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ouR escaPOD mods

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Post Options Post Options   Quote offgrid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: ouR escaPOD mods
    Posted: 13 Jan 2020 at 5:16pm
That's good. You still need to be sure you don't overload the alternator when charging, and that the Li battery actually gets charged but not overcharged. I think you should be able to test that manually as long as you're careful. I suggest starting with a partially discharged Li battery and see how much current is drawn at idle and what the temp goes to in your alt.  Then let the battery fully charge and be sure you don't exceed its max voltage rating. If everything looks good then you can probably avoid buying an isolator or dc/dc converter.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote StephenH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 2020 at 1:24pm
From what I have seen, it appears that the Nissan Frontier does disconnect the electrical supply when the ignition is off. I'm not 100% sure if that applies to the 12V supply, but the brake supply does cut off when the TV's lights go off. It is a rainy day today, so I will wait for dry weather to go out and verify.

Edit: It stopped raining so I went out and verified that when the engine is off, the 12V supply from the Frontier is also off. Now, whether that will hold true when I get the battery installed remains to be seen. For now, it looks like I won't have to worry about backfeed draining the new battery.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote offgrid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 2020 at 11:15am
The 60A fuse or cb sounds fine to me.

Not sure how the Nissan’s alternator control system works. Most of them are internally regulated to 14.4V max. If your voltage drop is enough on the conductors running to your trailer connector that will limit how much current can flow to the Li battery. If so you might be fine with only an isolator relay disconnect between the trailer and the tv. You need something to keep from dumping the Li battery charge back into the tv battery when the alt isn’t charging, because the Li battery stays at a higher voltage than the lead acid battery does. You could connect up and see what kind of charge currents and voltages and alternator temps you get at idle and at 3000 rpm before you decide what to buy. As long as you keep a close eye on everything while testing you should be ok.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote StephenH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 2020 at 10:28am
The Nissan has a variable voltage system for the alternator already. I am not sure how that impacts the situation that the video demonstrates.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote offgrid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 2020 at 10:00am
Ok, I took a look at the battle born isolator. It looks like it tries to keep the things from overheating by switching on and off at 15-20 minute intervals. I’m not sure I could get comfortable with that kind of operation.
Check out this video as an example of what could go wrong:

https://www.victronenergy.com/blog/2019/10/07/careful-alternator-charging-lithium/

My thought has been to isolate the two systems using a dc dc converter with an adjustable output current Then I would set the output current so that the alt didn’t overheat at idle by using my ir thermometer.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote StephenH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 2020 at 9:34am
Thank you. I will check out fuses and breakers to see if I can find a suitable one (preferably, a breaker). The converter is rated for 50A, so I think I would need something a little larger. I can find 60A or 80A, but no 75A, so I think the 60A would be the better choice.
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Post Options Post Options   Quote offgrid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 2020 at 8:16am
The rule with fuses and circuit breakers is to always size them smaller than the max current rating (the ampacity) of the conductor that the fuse is protecting, but at least 25% higher than the max current you will ever normally draw through that conductor. The 25% is to avoid nuisance cb trips or fuse blows.

In your case, the ampacity of 4awg 105C wire is 95A so that sets your upper limit for fuse selection. You’ll need to set your lower limit based on what you plan to hang on your 12V buss, but if you just have the normal RPod dc loads we know that 40 amps handles them fine. So 50A is probably your lower limit unless you’re adding an inverter or something.

So any 12V rated fuse or cb between 50 and 95A will work. Personally, I prefer to stay at the lower end of the allowable range, I’d rather have a fuse blow sooner rather than later if there is a problem. If you get a fuse rather than a breaker be sure to order a spare.

I’ll take a look at battle borne’s battery isolator.



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Post Options Post Options   Quote StephenH Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 13 Jan 2020 at 7:35am
One big benefit is weight savings. 120 lbs vs. 30 lbs. Given that the axles on the larger RPods have marginal capacity at best, this will be a good thing. I've already had one bent axle. That gets expensive. Another benefit is that by moving the battery inside, it will be more secure. A third benefit is that it will give me a place (with a future mod) to put either my Generac iX2000 generator which I will want to carry on a long trip we have planned for this coming spring or extra gasoline, both for the generator or as backup for the truck since we don't know what the gas station situation will be heading up into Canada and Alaska. If we opt for gasoline, the generator will ride in the bed of the truck.

As for charging with the truck, I had not gotten quite that far. I don't currently have solar. I was looking at possibly installing a battery isolation manager such as that from Battle Born. The fuse is a good idea. What size/type do you recommend? Would one like this work? https://www.amazon.com/InstallGear-Gauge-Line-Fuse-Holder/dp/B01N9M4OI1/
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Post Options Post Options   Quote Ben Herman Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jan 2020 at 9:57pm
StephenH - interesting mod. One thing that I am not clear on is the reasoning for going in this direction. Seems like a pretty hefty investment; what are the benefits that you are expecting?
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Post Options Post Options   Quote offgrid Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 12 Jan 2020 at 9:43pm
StephenH, good to hear you are taking the step into the Li battery world. I like the location you selected. Do be sure the battery is above 32F before attempting to charge it. Unlike lead acid, it won’t hurt to leave it disconnected when it’s in winter storage.

May I suggest for safety adding a bolt on fuse at the + battery terminal? Also, if you are using solar you will need a charge controller configured for Li battery charging. Finally, what are your plans for charging via your tow vehicle, if any?

Keep us posted on your progress.
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