T@B Forum
Home› Battery/Electrical & Solar

Long term boondocking retrofit

JJensen667JJensen667 Member Posts: 2
in Battery/Electrical & Solar
Hello all!

Last fall I purchased a 2018 320s to use for five months out of the year as I work as a campground host in the Utah forest. This being my fourth year doing this, I have a pretty good idea of what setup works best, I need to retrofit my 320 to accommodate those needs.

The plan is to add a second propane tank with a changeover switch in the rounded tongue box as well as a dual battery box in front of that where I’ll put my two 12 Volt AGM batteries I used on my previous trailer that will be run in parallel. (Lithium batteries aren’t at all in my budget.) 

‼️When switching to the two-battery setup, do I need to modify anything on the trailer side, or can I “simply” connect them at the battery disconnect switch?

‼️I will be installing a Victron Energy SmartSolar MPPT Solar Charge Controller (Bluetooth) - Charge Controller - 100V, 30 amp, 12/24-Volt that I’ll mount inside the battery box. I have 300 watts of solar panels that I’ll then use to keep the batteries charged. I’m hoping to avoid running additional wiring in and out of the trailer between the controller and the batteries. Are there any reasons this won’t work or additional concerns I need to be aware of?

Sadly, I know what I know but often don’t know what I don’t know, so your help is greatly appreciated.

😃


· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+

Comments

  • AnOldURAnOldUR Member Posts: 1,723
    edited April 26
    As long as you're not adding something with a high amperage draw (like an inverter), the factory wiring and fusing will handle the load of the dual AGM's. I'd suggest installing a port to the side of your battery box to connect your panels to the solar controller. SAE is commonly used, but I prefer Anderson PP15 connectors. 

    Curious how many amp hours each of your AGM batteries are rated at? Your are aware that a good LiFePO4 battery in the 300Ah range can be found in the $300 to $400 range.


    Stockton, New Jersey
    2020 nuCamp T@B 320S * Jeep Wrangler
    60,865 camping miles through the end of 2025

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • db_cooperdb_cooper Member Posts: 748
    If you haven't already purchased AGM batteries, I would second that opinion to look at the affordable lithiums.  If they are still out of budget, I'd recommend getting 2 golf cart batteries from Costco instead of AGM's, since you're mounting them outside the trailer.  They'll have thicker plates and withstand a deeper discharge better than AGMs.
    2015 Max S Outback | 2010 Xterra  -- Retired
    2022 Ford F350 Tremor |  2022 Cirrus 620



    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • JJensen667JJensen667 Member Posts: 2
    db_cooper said:
    If you haven't already purchased AGM batteries, I would second that opinion to look at the affordable lithiums.  If they are still out of budget, I'd recommend getting 2 golf cart batteries from Costco instead of AGM's, since you're mounting them outside the trailer.  They'll have thicker plates and withstand a deeper discharge better than AGMs.
    I'll be using two group 27 batteries that I had in my last trailer.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
  • Grumpy_GGrumpy_G Member Posts: 700
    That should all work fine. I would just extend the battery wiring from the tub to the battery box. Having the solar controller close to the batteries is preferred, shorter wiring equals less voltage drop. However adding ~120 lbs of batteries that far forward on the tongue will increase the tongue weight quite a bit. 
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter Share on Google+
Sign In or Register to comment.