Converting to LiFePO4 batteries and Sailor Man's LiFePO4 Build

[sailor man]

This is 11 Weber Road, West Orange, NJ. I designed and built this house in 1972-3. Since it was around the time that the GMC Motorhome first was designed and manufactured for the first time.
This house has been bank owned for the last 5 years or so. There was and auction about 21 months ago, but the sale never happened. I thought above buying it myself and fixing it, but it was just to far away.
It is heavily damaged from the roofing failure and severe water damage.
It is a passive solar house with redwood and brick exterior and the interior is mostly brick and rift cut white oak.
Check it out on Zillow.
I still have all of the original plans, specifications and correspondence in storage in Cliffwood, NJ>
I am looking for a savior and I will help. There is a former employee in New Brunswick, NJ that can help.
It is currently on the market for $355,100 and was last sold for $520,000 on 5/09/06 and the current property taxes are $20,930 based on an assessment of $645,300. The tax will be cut in half upon sale and tax appeal.
It is somewhere between a core and a useable coach. Fully restored, it isn probably worth between $2,000,000 and $4,000,000.
The redwood and white oak is painted. The brick walls and pavers are fine. The original copper roofing is gone.
In that tube next to the entrance door is a custom white oak circular stair with a circular domed skylight above, taking up all of the ceiling space.

https://www.hubzu.com//property/90016120355

You should look at the 3D/Visual as it is a video walk through and for the opening bid, you can see that this is well work it. By the way, in the bathroom with a white and avacoa green toilet, the green on was original there was a green bidet there originally.



As you can see the unground is just huge.
A GMC Motorhome might just fit in the upper corner where it says workshop as long as everything is off the roof. Maybe the Birchaven.
It is much larger than the 3,177 sf listed. I think that is only the upper floor.
Zoom in with Goggle Earth and look at the street views.
All of the original plumbing fixture and kitchen appliances are still there. It is something like a barn find.
If you are not interested, do you know anyone who might be.
I apologize if I offended you by posting this. I am just desperate in finding a way to save it!
What I am trying to do for the designers of the GMC Motorhome, I am trying to find someone to do that for me.

I have just found it at auction with an opening bid of $250,000.
Single Family auction West Orange,NJ - 11-Weber-RoadWest Orange-NJ-07052,90016120355. Hubzu.com

I won’t speak of it again. If you want to talk about it email me at sailor13@aol.com.

And now back to the other things I want to tell you about my GMC Motorhome project. I know that you think that I might be running out of things, but there is really so much more that I want to tell you.

 

[sailor man]

The roof top shakers are gone, ready for the 24” Jensen 12vdc flat tv’s waiting in my garage.
View attachment 8704

I can use the old ac wiring for the 12v dc feed so I don’t have to snake new lines above the overhead.

View attachment 8705
The ceiling looks higher, doesn’t it.
I could probably remove those front to back aluminum members that served to support the opening so I can fit the entire tv up in the recess to gave the new cypress panel nearly flush to the overhead.

In order to conceal the condensate drain on the cockpit side of the YMGI Mini-split, I purchased a white painted stainless steel handicap grab bar to cut to length. I needed to find a way to drain the condensate by gravity without blocking the mini-blinds at the window. You may recall my freehand sketch of the panel behind the passenger seat that indicated a condensate drain.

 

[boybach]

Looks like you put my Jag in the garage!

 

[sailor man]

Looks like you put my Jag in the garage!

I actually think it was mine. In my last year at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, I bought my 1961 British racing green Series I XKE coupe for $5,100 brand new. I miss it so much!
I think that I am going to try to see if I can put a GMC motorhome in the garage.

 

[boybach]

Well that wasn't an XKE, looks more like an XJ6 or 420G

 

[sailor man]

Well that wasn't an XKE, looks more like an XJ6 or 420Gcocrr3ect

You are correct, but you are looking at the building section. The XKE is in the lower floor plan.

 

[sailor man]

The ProAir II 12v dc compressor had 3 speeds depending on which combination of wires you used. In all circumstances, the black wire is connected and if you join it with this wire, you get :

Red wire Low Speed:
Low Draw @ 12.0v 20A 2000rpm
High Draw @ 12.0v 40A 2000rpm
0.92kwh or 3,150 btuH/hr
Green Wire Medium Speed:
Low Draw @ 12.0v 30A 3000rpm
High Draw @ 12.0v 60A 3000rpm
1.38kwh or 4,700 btuH/hr
Orange Wire High Speed:
Low Draw @ 12.0v 48A 4500rpm
High Draw @ 12.0v 96A 4500rpm
1.38kwh or 7,500 btuH/hr

However, when UndermountAC.com tested it;
Green Wire Medium Speed:
16,128 btuH/hr
Orange Wire High Speed:
19,918 btuH/hr---estimated
Undercount recommended using the Medium or Low Speed, so I am looking at 16,128 to 13,000 btuH. They said that the high speed used too much power.

Since I already have (2) 12,000 btuH mini-split 48v heat pumps, I would probably select the low speed for energy economy.

All of the are battery powered, so I would run them all off the 51.2v 300ah battery bank. I think that this is way more than needed because (2) 12,000 btuH rood ac unit units are considered sufficient.

Considering that this is just for the dashboard air conditioning, there is already a substantial reduction of solar heat by installing Llmar Stratos ceramic film on all glass surfaces with a brow over the windshield. The Stratos film blocks 97% of the solar heat.View attachment 7891

Moving on!!
When I was putting together my system to use the (2) YMGI solar ready mini-split systems, I was committed. If another alternative became available, I could not switch to it.
Part of my research in getting to install a 12v dc air conditioning compressor in lieu of the engine mounted compressor, I would not need to have the engine running. If I was successful, I really did not need to replace the forward roof mounted 12,000 btuH air condoner with a mini-split. I could just eliminate it altogether and just junk it.
However, I still have (2) mini-splits and the dashboard 12v air conditioning system to experiment whether the elimination of the forward unit is feasible and that is where I am at now.
However, in researching how to wire the ProAirII 12v compressor, I came across a Canadian company called Undercount. They were using the ProAir II compressor and had a lot of information on it.
I then learned about the undercount system and if I had known about it earlier, I probably would have used their product rather than the mini-splits. It was too late for me but maybe not to late for you.
Look up their system and I recommend going in the direction for you. Unlike my approach, the compressor, coli and condensation coils are mounted under the body between the chassis framing members. Therefore, It is far from the engine and transmission cooling coils. Te reduces the tempature in the engine compartment.
There is also an electronic thermostat/humistat control system that is not just on/off like the dashboard ac. Set the temp and humidity an let it take over control and forget about it.
They have 12v, 24v and 48v kits.
They are selling kits for the Ford Transit and Mercedes Sprinter, but we can adapt them.
By the way, PrAIr is bankrupt and undergoing liquidation, but the compressor Undercount is using something that looks exactly like them. I asked Undercount and they said that they are not using ProAir compressors. I think that they found a Chinese company that reverse engineered the ProAir products, started manufacturing them and selling them directly and destroyed ProAir's business , so be beware.
Let me know what you think about the Undercount products and will you go in that direction.
What is happening here is that a Canadian company is buying Chinese products with minimal tarif, including them in the system and selling to Americans, thereby getting around the American tariffs on Chinese products. China again steals American technology and uses it to eliminate our manufacturing. You have to decide if you are willing to let them get away with it or not use the Undercount products.
Check out their website and get back to me.

 

[tmsnyder]

I actually think it was mine. In my last year at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute,

I have a kid there, going into 3rd year in the fall

 

[sailor man]

I have a kid there, going into 3rd year in the fall

Great Todd!
My 60th Reunion is this Fall. Class of ’63, but I graduated in 1964. I spent the first two years majoring in Physics and the final 4 years in Architecture.
What is your kid majoring in?

 

[Agoogol]

Moving on!!
When I was putting together my system to use the (2) YMGI solar ready mini-split systems, I was committed. If another alternative became available, I could not switch to it.
Part of my research in getting to install a 12v dc air conditioning compressor in lieu of the engine mounted compressor, I would not need to have the engine running. If I was successful, I really did not need to replace the forward roof mounted 12,000 btuH air condoner with a mini-split. I could just eliminate it altogether and just junk it.
However, I still have (2) mini-splits and the dashboard 12v air conditioning system to experiment whether the elimination of the forward unit is feasible and that is where I am at now.
However, in researching how to wire the ProAirII 12v compressor, I came across a Canadian company called Undercount. They were using the ProAir II compressor and had a lot of information on it.
I then learned about the undercount system and if I had known about it earlier, I probably would have used their product rather than the mini-splits. It was too late for me but maybe not to late for you.
Look up their system and I recommend going in the direction for you. Unlike my approach, the compressor, coli and condensation coils are mounted under the body between the chassis framing members. Therefore, It is far from the engine and transmission cooling coils. Te reduces the tempature in the engine compartment.
There is also an electronic thermostat/humistat control system that is not just on/off like the dashboard ac. Set the temp and humidity an let it take over control and forget about it.
They have 12v, 24v and 48v kits.
They are selling kits for the Ford Transit and Mercedes Sprinter, but we can adapt them.
By the way, PrAIr is bankrupt and undergoing liquidation, but the compressor Undercount is using something that looks exactly like them. I asked Undercount and they said that they are not using ProAir compressors. I think that they found a Chinese company that reverse engineered the ProAir products, started manufacturing them and selling them directly and destroyed ProAir's business , so be beware.
Let me know what you think about the Undercount products and will you go in that direction.
What is happening here is that a Canadian company is buying Chinese products with minimal tarif, including them in the system and selling to Americans, thereby getting around the American tariffs on Chinese products. China again steals American technology and uses it to eliminate our manufacturing. You have to decide if you are willing to let them get away with it or not use the Undercount products.
Check out their website and get back to me.

Just jumping into the end of this thread, apologize I have not read all 15 pages! Do you mean these guys https://undermountac.com/

And my apologies for trying to catch up, but is this system in lieu of the dash AC, AND the rooftop AC? My dash AC is fried, not sure whats wrong but completely disconnected. From sounds of things, never any good to begin with. I was thinking to replace the old rooftop with something like the Houghton 3800, to have AC or Heat.

 

[sailor man]

View attachment 8712
This is 11 Weber Road, West Orange, NJ. I designed and built this house in 1972-3. Since it was around the time that the GMC Motorhome first was designed and manufactured for the first time.
This house has been bank owned for the last 5 years or so. There was and auction about 21 months ago, but the sale never happened. I thought above buying it myself and fixing it, but it was just to far away.
It is heavily damaged from the roofing failure and severe water damage.
It is a passive solar house with redwood and brick exterior and the interior is mostly brick and rift cut white oak.
Check it out on Zillow.
I still have all of the original plans, specifications and correspondence in storage in Cliffwood, NJ>
I am looking for a savior and I will help. There is a former employee in New Brunswick, NJ that can help.
It is currently on the market for $355,100 and was last sold for $520,000 on 5/09/06 and the current property taxes are $20,930 based on an assessment of $645,300. The tax will be cut in half upon sale and tax appeal.
It is somewhere between a core and a useable coach. Fully restored, it isn probably worth between $2,000,000 and $4,000,000.
The redwood and white oak is painted. The brick walls and pavers are fine. The original copper roofing is gone.
In that tube next to the entrance door is a custom white oak circular stair with a circular domed skylight above, taking up all of the ceiling space.
View attachment 8714

https://www.hubzu.com//property/90016120355

You should look at the 3D/Visual as it is a video walk through and for the opening bid, you can see that this is well work it. By the way, in the bathroom with a white and avacoa green toilet, the green on was original there was a green bidet there originally.
View attachment 8715
View attachment 8716
View attachment 8717
As you can see the unground is just huge.
A GMC Motorhome might just fit in the upper corner where it says workshop as long as everything is off the roof. Maybe the Birchaven.
It is much larger than the 3,177 sf listed. I think that is only the upper floor.
Zoom in with Goggle Earth and look at the street views.
All of the original plumbing fixture and kitchen appliances are still there. It is something like a barn find.
If you are not interested, do you know anyone who might be.
I apologize if I offended you by posting this. I am just desperate in finding a way to save it!
What I am trying to do for the designers of the GMC Motorhome, I am trying to find someone to do that for me.

I have just found it at auction with an opening bid of $250,000.
Single Family auction West Orange,NJ - 11-Weber-RoadWest Orange-NJ-07052,90016120355. Hubzu.com

I won’t speak of it again. If you want to talk about it email me at sailor13@aol.com.

And now back to the other things I want to tell you about my GMC Motorhome project. I know that you think that I might be running out of things, but there is really so much more that I want to tell you.

There is a first offer of $260,000

 

[tmsnyder]

Great Todd!
My 60th Reunion is this Fall. Class of ’63, but I graduated in 1964. I spent the first two years majoring in Physics and the final 4 years in Architecture.
What is your kid majoring in?

Environmental Engineering, half way done, she's really enjoying it, getting great grades and interning at the Army Corps of Engineers this summer. RPI has a beautiful campus and excellent academics. We're very happy she went there.

 

[sailor man]

Jason Stryker delivers the Drew Koba COOP 455 and the motor meets the coach.

JasonStryker

 

[tmsnyder]

View attachment 8738
Jason Stryker delivers the Drew Koba COOP 455 and the motor meets the coach.

JasonStryker

Are you skipping the oil cooler or was that filter housing on there for dyno testing only?

 

[sailor man]

This is the MasterVolt 48v to 12v dc to dc converter. Since the 51.2v batteries will only be powering the (2) YMGI mini-splits, the only 51.2v battery bank can also be used to back up the 12v 1000ah house battery bank.

 

[sailor man]

The new alternators, water pump, power steering pump and serpentine belt system will soon be transferred to the new Koba 455 after it is in place. The system was first installed on Cliff’s crate 455 to work out some issues and alignment. It was then installed on the 455 in the coach and tested. On the Koba 455, it will be the third installation.
Most of the coach’s original water pump and power steering pumps were already removed and are in CLiff’s inventory. The existing motor will also be added there. All will be available from Cliff if you are interested. Normally you can only buy a crate engine that does have these things too, but it is different in this case.
On the Koba 455 there’s a a water pump that will be replaced by a new, so some of these blue painted components will also be transferred to Cliff’s inventory.
I expect that the 51.2v charging system will be in place and tested rather soon and the install of the Koba 455 will begin next week. Cliff estimates a 10-14 day job. This is a more complicated swap out than normal. The final installation will be unique.

Then we will start it up, make adjustments and run it in.

Finally !!!

The old carb will be reinstalled and will accompany the coach to my house. In addition to my training to drive this very different GMC, I will have to learn how to operate all the systems that are installed. There will be little help in talking to other owners because this one is very different. I think that the learning curve is very steep.
After a few months, I will take the coach to Jason Stryker in Orlando for the installation of the 70 gal aluminum tank, FiTech fuel injection, new aluminum radiator, electric fans and custom fan controller.

 

[sailor man]

This is the 12v WakeSpeed 500 Wiring and is in operation. The 200A switch breaker is there because the Balmar 12v alternator produces 160 amps. That alternator power alone is probably greater than the alternator for all loads on any other GMC coach.
By the way, The shunts are mounted on a 4"x4" aluminum angle to provide additional areas to mount the additional electrical devices needed for the installation. It might help you if you are looking for additional mounting space yourself.
To the left is the breaker and shunt for the 48v installation that is underway.

 

[sailor man]

Environmental Engineering, half way done, she's really enjoying it, getting great grades and interning at the Army Corps of Engineers this summer. RPI has a beautiful campdus and excellent academics. We're very happy she went there.

If your daughter is interested in environment engineering, I would be happy to talk with her. I designed my first house in 1968 and it is a passive solar house. Most of my buildings are very energy efficient. Almost no one knows who is responsible for no sales being charged sales tax for solar installations. Also, the value of a solar installation can not be used to calculate property tax. It started un New Jersey in 1980, because Gov. Byrne (R) asked me to suggest something that he could use in his campaign for re-election in 1978. That is why we pay no taxes on solar installations.
I have homes that date back to the 1970 that are close to zero carbon, well before anyone started talking about it.
However, my techniques are even better than those tough at engineering schools. Maybe she would benefit from another perspective.

 

[tmsnyder]

If your daughter is interested in environment engineering, I would be happy to talk with her. I designed my first house in 1968 and it is a passive solar house. Most of my buildings are very energy efficient. Almost no one knows who is responsible for no sales being charged sales tax for solar installations. Also, the value of a solar installation can not be used to calculate property tax. It started un New Jersey in 1980, because Gov. Byrne (R) asked me to suggest something that he could use in his campaign for re-election in 1978. That is why we pay no taxes on solar installations.
I have homes that date back to the 1970 that are close to zero carbon, well before anyone started talking about it.
However, my techniques are even better than those tough at engineering schools. Maybe she would benefit from another perspective.

That's very kind, thank you for the offer. And the interesting history! Nice to see an RPI alum having such an impact.

 

[sailor man]

That's very kind, thank you for the offer. And the interestinghave history! Nice to see an RPI alum having such an impact.

I told Gov Byrne's campaign people that solar systems were incredibly expensive. The were on commercially available solar panels. We had to design and make our own panels. Photovoltaic panels were a fantasy. Sort of never believed that there would come a time when you could buy photovoltaic panels. We could only construct ones that used water to heat homes.
Charging sales tax and property tax on solar systems were a huge disincentive for solar radiation collection and it was very uneconomical. I was a member of the fledgling New Jersey Solar Energy Club. It didn't last very long.
Previously, Gov. Byrne had appointed me, about 1972, to implement the adoption of the first New Jersey State Construction Code. I was don the Mechanical Sudcode, Energy Conservation Subcode and believe it or not the Solar Energy Code. In 1973!!

I was Chairman of the Energy Committee of the New Jersey Society of Architects.

I have always believed that you can accomplish wonderful things if you are willing to lets someone else take the credit for what you have started. It is also far more likely for your idea or invention see the light of day.
Gov. Byrne got the credit and I got the satisfaction that in a small way solar energy would be more likely to be accepted and implemented. No one knows that I started it, but I am just starting to tell people.
When I was seeking an appraisal on my house in Florida for insurance purposes. I was told by the appraiser that a solar installation’s cost could not be used to calculate the property value for calculating the amount of property tax. He seemed that he thought it was important for me to know that the house was actually a lot more valuable than what the tax accessor had listed and was used by realtors. I just smiled and didn’t tell that I already knew that.

This year is my 60th year Reunion! I was a physic major for two years. After all, the Sputnik went up in 1958 and that was my freshman year.

Then, in my third year I switched to Architecture and spent another four years doing that, Six years in total and no Masters. Acquired 210 credits though.

For two years I was an assistant manager of the RPI hockey team and later the manager of Tennis for two years and served on the Student Union. I don't know if that is still the way it works.

I was also president and earlier vice president of TKE. I think TKE may have a very animal house reputation these days. Before I was there, the TKE Chapter was formed by WWII veterans on the GI Bill.

Man, that is more than half a century ago!

I guess your daughter will get a sense of what RPI was like in the past.