Solar & Lithium Battery Upgrade - Questions on the 12v connection

georgiadawg

Advanced Member
Joined
Aug 21, 2018
Messages
30
Location
Northen Wyoming
Okay, I need some advice from the folks who've done this before me.

I am adding solar to our trailer (ten (10) 200w panels installed and wired), a Victron Smart Solar controller, a Victron 24v MultiPlus II, two 24v 200ah EG4 lithium batteries, etc.

I will be using an Orion 24v-to-12v (70a) step-down converter and I'm trying to decide the best way to connect the Orion to the 12v system in the coach. I am going to eliminate the two old LA batteries completely and I will be disconnecting the F350's charging capability by removing the charging fuse.

I had thought about running the positive and negative output wires (12v) from the Orion (which will be located in the Reflection's closet where a washer and dryer can go), through the basement, out to the where the old batteries are located on the tongue and just connect to the positive and negative wires that were connected to the old batteries. I'd put this connection in a water proof junction box.

I'm wondering about alternatives that might be simpler. If you can suggest something, please do!

Finally, while scoping out the existing battery connections and wiring from the current disconnect switch, I noticed what looks like a buss bar behind the steep cross-member the across the front of the coach. I've attached a picture and would appreciate someone confirming that what I'm seeing is in fact a buss bar. Just for reference: the bottom red wire on the right goes to the positive terminal on the batteries, the upper red wire on the right goes to one side of the disconnect switch.

Thanks in advance for your ideas and advice!

Jeff
 

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Okay, I need some advice from the folks who've done this before me.

I am adding solar to our trailer (ten (10) 200w panels installed and wired), a Victron Smart Solar controller, a Victron 24v MultiPlus II, two 24v 200ah EG4 lithium batteries, etc.

I will be using an Orion 24v-to-12v (70a) step-down converter and I'm trying to decide the best way to connect the Orion to the 12v system in the coach. I am going to eliminate the two old LA batteries completely and I will be disconnecting the F350's charging capability by removing the charging fuse.

I had thought about running the positive and negative output wires (12v) from the Orion (which will be located in the Reflection's closet where a washer and dryer can go), through the basement, out to the where the old batteries are located on the tongue and just connect to the positive and negative wires that were connected to the old batteries. I'd put this connection in a water proof junction box.

I'm wondering about alternatives that might be simpler. If you can suggest something, please do!

Finally, while scoping out the existing battery connections and wiring from the current disconnect switch, I noticed what looks like a buss bar behind the steep cross-member the across the front of the coach. I've attached a picture and would appreciate someone confirming that what I'm seeing is in fact a buss bar. Just for reference: the bottom red wire on the right goes to the positive terminal on the batteries, the upper red wire on the right goes to one side of the disconnect switch.

Thanks in advance for your ideas and advice!

Jeff

When I installed my 24v to 12v Converter, I simply disconnected the OEM Converter and wired the out from the Orion Converter to the existing OEM wires.

Yes, you are looking at a Buss Bar. If you wanted to, you could connect the output from your Orion Converter where the positive battery cable is connected.
 

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