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07-11-2022, 06:57 PM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: POINTBLANK
Posts: 1,900
M.O.C. #19944
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Adding Lithium Batteries
Going to install Lithium batteries - think the best place to mount might be vertical in the basement. Reason is better temperature control especially in winter camping. Was thinking the front wall so mount would be close to ALL electrical connections but would put MPPT with battery.
Am I mistaken in thoughts or better plan??
__________________
RAM 22' DRW 3500 Crew LB 40 gal reserve tank / RETRAX Bed Cover / 2020 373RD HC / IS / MOPEKA Tank Monitor / Furrion Side&Rear Cameras
Slide Toppers / EMS-HW50C / Sailun 85's
3rd AC / Dometic 320
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07-11-2022, 11:39 PM
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#2
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Mesa
Posts: 288
M.O.C. #24588
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Congrats on your plan to go lithium! Is Pointblank in Texas? First, locating the battery(s) as close as possible to your other 12 volt cabling, inverter, transfer switch, fuse panel etc., is a wise one. By MPPT I assume you are referring to some type of solar system/panels. Depending on your total battery storage capacity and solar panel sizes, you may be able to use 12 volt heating pads to protect your lithium batteries from freezing temperatures. The BMS of lithium batteries protects them from being charged when they fall below an internal temperature of 32 degrees. A strong lithium system contains several elements such as 400ah or greater battery capacity, 600+ watts of solar panels, a 60 amp solar charger, a shunt to measure current flow in and out of batteries, direct current rated circuit breaker between solar panels and MPPT controller, main battery disconnect, 300 amp fuse at battery output, separate battery bus bar terminals to combine negative cables and positive cables. A safety note: always connect battery to solar controller first, then solar panels can be connected to solar controller. I use a transfer switch to connect all my outlets to the inverter when boondocking. A push of a button on the inverter remote activates the transfer switch to send power to both legs of the 120 volt outlets. Just have to make sure the breaker to voltage converter is off and to run water heater and refrigerator off of propane. No, you won't be able to run the a/c units off of your batteries, but a second transfer switch to introduce a generator can add that to your Swiss army knife system.
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07-12-2022, 03:04 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: POINTBLANK
Posts: 1,900
M.O.C. #19944
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Quote:
Originally Posted by firestation12
Congrats on your plan to go lithium! Is Pointblank in Texas? First, locating the battery(s) as close as possible to your other 12 volt cabling, inverter, transfer switch, fuse panel etc., is a wise one. By MPPT I assume you are referring to some type of solar system/panels. Depending on your total battery storage capacity and solar panel sizes, you may be able to use 12 volt heating pads to protect your lithium batteries from freezing temperatures. The BMS of lithium batteries protects them from being charged when they fall below an internal temperature of 32 degrees. A strong lithium system contains several elements such as 400ah or greater battery capacity, 600+ watts of solar panels, a 60 amp solar charger, a shunt to measure current flow in and out of batteries, direct current rated circuit breaker between solar panels and MPPT controller, main battery disconnect, 300 amp fuse at battery output, separate battery bus bar terminals to combine negative cables and positive cables. A safety note: always connect battery to solar controller first, then solar panels can be connected to solar controller. I use a transfer switch to connect all my outlets to the inverter when boondocking. A push of a button on the inverter remote activates the transfer switch to send power to both legs of the 120 volt outlets. Just have to make sure the breaker to voltage converter is off and to run water heater and refrigerator off of propane. No, you won't be able to run the a/c units off of your batteries, but a second transfer switch to introduce a generator can add that to your Swiss army knife system.
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Poiintblank is in Texas - Thank you for input
__________________
RAM 22' DRW 3500 Crew LB 40 gal reserve tank / RETRAX Bed Cover / 2020 373RD HC / IS / MOPEKA Tank Monitor / Furrion Side&Rear Cameras
Slide Toppers / EMS-HW50C / Sailun 85's
3rd AC / Dometic 320
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07-12-2022, 07:05 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,782
M.O.C. #24086
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I put mine in the forward battery compartment.
I did add insulation and made my own battery heaters.
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...90#post1255190
__________________
Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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07-12-2022, 02:54 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Northeast TX
Posts: 974
M.O.C. #30262
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daryles
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Daryl - Looking for Pros and Cons of utilizing the space aft of the pass through compartment vice the original front battery bay for everything other than the Giggy Box (or whatever it is called) up in the front bay for the rest of the normal 12 volt circuitry. Just thinking the LiFePo4 batteries would be protected from cold if in the heated underbelly so long as one was winter camping and has the gas furnace running. Otherwise it seems as like your install of extra insulation and heater blankets would be the better option. Thoughts?
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Lee, Edith, Lil' Bit & Cuddles
22 MHC 331RL, Surge Guard 35550, SumoSprings, Kodiak disc brakes, 412Ah Lithium, Gen 3 Goosebox, Sailun 85s
22 Ram 3500 CC DRW 6.7 CTD Herrin Hauler Classic Bed, 45 gal AUX tank
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07-13-2022, 05:50 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,782
M.O.C. #24086
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Lee-CI
I put them in the battery compartment because I didn't want to give up and storage space in the basement.
Yes it does mean I have to be a little more proactive if camping in cold weather, but with the extra insulation it holds the temperature in that compartment very well.
__________________
Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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07-13-2022, 06:07 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: POINTBLANK
Posts: 1,900
M.O.C. #19944
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daryles
Lee-CI
I put them in the battery compartment because I didn't want to give up and storage space in the basement.
Yes it does mean I have to be a little more proactive if camping in cold weather, but with the extra insulation it holds the temperature in that compartment very well.
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I have the 373RD - storage space isn't my issue. Thx for the reply
__________________
RAM 22' DRW 3500 Crew LB 40 gal reserve tank / RETRAX Bed Cover / 2020 373RD HC / IS / MOPEKA Tank Monitor / Furrion Side&Rear Cameras
Slide Toppers / EMS-HW50C / Sailun 85's
3rd AC / Dometic 320
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07-20-2022, 07:46 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,164
M.O.C. #1920
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Les, I am not sure if pin weight is an issue for you, but the further back will reduce pin weight. Also, one issue with our Super Solar is access to components. Not sure if your batteries have the heaters built in. Temp may not be an issue.
__________________
Ron and Terrie Ames - MOC #1920/KF0NTA
2021Montana 3230CK Super Solar Legacy Package
2021 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn, BIM Charging
4x4, SRW, LB, Crew Cab, Pullrite 3900 Hitch
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