mdkelley
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Re: lifepo4 and maxxfan
maxxair just called back. He said it was most likely that the board was burned out by my converter. He said a regulator would definitely be helpful for my system. They have an updated board they are sending me that can withstand 13.8v but the regulator would be a good idea to protect it in the future. He said it would be good to regulate the input to 12.4v. The callback today was really fast but it may have been a follow up from yesterday's call, not sure. I think if I would have just been using my stock converter and FLA battery I would not have had any issues (I don't connect the truck to the slide in camper at this time). So, very helpful support/warranty service from maxxair for sure. I should have suggested they list the input voltage limitation in the installation guide to help others but it sounds like they are aware of the issue. If you are looking to get a maxxfan maybe consider you will need a voltage regulator if you use a high output charger/converter that is specifically designed to work with LiFePO4 like I am using.1.1KViews0likes0CommentsRe: lifepo4 and maxxfan
Thanks, I just changed my order from the cheaper buck converter to this model that will work for up or down. Went with the 25 amp unit ($60) since it will cover the 5 amp fan and 8 amp fridge (the 120v heat element doesn't work on my fridge so I will be running it off converter while on shore power and propane when on battery, until I get around to replacing the 120v heating element). 25 amp should be plenty since the original "converter" (which was just a transformer that made a lot of noise when in use) was only rated at 9amps. This will simplify my installation as well. I was going to go with some relay/solenoids and wire those into the original electric panel that had a converter/batt/off switch to isolate things but now I will just wire the converter to the battery (via my disconnect plug) and the converter through this regulator to the fuse box. Then I can run shore power while charging my battery if I want to. When on battery only, the converter will be powered off but the battery will flow to the fuse box via the converter outlet lugs. EDIT: Still waiting on warranty callback from maxxair. I recieved a callback from the tech support line yesterday after about 3 hours, and they immediately transferred me to another hold queue after telling me I needed to start a warranty claim and was in the wrong "area" for warranty claims. I called back today and was added into another hold queue. There is one person that does warranty according to the person who answered the phone today. There is no direct number or option to get to warranty claims, you have to wait on hold until a support person picks up or calls you back, then they transfer you to the warranty person which puts you into another hold queue that I was told is running about a day behind! Hopefully they call me back this week. If they don't honor their warranty I will just put a reversible variable speed motor controller on this unit and be done. It is beyond the return date and amzn sells the controllers for much cheaper than a new controller circuit board from maxxair. The motor controllers are most likely more robust as well, I think they are rated to operate up to 36v. I will still be putting the regulator in to protect any other 12v devices/appliances though.1.1KViews0likes0CommentsRe: lifepo4 and maxxfan
ordering a 20A/300W buck converter step-down unit. Hoping that unit is large enough I can just wire it in before my distribution fuse box and filter both the battery and converter for the entire camper (maxxfan, propane furnace, 3 LED lights, USB power outlet, and 12v/propane refrigerator). If not, I can use it for just the fan/light circuit and buy additional units for other circuits if needed, it was only $15. on hold for well over an hour this morning with airxcel to see if they will warranty this (less than one year since purchase, just installed it a month or so ago). Had to drop off and opted for the callback feature on their phone system. I am wondering if they either have a very limited staff, or just so many issues their customer support department cannot keep up...1.1KViews0likes0CommentsRe: lifepo4 and maxxfan
From another forum MaxxFan top voltage = 13.5V per Airxcel, Inc. Once that fan gets to 13.5 is when its starts to cause concern. Derek Hicks Technical Assistance Coordinator RV Products, a division of Airxcel, Inc. 3050 N. St. Francis Wichita, Kansas 67219 Office: 316.832.4357 Fax: 316.832.3417 www.Airxcel.com511Views0likes0CommentsRe: lifepo4 and maxxfan
No wall switch, I wired it in directly and also tested it after installing and it worked fine. It just hasn't worked since installing the new high voltage converter and knowing the converter puts out higher voltage I did a web search about voltage and the MaxxFan. What I found was that there were some online who had issues with their fans burning out the circuit board, and MaxxAir told them their fan CB could handle somewhere around 13.6v but any more would fry the CB. @otrfun - So, it sounds like maybe a voltage regulator would be a good idea between the converter and the camper (not between converter/charger and battery though) due to the higher voltage the single stage PD unit puts out? I do disconnect the battery when running on shore power/converter because I agree with what you are saying about constantly subjecting the battery to the high voltage bulk charge (since I read on the BB site they say not to leave their battery subjected to the bulk rate for extended periods). I did a lot of reading up on the subject before finally deciding to go with a converter that the battery maker recommended. I am planning to only use this converter to charge the battery when it gets low. I am installing two battery monitors also, one to monitor discharge and one to monitor charge rate and levels. I am honestly brand new to LiFePO4 technology and there is so much conflicting info out there it gets confusing. Thank you all for the help and info.395Views0likes0CommentsRe: lifepo4 and maxxfan
Yeah, I pulled that light and wiring and checked voltage at the fan connector and tested the fan before I stuffed the wiring back into the ceiling, it still didn't work.I can check the voltage at the circuit board as well but doubt there is any issue with the wiring.395Views0likes0CommentsRe: lifepo4 and maxxfan
Yes progressive dynamics from Marshall mi. Getting older and my memory is slipping ??.The voltage at the fan connector was 14.2 if I remember correctly, I will recheck when I get home. I read online some said maxx air told them anything over 13.6 would fry the circuit board. I emailed maxx air today and am awaiting a response. Just thought maybe it was the higher voltage since the fan worked with a regular lead battery when it was installed in a few weeks ago. I will connect it directly to that FLA battery to see it it works with that. I tried it with just the BB lifepo4 battery and then just the converter and neither worked. If no one runs a voltage regulator with the high volt output lifepo4 charger/converter and a maxxfan then it must be something else going on. Also, the lights all work fine, even the one on the circuit that feeds the fan.396Views0likes0Commentslifepo4 and maxxfan
Hello, I am new here. I didn't see a new member introduction so I will do that quickly before posting my question. Matt from Michigan. I have a 1989 pop top 8' skamper on a 2004 2500 duramax. So far I have installed a MaxxAir fan, one LiFePO4 battleborn with a power dynamics Li single stage converter/charger, and removed the non-functioning 3 way fridge and am putting a 5000btu AC unit in that space. I also purchased a 2200 honda generator to use for off-grid battery charging and running the tiny AC unit. This camper follows a van conversion camper the wife and I used for about 4 years. Also installing a WiFi ranger and have a wilson cell booster. That pretty much rounds out my rig introduction. My question: Will my power dynamics 45 amp LiFePO4 controller burn out my MaxxAir fan? I ask because I think it did! So, on to question2. If that is true (too much voltage to run a fan) what regulator do other use to get around this issue? I wired the converter in to my system to act as shore power and have a quick disconnect to put the battery into the system when not on shore power or if I need to charge the battery. I figured there is no reason to constantly charge the battery if I am on shore power. I am not sure if I need to get a 12v regulator that is rated at 45 or more amps since that is the output of the converter, or if the regulator's amperage rating is more for amp draw and not really an amp input rating. I would think maybe a regulator from a truck may work since an alternator usually puts out more than 45 amps but looking for some guidance from someone who has done this already so I can avoid any implementation headaches (learning curve). Thanks, Matt Kelley Michigan6.8KViews0likes29Comments
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