Victron inverter/charger and LiFePO4 in 31G project

[TerryH]

I posted this in my mod thread but thought I would post it here as well so when I need help one of you guys can rescue me.

We've decided to take the plunge into an inverter/charger and a LiFePO4 battery. The 200ah hybrid gel has done fine but will not be up to muster for the inverter. The end goal is to be able to watch tv, run random 120v things such as our outside leds and occasionally warm something up in the microwave. We will run the generator if we need AC or do a lot of microwaving.

After much research and penny counting we've decided to go with Victron components. Multiplus Compact 12/2000/80/50 inverter/charger, Lynx Power In busbar system with Mega fuse conversion, BMV-172 that we already had in service along with the Lynx MK3, Smart dongle, Victron battery switch and Mega fuse holder. I have a Chins 300ah LiFePO4 battery (200 amp BMS/200 amp continuous discharge) in bound on Tuesday.

For now I will continue to use my Renogy 200 watt solar suitcase to assist charging as adding more solar will be reserved for a later date. I'll run the gen to charge as necessary until then. Doubt I'll have to do that very much as we are strictly weekenders and have learned to be pretty power conservative.

I'm mounting the inverter and Lynx Power In in the lower cabinet in the bedroom. That will place it right next to the fuse/breaker panel for easy connection. The battery will go under the bed so pretty short wiring run there as well. I have AV cabinet fans that I'm installing in the cabinet door to ensure that the inverter stays cool as there is not much room in that cabinet.

All of this is pretty new to me so hopefully it will all work out. I'll continue to post as I make progress and shoot some videos along the way for the YouTube channel.

The 3/4" oak plywood backer will be cut into 14 1/2" wide sections to fit thru the cabinet door openings. I'm going to mount the components and wire as much as I can before mounting anything in the cabinet.





The Lynx Power In is meant to be just a buss bar but by adding the second row of stainless bolts it can be used to house the Mega fuses for each component being fed. I didn't need the technology of the Lynx Distributor so saved a few $ doing it this way.



Lots of work ahead.



Here is where the inverter and power in will be located.







I'm taking the 31G to the dealer for the last of the warranty work and the propane regulator recall on Saturday so it'll be a bit before I can start the actual install but I'll post some pics as the other goodies arrive and I do as much as I can without the trailer.

[Ynot4me2]

Nice, really looking forward to see your progress as this project is on my radar.

Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk

[TerryH]

Spent a little shop time this afternoon once I get the 31G over to the dealer. Cut the backer to fit through the door openings and mounted the Power In and the MP. Made up the 2/0 cables to connect them as well. Pretty happy with how it turned out.

[TerryH]

The Chins 300ah battery arrived. Nothing damaged in shipping. DVM shows 13.16 current charge voltage. Seems like a nice piece. We also decided to use aluminum tread plate to mount the inverter and power in instead of the plywood. I had a sheet on had so simple enough. I'll brake a flange top and bottom to mount the panels in the closet. Gone about as far as I can with the prewiring without the trailer. Waiting on the last of the warranty work to be completed and then the real install can begin.







I fabbed a spacer out of 1/8" ABS sheet to properly mount the shunt to the ATP.

[nadkaw1957]

Pre-mounting everything as much as possible is, I think, a key to ease of installation. I'm immersed in a similar project, awaiting for delivery of my Reflection 280RS. I've mounted everything, to the point that all I have to do is connect the batteries and make a 120V run from the inlet and back to the breaker box.

[TerryH]

Pre-mounting everything as much as possible is, I think, a key to ease of installation. I'm immersed in a similar project, awaiting for delivery of my Reflection 280RS. I've mounted everything, to the point that all I have to do is connect the batteries and make a 120V run from the inlet and back to the breaker box.

Very nice! With my stuff going in the front cabinet beside the bed in the 31G me and my bad knee wanted to work in that cramped space the very least possible. Certainly way easier to do on the bench.

[Ynot4me2]

Pre-mounting everything as much as possible is, I think, a key to ease of installation. I'm immersed in a similar project, awaiting for delivery of my Reflection 280RS. I've mounted everything, to the point that all I have to do is connect the batteries and make a 120V run from the inlet and back to the breaker box.

Please list all of this nice equipment for us newbies to learn from. [emoji3] some of it I recognize but but all.

Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk

[fmartinmn]

Please list all of this nice equipment for us newbies to learn from. [emoji3] some of it I recognize but but all.

Sent from my SM-P610 using Tapatalk

X2, Thanks.

[nadkaw1957]

Please list all of this nice equipment for us newbies to learn from. [emoji3] some of it I recognize but but all.

Victron MultiPlus II 12/3000/125-50
Victron Interface MK3-USB
Victron Smart Dongle (for monitoring)
500A Smart Shunt
400A T-Fuse
Progressive Dynamics 50A EMS with monitor
Hi Current Battery Switches - 2
300A Manual Reset Circuit Breaker
300A Buss Bars in Red and Black
4/0 Wire in Red and Black for Main Battery Connections
2 Gauge Wire in Red and Black for other 12V Connections
6/4 Cable for 120V Connections and Runs to and from RV Breaker Box
Various Lug Connectors to fit the application

If you don't have one, you'll need a heavy duty lug crimper for the 4/0 and 2 gauge wires.

I bought the MultiPlus II, Interface, Smart Dongle, and Smart Shunt as a package deal along with 4 100Ah LiFePo4 heated batteries from BattleBorn Batteries. They are made 15 minutes from my home. They programmed the MultiPlus for me as well.

I got the idea and basics for the setup from a YouTube video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBYgkN1_r8Y&t=376s