Projectman
Member
I own a 2018 Heartland Mallard 185. I have installed a battery box on the trailer tongue and in the box I installed a LiFePO2 Lithium 100AH battery, a battery disconnect switch and a 75V/15A MPPT controller. I have a Renogy 100W suitcase solar panel and will have it connected to the Trailer’s Furion 10A connector.
I have been told the Mallard won’t charge the battery when it is connected to a 30A campground power pole as the lithium battery voltage will be too high and the converter won’t send a charge to it. Will I need to buy a new converter for the trailer specifically designed to charge lithium batteries?
Also, I have been told my 2017 Chevy Tahoe may/will have issues charging a lithium battery without a DC-DC converter and perhaps a larger alternator. Do I need anything for the Tahoe considering I only have one lithium battery?
A couple of other questions. Will I get good performance using the furion connector when Boondocking since it has to run to the converter and back out to the battery or should I connect the solar panel directly to the controller? The most convenient way is using thenFurion connector and I realize I may lose some power with it connected this way? Thoughts?
I’m preparing to go on a trip (May 15th) with a buddy of mine from Florida to CO, UT, ID, OR, WA, WY, SD, and then back home and we plan on Boondocking most of the time for 2-4 days at a time. I will run the fridge off propane and won’t run the heater unless the indoor temperature reaches 55 degrees.
Obviously we will need sun for part of the time when we boondock and will carry a Honda 2000W generator to charge the batteries if needed. Total trip will be 2-3 months.
Do I need a new converter to charge the lithium battery when connected to campground power and do I need anything for the Tahoe. I have already spent quite a bit of money getting the solar and other equipment for the trip so not forward to spend a lot more money.
I look forward to anyone’s thoughts that has knowledge in this area. Thanks in advance for your help.
I have been told the Mallard won’t charge the battery when it is connected to a 30A campground power pole as the lithium battery voltage will be too high and the converter won’t send a charge to it. Will I need to buy a new converter for the trailer specifically designed to charge lithium batteries?
Also, I have been told my 2017 Chevy Tahoe may/will have issues charging a lithium battery without a DC-DC converter and perhaps a larger alternator. Do I need anything for the Tahoe considering I only have one lithium battery?
A couple of other questions. Will I get good performance using the furion connector when Boondocking since it has to run to the converter and back out to the battery or should I connect the solar panel directly to the controller? The most convenient way is using thenFurion connector and I realize I may lose some power with it connected this way? Thoughts?
I’m preparing to go on a trip (May 15th) with a buddy of mine from Florida to CO, UT, ID, OR, WA, WY, SD, and then back home and we plan on Boondocking most of the time for 2-4 days at a time. I will run the fridge off propane and won’t run the heater unless the indoor temperature reaches 55 degrees.
Obviously we will need sun for part of the time when we boondock and will carry a Honda 2000W generator to charge the batteries if needed. Total trip will be 2-3 months.
Do I need a new converter to charge the lithium battery when connected to campground power and do I need anything for the Tahoe. I have already spent quite a bit of money getting the solar and other equipment for the trip so not forward to spend a lot more money.
I look forward to anyone’s thoughts that has knowledge in this area. Thanks in advance for your help.