MOD Should have done this years ago

[Chargerman]

Thanks guys. When I get back north to the coach I’ll have to check my inverter. It’s a Magnum and I think it has Li capacities but will need to confirm. I store my coach for the winter and will likely remove the battery and leave it in the house during that time as I don’t like to leave the coach plugged when we are gone for the winter

 

[lostinfla]

If it has a "Custom" setting, you should be good to go

 

[newmarokie]

One thing anyone contemplating the change needs to be cognizant of: Does your generator use house or chassis batteries to start? I had three 206 ah SOK batteries and pulled one out. They have 150 amp BMS units that are tested and actually cut off at 170. Occasionally if I start the generator, it will trip the BMS in one of the batteries. Just make sure you know what you know. Sometimes multiple smaller batteries are better for short term/ high demand situations.

 

[Richpatty]

Good point…. But most instances the chassis battery starts the generator… so hopefully it is not an issue for most folks

And I have heard that they do not recommend lithium for chassis batteries.

 

[newmarokie]

My 4018 DS uses the house batteries. It kinda makes sense on front mounted generators. When we had 8 6 volt batteries up near the front the cables are less than ten feet long. They would be approaching forty feet come from the chassis batteries.

 

[newmarokie]

That 460 ah epoch beast is good for 500 amps for 30 seconds. That should handle it comfortably.

 

[lostinfla]

I just went out to check. Started the generator while watching the app. No additional amp draw, so I assume mine runs off the chassis batteries.

 

[Chuggs]

I am interested in the Epoch, with Victron communication capability.

If anyone has already sorted things…I do wonder a couple of things.

1) What all gets transmitted/available thru the Victron GX device from these batteries?

2) If you already have a ME-BMK and or BMV-712 shunt in your rig…what happens when the self-heating circuit kicks in? It would seem this would be a load in the batteries that would be circumventing the shunt. I guess worse case is you get drift and have to recalibrate. Just wonder how much drifting occurs.

I’m not in any hurry…still haven’t had an issue with my Lifeline AGM’s…but keeping my eye out for what is next.

 

[newmarokie]

Chuggs,
My SOK batteries are self heating. They will not self heat with without external power. My guess is they don't want the battery to self discharge to the point of shut down. I am digging around to determine if the Epoch is the same. I haven't found anything yet. I am not sure I seeing it being a problem. If you are in a campground with hookups, you will have external power. On the other hand, if you are self heating, that current is not going through the shunt, I think. Will this cause the shunt to be off in calibration? I don't know.

 

[Chuggs]

Chuggs,
My SOK batteries are self heating. They will not self heat with without external power. My guess is they don't want the battery to self discharge to the point of shut down. I am digging around to determine if the Epoch is the same. I haven't found anything yet. I am not sure I seeing it being a problem. If you are in a campground with hookups, you will have external power. On the other hand, if you are self heating, that current is not going through the shunt, I think. Will this cause the shunt to be off in calibration? I don't know.

That's what I'm thinking.

? How do batteries know if you are on shore power? For example...if my Solar Charge Controller is putting out more watts than self-heating requires...I would like them to stay warm enough to take a charge. I try not to do cold wx rving...but I always seem to run into it.

 

[newmarokie]

I did finally find a snippet that said they would heat if power is available. I am not a solar guy(yet), but I would think 14.4 is 14.4 regardless of whether it is coming from the inverter/charger or the solar charger

 

[Chuggs]

I did finally find a snippet that said they would heat if power is available. I am not a solar guy(yet), but I would think 14.4 is 14.4 regardless of whether it is coming from the inverter/charger or the solar charger

Okay…just looking for dc voltage to indicate charging. That makes sense….

 

[GUS2000]

Great upgrade!! got me thinking about doing this same thing as this may be a good option for us!

 

[lostinfla]

I am thrilled with the added storage and the fact that it's clean and doesn't feel like a tomb anymore.