Questions re: upgrading batteries and solar for boondocking - 2023 17MKE

Shajou928

New Member
Joined
Jun 30, 2024
Messages
6
Location
Scottsdale AZ
Hello Grand RV community!

We just purchased a 2023 17MKE and we want to upgrade the batteries (and perhaps the solar system) to be able to boondock for at least 3 days. We live in sunny Arizona and primarily camp in the mountain areas here.

I currently have 2 group 24 lead acid batteries on the tongue, one 165 watt Furrion Solar panel, Furrion MPPT Solar Controller (FSSC30) with max charging current of 25 amps, and WF-8930 converter that has a sticker on front saying lithium compatible. I also have 12v 10cuft refrigerator. I also see #8 wire gauge from batteries to trailer (and charge controller?).

My question is this: can I get any size lithium batteries to suit our needs, even though the manual clearly states using only group 24 or 27 batteries? Why would this be a requirement? Is this due to the battery tray size on the tongue, or due to wire gauge?

If I get 200 or 300 AH lithium batteries (maybe EPOCH?), do i need to change any components or wires (i.e. different gauge)?

Thanks for any advice on this - greatly appreciated!!
 
Last edited:
First off, welcome to the forum, hope you have a great time in your Imagine.

Yes, you can use any batteries you want to. I think the manual reference is for lead-acid batteries that must be vented. Many here on the forum prefer LiFePo4 batteries, the prices have come down to where they're competitive with other chemistries. They also perform the best.

You will need plenty of battery to boondock for at least three days. My frig is slightly larger than yours and it uses about 100 Ah (Amp hours) per day. Assuming other power requirements of 25 Ah per day (unless you have an inverter which would require more), your energy needs will be somewhat over 100 Ah per day. Your solar panel under ideal conditions will supply 12 Amps per hour, say for 6 hours (72 Ah per day). You may get a bit more on the shoulders of the day, especially in Arizona (no pesky trees like we have here in NH). At any rate, your needs will exceed inflows from the solar panels. The difference must be made up by the batteries. A 300 Ah battery would carry you for a while, you may end up wanting more if you boondock a lot.

Your existing equipment should be fine if indeed the charger/converter can shift to lithium-aware charging. No need to upgrade the cables either.
 
Hello Grand RV community!

We just purchased a 2023 17MKE and we want to upgrade the batteries (and perhaps the solar system) to be able to boondock for at least 3 days. We live in sunny Arizona and primarily camp in the mountain areas here.

I currently have 2 group 24 lead acid batteries on the tongue, one 165 watt Furrion Solar panel, Furrion MPPT Solar Controller (FSSC30) with max charging current of 25 amps, and WF-8930 converter that has a sticker on front saying lithium compatible. I also have 12v 10cuft refrigerator. I also see #8 wire gauge from batteries to trailer (and charge controller?).

My question is this: can I get any size lithium batteries to suit our needs, even though the manual clearly states using only group 24 or 27 batteries? Why would this be a requirement? Is this due to the battery tray size on the tongue, or due to wire gauge?

If I get 200 or 300 AH lithium batteries (maybe EPOCH?), do i need to change any components or wires (i.e. different gauge)?

Thanks for any advice on this - greatly appreciated!!

To get a good idea of how your Solar system works and how to plan your battery upgrades with an eye to the future, I would recommend reading the thread: "Affordable Solar", pinned at the top of the "Solar and Generators" Forum.
 
your batteries MUST be 12 volt in parallel . example two 12 volt 100 amp in parallel , size the battery cables larger than the # 8 gauge wires. Call grand design TECH support first .
 
First off, welcome to the forum, hope you have a great time in your Imagine.

Yes, you can use any batteries you want to. I think the manual reference is for lead-acid batteries that must be vented. Many here on the forum prefer LiFePo4 batteries, the prices have come down to where they're competitive with other chemistries. They also perform the best.

You will need plenty of battery to boondock for at least three days. My frig is slightly larger than yours and it uses about 100 Ah (Amp hours) per day. Assuming other power requirements of 25 Ah per day (unless you have an inverter which would require more), your energy needs will be somewhat over 100 Ah per day. Your solar panel under ideal conditions will supply 12 Amps per hour, say for 6 hours (72 Ah per day). You may get a bit more on the shoulders of the day, especially in Arizona (no pesky trees like we have here in NH). At any rate, your needs will exceed inflows from the solar panels. The difference must be made up by the batteries. A 300 Ah battery would carry you for a while, you may end up wanting more if you boondock a lot.

Your existing equipment should be fine if indeed the charger/converter can shift to lithium-aware charging. No need to upgrade the cables either.

Everything said above is true the frig is a power hog and if you are going to boondock you will need power. I went with 2 (12V 280 ah Lithium). This does us well as with the frig and other draws our 24 hr power consumption is approximately 160 ah. This gives us 3 days with zero input into our batteries. We have 370 watt panel on top and a 200 watt suitcase which is a must if you have any shade on your rig. The suitcase sun chaser is a must.
IMG_4899.JPG
Have recently replaced the Furion Solar controller with Victron Smartcontroller due to 2 failures.
 
Hello Grand RV community!

We just purchased a 2023 17MKE and we want to upgrade the batteries (and perhaps the solar system) to be able to boondock for at least 3 days. We live in sunny Arizona and primarily camp in the mountain areas here.

I currently have 2 group 24 lead acid batteries on the tongue, one 165 watt Furrion Solar panel, Furrion MPPT Solar Controller (FSSC30) with max charging current of 25 amps, and WF-8930 converter that has a sticker on front saying lithium compatible. I also have 12v 10cuft refrigerator. I also see #8 wire gauge from batteries to trailer (and charge controller?).

My question is this: can I get any size lithium batteries to suit our needs, even though the manual clearly states using only group 24 or 27 batteries? Why would this be a requirement? Is this due to the battery tray size on the tongue, or due to wire gauge?

If I get 200 or 300 AH lithium batteries (maybe EPOCH?), do i need to change any components or wires (i.e. different gauge)?

Thanks for any advice on this - greatly appreciated!!


So I had the exact fridge and solar controller and 165w solar panel set up on my GD when I bought it last year. The one panel could run the fridge and a few lights but even in AZ could not do a whole lot more.

This past February I pulled into an RV park in Goodyear, flew my wife home for Valentines day so she could get a week with the grandbaby, and did a solar upgrade. We went from 165w to 965w on the roof. I upgraded the solar controller, inverter, and replaced the two LA batteries with two-200amp LI batteries. The company came out to our site at the RV park and did the install on site. They had to make a battery tray out of tubular aluminum. I saved the two LA batteries and gave them to my son when we got home. They'll get used for something. We now have 400ah of battery power storage.

We have enough power that we can boondock and have Starlink, the microwave, stream a movie after dinner, and get to have video calls with family. The very first week after the upgrade we went to the Tonto National Forest and stayed at the Schoolhouse Campground. No hookups.

In answer to your questions:
1. Group 24 or 27. This has to do with the dimensions of the batteries. For me, the 200amp LI batteries were in neither group and the installer fabricated a new battery tray for them.
2. Gauge wiring. We did not change out any of the wiring.


https://ourroadahead.com/how-an-8000-rv-solar-upgrade-made-our-retirement-travel-dreams-come-true/
 
So I had the exact fridge and solar controller and 165w solar panel set up on my GD when I bought it last year. The one panel could run the fridge and a few lights but even in AZ could not do a whole lot more.

This past February I pulled into an RV park in Goodyear, flew my wife home for Valentines day so she could get a week with the grandbaby, and did a solar upgrade. We went from 165w to 965w on the roof. I upgraded the solar controller, inverter, and replaced the two LA batteries with two-200amp LI batteries. The company came out to our site at the RV park and did the install on site. They had to make a battery tray out of tubular aluminum. I saved the two LA batteries and gave them to my son when we got home. They'll get used for something. We now have 400ah of battery power storage.

We have enough power that we can boondock and have Starlink, the microwave, stream a movie after dinner, and get to have video calls with family. The very first week after the upgrade we went to the Tonto National Forest and stayed at the Schoolhouse Campground. No hookups.

In answer to your questions:
1. Group 24 or 27. This has to do with the dimensions of the batteries. For me, the 200amp LI batteries were in neither group and the installer fabricated a new battery tray for them.
2. Gauge wiring. We did not change out any of the wiring.


rv solar upgrade
Great info. Can you share who did the solar electrical work for you? Just bought a 21BHE. We have propane fridge so no solar…yet. Upgraded to a two battery size box and changed the converter over to lithium compatible. Thanks
 
So I had the exact fridge and solar controller and 165w solar panel set up on my GD when I bought it last year. The one panel could run the fridge and a few lights but even in AZ could not do a whole lot more.

This past February I pulled into an RV park in Goodyear, flew my wife home for Valentines day so she could get a week with the grandbaby, and did a solar upgrade. We went from 165w to 965w on the roof. I upgraded the solar controller, inverter, and replaced the two LA batteries with two-200amp LI batteries. The company came out to our site at the RV park and did the install on site. They had to make a battery tray out of tubular aluminum. I saved the two LA batteries and gave them to my son when we got home. They'll get used for something. We now have 400ah of battery power storage.

We have enough power that we can boondock and have Starlink, the microwave, stream a movie after dinner, and get to have video calls with family. The very first week after the upgrade we went to the Tonto National Forest and stayed at the Schoolhouse Campground. No hookups.

In answer to your questions:
1. Group 24 or 27. This has to do with the dimensions of the batteries. For me, the 200amp LI batteries were in neither group and the installer fabricated a new battery tray for them.
2. Gauge wiring. We did not change out any of the wiring.


rv solar upgrade
I really liked your write up about how Solar changed your camping style and expanded your camping choices by Boondocking more often.
 
I did 300 AH LiFePo4 , Solar, inverter charger upgrade on my 2021 MKE17. I removed the tongue battery boxes and put all the equipment under the Murphy bed. It easily fits there and is far more secure and keeps the battery warm.
 

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