Existing Charger / Inverter Systems
When I purchased my 2014 Unity MB, it had one 95 watt solar panel, a Go Power Charge Controller, 2 FLA batteries, a 600 Watt Inverter and WFCO 35 Amp Battery Charger. Several months after using the RV, I decided to upgrade the “Dry Camping” capabilities. I added 2 more 95 and a 160 Watt Solar Panel on the roof. I replaced the Go Power Solar Controller with an i2000 MPT controller for the 3 – 90 Watt solar panels and another for the 160 Watt Solar Panel. I replaced the 2 – FLA batteries with 8 – 6 Volt AGM batteries wired in pairs for 12 Volts and 4 pairs in parallel. I replaced the 600 Watt Inverter with a Go Power 3000 Watt Inverter. This gave me considerably more “Dry Camping” capabilities.
Upgrade to Victron Energy Systems Components
About 18 months ago, I upgraded from AGM batteries to Lithium Ion battery system from Lithionics.com. The system I selected had 5 – 150 AHrs (750 Ahr total) and Dual 450 Amp BMS controller. The BMS has a dedicated Charging port, and a discharge port, so it can more accurately estimate the % SOC based on the columetric data collected on the Charging and Discharging ports. I also had an RS-232 Serial interface added so I can remotely read out battery status and operating parameters. The Lithionics BMS also has Low Reserve cut off @ 10 % SOC and over-charging prevention. It also has a Field Control interface to the Auxiliary Alternator, I added for charging the large battery bank, while driving.
I installed a Victron Venus GX data communication module to handle interface to all of the Victron equipment I have added to the RV. This will give me remote access to all systems either directly via an Always On internet connection I have in the RV or using the cloud based Monitoring system provided by Victron for all users of their systems.
I have attached a PDF document with more details of this just completed installation.
Thanks to SSTraveler for input and review of the installation process.
When I purchased my 2014 Unity MB, it had one 95 watt solar panel, a Go Power Charge Controller, 2 FLA batteries, a 600 Watt Inverter and WFCO 35 Amp Battery Charger. Several months after using the RV, I decided to upgrade the “Dry Camping” capabilities. I added 2 more 95 and a 160 Watt Solar Panel on the roof. I replaced the Go Power Solar Controller with an i2000 MPT controller for the 3 – 90 Watt solar panels and another for the 160 Watt Solar Panel. I replaced the 2 – FLA batteries with 8 – 6 Volt AGM batteries wired in pairs for 12 Volts and 4 pairs in parallel. I replaced the 600 Watt Inverter with a Go Power 3000 Watt Inverter. This gave me considerably more “Dry Camping” capabilities.
Upgrade to Victron Energy Systems Components
About 18 months ago, I upgraded from AGM batteries to Lithium Ion battery system from Lithionics.com. The system I selected had 5 – 150 AHrs (750 Ahr total) and Dual 450 Amp BMS controller. The BMS has a dedicated Charging port, and a discharge port, so it can more accurately estimate the % SOC based on the columetric data collected on the Charging and Discharging ports. I also had an RS-232 Serial interface added so I can remotely read out battery status and operating parameters. The Lithionics BMS also has Low Reserve cut off @ 10 % SOC and over-charging prevention. It also has a Field Control interface to the Auxiliary Alternator, I added for charging the large battery bank, while driving.
I installed a Victron Venus GX data communication module to handle interface to all of the Victron equipment I have added to the RV. This will give me remote access to all systems either directly via an Always On internet connection I have in the RV or using the cloud based Monitoring system provided by Victron for all users of their systems.
I have attached a PDF document with more details of this just completed installation.
Thanks to SSTraveler for input and review of the installation process.
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