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11-05-2022, 05:14 PM
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#1
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Chatsworth
Posts: 470
M.O.C. #10933
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Tow Vehicle charging Lithium Batteries?!
I,ve heard this is hard on the TV alternator. Is this true and can it be done using additional equipment?
__________________
Gayle and John Devall
2017 Legacy 3720 IS and Disc brakes
1120 watts solar panels and 300 AH lithium batteries
2011 Ford f350 srw long box Lariat with B&W Patriot hitch. Residential Fridge.
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11-05-2022, 05:24 PM
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#2
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New Member
Join Date: Oct 2022
Location: HOWELL
Posts: 4
M.O.C. #31762
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You can use a charger that plugs into an ac cord. Charging with the truck will not be a problem, just might take a little longer.
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11-05-2022, 06:08 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Arlington
Posts: 1,523
M.O.C. #18081
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A dc to dc charger is the way to go. There are those who charge directly with the TV alternator and have not had an issue. Under the right circumstances this scenario can ruin your day. It works until it doesn’t. Googling the topic will give you info to help you determine what works for you.
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11-05-2022, 06:12 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Box Elder
Posts: 4,712
M.O.C. #12947
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Some vehicles can be set up with an additional alternator that you can use exclusively for providing power to the trailer, but it can be costly and you will still need to run the truck a long time to squeeze that much power through a fairly small wire.
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Bob & Becky
2012 3402RL
2012 Chevy 2500HD D/A CC 4WD
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11-05-2022, 06:17 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 610
M.O.C. #25842
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Some good info on the subject:
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11-05-2022, 07:26 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Northeast TX
Posts: 946
M.O.C. #30262
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Unequivocally the answer is yes. Due to extremely low internal resistance of LiFePo4 batteries, one can literally smoke a TV alternator within a handful of minutes.
Daryles did an excellent writeup on this very topic which I whole heartedly agree with and pretty much followed word for word other than I utilized a 40a DC-to-DC charger vice a 60a DC-to-DC. Let me know if you have any questions. See link below
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...hlight=charger
__________________
Lee, Edith, Lil' Bit & Cuddles
22 MHC 331RL, Surge Guard 35550, SumoSprings, Kodiak disc brakes, 412Ah Lithium, Gen 3 Goosebox, Sailun 85s
22 Ram 3500 CC DRW 6.7 CTD Herrin Hauler Classic Bed, 45 gal AUX tank
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11-05-2022, 07:51 PM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Northeast TX
Posts: 946
M.O.C. #30262
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Smoked It
__________________
Lee, Edith, Lil' Bit & Cuddles
22 MHC 331RL, Surge Guard 35550, SumoSprings, Kodiak disc brakes, 412Ah Lithium, Gen 3 Goosebox, Sailun 85s
22 Ram 3500 CC DRW 6.7 CTD Herrin Hauler Classic Bed, 45 gal AUX tank
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11-06-2022, 07:00 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2006
Location:
Posts: 1,703
M.O.C. #5751
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Quote:
Originally Posted by artfuldodger
I,ve heard this is hard on the TV alternator. Is this true and can it be done using additional equipment?
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Not worth the risk to me.
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11-06-2022, 11:30 AM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Gardnerville
Posts: 1,257
M.O.C. #17163
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Do lithium batteries start fires more than standard or gel batteries?? not meaning to be Danny downer... just wondering...
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11-06-2022, 11:55 AM
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#10
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,929
M.O.C. #19755
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I have a 397A alternator but chose to not connect it to the RV. Two reasons; protect the alternator and it would not do much good unless I installed larger wiring back to the RV. I just charge the batteries on solar, shore power and/or on-board generator.
__________________
Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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11-06-2022, 02:55 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,716
M.O.C. #24086
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Thank you Lee.
Here's a followup to our last trip to Ocracoke Island OBX NC.
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...hlight=charger
This year when we went to Ocracoke Island OBX NC NPS Campground (dry camping for 10 days) the weather was a LOT cooler. Everything got a good workout.
We had to run the furnace at night. The solar panels got the batteries charged back up every day.
The last three days we had clouds and rain. No solar charging. I connected the truck to the rig via the Anderson connectors (you also have to attach a jumper cable from the frame of the rig to frame of the truck when they are not hitched, this provides a ground between them) and ran the DC-DC charger for an hour twice a day for those last three days we were there.
I found out only one of the alternators runs until it reaches more than 80% of the load (200A alternators = about 180A) before the second 200A alternator kicks in. So only one alternator carried the load for the charging. It got to 214⁰F. I plugged in a fan and had it blowing on the alternator to help keep it cool. The other alternator was only 90⁰F.
We also ran out of propane. We had 1 and 1/5 tanks starting out. They do not refill propane tanks on the island. We had to buy a 20lb BBQ grill tank to get us through the last two days.
Like I said, it was an unusually cold spring (March) on the island. No worries, we use it on the Blackstone grill.
__________________
Daryl and Marianne,
2019 3130re 20th Anniversary Edition
2016 F350 Lariat
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11-06-2022, 10:01 PM
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#12
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2021
Location: Northeast TX
Posts: 946
M.O.C. #30262
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Daryles
Thank you Lee.
Here's a followup to our last trip to Ocracoke Island OBX NC.
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums...hlight=charger
This year when we went to Ocracoke Island OBX NC NPS Campground (dry camping for 10 days) the weather was a LOT cooler. Everything got a good workout.
We had to run the furnace at night. The solar panels got the batteries charged back up every day.
The last three days we had clouds and rain. No solar charging. I connected the truck to the rig via the Anderson connectors (you also have to attach a jumper cable from the frame of the rig to frame of the truck when they are not hitched, this provides a ground between them) and ran the DC-DC charger for an hour twice a day for those last three days we were there.
I found out only one of the alternators runs until it reaches more than 80% of the load (200A alternators = about 180A) before the second 200A alternator kicks in. So only one alternator carried the load for the charging. It got to 214⁰F. I plugged in a fan and had it blowing on the alternator to help keep it cool. The other alternator was only 90⁰F.
We also ran out of propane. We had 1 and 1/5 tanks starting out. They do not refill propane tanks on the island. We had to buy a 20lb BBQ grill tank to get us through the last two days.
Like I said, it was an unusually cold spring (March) on the island. No worries, we use it on the Blackstone grill.
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Daryl - you are the one needing thanked. Posts like yours that I linked to take a tremendous amount of brain work, scheming and planning out of certain projects. With the resettable circuit breaker in the TV compartment as well as the one for the Output side of the DC-to-DC charger, I came up with no valid reason for this to not be a safe setup. Looking forward to future upgrades to where we have a Multi-Plus II inverter and a soft start on the rear AC to help cool the coach down during the last hour or so of summer trips next year. Happy wife happy life then when she is doing the inside setup as I set up camp outside.
__________________
Lee, Edith, Lil' Bit & Cuddles
22 MHC 331RL, Surge Guard 35550, SumoSprings, Kodiak disc brakes, 412Ah Lithium, Gen 3 Goosebox, Sailun 85s
22 Ram 3500 CC DRW 6.7 CTD Herrin Hauler Classic Bed, 45 gal AUX tank
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11-07-2022, 06:45 AM
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#13
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Chatsworth
Posts: 470
M.O.C. #10933
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OP here. Is there any downside to leaving that little wire from the TV connected to the Monty with lithium batts? I know the amp draw is small but every little bit helps, right?
__________________
Gayle and John Devall
2017 Legacy 3720 IS and Disc brakes
1120 watts solar panels and 300 AH lithium batteries
2011 Ford f350 srw long box Lariat with B&W Patriot hitch. Residential Fridge.
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11-07-2022, 12:37 PM
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#14
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 610
M.O.C. #25842
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Quote:
Originally Posted by artfuldodger
OP here. Is there any downside to leaving that little wire from the TV connected to the Monty with lithium batts? I know the amp draw is small but every little bit helps, right?
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I disconnected mine entirely in the junction box behind the pin box. I've got 1,200watts solar 600AH lithium.
Sun has always kept the batteries fully charged or very close.
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11-07-2022, 12:50 PM
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#15
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Posts: 610
M.O.C. #25842
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dfb
Do lithium batteries start fires more than standard or gel batteries?? not meaning to be Danny downer... just wondering...
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To be honest I'm more concerned with my drill and Dyson lithium lon batteries that I am our LiFePO4's.
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11-08-2022, 07:02 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2019
Location: Alton
Posts: 2,716
M.O.C. #24086
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Quote:
Originally Posted by artfuldodger
OP here. Is there any downside to leaving that little wire from the TV connected to the Monty with lithium batts? I know the amp draw is small but every little bit helps, right?
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I left my 12v pin connected in the 7 way cable when I installed the DC-DC charger.
The most I have measured through the 7 way connector is about 7A, batteries were at 39%.
https://www.montanaowners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=83767&highlight=charger
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11-13-2022, 01:25 PM
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#17
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Qualicum Beach
Posts: 665
M.O.C. #26399
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Quote:
Originally Posted by artfuldodger
I,ve heard this is hard on the TV alternator. Is this true and can it be done using additional equipment?
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It can, Victron has DC to DC, Renogy also, you will also need heavy gauge wire and marine grade connectors and double layered glued heat shrink.
__________________
2018 Keystone Montana 3811MS
2017 Ford F450 diesel dually
600AH Battle Born Lithium Batteries, 1,080 watts solar
3,000 watt hybrid inverter with 120A charger
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