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Space heater trips inverter breaker (R-Pod 195)
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Joined: 29 Nov 2015
Location: Wake Forest, NC
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Posts: 6288 		Post Options Post Options   Quote StephenH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Space heater trips inverter breaker (R-Pod 195)
    Posted: 23 Feb 2020 at 6:56pm
Originally posted by Markie

1. Using the original converter in the camper is there a problem upgrading to a life04 lithium battery. any problems charging with old technology converter?
You could use the converter. The down side is that the charging profile is wrong. You will not fully charge the LiFePO4 battery. If yours is the WFCO 8955 unit, you can swap out the converter section with the WF-8950L2-MBA which is made for LiFePO4 batteries. That is what I did.
2. Does one 12volt lithium  equal two 6volt batteries in series?
It depends. The two 6V batteries I had were 215AH. If I limited the draw to no less than 50%, that was 107.5AH. I replaced the two 6V batteries with one 100AH battery. Since the LiFePO4 battery can be drawn down much further, it should give me almost as much usable power. This also is at a fraction of the weight.
3. How large of lithium battery would be sufficient? 20Ah, 50Ah or 100Ah?
Again, it depends on what your power needs are. 20AH would be quite inadequate. 50AH would be like replacing one 12V battery. 100AH would be roughly equivalent to the two 6V batteries in usable capacity. I consider 100AH a baseline amount.
4. I'm interested in the portability and packing/storing of a suitcase solar array. Is 100watt solar panel large enough to maintain charge boon docking?
I just ordered this one: Renogy Eclipse 100W 12V Folding Solar Panel. It should be adequate. I will be able to say more about it after I get it and have a chance to use it.
5. I camp in the forests of Pennsylvania, maryland and NewYork. Is solar a worthwhile investment or does  the shaded campsites make solar impractical?
Shade does not help. Having a portable one that can be moved to take advantage of sun is helpful, but if you are in deep shade, it won't help. Full sunlight is needed to be able to use the full capacity of any solar panel. Some will do better in partial sunlight or cloudy bright days, but full sun is best. That is why I got a portable unit that I can move. As I said, I will be able to speak more about it after the one I just ordered arrives and I gain experience with it.

If you want to see my LiFePO4 installation, I wrote it up in my mods (see link in signature).

[/QUOTE]
StephenH
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Posts: 5290 		Post Options Post Options   Quote offgrid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Feb 2020 at 4:55pm
I often camp in the WV mountains. Solar isn't going to do you much good in those areas unless you can count on getting it out of the shade and into direct sun. I suggest a small generator. Get a couple 6v batteries so you don't have to run it every day.  No real need to spend the money on a Li battery  for an older trailer if you have a generator to maintain battery charge.
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2630 		Post Options Post Options   Quote GlueGuy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Feb 2020 at 4:32pm
1) The original converter is designed for lead-acid batteries, and the charge profile it uses is not suitable for lithium batteries of any type that I know of.
2) Depends on the size of each. You can go by amp-hours or watt-hours to compare.
3) a 100AH lithium is "roughly" equal to 200 AH lead-acid. This is a rule of thumb, not exact, but is close enough for guvmint work.
4) For many people a 100 watt solar panel is more than enough. If you use more than average electricity, you may want larger. It's probably a good place to start to see how it works for you.
5) Solar generally won't work in the shade. That is an over-simplification, but you would typically want to place your solar panels in direct sun if at all possible.
bp
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Markie View Drop Down
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Posts: 67 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Markie Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 23 Feb 2020 at 12:02pm
Hello all,
 With the nice weather we've had I'm starting to think spring and changes I want to make to our POD. Solar is all greek to me so reading everything on controllers, lithium batteries, two 6v vs one 12v lithium Im confused. Our situation is we have an older POD. I currently need a new battery and would like to upgrade the battery and add solar for extended stays so I have a few questions:
1. Using the original converter in the camper is there a problem upgrading to a life04 lithium battery. any problems charging with old technology converter?
2. Does one 12volt lithium  equal two 6volt batteries in series?
3. How large of lithium battery would be sufficient? 20Ah, 50Ah or 100Ah?
4. I'm interested in the portability and packing/storing of a suitcase solar array. Is 100watt solar panel large enough to maintain charge boon docking?
5. I camp in the forests of Pennsylvania, maryland and NewYork. Is solar a worthwhile investment or does  the shaded campsites make solar impractical? Is anyone from the same area using solar and what is your experience?
Thanks in advance for responding.
Mark & Vicki
R-POD 178 & 2015 Silverado 5.3L
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Post Options Post Options   Quote offgrid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 05 Jan 2020 at 8:09am
+2. I also tapped the 12V supply to the stereo, it was quite simple to do. 
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mcarter View Drop Down
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Posts: 3419 		Post Options Post Options   Quote mcarter Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jan 2020 at 5:03pm
+1 to SH. When I added a 12V receptacle, USB ports and a digital voltmeter, I used my spare slot in the fuse box.
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6288 		Post Options Post Options   Quote StephenH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jan 2020 at 12:42pm
It really isn't hard to install a 12V outlet. If your antenna booster or stereo is near the TV, then you can tap into the 12V there. You will need to see if there is sufficient open space behind the panel to mount a 12V outlet. Something like this will work:  https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B015CKXU7W/ .

Or, you could install one like this one and get multiple functions from one connection:

Either one connects easily and since there are only two wires (positive and negative) and neither is of such a voltage that could hurt or kill you, it is safe to do.
StephenH
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Pod_Geek View Drop Down
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Posts: 260 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Pod_Geek Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jan 2020 at 10:56am
Originally posted by GlueGuy

...As for 12V TVs...

Problem is I don't have any 12v outlets as it turns out.

Maybe I'll get one of these:
2020.5 R-Pod 195 Hood River
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Post Options Post Options   Quote offgrid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jan 2020 at 9:15am
This should be close. But you need to disconnect the battery from any charge sources or significant loads for about 15-30 minutes first to let it stabilize. 
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2630 		Post Options Post Options   Quote GlueGuy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 Jan 2020 at 9:14am
The voltage alone is not a very good way to determine the SOC of your battery. You really need other information to understand where it is (like whether there's a load, whether there is any charging going on, and whether it's been "rested").

As for 12V TVs, there are lots of choices. You can go here for a general discussion of the various choices and options, or you can go here and just order one (don't get the 32" version; it looks like that's 120VAC only).
bp
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