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Topic: Preventative maintenance and possible battery upgrade  (Read 3898 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Preventative maintenance and possible battery upgrade

Reply #125 –
Quote from: dans96u295ft –
Lithium's HATE cold. AGM all day long
Wet cells have limits, AGMs have limits. Lithiums have limits. Know your limits.

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: Preventative maintenance and possible battery upgrade

Reply #126 –
I understand from a Tesla 400k mile model X service history thread that Tesla battery banks are connected to the cars air conditioning system.  I would guess both cooling and heating but have no info. 

Did not battleborn at the FMCA rally mention to attendees that a future product was a 8d frame with an internal heating system
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Preventative maintenance and possible battery upgrade

Reply #127 –
Quote from: Caflashbob –
I understand from a Tesla 400k mile model X service history thread that Tesla battery banks are connected to the cars air conditioning system.  I would guess both cooling and heating but have no info. 

Did not battleborn at the FMCA rally mention to attendees that a future product was a 8d frame with an internal heating system
Yes, I was told it would be out early this year.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Preventative maintenance and possible battery upgrade

Reply #128 –
I think the newest Tesla cells are a different,  larger measurement and are hollow inside which would allow flow
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: Preventative maintenance and possible battery upgrade

Reply #129 –
After about 10 hours of resting, the voltage on both batteries was 12.95v.  I think the xantrex is working as it should and our batteries are in good shape.  I forgot to turn off the salesman switch earlier so there is probably draw from the dc side that I wasn't considering that was causing the lower voltage reading. 

I think we're probably over worrying about things because it's all new to us and it was quite an investment for us.  We'll continue to keep a watchful eye on things though.

Thanks again to everyone.
Hannah and Tyler Phillips
1993 U280 Grand Villa AKA Pearl
Basement Air
Cummins 6CT8.3
Build Number 4196

Re: Preventative maintenance and possible battery upgrade

Reply #130 –
Well I made a mistake... we got home this evening, I reconnected the batteries then came inside and turned on the electric heater to warm it up.  It ran for about two hours without shutting off and I never thought anything about because I was watching YouTube and planned on turning it down before I went to bed.

Then I heard a beeping and went to investigate.  I opened the bathroom and the victim 712 is flashing, beeping and reading 48%.  Instantly my heart sank and I thought what the heck happened now!  I was really concerned.  Then it occurred to me that I never turned the main breaker on and the heater had been running off the batteries and inverter this whole time! Oh sh*t! 

So I ran to turn the main breaker back on and to check the inverter.  The inverter didn't feel abnormally hot and the voltage % of charge began to come up quickly. 

I started to feel a little better but now the bulk charge is sitting at 13.7 and the victron is reading 13.23 so now now I'm concerned again. 

The bulk charge voltage is normally in the 15v range and the xantrex and victron usually read the same voltage. I'm not sure why the bulk charge voltage is only 13.7 and am really hoping I didn't screw something up! 

On the positive side though I'm impressed with the inverters ability to run a 1500w heater for some 2 hours nonstop without overloading and shutting off. 

It's kinda funny how I could get so worried about things and then do something so dumb.
Hannah and Tyler Phillips
1993 U280 Grand Villa AKA Pearl
Basement Air
Cummins 6CT8.3
Build Number 4196

Re: Preventative maintenance and possible battery upgrade

Reply #131 –
Yesterday with the Victron BMV-712 showing 48%, and it was in bulk charge, how many amps did the 712 say were going in to the battery?  What is your 712 saying this morning, amps, volts, and charge %?

Did you calibrate the Victron 712 as your manual says?  See the following discussion and then watch the video.  See page 10 of manual.
Manuais - Victron Energy

"Ensure there really is no current flowing in or out of the battery" and "disconnect the cable between the load and the shunt, then press select"'

In your Victron settings, have you set battery ah to 500 for your two 250 ah AGM8D batteries and battery type to AGM?

BMV712- How to do a zero current calibration - Victron Energy

In the following video, you can trust calibration method if you do not have a clamp meter to check with.

If readings remain strange, you might request a new cable for between meter and shunt from Victron, explaining your issue. I found Victron responds slow to email, however eventually they do respond.

https://youtu.be/7J4aPBSmGQg
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Preventative maintenance and possible battery upgrade

Reply #132 –
I set the 712 up appropriately when we installed it.  I believe everything was reading correctly because the heater was drawing up to 187 amps from the batteries which would make sense considering time frame.

I checked this morning and everything was back to normal.  Just scared the crap out of me last night because I wasn't expecting it. 

There is a 175a fuse inline on the + battery side and it didn't blow.  The cables, batteries or inverter did not feel warm last night so I don't think anything was harmed. 

I freaked out a little last night but feel much better this morning.  There's not much I could have done if something had gotten damaged except fix it and learn a lesson. 

At least now I know that the xantrex will handle a large load for a long period of time and that the 712 will let us know when we're down to the 50% soc threshold.  All is well that ends well I guess :)

Hannah and Tyler Phillips
1993 U280 Grand Villa AKA Pearl
Basement Air
Cummins 6CT8.3
Build Number 4196

Re: Preventative maintenance and possible battery upgrade

Reply #133 –
Quote from: The Soft Boulders –
1)  Then it occurred to me that I never turned the main breaker on and the heater had been running off the batteries and inverter this whole time! Oh sh*t! 

2) So I ran to turn the main breaker back on and to check the inverter.  The inverter didn't feel abnormally hot and the voltage % of charge began to come up quickly. 

3) I started to feel a little better but now the bulk charge is sitting at 13.7 and the victron is reading 13.23 so now now I'm concerned again. 

4) The bulk charge voltage is normally in the 15v range and the xantrex and victron usually read the same voltage. I'm not sure why the bulk charge voltage is only 13.7 and am really hoping I didn't screw something up! 

On the positive side though I'm impressed with the inverters ability to run a 1500w heater for some 2 hours nonstop without overloading and shutting off. 

5) It's kinda funny how I could get so worried about things and then do something so dumb.

1. Great way to test the system!

2. System passed the real world test.

3. More Amps Scotty!  Captain I canna give you more amperage, the charger is maxed out!

4. The batteries are usually at a higher state of charge.

5. It's called Being Human.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.
 

Re: Preventative maintenance and possible battery upgrade

Reply #134 –
Correct charging voltages are directly linked to the battery temps.

13.4 bulk is good at 100 degrees F.  Almost one volt low at zero degrees.
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4