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Post by northking44 on Aug 20, 2022 7:47:12 GMT -5
Our new 286BHD came with solar system
and panels already installed. I noticed it was running small refrigerator in outdoor kitchen off of solar, curious if it will run the main fridge (electric/gas style) too? Dealer didn’t know much about the solar stuff.
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Mark T
Weekender RV’er
Shorter days ahead
Posts: 57
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Post by Mark T on Aug 20, 2022 12:25:11 GMT -5
Most likely yes. But it depends on the size of the inverter that is installed from the factory.
Technically, the solar panel(s) don't really power anything, they just charge the battery(s). An inverter (12V to 120V) is then hooked to the battery and provides 120V power from the 12V battery. I am not sure what size inverter is installed at the factory, but it could be something like 1000 or 2000 watts.
The mini fridge will use about 50 - 100 watts of 120V power, and the absorption fridge (propane/120V) will use 300 watts. Then whatever else is turned on will use more watts. So if you have an inverter that is at least 500 watts you could run both fridges off 120V. Just keep in mind that running the inverter to power devices could drain the battery quickly if there is not decent solar gain to charge the battery. So all night long or on a cloudy or shaded day, the battery could get completely drained depending on battery size and 120V loads being run.
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Post by thebigland on Aug 24, 2022 13:35:46 GMT -5
As Mark mentioned above, the short answer is yes. You should have a 2000W Xantrex inverter which coverts the 12V battery power to 120V which can power everything in your RV except the ACs, Microwave and Fireplace Electric Heater. The solar panels are to assist in charging your battery(s). During peak sun and depending on the number of panels you might generate enough energy to offset the drain from the outside refrigerator and the few other small drains in the camper provided you don't have much on during peak sun hours. My setup is the 2X (110W) panels on the roof with the 125aHr Xantrex Lithium Battery and 2000W inverter. I mostly do boondocking with a generator to act as shore power when required. So with running the outside refrigerator and other things like lights, kids charging electronics, fan for furnace, etc, typically I can get between 10-12 hours possibly 14 hours before the battery would need to be charged because it would be down to the 10% level. I tried to also run my large electric/gas refrigerator that you mentioned above and you can bank on that cutting the runtime almost in half from what I seen so far when tracking the draw through the xantrex ap. Might get 4-6 hours, possibly 8hrs out of the battery before I need to plug into shore power to bring the battery(s) back up to charge. Now you can use that to judge accordingly depending on the battery bank you have in your unit and type of batteries.
So basically you require a significant about of solar panels on the roof, batteries in your bank in addition to some good sun exposure to consider running the larger fridge in the unit for expended periods of time without the requirement to charge the batteries using shore power.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Corey
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Post by joemar on Aug 28, 2022 18:09:19 GMT -5
Thanks Corey for the solar panel info. I bought a Durango 321RKT months ago but haven't gotten it out of the repair shop yet for flat tire damage. I'm hoping to get it back soon and maybe camp before the snow flies. The trailer is set up for 50 amp. I only have a 30 amp plug in by the driveway by the house. I have a 200 Ah Dakota battery, two solar panels and the Xantrex MPPT. I also have a 3000 watt Honda generator. I'm curious about using the Lithium battery, 30 amp shore power or just generator when I'm camping. Is there any website that covers all that? I also have a 12 volt lead acid battery that can be hooked up in the front compartment that came with the trailer. I just don't know about any conflict between all these sources or is it all automatic. Does it give additional storage to have both the lead acid and Lithium batteries in use? Do the solar panels charge the lead acid also or is it just charged by the truck when hooked up or shore power?
Sorry for all the elementary questions.
Thanks, Joe
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Post by flhtci2006 on Aug 28, 2022 22:07:20 GMT -5
Just a note: I also just purchased a 256RKT. I removed the standard battery and put in 3 100Ah Battelborns. Like you Joe, I have the same system. Same thing with home except I just have a typical 20amp plug. For boondocking I can supplement solar with 2 2000W generators. I'd be interested in the flat tire damage.
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Post by thebigland on Aug 29, 2022 11:34:29 GMT -5
Joe, I also have the 2022 321RKT. I would definitely not mix battery types (lead acid with lithium). They both require different types of charging, rates, etc. So stay away from doing that for sure. And when adding additional lithium ion batteries in parallel to the system try and stay with the same amp hours per battery if possible. In your case you indicated you have 200Ah Dakota. So if you want additional battery life add an additional 200Ah to make up the 400Ah capacity. With respect to the system being automatic. It is automatic, when connected to Shore Power (AC), whether it be generator or plugged into your house or campsite, the converter/charger on your unit will charge the batteries automatically. Once you unplug from either source it will automatically switch over to battery power (DC) and your solar panel, depending on the size of the panels will provide some charging capability but chances are unless you have a lot of panels you will draw more than you can create with the panels. However it will none the less provide some charge back to your batteries during sunny periods. Amount of solar panels and/or battery bank required for your camping needs is a whole other conversation and calculation.....  So the solar panels only charge the battery when you are disconnected from shore power (House or generator) and also when disconnected from the truck. However all of this is automatic. Nothing required on your end. One thing that you should check is that in your Solar Charge Controller (MPPT) make sure it is set for Lithium Ion Phosphate batteries so when it is charging the batteries it is doing so as a Lithium Ion battery. The manual online shows you how in the settings. Mine was still set for lead acid from the manufacturer. Also, not sure if you have the Xantrex X Inverter or XC Inverter/Charger combo. If you have the XC then you have to go in the settings for that as well and ensure it is set to Lithium Ion battery. If you just have the Xantrex X Inverter then your battery is being charged of the converter/Charger on the unit and here is a switch in the battery bay to choose Lithium instead of lead Acid. Just ensure it is on lithium. Hope this helps. Cheers Corey |
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Mark T
Weekender RV’er
Shorter days ahead
Posts: 57
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Post by Mark T on Aug 29, 2022 11:49:57 GMT -5
Joe,
A few things:
* If everything came factory on the trailer, then it should be all automatic. That is, the solar should automatically charge the battery, as will shore power, and your generator if you just plug the shore power cord into the generator.
* Having any of these sources charge a lead acid battery and a lithium battery is problematic and not recommended. The different battery types need different charge profiles and behave differently when discharging. If you could drop in another 100 or 200 aH lithium that would be great.
* I would check your in house charge controller (built into the 110 to 12V convertor) to make sure it is a Lithium charger. If not, then you will never fully charge the lithium battery and it will charge slower. If it came factory, then they probably did use the correct one. Also make sure the Xantrex MPPT is set for lithium batteries.
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mjg
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 12
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Post by mjg on Dec 15, 2022 14:34:50 GMT -5
As Mark mentioned above, the short answer is yes. You should have a 2000W Xantrex inverter which coverts the 12V battery power to 120V which can power everything in your RV except the ACs, Microwave and Fireplace Electric Heater. The solar panels are to assist in charging your battery(s). During peak sun and depending on the number of panels you might generate enough energy to offset the drain from the outside refrigerator and the few other small drains in the camper provided you don't have much on during peak sun hours. My setup is the 2X (110W) panels on the roof with the 125aHr Xantrex Lithium Battery and 2000W inverter. I mostly do boondocking with a generator to act as shore power when required. So with running the outside refrigerator and other things like lights, kids charging electronics, fan for furnace, etc, typically I can get between 10-12 hours possibly 14 hours before the battery would need to be charged because it would be down to the 10% level. I tried to also run my large electric/gas refrigerator that you mentioned above and you can bank on that cutting the runtime almost in half from what I seen so far when tracking the draw through the xantrex ap. Might get 4-6 hours, possibly 8hrs out of the battery before I need to plug into shore power to bring the battery(s) back up to charge. Now you can use that to judge accordingly depending on the battery bank you have in your unit and type of batteries. So basically you require a significant about of solar panels on the roof, batteries in your bank in addition to some good sun exposure to consider running the larger fridge in the unit for expended periods of time without the requirement to charge the batteries using shore power. Hope this helps. Cheers Corey |
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mjg
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 12
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Post by mjg on Dec 15, 2022 14:44:24 GMT -5
Hi Corey
We saw in your post that you have the same Xantrex off the grid package as we do —-
“My setup is the 2X (110W) panels on the roof with the 125aHr Xantrex Lithium Battery and 2000W inverter” (we have XC inverter/charger) … in our 2022 D301RLT.
We are using a Honda 2200i generator to charge it but it will not complete a charge to 100%, in fact with every charge the SOC drops about 5%. So after 5 to 6 days off the grid we are down to 65-70% max charge.
Do you have any issue with your generator? What type are you using? Have you heard of this from anyone else?
We have been in discussion with Xantrex for more than two months. We are now waiting for engineering to get back with us. With them we have tried multiple setting changes etc. and tests without any luck!
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Post by thebigland on Dec 22, 2022 13:42:50 GMT -5
MJG, curious, does the battery do the same when connected to shore power? not the generator?
I have two generators, a Yamaha 2000 inverter which I use in spring and fall as I don't need the AC and a Yamaha 3000isb during the warmer months for the AC and both charge the xantrex battery to 100% with no issues.
The original battery would fault when connected to both shore power or generator and not take any charge as it was in fault mode. But that was solely a battery issue. Once battery was replaced under warranty all worked as should.
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mjg
Newbie RV’er
Posts: 12
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Post by mjg on Dec 24, 2022 14:24:45 GMT -5
Thanks Corey,
No …. this issue only occurs when trying to charge using the Honda generator … it charges perfectly on shore power AND when driving from the truck … we haven’t been able to try a more powerful generator yet … hopefully after the holidays! Interesting you had to replace your battery! Was it a new lithium battery?
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Post by thebigland on Dec 28, 2022 7:50:22 GMT -5
Yes MJG, it was a brand new Xantrex 125 Amp Hr Lithium Iron Phosphate battery on the new unit straight from the manufacturer/dealer. Would be identical to yours. It was faulting with the excessive current fault so it wouldn't take charge as it went in fault mode to protect the battery. Replaced under warranty and the new battery worked perfect.
I don't think it is the size of the generator that's the issue, however couldn't hurt to just borrow another generator of any size to see if the same issue occurs. At least then you can narrow down the issue. Whether its your generator or not.
Cheers
Corey
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Post by 660catman on Dec 28, 2022 10:24:42 GMT -5
You realize the 2200i only puts out 1800 running watts. It will not put out that in ECO mode. It sounds like you’re using more battery power to power the inverter than the generator will put out.
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Post by thebigland on Dec 29, 2022 9:02:15 GMT -5
MJG, what catman said above could be the case. When I boondock I run my indoor fridge (Gas/Electric) on propane as the draw on that larger fridge is pretty high. If you are running a residential fridge or using your gas/electric always on electric that would be a considerable load on your inverter most of the time depending on how cold you run your fridge. I have an outdoor bar fridge on the 321RKT (electric only) and with that running as well as lights, charging electronics and an occasional tv turned on the draw is anywhere between 8-10 amps which is less than my 2000 Yamaha outputs so it can run all that and still charge my batteries. I can view that using the Xantrex Aps for the inverter and batteries. However I have also turned on the indoor refrigerator to electric instead of propane and when that kicks in with both fridges and all the other items I observed the draw upwards of 30-40 amps at times so in those instances it would be depleting your battery even while running your smaller generator. I know this is the case because I tested how long I can run on the one 125AmpHr battery. With my indoor fridge on propane I can get upwards of 13-15 hours but with the indoor fridge turned on electric maybe 3-4 hours max before the batter reaches the shutdown threshold. So I think the answer to your question is your refrigerator? If you have a gas/electric, switch to propane and I think you will charge your battery to 100% with the existing generator as long as you don't be using the electric fireplace or microwave all the time . If it is residential refrigerator or your are using the gas/electric only on electric only the draw is higher than the output of your generator. So when your compressor on the fridge kicks in the draw exceeds the generator output and brings down the battery charge and the times the compressor is not on your generator may be charging the batteries but at a net loss overall. Hope this helps. |
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