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RE: Blue Ox BRK2022
If anybody was watching this, the Blue Ox System was delivered yesterday. I was a little concerned they made a mistake and their price was for the older model, but they shipped the 2022 model number. They still have it at this price on their website so if anybody is in the market, $500 cheaper than everybody else is a good deal.
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msmith1199
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09/15/23 08:04pm |
Dinghy Towing
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RE: Blue Ox BRK2022
Well I went ahead and order it. So hopefully it’s all legit. If not it’s on my credit card so I can get the charge reversed. Shipping was only $23 for FedEx Ground and they didn’t charge me sales tax since apparently they have no store in Nevada. So total was $1296.
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msmith1199
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09/02/23 11:30pm |
Dinghy Towing
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Blue Ox BRK2022
So I’m thinking about getting the new Blue Ox Braking system. Most every vendor online has it for $1780.90. Looks like one of those standard prices that manufacturers require their dealers to sell them at. Except for one. A place called RVeParts.com has it listed for $1273.88 which is a little over $500 cheaper than everybody else. Looks like a legitimate company but you don’t often see one vendor with this big of a discount and everybody else selling at MSRP. Has anybody done business with this company? Are they legit? You have to enter all your info before they give you a shipping cost so I’m wondering if that’s going to be the catch. Once I give them all my info I find out shipping is $500. Anybody use this place?
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msmith1199
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09/02/23 11:16pm |
Dinghy Towing
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Victron electronics, change your PIN!
So I recently installed a Victron SmartShunt on my lithium batteries. I’m at a RV park now and I went to log into my Shunt and I noticed several other Victron products on the list that aren’t mine. I tapped on one and it allowed me to log into it. The owner of it never changed the default factory PIN. I figured out which trailer it is and he’s not there right now. So when he gets back I’m going to contact him and let him know. If you don’t change your PIN anybody can log into your Victron equipment and change all your settings and even change your PIN and lock you out of it. I actually almost skipped that step when I was setting mine up but went back and set a new PIN. I wasn’t even thinking about people being able to get into it.
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msmith1199
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08/25/23 07:48pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Scotty I need more power!
Ktmrfs, okay I do have the wizard button, but it was hidden behind a power cable the ran over it. I tried the manual boost mode and it didn’t appear to be going into boost. But the batteries were near fully charged so I’m thinking that may have something to do with it. So I left the batteries on with the fridge and some other stuff running and I’ll got back out this evening with the batteries run out and see if I can get the boost mode to work.
StirCrazy, it’s in LI mode and has been since I installed the LI batteries.
yes, little bitty button is somewhat hidden, and not well documented.
And if the battery is near full charge, yes it may go into boost mode but charging current won't change much or current will drop pretty rapidly. . At least on Lead Acid batteries.
Didn’t work. Got the batter down to 43% and tried everything with the wizard button and could only get 16amps going to the battery for the charge. I also only get 14.1 volts now out of the converter and it should be 14.6 voltes in the lithium mode. So I don’t think the converter is in lithium mode. I think the little switch got busted the first time I tried to use it because it’s so small. I had ran some trouble shooting things with the factory rep and he told me it sound to him like the switch broke in lithium mode, but now that I have the SmartShunt I’m not convinced of that. So I’m going to call them next week and discuss it. And, it looks to me like the 4560LI is much better suited to what I want anyway. And I can get that converter unit and swap it with the 4560 without having to swap everything else out. It’s just a plug and play. So I’ll take to them about that next week. It’s under $300 and if it works better, (sounds like it does) that’s worth it to me.
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msmith1199
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08/19/23 06:33pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Scotty I need more power!
msmith1199
From the downloadable manual.
PD4500LI - The full rated load is available for load, battery charging or both. When functioning as a regulated battery charger the converter has a nominal voltage output of 14.6 VDC. The system is designed to sense voltage on the battery and will taper the charging current as the battery becomes charged.
CAUTION
The 4500LI series converter/chargers are designed to recharge lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries only.
DO NOT USE TO RECHARGE LEAD/ACID BATTERIES!
Don’t have that inverter.
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msmith1199
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08/19/23 04:40pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Scotty I need more power!
Ktmrfs, okay I do have the wizard button, but it was hidden behind a power cable the ran over it. I tried the manual boost mode and it didn’t appear to be going into boost. But the batteries were near fully charged so I’m thinking that may have something to do with it. So I left the batteries on with the fridge and some other stuff running and I’ll got back out this evening with the batteries run out and see if I can get the boost mode to work.
StirCrazy, it’s in LI mode and has been since I installed the LI batteries.
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msmith1199
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08/19/23 03:35pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Scotty I need more power!
Okay, well after doing some more research, I think my unit may be capable of the manual boost mode. The instruction manual isn’t really clear in explaining it, but now that I know what it is I think I have it. So I’ll run back out to my motorhome today and give it a try. If correct, then that solves my problem as I can use the boost mode with the generator to get the power back without changing anything. Thanks for that info.
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msmith1199
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08/19/23 08:54am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Scotty I need more power!
Mine is the regular 4560 with the Lithium switch for use with lithium batteries. I think the 4560LI is only for Lithium batteries and doesn’t function with other types. I’ll have to check and see if I can replace mine with the 4560LI assuming it has this feature. This would solve my problem as it’s something you would only use with the generator so cut the generator run time.
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msmith1199
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08/19/23 08:46am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Scotty I need more power!
It’s a progressive dynamics 4560. I have not run the batteries dead yet and it’s only been a few days. I was getting 17 amps to the batteries when they were showing 53% full. Today they were under 50% and the Shunt showed 22 amps. So I don’t know what the max is. I do know if I started turning items on in the motorhome that used battery power, the amps going to charge the batteries would drop a little.
do you have other 12V things running in the rv while you're doing this?
The 60amp output is shared between everything being powered. so, if you have 20 amps of other things takin g power only 40 will be available for charging. Also, what voltage are you seeing with the amps going to the batteries? If you are seeing 13.0V then 50% is the most you will ever get the batteries to charge to.
Steve
No, nothing else was running. In fact I even turned the battery switch off and found that the converter is still charging the battery with the batter switch off.
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msmith1199
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08/18/23 06:17pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Scotty I need more power!
It’s a progressive dynamics 4560. I have not run the batteries dead yet and it’s only been a few days. I was getting 17 amps to the batteries when they were showing 53% full. Today they were under 50% and the Shunt showed 22 amps. So I don’t know what the max is. I do know if I started turning items on in the motorhome that used battery power, the amps going to charge the batteries would drop a little.
This sounds odd to me. But maybe lithium charge rates are different.
However, my guess is it isn't going into bulk mode charging automatically. If it is the unit I believe it is, there is a small red button in the converter box. push it to force into bulk mode charging. Then it should jump to 40+A.
while it says "not recomended" to mess with the mode, I've found it often usefull to force the charger into boost mode on partially charged battery and it will drop out when it reaches full charge.
Here is info from the manual
"The Charge Wizard Operation While the built-in Charge Wizard automatically determines which operating mode is best suited to recharge or maintain optimum battery condition, the Wizard Mode Button allows for manual override and has an indicator light to indicate the mode of operation. NOTE: The Green LED on the left refers to the Charge Wizard - the Red LED on the right is for the Charge Sentinel (optionally available) Light “ON” – Indicates the converter is in the Boost Mode and the output voltage is 14.4 VDC to rapidly recharge the battery up to 90% of full charge. Light Blinks Rapidly (every 2-3 seconds) – Indicates the converter is in the Normal Mode and the output voltage is 13.6VDC. In this mode the converter is safely completing the charge of the battery. Light Blinks Slowly (every 5-6 seconds) – Indicates the unit is in the Storage Mode and the output voltage has been lowered to 13.2VDC. In this mode the RV battery is fully charged and the converter is maintaining the charge. MANUAL BUTTON. The manual button has been provided to allow the operator to manually override the converter (not recommended) and to verify the converter is operating properly. For manual operation, Press and Hold the button. The indicator light will soon remain “ON” indicating Boost Mode. Continue to hold the button and the light will blink rapidly indicating the converter is in the Normal Mode. Continue to hold the button until the light blinks slowly indicating the converter is now in the Storage Mode. After th
On a pair of GC2 that are at 50% my PD50A charger will start at 45-50A charge current and hold that fill the batteries are around 70% then start to drop. It doesn't drop to 20A till it's near 90%.
I think you got this from the PD 4600 series manual. Mine is a 4500 series and I don’t believe has this mode available.
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msmith1199
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08/18/23 06:16pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Scotty I need more power!
It’s a progressive dynamics 4560. I have not run the batteries dead yet and it’s only been a few days. I was getting 17 amps to the batteries when they were showing 53% full. Today they were under 50% and the Shunt showed 22 amps. So I don’t know what the max is. I do know if I started turning items on in the motorhome that used battery power, the amps going to charge the batteries would drop a little.
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msmith1199
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08/17/23 02:05pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Scotty I need more power!
You can run multiple chargers as long as they play nice with each other, you won't hurt the batteries or the chargers, but if there are differences in the charging voltage , one might decide the batteries are charged and reduce its output, sensing the higher voltage of the other charger and deciding the batteries are near full, it depends on the electronics of each device, this happens more with external automotive style chargers then converters, the factory built in converters are more like DC power supplies than smart chargers, and should work ok in tandem with the lithium charger, the additional 20 amps seems like a good idea, definitely something i would try
I emailed the converter people and they said their converter would work fine with another charger. I don’t know if they considered what you said here. They just said I wouldn’t damage it. Now that I have the SmartShunt installed it’s very easy to see what the batteries are doing. I need to go out dry camping for a few days and I think I can better tell if I even need any new or additional batteries at all. I do know that if the two I have are fully charged at the end of the evening then they will last all night even if I use the furnace all night with freezing temps outside. I think my problem before was I had no way to tell how charged the batteries were. The SmartShunt will fix that problem.
Right now the SmartShunt is showing the converter supplies between 17 and 22 amps to the batteries. So at that rate I’m looking at 9 hours to fully charge the batteries from the generator from completely dead. If I get an external charger and can get that up to 50 amps, then I’m thinking I can charge them in 4 hours from completely dead. I think the external charger pays for itself in gas alone in the generator for extended boondocking stays. Since I know I’m not using all 200ah in one day, I think I can keep them charged with a couple of hours a day of generator use which was my goal. But I’ll have to wait until I get back out there and see what the SmartShunt tells me.
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msmith1199
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08/17/23 12:37pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Can I Close My Low Point Drain?
I have a Jayco Jay Flight. I filled the fresh water tank, but now water is draining out from the Low Point Drain under the trailer. Is there a way to close that drain or is it supposed to remain open?
Edit: Never mind. It stopped draining water and the Fresh tank reads full. I guess it's just an overflow for when it gets too full.
As you fill your water tank it expands a little with the pressure from the hose. So by the time it hits the overflow there is some pressure to the tank. So even if you turn it off right a way, the over flow may still flow for a while. My current motorhome and my last motorhome did the same thing.
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msmith1199
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08/16/23 04:28pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Scotty I need more power!
The only way to cut generator recharge runtime. While still using the same amphrs of power is to use a bigger charger/converter that can supply more amps up to max amount the batteries can absorb , replacing 200ampHrs with 270Ahrs, might allow you that third night with heat, but it is Not going to shorten your generator runtime, replenishing the planned for battery ,
capacity , replacing what was used the night before, will require the same amount of time. Unless a stronger charge system is used
I'm assuming that you think that with a 70 amphrs increase, you have a buffer where you can run the generator less and not go back to full charge on Day #2 and #3, and still have n enough battery power for heat on night #3,
You have not provided info to show this is possible,
How many amphrs is used overnight, how many amphrs will a 2 hour or 3 hour charge return to the batteries,
Do you have a battery power monitor that will track battery capacity , track power out and back in , show you the "state of charge percentage" , the amphrs remaining in your batteries
Let me ask you a question. I have the Victron SmartShunt installed now. My onboard converter seems to be supplying about 17 amps to the batteries when either plugged in or with the generator on. I also have the Victron DC to DC system installed so when the engine is running I’m getting 27 amps. With the engine and generator both running I’m getting over 40 amps. So the main problem seems to be with the converter. Instead of upgrading that, can I get a lithium battery charger that I can plug into a 120 outlet and hook directly to the battery so it charges the battery too when the generator is running? That won’t feed back into the converter will it and damage the converter? I see Victron has a 20 amp plug in charger and if I could use that and get 37 amps to the batteries with the generator running that could also cut my generator run time way down.
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msmith1199
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08/16/23 04:18pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Scotty I need more power!
Well, when I ran the generator four hours a day the batteries last through the night without a problem and still had plenty of power to start the generator the next day. So I guess you’re wrong. I’m hoping to find a way to run the generator 2 or 3 hours a day when dry camping and not have to scrimp on power overnight. I think another 70ah would do it.
I wouldn't say I am wrong. I am trying to understand what you said. so if you barely made it through the night and you don't change anything but adding 70AH to your battery capacity then ya, that first night you will make it through no issues, the second night just barely and by the third you will be in the same boat. What I would suggest in that case is to go ahead and upgrade your battery but also add a 350-to-400-watt solar panel with a mppt controller. This way the solar will add charge all day and you only have to run your genny if needed for AC or an emergency top up. for example, when my 325watt panel is charging at full it is putting 22AH into the battery per hour for a good 4 hours a day then smaller amounts for the morning and evening. I estimate on a good day it can recharge 120 to 160AH and that's being conservative. So, with a 350-watt panel or better yet, two 350-watt panels you may never have to use your genny against 100% . the panels are cheap if you have no issues dropping 2400 on a 270AH battery you could probably do two 350watt panels and a controller for 600US (guessing but I know they are cheaper than here and I can get that panel for about 240 cdn and the controler for 200.00 so I figure it's got to be under 600US) only other cost would be install if you can't do it yourself.
The good thing about this kind of setup is you already have the genny so if you notice it's a cloudy day and your panels aren't preforming quite good enough then start up the genny and add a bit more charge.
Yeah, I know all that. I get it. I rarely dry camp for more than three days and it’s usually the third day before I kill the battery. Extra AH will get me through that third day. I’m good there.
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msmith1199
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08/15/23 08:58am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Scotty I need more power!
That's what you said. You said you wanted more amp hours so you only needed to run the generator 2 to 3 hours per day instead of 4 hours.
Yes, that is exactly what I said. That isn’t what your post said.
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msmith1199
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08/15/23 08:53am |
Tech Issues
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RE: Scotty I need more power!
I hate to put a damper on your thinking. But more amp hours can help you get thru the night, etc. But those amp hours still need replaced. In other words, generator run time (or some other means like solar) will still be the same.
What? You mean batteries don’t just run forever without getting charged again? Sorry for the sarcasm, but really? You really think I don’t know that?
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msmith1199
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08/14/23 10:03pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Scotty I need more power!
After a recent extended trip without hookups, and a lot of research, I decided I need more battery capacity! But I have no room for another battery. About two years ago I bought two Battle Born 100 AH Lipo4 batteries. I downsized my motorhome to a smaller Class C and there isn’t room in the battery compartment and no nearby location to put another. But BattleBorn does make 270ah battery that will fit in the existing compartment. If I was buying now I’d definitely get that one over the two 100AH batteries. And I still may get it anyway. But it is $2400! I may go ahead and do it if I thought I could sell my two year old batteries. Is there a market for used LiPo4 batteries? I think I paid about $900 each for them and they are $950 each now. If I could get half that I’d pull the trigger and get the bigger battery.
You have quite a dilemma I guess, if 70 AH is all you need to cover the rest of your extended camping there are far cheaper ways to do it. I don't like generators myself; you must physically start them when needed and with so many campgrounds putting restrictions on hours they can be run getting a meaning full charge is getting harder. Also, they are noisy and disturb everyone else. Now instead of changing batteries, you could easily do one 350-watt solar panel with an MPPT charger for under 400 US if you can install it yourself. maybe an extra 2 or 300 if you have to pay someone to install it. still cheaper than a genny or buying another genny. So, my 325-watt solar panel with a renogy mppt charge controller will replace 36AH to my batteries by noon so really you could get say 50AH or more a day replenished to the battery. so over a long weekend (3 days) that would be like adding a 150-200AH battery to your existing battery bank giving you the same performance as a 350 to 400AH battery bank.
Just something to think about
Solar is an option and I actually have a 200watt portable panel. Last time I used it it also didn’t give me enough power to the batteries. I was camping in very cold weather and needed the heater at night. The batteries didn’t last through the night. But I also didn’t run the generator enough that day. This last trip I found that I probably need to run the generator at least four hours a day to get me through the night since I have a residential fridge and I had left the Satelite receivers on and a CPAP. That was my longest extended camping trip without hookups. So I eventually learned to manage the power better and get me through the night. But I think that extra 70 amps would get me through the night just fine. This last trip I didn’t need the heater so I know how to get through the night as long as I don’t need heat, but I’ll have to work on something different for upcoming winter trips to the desert. I have installed a Victron SmartShunt now so that will help with battery management.
If I read that right, you're saying you need up to 270AH just to make it through the night? as in 24 hours of camping?
ya that little 200 watt solar panel or even the one I mentioned isn't going to recharge your batteries, or even a generator running for 4 hours a day for that matter.
Well, when I ran the generator four hours a day the batteries last through the night without a problem and still had plenty of power to start the generator the next day. So I guess you’re wrong. I’m hoping to find a way to run the generator 2 or 3 hours a day when dry camping and not have to scrimp on power overnight. I think another 70ah would do it.
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msmith1199
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08/14/23 02:38pm |
Tech Issues
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RE: Scotty I need more power!
I made the first reply to your initial post and mentioned SOK batteries. My point was if your 100 ah batteries are about the size of car batteries, you could replace them with 206 ah SOKs for 412 ah (more than double what you have now) which is more than the 270 ah BattleBorn for less money.
And I’ll look into that. I know not all Lithium batteries are alike. Battle Born as a good reputation and the Battle Born home office is five miles from my house. I don’t mind paying extra for known quality. But I’ll do some research on the SOK batteries. Thanks.
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msmith1199
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08/13/23 08:01pm |
Tech Issues
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