Converting to LiFePO4 batteries and Sailor Man's LiFePO4 Build
- Thread starter RF_Burns
- Start date
When the spare tire is lowered to the ground for either parking or tire replacement, both YMGI mini splits can be used. For changing a tire, remove the lugs while the tire is on the ground and mount the flat tire in its place. There is no lifting of the spare.
If the KiPO4 battereis need help, pull out the lpg powered generator and augment the battereis to maintain the use of the two YMGI 48v mini splits. Since the dashboard air conditioner has been modified to run on 12v dc power, not engine power, all three of the units can be used when parked.
I have read about many crazy ideas about how to add shoulder belts to a GMC. They are all very complicated, expensive, time consuming and useless.
The seats are used Villa leather 6-way electric powered seats with internal lap and shoulder harness. The seats have (5) bolt locations, but only (4) are actually used for bolts. The fifth hole is for the electrical wiring.
Since these seats are already DOT approved, I believe that the (4) bolts are more than sufficient to safely attach the seats to the coach's new steel plate.
The the right an left are (2) 3/16" thick steel plates (not yet primed). They are fastened to the coach's frame by the same (12) bolts that the original GMC pedestal used. No new fastening points are required.
Again, there is a very simple conversion. I purchased both plates (no holes) for $78.00.
After positioning the seats, we were able to customize the location of the driver's and passenger's seats to fit our bodies in the most comfortable way.
This is a veery simple solution that requires little effort and expense to upgrade a GMC Motorhome to meet current safety requirements.
By the way, if you order these plates online, they will quote you about $600. Always call in the order and speak with a live human. When needed to order any cut to size metal, always specific "use remnant". If you order online, you will be quoted for the total cost of the beam or plate that your part will be cut from and the remaining material with be stored as a remnant.
BY the way, I apologize for the delay in getting you this additional information. On my way to Cliff Golby I had some chest pain and turned around and went to my local emergency room. I was adn=miited and a week later they have cleared my (3) blocked arteries and I have (6) new stents.
I guess when you are 80, you have to take yourself to shop much more often.
I am now in much better shape to continue with this project.
I guess when you are 80, you have to take yourself to shop much more often.
I am now in much better shape to continue with this project.
This is the area behind the new Indel Combi 19 Refrigerator/Freezer.
On the left is the new lpg tankless hot water heater. The electric ignition is powered by (2) D batteries.
On the right, is a new hand held shower head and controls. This provides the means for taking an outside shower and keepig=ng the toilet dry.
Since there is the potential for a water leak here that could provide damage to the cabinetry in the future, I am going to used a (2) part penetrating epoxy on all the wood surfaces and add a drain to the exterior if any flooding occurs.
I have gained a lot of additional storage in the interior by eliminating the old 5 gal electric hot water heater under the bathroom sink.
I have also pulled out the old and unused furnace and ductwork under the kitchen cabinets for the same reason.
Opening up the external vent allows access to the shower and hot water heater for use and servicing.
orry that I have been away for a while. Since 7/27/21 I have had (4) heart operations that prevented me from working on my GMC Motorhome. Finally, I am healthy and am restarting the project.
I have decided to go with BattleBorn batteries. So far, the current plan is:
12 volt battery bank: (6) BBGC2H-6KIT 100Ah batteries in parallel (7.2kwh)
48 volt battery bank: (4) GC3 12v 270Ah batteries in series (13.2kwh)
The total storage capacity is 20.4kwh. For comparison, a Tesla PowerWall is 13.5kwh.
I am planning to install (12) SunPower 110w solar panels and (3) Sunpower 50w solar panels on the roof. That produces a 1,480 watt solar array. With no storage boxes or rooftop vac units, the roof is totally clear. Even the ladder and railings have been removed.
The dashboard air conditioner feeble air flow has been resolved and it now blow very hard. I have no idea what the btu capacity of the dashboard compressor is rated for.
The engine driven air conditioning compressor has been replaced with a 12vdc compressor. Now the dash vac can run off the batteries and the engine does not have to run at the same time. The dashboard vac and the (2) YMGI mini-split heat pumps can all be run at the same time off the battery banks.
The electric 5 gal hot water meter has been removed and is now replaced by a tankless lpg hot water heater.
Finally, I hope to be competing the installation of the (2) YMGI 48vdc mini-split heat pumps this month.
The solar array will be charging the 12v battery bank. I am installing a 12v to 48v battery to battery charger to charge the 48v bank when the 12v bank is full.
I am also installing a 40vdc to 12vdc dc to dc convert to use excess power in the 48vdc bank to supplement house loads. The 48vdc bank will only power the (2) YMGI 12,000btu heat pumps.
I have just completed protecting the plywood floor panels and some of the cabinetry likely to see water penetration with (2) part penetrating epoxy.
The coach has a 50amp inlet.
I am hoping to use the 20.4kwh battery storage as battery back up for my house when I am not using the coach and the .1,480 solar array will keep charging the batteries at the same time.
I have decided to go with BattleBorn batteries. So far, the current plan is:
12 volt battery bank: (6) BBGC2H-6KIT 100Ah batteries in parallel (7.2kwh)
48 volt battery bank: (4) GC3 12v 270Ah batteries in series (13.2kwh)
The total storage capacity is 20.4kwh. For comparison, a Tesla PowerWall is 13.5kwh.
I am planning to install (12) SunPower 110w solar panels and (3) Sunpower 50w solar panels on the roof. That produces a 1,480 watt solar array. With no storage boxes or rooftop vac units, the roof is totally clear. Even the ladder and railings have been removed.
The dashboard air conditioner feeble air flow has been resolved and it now blow very hard. I have no idea what the btu capacity of the dashboard compressor is rated for.
The engine driven air conditioning compressor has been replaced with a 12vdc compressor. Now the dash vac can run off the batteries and the engine does not have to run at the same time. The dashboard vac and the (2) YMGI mini-split heat pumps can all be run at the same time off the battery banks.
The electric 5 gal hot water meter has been removed and is now replaced by a tankless lpg hot water heater.
Finally, I hope to be competing the installation of the (2) YMGI 48vdc mini-split heat pumps this month.
The solar array will be charging the 12v battery bank. I am installing a 12v to 48v battery to battery charger to charge the 48v bank when the 12v bank is full.
I am also installing a 40vdc to 12vdc dc to dc convert to use excess power in the 48vdc bank to supplement house loads. The 48vdc bank will only power the (2) YMGI 12,000btu heat pumps.
I have just completed protecting the plywood floor panels and some of the cabinetry likely to see water penetration with (2) part penetrating epoxy.
The coach has a 50amp inlet.
I am hoping to use the 20.4kwh battery storage as battery back up for my house when I am not using the coach and the .1,480 solar array will keep charging the batteries at the same time.
Have you considered wiring the solar panels to charge the 48V battery pack. Then a DC-DC charger from 48V to charge the 12 volt batteries. Running the higher voltage will reduce the current so smaller wires can be used.
You may be able to just use a MPPT solar charge controller from the 48 volt pack to charger the 12V pack... although I have not tried this, I can't see why not!
You may be able to just use a MPPT solar charge controller from the 48 volt pack to charger the 12V pack... although I have not tried this, I can't see why not!
This is the proposed layout of the SunPower SemiFlexible Panels on the roof. One of the problems with using the SunPower panels is that there is a systems limit of 45 volts and a maximum panel fuse rating of 15 amps.
Therefore, connecting (2) SPR-E-Flex-110 in series will generate 5.9 amps @ 37.6volts. Wiring (6) pairs will produce 35.4 amps @ 37.6 volts = 1,320 watts. Each (2) pairs will have to fused with a 15 amp breaker, (3) breakers in total.
This system should generate 1,470 watts. We can compare this output to the 6,000 watt output of the Onan. The original models only had a 4,000 watt Onan.
Also, As far as I know, only Sterling makes a 12 volt to 48 volt battery to battery charger. There is no 48 volt to 12 volt battery charger that I know of.
Therefore, it makes the most sense to charge the 12 volt battery bank with the solar panels and use the excess to charge to 48 volt bank through the Sterling.
The only 48 volt loads are for the (2) 12,000 btuh YMGI Mini-split heat pump systems.
Therefore one of two Mastervolt 48v to 12v dc to dc converters will provide backup 12 volt house power for the other users.
All lighting, including the headlights, have been converted to LED.
The YMGI mini-split have a SEER of 32 when connected to solar panels. The normal roof top air conditioning unit likely have a SEER of 7.5 when new.
Since the furnace and the electrically heated hot water heater have been eliminated, electrical use has been substantially reduced.
In the pace of the Onan 6000, there is now a Firman 3200 DF using primarily LPG with a gasoline back up. This is a very quiet and efficient generator. The mounting tray must be pulled out to use the generator, so the coach must be parked to use it. If necessary, second Firman generator can be paired with the permanently mounted unit.
With the solar array and significant electrical energy loss reduction, I doubt if the generators will ever needed to be used.
Therefore, connecting (2) SPR-E-Flex-110 in series will generate 5.9 amps @ 37.6volts. Wiring (6) pairs will produce 35.4 amps @ 37.6 volts = 1,320 watts. Each (2) pairs will have to fused with a 15 amp breaker, (3) breakers in total.
This system should generate 1,470 watts. We can compare this output to the 6,000 watt output of the Onan. The original models only had a 4,000 watt Onan.
Also, As far as I know, only Sterling makes a 12 volt to 48 volt battery to battery charger. There is no 48 volt to 12 volt battery charger that I know of.
Therefore, it makes the most sense to charge the 12 volt battery bank with the solar panels and use the excess to charge to 48 volt bank through the Sterling.
The only 48 volt loads are for the (2) 12,000 btuh YMGI Mini-split heat pump systems.
Therefore one of two Mastervolt 48v to 12v dc to dc converters will provide backup 12 volt house power for the other users.
All lighting, including the headlights, have been converted to LED.
The YMGI mini-split have a SEER of 32 when connected to solar panels. The normal roof top air conditioning unit likely have a SEER of 7.5 when new.
Since the furnace and the electrically heated hot water heater have been eliminated, electrical use has been substantially reduced.
In the pace of the Onan 6000, there is now a Firman 3200 DF using primarily LPG with a gasoline back up. This is a very quiet and efficient generator. The mounting tray must be pulled out to use the generator, so the coach must be parked to use it. If necessary, second Firman generator can be paired with the permanently mounted unit.
With the solar array and significant electrical energy loss reduction, I doubt if the generators will ever needed to be used.
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This is the current condition of the coach. I have found water damage and decided to stop the damage. I have treated all the wood parts that I could reach with two part penetrating epoxy that I have specified it repairing damaged wood when restoring historical buildings.
The entire dashboard and side panels were repainted by a previous owner in buttermilk yellow to match the exterior. They have been sanded to base material, patched are needed and will be painted brown to more closely match the factory original.
Then the interior will be reassembled.
The entire dashboard and side panels were repainted by a previous owner in buttermilk yellow to match the exterior. They have been sanded to base material, patched are needed and will be painted brown to more closely match the factory original.
Then the interior will be reassembled.
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Sorry for this off-topic, but could you give me some more information on the penetrating epoxy you used on the wood. My house has Pella aluminum clad windows which were never sealed correctly around the glass. Pella had a class-action lawsuit about this, but I'm in Canada so no luck there. I want to save the wood without having to replace the windows.
You can PM me on this. Thanks
By the way, this is my toad. It is a 2017 Ford C-Max Energi Titanium that can be flat towed and built that way by Ford.
I am having the Thule storage box painted Buttermilk Yellow to match the coach.
The Thule can either be used this way when towed or attached to the 15,000lb thru- the bumper hitch on the coach. It is much more accessible than the stupid roof box I inherited.
With all the extra batteries, this plug in gets about 20 miles electric when charged and generates additional electrical power when underway. With the front and rear hitches, it weighs about 4,800lbs.
I used Totalboat Clear Penetrating Epoxy Wood Sealer that you can purchase from Amazon, as I did. You could also purchase West Marine Penetrating Epoxy.
I thought that you might like to see the most recent photo of the coach. Just envision how it will look when the air conditioners and storage box are off the roof.
