Question Anybody added remote Lithionics BMS switch yet?

[MarkMaxPayne]

Color me jelous in that the 2024's with factory Lithionics Lithium installed now have a remote lighted switch to turn the batteries on and off (not the salesman switch--turns them fully off) in the overhead panel.

Sadly, my 2023 doesn't come with this external button and the BMS is positioned in the back of the bay behind the Xantrex inverters so you have to crawl into the bay to reach the switch built into the side of the BMS.

There are new 2024 models sitting here at Pacific Motorcoach Resort in Newport. OR from Beaver Coach Sales (out of Bend, OR), which do have the remote button so... I crawled in the bay to see the 23 pin connector they use to plug into the Lithionics BMS on my 2023 New Aire and the 2024 New Aire on display.

Whereas mine has 1 wire loom coming out of its 23 pin ampseal connector on the BMS (120VAC monitor via a brick that converts AC from a nearby plug to DC), their's has 2 wire looms coming out of their 23 pin connector. The 2nd loom that I don't have being for connecting a remote lighted BMS on/off switch.

Searching online it appears Lithionics makes a few variants of these 23 pin BMS connectors, including mine (one loom for AC coltage sense) and the one I saw on this 2024 New Aire that was on display (2 looms). Online I see they even make a 6 loom variant. Now to score one with at least the two looms and the remote button with cable. Before I try to figure out where to source these from since apparently Newmar and Lithionics only ships to dealers and their techs, anybody else already done this?

First attachment is a diagram of a 6 loom 23-pin ampseal connector. Next 2 pics is mine with only the single loom for AC sense). Then the 4th pic is the 2024 with the 2 loom cable, first for AC sense and 2nd to the remote button.

Best,
-Mark

 

[Webz]

Have you contacted Lithionics?
Maybe they would sell you the loom you need and tell you how to do it. Chances are you are not the only one interested.
At the bottom of this link Support | Lithionics Battery is a form you can submit for technical support.

 

[MarkMaxPayne]

Have you contacted Lithionics?
Maybe they would sell you the loom you need and tell you how to do it. Chances are you are not the only one interested.
At the bottom of this link Support | Lithionics Battery is a form you can submit for technical support.

I reached out to Lithionics, Newmar, and a couple of Lithionics' dealers I found online. Awaiting responses, which may be delayed due to the recent 4th of July weekend.

 

[Kevin D Pem]

For the life of me, I can't see a reason I would want such a feature. Maybe you can enlightened me!

 

[MarkMaxPayne]

For the life of me, I can't see a reason I would want such a feature. Maybe you can enlightened me!

A couple of reasons:
1) You want to work on your 12VDC house systems and it involves wiring. You want the house batteries disconnected while you do this work. Without the remote switch you have to empty a bay, crawl into it, and then press the blue power/reset switch on the side of the external BMS which is mounted behind the inverters and against the back of an inner chassis rail to turn them off.
2) For some reason the safety on the BMS has turned off the batteries (assune charge fell below 15% or some other cause). Without the remote switch you have to empty a bay, crawl into it, and then press the blue power/reset switch on the side of the external BMS which is mounted behind the inverters and against the back of an inner chassis rail to turn them back on.

Had the external BMS been located and mounted in a position where is was easily reached it wouldn't be an issue. I just saw a London Aire last week where the BMS was accessible on the side of a forward bay wall, but in the back corner with the reset button facing the back of the bay wall; you'd never know it was there and you'd have to feel for it as your fingers reached into 1" hidden gap behind it.

Hope this helps explain the need and why Newmar started providing remote power/reset buttons up in the overhead switch bay in 2024's and 2025's.

Best,
-Mark

 

[Kevin D Pem]

A couple of reasons:
1) You want to work on your 12VDC house systems and it involves wiring. You want the house batteries disconnected while you do this work. Without the remote switch you have to empty a bay, crawl into it, and then press the blue power/reset switch on the side of the external BMS which is mounted behind the inverters and against the back of an inner chassis rail to turn them off.
2) For some reason the safety on the BMS has turned off the batteries (assune charge fell below 15% or some other cause). Without the remote switch you have to empty a bay, crawl into it, and then press the blue power/reset switch on the side of the external BMS which is mounted behind the inverters and against the back of an inner chassis rail to turn them back on.

Had the external BMS been located and mounted in a position where is was easily reached it wouldn't be an issue. I just saw a London Aire last week where the BMS was accessible on the side of a forward bay wall, but in the back corner with the reset button facing the back of the bay wall; you'd never know it was there and you'd have to feel for it as your fingers reached into 1" hidden gap behind it.

Hope this helps explain the need and why Newmar started providing remote power/reset buttons up in the overhead switch bay in 2024's and 2025's.

Best,
-Mark

Thanks for that!! My stuff isn't that complicated! I figured you had a reason.

 

[MarkMaxPayne]

And this response from the folks at MasterOverland.com. I've placed my order so I'll let you all know if it works or if this quest was a waste of time and $.

Here is what you need to order:

Lithionics 75-240-180 Illuminated Remote Power Switch
and
Lithionics V9 AMPseal 75-H3-EBR harness 14 pin ampseal with ac sense and light reset

Best,
-Mark