Vic
Senior Member
After 4+ years of use (including one boneheaded resulting in low 9.0 volts and a few exposed plates last winter and a refill of distilled water), my 2 trusty 6v Golf Cart batteries are near the end I believe. They don't owe me anything and I'm not complaining, but I am going to take this opportunity to upgrade. And do it now so I'm ready for warm weather. Rather then a futile effort to try to squeeze one more season out of them and be doing this the night before a trip. Anyway....
After some time on the phone with the great folks from Battle Born Batteries and reading a ton of webpages, I have my plan in order. They were absolutely stellar in assisting me and my limited electrical knowledge. As I finalize my order with them, I want to put my thoughts in order and appreciate any input. I never thought I'd spend $1000 on a battery, but buy once, cry once, right?
My rig - 2015 Hallmark Everest. 3+ season camper but have been known to camp in single digits.
Currently
2 GC2; 6v 210 ah batteries
200w of Solar on the roof
Zamp ZS-30A Solar Controller
Progressive Dynamics PD4045KA converter
My Plan:
No changes to the solar panels or the Zamp
Swap out the converter section of the PD converter to a lithium compatible brain (seems easy enough?)
Add a Victron 712 with bluetooth and a display (also seems relatively easy...and cool data)
1 Battle Born 12v 100ah battery (heated, for those cold trips)
Despite my normal 'more is more' tendencies, I'm going to start with just a single 12v. I'd need major carpentry to fit two, and if it just isn't doing it I can add a second next year (but then likely need more solar). And truth be told when the 6v's are working well, I did have adequate power for my style of camping.
Any other components or pitfalls I'm not thinking of? I fully admit electrical is not my area of expertise, but I can follow basic instructions and this doesn't seem that challenging. I was a little concerned about the upgrade of the PD converter, but as I pulled the panel this afternoon it doesn't look that bad.
I've never gotten good charging off of the truck, and am hoping this change may help that issue as well. For reasons I don't understand, I frequently had the solar boiling off the batteries last summer. Probably due to my mistreatment of the batteries. One of my goals on this project is a low maintenance set up that is somewhat idiot proof.
I do have interior access to my battery box so in cold temps I can open a cabinet door and let them enjoy the heat. I also plan to insulate the front of the currently vented battery box.
It is always helpful to put my thoughts in order and appreciate any comments or suggestions.
Thanks!
-Vic
After some time on the phone with the great folks from Battle Born Batteries and reading a ton of webpages, I have my plan in order. They were absolutely stellar in assisting me and my limited electrical knowledge. As I finalize my order with them, I want to put my thoughts in order and appreciate any input. I never thought I'd spend $1000 on a battery, but buy once, cry once, right?
My rig - 2015 Hallmark Everest. 3+ season camper but have been known to camp in single digits.
Currently
2 GC2; 6v 210 ah batteries
200w of Solar on the roof
Zamp ZS-30A Solar Controller
Progressive Dynamics PD4045KA converter
My Plan:
No changes to the solar panels or the Zamp
Swap out the converter section of the PD converter to a lithium compatible brain (seems easy enough?)
Add a Victron 712 with bluetooth and a display (also seems relatively easy...and cool data)
1 Battle Born 12v 100ah battery (heated, for those cold trips)
Despite my normal 'more is more' tendencies, I'm going to start with just a single 12v. I'd need major carpentry to fit two, and if it just isn't doing it I can add a second next year (but then likely need more solar). And truth be told when the 6v's are working well, I did have adequate power for my style of camping.
Any other components or pitfalls I'm not thinking of? I fully admit electrical is not my area of expertise, but I can follow basic instructions and this doesn't seem that challenging. I was a little concerned about the upgrade of the PD converter, but as I pulled the panel this afternoon it doesn't look that bad.
I've never gotten good charging off of the truck, and am hoping this change may help that issue as well. For reasons I don't understand, I frequently had the solar boiling off the batteries last summer. Probably due to my mistreatment of the batteries. One of my goals on this project is a low maintenance set up that is somewhat idiot proof.
I do have interior access to my battery box so in cold temps I can open a cabinet door and let them enjoy the heat. I also plan to insulate the front of the currently vented battery box.
It is always helpful to put my thoughts in order and appreciate any comments or suggestions.
Thanks!
-Vic