Its sparked a bit of interest for me too. I've been watching the guys on the patrol pages with lithiums and victron argofet setups, getting over 100amps at idle. Who needs a solar panel at that rate, battery charged in an hour
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Its sparked a bit of interest for me too. I've been watching the guys on the patrol pages with lithiums and victron argofet setups, getting over 100amps at idle. Who needs a solar panel at that rate, battery charged in an hour
Hope it’s interesting to someone....just documenting my experience.
I wasn’t keen on giving up space for a second AGM let alone the weight. I did give up a bit of space with the 200ah lithium which utilized some dead space where as a second AGM would have taken valuable space.
It’ll be interesting if the 2 x 120w semi flex panels make the start of the trip..if they continue to perform for the next 18 months than I’ll more than likely fit two mew panels just before we head off. Fall back option is a single ~300w glass panel, although trying to avoid the weight.
When stationary/camped our panels sit at 30+ degree angle, panels sitting flat/horizontal on top of a van would harvest more than what I can.
I have also ditched gas....for induction.
BTW Vern, are you aware that these are not suitable for most Euro6 vehicles, like all new Land Rovers, because they can interfere with the vehicle's BMS.
You can use them in new Toyotas, because they are not Euro6 and they can be used in Ford Rangers, because you can turn the Smart alternator function off.
Also note, while these are relatively new to Victron, Sterling Power Products ( UK ) have had similar for quite a few years now, and they go up to 400 amps. But same think, not suitable for most Euro6 Vehicles.
Thanks Vern, unfortunately no one seems to have come up with a way to get around the Euro6 programming “YET”.
So at this stage, no way to turn off the smart alternator function in any of the European makes at this time.
There are heaps doing it with under bonnet lithiums.Mainly Jap/Thialand vehicles, although a pic surfaced the other day of a D4 with two lithium 100A under bonnet.
Some use a VSR,that allows both batteries to be used until the main battery voltage drops, similar to the TRAXIDE SC-80 or DT-90 set up.
I have been looking through it for the new car and settled for TRAXIDE set up with DT-90,couldnt justify the extra $1K for Lithium set up.Sure it saves a bit of weight, but in the whole scheme of things its not much at all.
The DT-90 will suit our needs, as the SC-80 did in the D4.
And using lithium under bonnet has not yet been proven.I could have put one in the rear, but wanted it under bonnet.
It is interesting.
Can I ask how you find the cooktop vs other options? I've looked at them, but don't know the best way to compare them for pros and cons.
This is only for reference / comparison.
System currently:
115w Victron panel
75/15 Victron Mppt
2x 105ah AGM
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...2ebc7f6760.pnghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...54b341e1ff.png
Good performance from the panel...and good to see it suit your needs.
Not really a comparison as your system doesn’t suit my specific needs.....i assume you have room and available payload in your van.
My side
No room for 2 x AGM’s (200 lithium probably has less surface area and happen to fit in a deadish space)
Trying to stay away from glass panel amd weight penalty (current semi flex selection are performing better than I expected)
Wanted more storage capacity than my previous 1x105ah AGM with no gain in overall weight (haven’t added it all up but I reckon my new set up would be pretty close to to tie same weight as my old AGM).