UPDATE for 25-Sep-2022 - See updates in red font below.
In July/August of 2022, I installed an energy system in my 340RL that I had removed from my last RV. I also augmented that system with additional equipment for additional and extended capabilities. This thread will document that process.
Feel free to ask questions about this system, it's capabilities and to give me input as to my system. This will be the second system I've ever done and while I'm handy, I am no expert in this area, nor do I do this sort of thing professionally. I do have some really smart friends and will use them here and there for ideas and review.
OUR CAMPING STYLE
We are not boondockers per se, though from time to time, we do find ourselves camping for a night or two in the driveway of friends and I would like to try a few Harvest Hosts. We travel with dogs, so we stop for an extended lunch break every travel day and we like to use what we want and be comfortable during these stops.
OFF-GRID SYSTEM GOALS
(rest breaks on travel days - moochdocking - Harvest Host or other boondocking locations)
INSTALLATION
EXPERIENCE / RESULTS
In July/August of 2022, I installed an energy system in my 340RL that I had removed from my last RV. I also augmented that system with additional equipment for additional and extended capabilities. This thread will document that process.
Feel free to ask questions about this system, it's capabilities and to give me input as to my system. This will be the second system I've ever done and while I'm handy, I am no expert in this area, nor do I do this sort of thing professionally. I do have some really smart friends and will use them here and there for ideas and review.
OUR CAMPING STYLE
We are not boondockers per se, though from time to time, we do find ourselves camping for a night or two in the driveway of friends and I would like to try a few Harvest Hosts. We travel with dogs, so we stop for an extended lunch break every travel day and we like to use what we want and be comfortable during these stops.
OFF-GRID SYSTEM GOALS
(rest breaks on travel days - moochdocking - Harvest Host or other boondocking locations)
- Have the ability to use any of the 3 air conditioners that we need, based on the circumstance
- Have the ability to power all AC power using appliances and devices (though not all at once)
- Have the ability to power and use the TV and related entertainment gear
- Have all my communications, entertainment, home automation and video surveillance gear powered 24/7 and without interruption by powering as much directly (not inverted) via DC power as possible
- SmartPlug 50A Shore Power Inlet (will replace OEM twist-lock inlet)
- 30A Twist-Lock Shore Power Inlet at Pinbox (for use when connected to single-phase power sources)
- Progressive Dynamics PD52V 5200 Series 50A Automatic Transfer Switch (ATS)
- Progressive Industries 50A Hardwired Electrical Management System (EMS) with Remote Display
- Victron MultiPlus 12/3000/120 Inverter/Charger - 2 ea
- Victron Autotransformer (100A) - 2 ea
- Champion Dual Fuel Inverter-style Portable Generator (3200/2880 running watts on Gas/Propane)
- Replace original twist-lock 50A power inlet with a SmartPlug 50A power inlet
- Install 30A power twist-lock power inlet to the back of the 5th wheel pin box. Primary use of this second power inlet will be for a portable generator that will be stored and used in truck bed as well as single-phase shore power
- Install Victron 100A Autotransformer between pin box 30A power inlet and ATS generator input (to create split-phase from single-phase input)
- Install Progressive Dynamics 50A ATS (for 50A shore and 30A generator power inlets)
- Install EMS to ATS output
- Install dual-pole 50A AC disconnect to EMS output
- Install both inverter/chargers
- Connect inverter/charger outputs to to second Autotransformer (to balance output across both AC legs when loads require it - up to 30A lift to the leg that needs it)
- Connect output of second Autotransformer to coach breaker panel
- Install 4 ea Renogy 200 Ah LiFePO4 batteries
- Install Victron Lynx Power In (configured for fusing) to bus and fuse batteries in parallel
- Install Victron 1000A Smart Shunt on negative after Lynx Power In
- Install BlueSea 600A HD Battery Switch on positive after Lynx Power In
- Install Victron Lynx Distributor after Shunt and Battery Switch
- Install two Victron Orion DC-DC Chargers, 30A/12V (for truck alternator charging)
- Install 4 ea Renogy 320W Solar Panels
- Install two Victron Smart MPPT Solar Charge Controllers, 150V/100A for 2 strings of 2 ea 320W solar panels
INSTALLATION
- Below is an image that captures the essence of the new system in a nearly completed state and here's a link to additional installation pictures
EXPERIENCE / RESULTS
- Travel Days
It was SO nice to use anything and everything we wanted during our 45-60 minute driver break / lunch stop. We cooked, we stayed cool, we were online. All good.
- Moochdocking
This worked out well. For 3 nights, we camped in the backyard of family in southern Wisconsin. Using a 30A twist-lock shore cord, I plugged into the 30A power inlet at the pinbox, then connected a 30A extension cord and terminated that with a 30A to 15A plug adapter and plugged into a 15A garage outlet. I adjusted the shore power input of each inverter to 7.5A (x 2 = 15A) and all went well. We used a single air conditioner pretty much 24/7 for these 3 days - alternating between using the middle AC and the bedroom AC as needed. And it was hot during the day. With sunlight, we received a decent charge from the sun in addition to 15A of shore power. At night, the battery bank sagged as planned as there generally wasn't enough air con off time for shore power to keep the bank at 100% SOC. No worries though.
- Power Outage
At a rally in southern Wisconsin, one hot afternoon, we lost AC power. All "mostly" good at our place as the whole coach kept on running. While we were having a BBQ inside a friends 385FL (they had their gen running), I got an energy system alarm message on my phone from the RV. Turns off, I failed to remember we had all 3 ACs on. That said, the battery bank only lasted for a couple hours before voltage sagged enough for current to go high and trip / overload the inverters. Oops. No big deal though as shore power came back on a few minutes later. I reset the system and we were back in business on shore power and charging the batteries.
Last edited:
