NAS LR3 build with an overseas twist

DiscoNels

DiscoNels

Adventurer
Ray_G said:
Quick sketch in the pad. Main takeaways is there is a lot of redundancy in charging capability but the batteries are isolated via the traxide. Solar charge runs through the aux battery via traxide to keep primary topped off, essentially a reverse of the alternator. That was deliberate since the aux runs the fridge 24/7. NOCO, when used (rare at the moment) goes straight to each battery.



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I have the same set up as you (minus the NOCO) and want to share my experience with you regarding wiring the solar panel directly to the AUX battery. I have the USI-160 traxide system, not sure if you have that one or the SC80. The solenoid is designed to work with the charge coming from the MAIN and going to AUX, not from AUX to MAIN so it may not always join batteries when you put a charge on the AUX with the solar panel. I was really bummed when I checked my voltage meter and found only the AUX battery charging in my system, so I called and spoke with Tim at Traxide to get some clarity on the situation.

I can't find my notes at the moment so don't remember the specific voltages required for the solenoid to join batteries, but it was high like 13.2 volts. So, if your main battery voltage is too low the solenoid won't join to allow the charge coming from the AUX to go to MAIN. The other thing was the solenoid timer will reset after 72 hours if the engine isn't started. So, if you're sitting in one spot for a week, the solenoid will disengage after 3 days and you'll have to start the vehicle to reactivate and reset the timer.

So, you may want to reconsider as I am, and wire the solar panel directly to the MAIN so you'll always have a charge going to the AUX battery through the solenoid from the MAIN.
 
Victory_Overland

Victory_Overland

Explorer
@DiscoNels that's good info and great for publishing. I am considering selling my Traxide since it is not installed yet and going another route; the system looks awesome but I think there are potentially better use options out there that I may go with.
 
Ray_G

Ray_G

Explorer
That's great info; worth noting that the solar is really just for the aux/fridge relationship. I acknowledge fully that it would be great to have it on the primary side and flow through but that wasn't something I really even thought about when I set it all up.

Long before I put the solar in I sought to keep starter and aux isolated-and keep the microstart for the starter battery as a backup. Since she rarely sits for a week where she isn't using the NOCO, I'm good with not redoing the wiring for the moment.

@Victory; there likely is plenty of other options out there than traxide-but what I haven't seen using blue sea, painless, and others is that the traxide does what it does well and with minimal fuss. That, for me, is why in this application it is perfect.
R-
Ray


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Victory_Overland

Victory_Overland

Explorer
@Ray_G that for sure is a great selling point; especially considering it is sitting in my garage paid for already.....😆🤣

My point was similar to you in which completely isolate start and house power or maybe just go with a manual switch.

The real point is that I am considering going with a DC-DC option and building into my sleeping platform the second battery option which is encased and portable with quick disconnect; the 100w roof panel and potentially 50w hood panel will stay on Victory and the Renogy fold-out kit will be for shaded area camping and portable option with the battery box. I believe I can still do this with the Traxide 160 I have but need to lay it all out once I get my schematic done.
 
Ray_G

Ray_G

Explorer
Victory_Overland said:
@Ray_G that for sure is a great selling point; especially considering it is sitting in my garage paid for already.....😆🤣

My point was similar to you in which completely isolate start and house power or maybe just go with a manual switch.

The real point is that I am considering going with a DC-DC option and building into my sleeping platform the second battery option which is encased and portable with quick disconnect; the 100w roof panel and potentially 50w hood panel will stay on Victory and the Renogy fold-out kit will be for shaded area camping and portable option with the battery box. I believe I can still do this with the Traxide 160 I have but need to lay it all out once I get my schematic done.
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Ah, gotcha.
I have a fair amount of trust in the Traxide system-as DiscoNels notes, it really only goes one way and I suppose it could fail but for the years I've had it in play it has shown now predisposition to that despite my heavy handed learning.

Is the space on the front left already taken by something more important than a battery? I ask b/c I'd be reluctant to put one in the cab if there is a spot where OE battery tie down equipment (and the traxide wiring, though that's a lessor matter) make it fit well. Doesn't mean you couldn't anderson plug in to that and such...though I do see your point about having some portable charging solution for camp duties-to me that may be an opportunity to throw $$$ at low draw camping gear!
 
Victory_Overland

Victory_Overland

Explorer
@Ray_G don't want to take over your thread here on my experiments but I'm gonna blame you for asking the question.....lol

1) I plan to run a Battleborn 110ah lithium as the house battery and therefore "in cabin concerns" outside of space are virtually eliminated. Not that I can't use the Traxide still for the connection; I would most likely just need dedicated DC/DC charge profiles for the individual batteries.

2) As Victory slowly but almost surely becomes an adventure wagon only, I feel the 2nd Battery Box Auxiliary set-up can dual purpose for "supplemental" home use emergency, camp trips in the plane, etc. Just opening up options.

3) Having the Aux Battery in a dedicated and removable battery tray/box allows for the MPPT and/or DC/DC charger to remain with the box on removal and connection to the truck would be either through Andersen Power Pole or 2 x bus bar connections allowing me to connect the suitcase solar direct connection.

Hope that makes sense; but feel free, anyone, to offer "constructive" recommendations on my page.
 
Ray_G

Ray_G

Explorer
Snagged a gearbox/transfer skid plate.


Also used the time to remove the compressor...


Great shots of me taking the pics being attacked by the dogs



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Ray_G

Ray_G

Explorer
Victory_Overland said:
@Ray_G take that thing off and send it to me so I can pirate it......I mean make it better! hahaha

I'll send yours back and my version for free!
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Best I can do is get you a trace! It's not an insignificant chunk of aluminum, and getting it on wasn't hard but was also typical Land Rover meets aftermarket parts.
I wouldn't want to think about shipping costs.
 
Ray_G

Ray_G

Explorer
That is just a portion of Twin Mountain's collection. Mine is much more modest with just an S1, D1, D3, BMW Dakar, and then the other stuff like a gen 1.5 Taco and such.


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I

Ian_Barry

Observer
That's a parking lot that I'd like to revisit sometime soon - the move to NYC makes it feel so much more distant than it really is.
 
Ray_G

Ray_G

Explorer
Hit a milestone today. Fitting since it basically marks the end of a chapter, as she’ll be going into the garage for storage for awhile very soon-stay tuned for the next vehicle acquisition(s)!


Appropriate that it occurred within about 1/4 mile of here, as we headed back to the house from a run down by the river (the only place where it is kind of flat...when we don’t want to torture ourselves).


Going to miss these roads, but new ones await and it will be nice to come back to these.
 
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