New Lithium Install

tee_cee · 2024-01-10 18:41:05

Finally finished installing my new monster 230Ah Fogstar LifeP04 battery. Thought it would fit under the passenger seat, but it was a little too snug for my liking. It actually fitted OK behind the seat, where the old Exide ER450 95Ah was, leaving the space under the seat available for a Renogy 40A DC-DC charger and 1000W inverter. To replace my CTek 5A charger I ordered a cheap 20A charger from Fogstar, however they failed to mention that the fan runs ALL the time. So replaced it with a Victron 20A 240V charger which has a low current (10A) fanless mode. I kept my 250W Votonic charger for 160W of solar panels.
My old setup was rather complicated, with various relays to switch over to the alternator when driving, or 12V/5V psu when on hookup. Realised that all you really need to do is to connect everything together at a single point, and use a delayed IGN feed to switch the DC-DC charger in. So I'm always drawing from the battery, but the discharge rate will be offset with solar/alternator/mains charger. Much simpler.

DC-DC, Inverter and 100A fuse screwed to plywood base

In position under the seat. I think it should stay in place without fixings

Battery, mains charger & solar charger

Busbar wiring inside sliding door

kenbw2 · 2024-01-10 18:53:33

That's some nice work, very clean install and labels on the cables!

Where did you get those labels? I want something like that for my household wiring

tee_cee · 2024-01-11 14:48:19

Thanks. The original wiring in the van was done a bit at a time, and it's frankly a mess. So with my new battery, I've decided to redo the whole lot, hence the labels. So I got a Niimbot D110 bluetooth thermal printer and a bunch of waterproof cable labels. The UK price for the printer is £20, but Amazon are always dicking around with the prices. I got it from Ali-express for about £12 on black friday. Labels are expensive £8-12 for a roll of 65. Again on Ali-express they can be got for about £3.50 a roll. Note that the rolls have an rfid, so the printer knows the size etc.

kenbw2 · 2024-01-12 02:11:34

tee_cee wrote:

My old setup was rather complicated, with various relays to switch over to the alternator when driving, or 12V/5V psu when on hookup. Realised that all you really need to do is to connect everything together at a single point, and use a delayed IGN feed to switch the DC-DC charger in. So I'm always drawing from the battery, but the discharge rate will be offset with solar/alternator/mains charger. Much simpler.

I remember being terrified to wire up my solar with my alternator thinking it'll blow things up when the 14V gets sent from the alternator into the solar panels the wrong way! yikes

I know better now, but I didn't know what would happen back then lol

The Dispatch | Expert | Scudo Hub

Get help & share your Citroen Dispatch (Jumpy) | Peugeot Expert | Fiat Scudo tips

#1 2024-01-10 18:41:05

New Lithium Install

#2 2024-01-10 18:53:33

Re: New Lithium Install

#3 2024-01-11 14:48:19

Re: New Lithium Install

#4 2024-01-12 02:11:34

Re: New Lithium Install

Board footer