworthy do a 150, but poor BMS, no heater etc etc. . .



.

 

[Foxxy]

A huge thank you for all those that went before me, as this thread was super useful… I’m no expert, but here is to sharing back my attempt with some pictures…. Yep I agree the fuse box isn’t in an ideal position… my hope, is not have to many blown fuses!

 

[TallPaul_S]

I should really post mine too!


It's still a slight work in progress. 2000w inverter to add on the rear of the seat base, and a more permanent strap system (using the mount for the inverter to hold the straps going around the battery.

Solar is also yet to be activated, I'm waiting for the panel to come back in stock.

Just in case you can't see this is what's hiding in there:

Fogstar drift 230Ah seatbase battery
300a MRBF terminal fuse
Victron Orion XS 50a DC-DC charger
Victron Smart shunt
Victron 100/20 MPPT
Victron Cerbo GX
Factory fuses (diesel heater, 3x 12v sockets) relocated to a new 4x fusebox
2nd 4x fusebox for additional lights/USB ports etc
Renogy 2000w inverter to be fitted on the seat base rear

 

[Green Giant]

Hi
Can I ask, if you have the space, would it be a good idea to have a thin 5-10mm layer of insulation between the metal van floor and the lithium battery and if yes what sort of insulation, would a section of foil backed camping sleep mat be ok?
I’ve got s section of this left in the garage after making some insulation for behind our van shades blinds
Ta

 

[roadtripper]

What would the insulation achieve?

It's not going to keep the battery significantly warmer if you are thinking about the charging below zero issue.

If you are thinking about spreading out the load or reducing rattles then I wouldn't advise using any insulation with a metal layer near high current electrics from a safety point of view, however unlikely.

 

[Dellmassive]

There should be rubber mating or carpet under the seat box on the floor.......

Just watch out for the stud and dommed nut under the carpet...

I cut mine off on both vans as I have the larger 230ah batterys...

 

[Green Giant]

Was for a bit of everything, insulation from cold and condensation and to help stop rattles from battery, I get your point about the foil, I’ll hunt out a bit of rubber

 

[waneos]

Hello,

A few months ago, I installed victron mppt 75/15 and renogy dc50-50 (well a specialist installed). I have the OEM leaisure battery coming with california (AGM 75A). I have the felling since the MPPT an the DC charger was installed: It is drawing the battery.

One week without using the van (thefore no chargin the battery). The battery is completely discharged. I have made sure that everything is off, but still if it shows a consume of 1A in the OEM panel that it is coming from the van.

Do you have any idea what it is happening? Thank you.

Best regards,

 

[waneos]

Also is it normal to hear some sound coming from the dc charger? it sounds like bipbip.