LaneW wrote:
Not sure if this is the right forum, but I am looking for help from DIYer on my upgrade.
I am developing a plan to upgrade my 2022 Lance 825 with lithium battery(s), an inverter and one more solar panel. Please shoot my plan full of holes, as needed. I REALLY want to get it right...
My opinion on the stuff I know >0 about:
Replace LA battery with lithium - thinking two SOK 100 AH right now - comments?
- That is a big expensive upgrade, but 200AH of lithium battery sounds like a sweet boondocking setup. I would even say overkill if you've been comfortably dealing with a single LA battery; however, in order to run the microwave off of inverted DC then you'll need at least this much. Install 2000 w inverter. I only need to run the microwave, not AC, occasional small appliance. I don’t think I need an inverter/charger since my Progressive Dynamics has a lithium setting. Is that so? I am considering the Renogy 2000 watt inverter.
- As mentioned, I think you're at the bare minimum for wanting to run the microwave which maybe needs >1500 watts continuous load to run. But good to go for other stuff. Install the inverter as close as possible to the batteries using big fat cables. I agree about not needing an inverter/charger, but you've already set the budget very high by starting with 2x 100AH lithium batteries so why not spend more on an inverter/charger which can really add convenience to this setup?I will need to install an automatic transfer switch, unless I can find an inverter with one built in. The only ones I have found with a built in switch are inverter/chargers. (I also need help figuring out how to wire the AC from shore power to inverter and back to distribution panel). Either that or I just run a stand-along ac circuit to the microwave outlet.
- See my previous comment, an inverter/charger solves this issue. As for what is in my opinion the easiest way to feed your AC system with an inverter, just plug your shore power cord into the inverter outlet. You'll need to be able to disable your converter when you do this, my converter is on its own dedicated AC breaker that I switch off when doing this. Fridge and water heater set to propane. Definitely not as slick as using a transfer switch and it requires that you dig out the shore power cord. But it's easy and also foolproof since you can't accidentally backfeed anything. Maybe add one solar panel - 100 watt or a little more - looking for a no drill option.
- You'll want more than 200 watts total with 200AH of battery, assuming you want your solar to be a meaningful source of charge. Consider 300-400 watts. Drill away, it is the best way to attach them securely. I will install a Renogy combination MPPT/DC-DC charger and place it where Lance put the ACR, in place of the ACR. Thinking 30 amp. I have only an 8 awg wire from truck battery to camper now. I think I need to run a 4awg from my truck battery (200 amp alternator) to the go where the ACR is now in the camper and cant figure out how/where to get the wire into the camper and routed to the right place. Currently the Lance plug and cable has only an 8 awg incoming, but somewhere it changes to a 4 awg inside, because I see a 4 awg connected to the battery side of the ACR. Any help?
- I've heard that measures must be taken to avoid burning out an alternator when using it to charge Li batteries (measures like you've just described), and also that this is overthinking it because the OEM wiring will never allow enough current to flow through it such that it strains the alternator. I am also not familiar with ACR, not a thing in my TT. 
