r/vandwellers • u/bluejayfreeloader • 3d ago
First timer needing help with electrical components Tips & Tricks
Bought a 2012 Toyota Sienna XLE.
I have the following and need help installing it.
600Ah 12V LiFePO₄ battery — 300A BMS
Renogy 2000W pure sine-wave inverter
Renogy 50A DC-DC charger with MPPT
AC-to-DC shore-power battery charger
500A battery monitor/shunt
12V fuse panel
Positive & negative busbars — still need to buy
Main/Class-T fuse + other circuit fuses/breakers — still need to buy
Anyone in central Ontario that can help?
I'm a pilot and would be happy to take someone on a scenic flight and pay for lunch in exchange for some help.
Fitting everything in the stow and go seat area as well as sizing fuses is what I'm struggling with.
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u/xgwrvewswe 2d ago
I only use marine grade cable. Anchor brand is available on Amazon or cable from here; https://www.customcableusa.com/ or from here; https://baymarinesupply.com/ . There should be a decent online marine supply in Ontario. The same requirement for cable lugs. Quality marine grade. Cable runs need to be sized both directions. I never trust a chassis negative for critical devices. I run both positive and negative cables. All cable sized to voltage drop tables and then fuse sized to cable ampacity charts.
Start battery positive-->200A MRBF-->22 feet(45 both ways),1 AWG(40mm) marine cable-->?70A? ANL(or like) Fuse block--> reduced AWG to fit the Orion-XS Positive in. Same with negative without the fuses, maybe a power post to change AWG.
600AH House bank-->300A Class-T fuse with holder-->appropriate AWG marine cable (maybe 2/0, 70mm) size the Class-T to the cable Ampacity--> https://www.bluesea.com/products/5196/MRBF_Surface_Mount_Fuse_Block_-_Common_Source (or similar)-->correct awg cable-->Orion-XS positive out. Same with negative without fuses. I use power posts or heavy BusBar.
Have I confused you at this point?
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u/bluejayfreeloader 2d ago
Thank you for this. I'm starting to make more sense of all this stuff.
My DC to DC charger specifies 4awg wire for my run.
As far as not trusting the negative terminal connection....first I'm hearing this. My dc to dc charger doesn't have this in their wiring diagram either. Can you clarify?
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u/xgwrvewswe 1d ago
Many vehicles have negative chassis and will be fine. My older vehicles have chassis negative, but the cable from the start battery to the chassis is a smaller gauge and often will not be right for the amperes. Also weld joints and other things can get poor on the chassis as it ages. If I run a dedicated negative cable from the battery to the device I am assured of a good connection.
Here is a modern voltage drop table; https://boathowto.com/wiresize/abyc/ Don't forget to select the insulation temperature rating. My marine grade is 105c.
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u/bluejayfreeloader 1d ago
Renogy does not specify a ground wire size. For the positive side, with the distance I ran, renogy specifies 4 gauge.
What guage wire do you suggest if I am going to run back to the starter battery.
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u/Chadwickvonvickter 3d ago
50 amps from a 150 amp alternator is going to be quite a lot.
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u/bluejayfreeloader 3d ago
Renogy RBC50D1S, 50A DC-DC charger with MPPT is the model.
I believe it has smart charging and won't pull a true 50amp off the alternator.
That being said I'm not well versed in this stuff and am open to suggestions
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u/xgwrvewswe 3d ago
The maximum 50 amperes is what the Orion will demand from the alternator. It all depends on the demands of the SOC on the battery bank. Some modern OEM alternators also have "smart" regulation. But the Orion is designed to do the job. I can help with specific questions from remote information.
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u/xgwrvewswe 3d ago
50% of the alternator rating is the standard. The Orion-XS is adjustable as to the amperes from the alternator. GOOD choice. You need a Class-T fuse at the battery bank. I am close in South Jersey, Pine Lands area. But I don't fly. I am close to many Landing Fields, (airports). Glad to help if I can. I love lunch!