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  1. #11
    Big Traveler boyscout's Avatar
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    @howson, just the messenger here, the following might be useful information.

    http://www.smartgauge.co.uk/batt_con.html
    Last edited by boyscout; 04-19-2019 at 01:54 PM.
    Mark - 2018 Solitude 310GK - 2017 F-350 diesel SRW short box - Pullrite Superglide hitch

  2. #12
    Setting Up Camp
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    Quote Originally Posted by howson View Post
    I do appreciate you taking the time to draw out a suggestion and post it, but this is what the electrical engineer at AMSolar sent me (and how I have it configured). (Note his fancy computer skills, too.)

    Attachment 19477
    Both would work - the advantage to his is the 2/0 wire from battery to battery and the advantage to mine is that it's cleaner (with the disadvantage of all 4/0 wire). I'm not an electrical engineer (nor did I stay at a holiday in express) - so if I were you I would go with what he said.
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  3. #13
    Long Hauler howson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by boyscout View Post
    @howson, just the messenger here, the following might be useful information.

    http://www.smartgauge.co.uk/batt_con.html
    I talked with Garret about those diagrams (Damon, in my Electrical Mod thread, pointed me to the website). Here (with his permission) is Garret's response to me regarding drawing 4 I was going to implement and also the difference between Damon's setup and mine:

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Note: For those that haven't read the Electrical Mod thread, Damon also got a system from AMSolar. (I am not connected to AMSolar in any way, shape or form other than as a customer.)
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  4. #14
    Setting Up Camp
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    I love this forum. This has helped me learn A LOT. Admittedly my earlier diagram would not properly draw a balanced load from all batteries. Based on the page provided by @boyscout here's what I would do NOW:

    Click image for larger version. 

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  5. #15
    Seasoned Camper 2825Matheny's Avatar
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    Parallel is parallel

    The nice thing about Battle Born batteries is that they have the built in BMS (Battery Maintenance System). So, they are not subject to any of the rules that apply to connecting lead acid batteries in parallel. And the length of cables is irrelevant because of the BMS. Now, in a lead acid battery setup this is a different story, but for BB batteries they are very forgiving.
    I am all about having the least number of connectors. And I think a clean setup has only a few connections actually on the battery post themselves.
    I would be inclined to use QTY (2) four post power terminal blocks (POS and NEG) as described in other posts in this thread and route individual wires from the TB to each battery.

    One note about the wiring arrangement I have shown in my schematic. We all know the cost of Battle Born batteries is up there. So, using the 4-post terminal block and running individual wires for each battery, you could start out with just two batteries. Then at some point in time, if you want to add a 3rd or a 3rd and 4th you can add them without redoing the wiring to the 1st two.

    As a disclaimer, I will say that I did have a problem with the 4-post terminal block I had used. The bolts that makeup the terminal block are stainless steel with stainless steel nuts. After installation I had to make a change to reroute a couple of cables and when I went to remove the nuts, two of the four nuts were galled so bad I had to cut the nuts off. I replaced the bolts, nuts, and washers with ordinary grade 5 zinc plated bolts and that worked well. It is not uncommon for stainless steel bolts and nuts to do this, so be careful.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Battle Born.jpg   IMG_20190127_162216.jpg  
    Last edited by 2825Matheny; 04-20-2019 at 06:58 AM.
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  6. #16
    Long Hauler howson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by 2825Matheny View Post
    The nice thing about Battle Born batteries is that they have the built in BMS (Battery Maintenance System). So, they are not subject to any of the rules that apply to connecting lead acid batteries in parallel. And the length of cables is irrelevant because of the BMS. Now, in a lead acid battery setup this is a different story, but for BB batteries they are very forgiving.
    I am all about having the least number of connectors. And I think a clean setup has only a few connections actually on the battery post themselves.
    I would be inclined to use QTY (2) four post power terminal blocks (POS and NEG) as described in other posts in this thread and route individual wires from the TB to each battery.
    Absolutely what I want to do, but I'm concerned about the specs on the four post terminal blocks that I can find. The max rating is 250A. Is that enough? The shutoff switches are rated to 300A, and the fuse the engineer provided to me for the system is 400A.

    I just reviewed a few wire charts and it looks like 4/0 cable is only good up to ~200-260A, so it looks like I'm wrong (again). The 4 terminal block recommended by Jim *will* work. Or am I still missing something?
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  7. #17
    Site Sponsor Cate&Rob's Avatar
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    Hi Howard,

    Here is a 600A four post bussbar. https://www.bluesea.com/products/210...3_8in-16_Studs.

    Rob
    Cate & Rob
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  8. #18
    Site Sponsor gbkims's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by howson View Post
    Absolutely what I want to do, but I'm concerned about the specs on the four post terminal blocks that I can find. The max rating is 250A. Is that enough? The shutoff switches are rated to 300A, and the fuse the engineer provided to me for the system is 400A.

    I just reviewed a few wire charts and it looks like 4/0 cable is only good up to ~200-260A, so it looks like I'm wrong (again). The 4 terminal block recommended by Jim *will* work. Or am I still missing something?
    Howard,

    I see 250A DC Rated Amps for your Inverter/Charger. I'd think that would be the max continuous amps if using all the 3000W capacity.
    Service Manual - MultiPlus 3k 120V (firmware xxxx4xx)
    The 400A class T fuse looks to be from Victron's recommendation.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    The class T, ANL, and MRBF type fuses I think fall into the short circuit protection of high amperage DC equipment like Inverters, Chargers, VFDs.
    3.5.4
    "To prevent occurrence of hazardous conditions under short circuit conditions, the fuse used in the battery circuit should limit the current (should be "Current Limiting Type"), blow in a very short time (should be Fast Blow Type) and at the same time, quench the arc in a safe manner. For this purpose, UL Class T fuse or equivalent should be used (As per UL Standard 248-15). This special purpose current limiting, very fast acting fuse will blow in less than 8 ms under short circuit conditions.
    Appropriate capacity of the above Class T fuse or equivalent should be installed within 7” of the battery Plus (+) Terminal (Please see Table 3.1 for fuse sizing).

    Marine Rated Battery Fuses, MRBF-xxx Series made by Cooper Bussmann may also be used.
    These fuses comply with ISO 8820-6 for road vehicles."
    - Gene

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  9. #19
    Long Hauler howson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Cate&Rob View Post
    Hi Howard,

    Here is a 600A four post bussbar. https://www.bluesea.com/products/210...3_8in-16_Studs.

    Rob
    Dang it--why couldn't I find that? Thanks, Rob. (Price for that PowerBar reflects the capability, doesn't it. Wow....)
    2017 Ford F-350 DRW 6.7L Platinum
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  10. #20
    Long Hauler howson's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by gbkims View Post
    I see 250A DC Rated Amps for your Inverter/Charger. I'd think that would be the max continuous amps if using all the 3000W capacity.
    Thanks, as always, Gene for the detailed response. I now know using the Fastronix four post bar Jim referenced is within specs for my setup.

    There's so much about all of this equipment that is new to me that it is a little overwhelming. I could (should) have known what you posted, but it seems I can't absorb all of the new knowledge I need fast enough. (3000W/12V=250A!)

    I'm paranoid (rightfully so?) of making a mistake that fries something or makes the setup a fire hazard. I've seen what happens when a mistake is made with a high-amperage 12V power supply. It wasn't pretty.

    Thanks again!

    -Howard
    2017 Ford F-350 DRW 6.7L Platinum
    2019 315RLTS (purchased 16 Jul 18 from Campers Inn RV in Byron, GA)

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