Best Of

But nuCamp is installing a Power Center with auto-detect that won't necessarily work because they fail to install the other appropriate components for the auto-detect feature to work properly.  It seems reasonable to me that the Power Center should work as designed without the need for modifications to the system - especially when neither nuCamp nor WFCO have any mention of the possibility that modifications may be required.

Installing the appropriate components and even changing the wire size to the battery isn't that big of a deal, it's the lack of documentation about those modifications and that they need to be done that's annoying.  It's interesting that the WFCO Operator's Manual includes instructions on how to replace the entire converter section.

However, the whole lack of transparency for the DIY-person could be simply to require the modifications to be done at an authorized service center...

WFCO didn't say they wouldn't send me a jumper, they just sent me the response I posted.  I'm still going to reply to their email and ask for one anyways.

AnOldUR said:

Two 6V 230Ah batteries in series will give you 230Ah at 12V. Half of that is 115Ah of capacity.

6V times 230Ah = 1380 watts
1380 watts times 2 = 2760 watts
2760 watts divided by 12V = 230Ah
50% of 230Ah = 115Ah

None of that says you won't get a few day of boondocking from 115Ah.

Yes, my bad. I did the calculation for batteries in parallel.  However, 6V times 230Ah is 1380Wh, a unit of energy.  I agree with your conclusion. It appears that lithium is now less expensive per amp-hour than high quality FLA batteries. Yikes!

I still use oil lanterns. They work really well. I can ride a horse, but the trailer is happier with the car. I've camped with a single 12v FLA  and had usable power leftover across a 3 day cloudy weekend. Pay attention to what you are doing. Buy the equipment that best fits your needs.

The price of Lithium batteries is falling rapidly. Now, many come with built in Bluetooth battery monitors. That reduces cost significantly and makes the installation more simple. I think this is a sign of better battery technology on the horizon.

If you think Lithium will help your situation, then it's a good idea. The prices are not going up, waiting won't hurt. If the switch in battery technology won't gain much for you, then don't waste the money. Lithium is not for everyone no matter how much you play with the numbers.

I'm not against new technology. There are several things with NuCamp products that could benefit from moving to this century. For us, Lithium is not worth the cost because the only benefit is less weight. There is other, less expensive ways to reduce 30lb.

P.S. I have a hygrometer also.

chrispitts said:

Thanks to you both.  I figured as much - but never safe to make assumptions. Thanks for the confirmation. (I'll try and wire the controller between the SAE port and the battery. There's enough room in the tub for me to place a small vertical panel to house the controller)

Here's how installed mine between the SAE port on the outside of the tub and the battery.

2 6V batteries at $170 each x 2 = $340.00 $340 divided by 115ah usable capacity = $2.96 per ah.
1 300ah Renogy at $850.00 divided by 295ah usable capacity = $2.88 per ah.

Just another method for your reference.  This is my setup with the battery box cover removed.  The controller is mounted to a piece of a plastic cutting board.  My MC4 connection port is on the side of the propane tub (bottom photo).