3 tons wrote:
“ You definitely need a DC-DC charger for charging from your alternator.”
Not necessarily...With 440w of solar and a single 200a/h LFP, I neutered the 7pin plug charging wire as being unnecessary - Harvest swiftly handles everything...And even with the alternator, so long as the amps are kept at a reasonable level for continuous charging (depending on battery C rate and alternator output), of say 25-30% you should not have an issue...
BTW, Victron smart shunts may be a bit pricier (than the China stuff), but so then is your LFP Battery investment, right??
3 tons
I got rid of the 7 pin a long time ago so I could charge the battery and run the fridge while driving. I'm running 6 gauge from the alternator to the camper. This was pre LFP.
You're making me smile here. On one hand you're fine with risking your battery and alternator(to save money?) but then raise the spectre of damaging your expensive battery by using a cheaper coulomb counter.
To each his own, man. But a cheap coulomb counter is fine with me because it's an inherently unnecessary device. It's just a convenience. If Victron had their smart shunt at half the price I probably would have bought it, but $200 for a fancy coulomb counter is just not a value to me. I'm glad it is for you. If I had unlimited funds I'd be all Victron all the time -- except for the battery. It's too much fun rolling my own.
