Electrical Upgrade Continues

Thursday - The inverter/charger is mostly installed. I need more large wire nuts to splice into the shore/generator line as they are all 10/2 romex (large gauge solid wires). 

I installed the Victron VE.bus configuration software on my Windows laptop and connected to the inverter/charger via USB. I configured the SmartShunt using my phone via Bluetooth. I have most of the setup done and found a YouTube video from the SOK importer with their recommended settings. 

This space is cramped as I still need to install the DC-DC charger and the solar charge controller. I’m leaving the stock AGM battery in place but disconnected from the RV. It will be used to start and run the Onan 4.5K generator. I may have the built-in converter charge that battery whenever the generator is running or plugged into shore power. There is an isolation relay with some electronics to charge the built in battery when the engine is running. The generator adds a some complexity that I hadn’t thought about before. 

Friday - Inverter/charger installation is complete. New addition are the DC-DC charger on the left, the solar disconnect right above it, and the junction box on the floor where I inserted the inverter into the shore/generator cable. I tested the all of the outlets and the microwave. I plugged in shore power and limited the current to 12amps and turned on the A/C. It works with the additional power being supplied from the battery. 

I need to order a long (25’-30’) of 6awg cable to run from the start battery to the DC-DC charger. And I need about 6’ of 2/0 cable to run from the Lynx Distributor to chassis ground. 

D’Hanis, TX - SKP

Tuesday - Yesterday was a busy day. We “hosted” a St Patrick’s Day dinner here at the park. Corned beef, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, Irish soda bread, and applesauce cake. We had over 50 people and there was a lot of cabbage and potatoes left over. I didn’t get around to taking any pictures. Afterwards, I was too tired to do much else.

We went into the outskirts of San Antonio for some shopping. Including Daiso, which is kind of a Japanese dollar store. Lots of cheap items. I didn’t see anything I had to have. Then on to Hobby Lobby. Followed by a delicious lunch at Chicken Salad Chick. I had a toasted spicy pimento cheese BLT. Very different as I never had pimento cheese before. 

Wednesday - The regular early morning coffee got me up and about. I picked up the class C and started installing ½" plywood on the inside of the one of the dining seats. This will allow me to install all of the components for the upgraded electrical system. 

On the left is a Vctron 2000 watt sine-wave inverter/charger. It also functions as a configurable battery charger and will deliver up to 70amps. In addition, it has features such as PowerAssist. This allows you to add additional power to your shore power connection. For example, you choose to limit shore power to 10amps to avoid blowing a breaker. And you want to run a high current appliance. The inverter/charger will add up to 2000 watts to allow the appliance to run by combining battery power with shore power. 

To the right is a Victron Lynx Distributor. Basically a positive and negative buss bar with up to four fused circuits. Next to that is a single SOK 206ah LiFePO4 battery. Above the battery is a Victron 500amp shunt, and to the right is a 300amp ANL fuse. Two more components need to be added to this space. A 30amp DC-DC charger and a solar charge controller. 

The two lengths of romex will get patched into the shore power connection after cutting the existing cable. I still need to finish the 12V run between the SOK battery, the ANL fuse, the main shutoff switch and the Lynx Distributor. Then on to configuration. 

Misc. Activities - SKP

Thursday - This morning, before it got too warm, I rode the Ural to Uvalde to pick up a prescription. I also wanted to check out the building supply store for half-height strut channel. They had it and the cost was the same as Home Depot. This location is more convenient as I need to use the trailer to pick them up.  By the time I got back to Hondo, it was getting pretty warm. Most of the rest of the day was spent in the RV with the A/C. 

Friday - I'm starting to build out the revised electrical system for the class C. I will be moving one SOK 206ha battery from the class A, installing a Lynx Distributor, Multiplus 2K inverter/charger, Orion DC-DC charger, and probably moving the solar charge controller from the class A. Here is a "before" picture.

By noon, it was approaching 90°F. Too warm to do much work outside. I started to remove one battery but need to turn off most of the DC which would include the A/C control boards. I’ll wait until it cools off. Tomorrow, the wind is forecast to be over 45mph.

D’Hanis, TX - SKP

Tuesday - It’s another warm one today. 

Wednesday - I worked on the class C a bit this morning before it warmed up too much. 

The storage compartment locks were keyed with the ultra common CH751 locks. I replaced them with tubular locks like I had done on the 5th wheel. 

The next task was a rear view camera. Power for the camera is from the center clearance light so the camera is on whenever the taillights are on. I am trying having the 7” monitor zip tied to the rear view mirror. There is no rear window so the mirror is kind of useless. I still need to route the monitor power cable.

The next task was opening up one of the dining seats where I plan to install the upgraded electrical system. I suspected that there would be plenty of room. I’ll need to remove the white tube which is storage for the table leg.