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07-02-2022, 09:56 AM
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#1
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Established Member
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Great river
Posts: 22
M.O.C. #30340
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Generator overload when charging lifepro batteries
We had a battery failure overnight that caused the batteries to completely shut down. Plugged the truck on for a few minutes and the batteries came back to life with only 10.5 V. Our Victron monitor says batteries are at 100% …. However, it appears this is inaccurate since the batteries indicate only 10.5V… we tried to charge the batteries with the generator. As soon as we connected them the generator goes into overload mode. Does anyone have any suggestions?
We have 2-100Ah battleborn lifepro 4 batteries
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07-02-2022, 10:03 AM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,166
M.O.C. #6433
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What size generator? Do you have shore power available?
Sounds like you may have a converter problem. Generator puts out 120 vac to the converter. Converter puts out 13+ vdc to charge the batteries. Converter is apparently pulling too many amps.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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07-02-2022, 11:05 AM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,689
M.O.C. #24086
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Lithium batteries can charge really fast.
With the batteries that low and in parallel, they are pulling down a LOT of amps.
I would recommend separating them and charging them individually. That should be half the current draw.
Also reset the SoC on your BVM to the correct level.
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07-02-2022, 11:21 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Arlington
Posts: 1,522
M.O.C. #18081
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First if you turn off the setting within your BMV to start at 100% your "inaccuraacy" will go away. Do you have an inverter/chaarger? If so you probably need to reduce the charge rate to something within the generator's output limitations. Remember that since your BMV has no idea what your SOC is don't rely upon that parameter until you have completed a full charge as indicated by voltage. When your batteries BMS LVCO kicked in your voltage was in the steepest decreasing part of the battery voltage curve.
__________________
SOB
2015 Volvo VNL780 D13, iShift, 32k ET air hitch, Idle Free LiFePO4 APU
16.8KWhr LiFePO4, 2.52 kw solar, 10kva Victron split phase
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07-02-2022, 12:01 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,166
M.O.C. #6433
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Even though the batteries can charge really fast, the converter should have current limiting on the charging circuit meaning it can only put out the max rated amps, not what the battery can take. If the DC output current is limited, then the AC current draw should also remain in spec. Yet the generator is going into overload. Seems either the converter is drawing too much current (which should trip its breaker) or the generator can’t handle the load, or both.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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07-02-2022, 01:08 PM
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#6
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Established Member
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Great river
Posts: 22
M.O.C. #30340
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Thanks for the reply’s and the suggestions .
Very very much appreciated !
Our generator is 2000 watts
Has 30 capacity .
Does our VictronConnect actually control what our batteries ?
At home on shore power 20 amp circuit I never had a problem .
Then again we never ever put the batteries to a full load test .
And for sure we ran them down with our 3000 watt inverter . Yes I shut off the converter before tuning in the inverter .
According to the monitor we had 17 amp HS Remaining so I thought we were doing ok.
I think part of the problem is that the fridge went into
Ac mode because I had it set at AU
Sorry we are really grasping at straws to understand
What this issues are.
Bty this is our shake down camping trip and this is really the one and only issue
I hope by providing more detail to our situation there Mite be some other issue I might have created .
Thanks again
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07-02-2022, 01:27 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: McKinney
Posts: 7,166
M.O.C. #6433
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2,000 watts is only 16.6 amps. I don’t think your generator has the power you need. Especially since you have no problem on 20 amp shore power.
__________________
Bill & Patricia
Riley, our Golden
2007 3075RL (recently sold, currently without)
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07-02-2022, 02:05 PM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Salem
Posts: 7,550
M.O.C. #2283
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Most if not all 2000 watt generators have only 1600 running watts or 13.3 amps. It’s really easy to overload them.
Lynwood
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07-02-2022, 03:00 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Arlington
Posts: 1,522
M.O.C. #18081
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As mentioned you are clearly surpassing the generator’s capability based upon it’s size.
We keep a Honda 2000 for emergencies and if I am forced to charge my batteries with it I limit my I/C’s current limit to 14 amps.
__________________
SOB
2015 Volvo VNL780 D13, iShift, 32k ET air hitch, Idle Free LiFePO4 APU
16.8KWhr LiFePO4, 2.52 kw solar, 10kva Victron split phase
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07-02-2022, 04:06 PM
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#10
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Aurora
Posts: 429
M.O.C. #26926
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If your inverter is Victron you can set the amperage it will use from shorepower/generator based on amps available using Connect. Mine is set to 50A on shore and 45A on generator (Onan 5500 generator). Should be set to 15A on a 2k watt generator. Other inverter/chargers have similar settings thru their control panels.
Also, assuming your post subject meant LiFePO4 lithium batteries, 17 amp hours left on you 200 amp hour LiFePO4 battery bank isn't "good" most manufacturers don't recommend more than 80% discharge for better battery life (talking only lithium here). At 17 you've discharged over 90%. See the Battleborn chart posted above.
__________________
Rip & Beth
2021 3121RL Legacy Cobalt FBP, MORryde IS & pin box
2020 F350 PSD CCLB SRW
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07-02-2022, 06:11 PM
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#11
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Established Member
Join Date: Jan 2022
Location: Great river
Posts: 22
M.O.C. #30340
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Thank you for everyone’s help. It was the generator being too small. We hooked up our 3550 generator and it worked fine. This is our first outing so we are still learning all the new devices. Clearly the Victron smart BMV isn’t setup correctly and that allowed our batteries to drain down further than we anticipated. We appreciate all your input and have learned a lot today.
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07-02-2022, 06:50 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Arlington
Posts: 1,522
M.O.C. #18081
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Just unselect the option to start at 100% on power loss.
__________________
SOB
2015 Volvo VNL780 D13, iShift, 32k ET air hitch, Idle Free LiFePO4 APU
16.8KWhr LiFePO4, 2.52 kw solar, 10kva Victron split phase
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07-02-2022, 10:59 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,144
M.O.C. #1920
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I assume you have a residential fridge. The solar systems are really new to dealers and they are not in most cases that knowledgeable. A residential fridge (while it’s running) is about 7 amps on 120v. That corresponds to 70 amps/hr on battery. Now, the average daily runtime is about 4 hrs/day. That’s 280 amps. Our rig, with nothing on but parasitic loads uses about 10 amps/hr. With our fridge on propane, we usually consume about 150 amps over night. With a residential fridge, you will be over that. As a side note, if you don’t have a DC to DC charge system, you will only get about 5 amps/hr from your truck. If you have factory solar, you can join the Factory Solar Flex group on Facebook. Best of luck. We also had battery issues our first trip. It’s a learning curve but lots of knowledgeable people around.
__________________
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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07-02-2022, 11:49 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Arlington
Posts: 1,522
M.O.C. #18081
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A modern residential fridge will consume considerably less energy than a RV fridge on AC.
__________________
SOB
2015 Volvo VNL780 D13, iShift, 32k ET air hitch, Idle Free LiFePO4 APU
16.8KWhr LiFePO4, 2.52 kw solar, 10kva Victron split phase
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07-03-2022, 07:21 AM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,144
M.O.C. #1920
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Not when it’s running on propane.
__________________
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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07-03-2022, 03:17 PM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Arlington
Posts: 1,522
M.O.C. #18081
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Agreed, but that’s not what I wrote.
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07-06-2022, 01:56 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Qualicum Beach
Posts: 665
M.O.C. #26399
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sjscrio
Thank you for everyone’s help. It was the generator being too small. We hooked up our 3550 generator and it worked fine. This is our first outing so we are still learning all the new devices. Clearly the Victron smart BMV isn’t setup correctly and that allowed our batteries to drain down further than we anticipated. We appreciate all your input and have learned a lot today.
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1. Go to the Battleborn website and get the settings for the BMV.
2. If you want to use truck alternator to charge then you need a DC to DC charger, and VERY large wires to connect, if it's a 20A DC-to-DC Victron then 2AWG wires.
__________________
2018 Keystone Montana 3811MS
2017 Ford F450 diesel dually
600AH Battle Born Lithium Batteries, 1,080 watts solar
3,000 watt hybrid inverter with 120A charger
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07-06-2022, 04:24 PM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Gardnerville
Posts: 1,252
M.O.C. #17163
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The 100 percent is not the Charge of the Batteries but the monitor is telling you that they are being charged. You must disconnect the truck to see the charge of the battery. A better way to tell the charge is by a battery tester .. remove the caps and test the charge of electrolyte.. 10.5 Volts is a DEAD battery.. A battery is fully charged at 12.8 volts and essentially dead at 12 volts...
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07-06-2022, 04:50 PM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,144
M.O.C. #1920
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DFB, he has lithium iron phosphate batteries. They don’t have electrolyte. Also, full charge is 14.6v. You are correct, in that even with a shunted battery monitor you will get a better voltage reading when additional sources (ie plugged into truck) are removed.
__________________
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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07-06-2022, 05:34 PM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Qualicum Beach
Posts: 665
M.O.C. #26399
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Which inverter/charger do you have? If it's the popuklar 3,000 watt then the charger is 120A at 12V so roughly 12A at 120V. That should not overload your generator as long as it';s rated for at least 1,440 Watts.
__________________
2018 Keystone Montana 3811MS
2017 Ford F450 diesel dually
600AH Battle Born Lithium Batteries, 1,080 watts solar
3,000 watt hybrid inverter with 120A charger
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