Originally posted by howson
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Thinking about upgrading my factory solar system
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Brian & Kellie
2020 Grand Design Solitude 310GK-R, FBP, MORryde IS, 1,460w solar and 540ah BBGC3
2020 Ford F-350 Platinum SRW PSD Tremor, 60g TF fuel tank, Hensley BD3-F air bag hitch
Previous setups:
2019 Grand Design Solitude 373FB-R, 2019 Ford F-350 Platinum DRW Powerstroke, Hensley BD5 air bag hitch
2016 Grand Design Reflection 318RST, 2016 GMC 3500 Denali SRW Duramax, Hensley BD3 air bag hitch
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Not quite done cleaning up the wiring but here is my new system:
Brian & Kellie
2020 Grand Design Solitude 310GK-R, FBP, MORryde IS, 1,460w solar and 540ah BBGC3
2020 Ford F-350 Platinum SRW PSD Tremor, 60g TF fuel tank, Hensley BD3-F air bag hitch
Previous setups:
2019 Grand Design Solitude 373FB-R, 2019 Ford F-350 Platinum DRW Powerstroke, Hensley BD5 air bag hitch
2016 Grand Design Reflection 318RST, 2016 GMC 3500 Denali SRW Duramax, Hensley BD3 air bag hitch
- Likes 5
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Really clean that looks great. I’m glad you like it, I think the thing is just a beast. It’ll run either my of Coleman or Dometic AC units on high with no easy start installed. It’s amazing.Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.​
Neil Citro
2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab
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Some random observations from testing my system today...
I charged the batteries up, shut off shore power and started the front A/C at 11:00AM. The sky was high overcast and partly cloudy when I started. I ran the A/C for two hours and the batteries were at 65%. By then solar had dropped to about 600w. The most I got was about 1,000w. Soooooo, I can easily run the A/C for 4-5 hours which is better than I expected. The battery cables were pretty warm after two hours but not hot. It definitely gave the entire system a good workout.
I then shut off the A/C, turned shore power back on then turned the A/C back on. It took 95 minutes to fully charge the batteries. Again, that's better than I expected.
So far I'm super impressed with the system and I STILL haven't burned the RV down or made any mistakes. Once again, I thank all you folks here on the forum who offered advice along the way.
We've been stationary here in Palm Springs since September but plan to leave here in a week or two. When we return this fall I plan to use my solar system exclusively for power during the winter. Electricity is VERY expensive here so it will be nice to reduce the electric bill. Of course, they still charge you even with the power shut off but at least the bill will be lower. At a cost of about $13,000, I figure it will only take about 30 years to break even on my upgraded solar systemBrian & Kellie
2020 Grand Design Solitude 310GK-R, FBP, MORryde IS, 1,460w solar and 540ah BBGC3
2020 Ford F-350 Platinum SRW PSD Tremor, 60g TF fuel tank, Hensley BD3-F air bag hitch
Previous setups:
2019 Grand Design Solitude 373FB-R, 2019 Ford F-350 Platinum DRW Powerstroke, Hensley BD5 air bag hitch
2016 Grand Design Reflection 318RST, 2016 GMC 3500 Denali SRW Duramax, Hensley BD3 air bag hitch
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bertschb -- it will be priceless when they shut off power and you're still able to stay comfortable.
One issue to remember: it is very easy to inadvertently overload the inverter and drain the batteries. For example, you have both air conditioners humming on shore power and the water heater on (120vAC). You leave the camper for a walk around the park and don't realize shore power dropped for whatever reason. Your inverter will do it's best to keep powering everything demanding power--sending the inverter into an overload / reset / overload cycle.
It can even happen when you're in the camper since the Multiplus is so fast to switch over to the inverter you may not even notice until you hear beeping and wonder, "What's that?".
If you haven't read my overload thread, now's a good time to read it (or read it again) as it will likely make more sense to you.
Your setup looks excellent, Brian. I always cringe when I see unprotected positive posts--yours looks neat, tidy, and protected. Well done!
HowardForum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.
Howard & Francine
2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus
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Originally posted by howson View PostOne issue to remember: it is very easy to inadvertently overload the inverter and drain the batteries.
I did read your overload thread but I'll read it again for a refresher. It will probably make more sense now. I need to look at my power needs differently now and adjust accordingly. May switch to propane for the water heater and I'll definitely need to be careful with high electrical loads while inverting.
I still have some configuration work to do. I imagine there is some way in Victron Connect to get notified of alerts via text or email. I haven't looked into that yet. That would help with the scenario you described.
Getting closer...
Last edited by bertschb; 04-12-2021, 10:58 AM.Brian & Kellie
2020 Grand Design Solitude 310GK-R, FBP, MORryde IS, 1,460w solar and 540ah BBGC3
2020 Ford F-350 Platinum SRW PSD Tremor, 60g TF fuel tank, Hensley BD3-F air bag hitch
Previous setups:
2019 Grand Design Solitude 373FB-R, 2019 Ford F-350 Platinum DRW Powerstroke, Hensley BD5 air bag hitch
2016 Grand Design Reflection 318RST, 2016 GMC 3500 Denali SRW Duramax, Hensley BD3 air bag hitch
- Likes 1
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First from another user:
"I believe the Multiplus II 2x120 only monitors power on the L1 side so its only seeing half of the RV "L1" loads when the the RV is powered by 120/240 "Split phase" sources like a 50 amp pedestal connection. It bypasses the L2 straight through to the RV."
Then from a Victron employee commenting on the post above:
"That's it exactly. But we’re still looking to improve that; and most likely we’ll be able to make it show data for L2 as well, with a firmware update. If you ask me again in 4 weeks, I’ll know more!"
Sooooo, it appears we may get a firmware update down the road that will show loads from both legs which would be awesome!
Brian & Kellie
2020 Grand Design Solitude 310GK-R, FBP, MORryde IS, 1,460w solar and 540ah BBGC3
2020 Ford F-350 Platinum SRW PSD Tremor, 60g TF fuel tank, Hensley BD3-F air bag hitch
Previous setups:
2019 Grand Design Solitude 373FB-R, 2019 Ford F-350 Platinum DRW Powerstroke, Hensley BD5 air bag hitch
2016 Grand Design Reflection 318RST, 2016 GMC 3500 Denali SRW Duramax, Hensley BD3 air bag hitch
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Originally posted by bertschb View Post
As mentioned in a previous post, Victron Connect only shows loads on one leg with the new Multiplus II 2x120. I asked for more details on this in the Victron Community forum and got these two replies.
First from another user:
"I believe the Multiplus II 2x120 only monitors power on the L1 side so its only seeing half of the RV "L1" loads when the the RV is powered by 120/240 "Split phase" sources like a 50 amp pedestal connection. It bypasses the L2 straight through to the RV."
Then from a Victron employee commenting on the post above:
"That's it exactly. But we’re still looking to improve that; and most likely we’ll be able to make it show data for L2 as well, with a firmware update. If you ask me again in 4 weeks, I’ll know more!"
Sooooo, it appears we may get a firmware update down the road that will show loads from both legs which would be awesome!
Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.​
Neil Citro
2018 Reflection 28BH Pepwave
2019 F350 6.7L Long Bed Crew Cab
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Originally posted by bertschb View PostThat's it exactly. But we’re still looking to improve that; and most likely we’ll be able to make it show data for L2 as well, with a firmware update. If you ask me again in 4 weeks, I’ll know more!" Sooooo, it appears we may get a firmware update down the road that will show loads from both legs which would be awesome!Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.
Howard & Francine
2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus
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Originally posted by howson View PostDang...that would tempt me to upgrade. Please keep me informed, Brian.Brian & Kellie
2020 Grand Design Solitude 310GK-R, FBP, MORryde IS, 1,460w solar and 540ah BBGC3
2020 Ford F-350 Platinum SRW PSD Tremor, 60g TF fuel tank, Hensley BD3-F air bag hitch
Previous setups:
2019 Grand Design Solitude 373FB-R, 2019 Ford F-350 Platinum DRW Powerstroke, Hensley BD5 air bag hitch
2016 Grand Design Reflection 318RST, 2016 GMC 3500 Denali SRW Duramax, Hensley BD3 air bag hitch
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Update:
I just wanted to update you guys on my new solar system. It has worked flawlessly since installation about a month ago. I got my right knee replaced on Wednesday and to prepare for that, my sister in law invited us to park at their place in La Pine, OR so my wife would have some support if needed. They have full hookups but I told them I wanted to see if my new solar system would work well enough to stay unplugged for the full 5-6 weeks we plan to stay here. It has only been five days since we arrived but the lowest my batteries have dropped to was about 65% overnight. It isn't hot enough here to need air conditioning but we run whatever we want in the RV. The only concession I make is to run the water heater from propane.
The highest output I've seen from my panels so far is just under 1,300 watts but we haven't had a bright sunny day yet. The next three days are supposed to be sunny so it will be interesting to see if output goes above 1,300 watts. My array is 1,460 watts. My panels are not tilted.
While recuperating, I stare at my Victron VRM Online Portal to see how the system is performing. It's amazing to me how much amperage the system puts out just from a few solar panels.
Time for another pain pillLast edited by bertschb; 05-15-2021, 11:23 AM.Brian & Kellie
2020 Grand Design Solitude 310GK-R, FBP, MORryde IS, 1,460w solar and 540ah BBGC3
2020 Ford F-350 Platinum SRW PSD Tremor, 60g TF fuel tank, Hensley BD3-F air bag hitch
Previous setups:
2019 Grand Design Solitude 373FB-R, 2019 Ford F-350 Platinum DRW Powerstroke, Hensley BD5 air bag hitch
2016 Grand Design Reflection 318RST, 2016 GMC 3500 Denali SRW Duramax, Hensley BD3 air bag hitch
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Originally posted by bertschb View PostTime for another pain pill
FYI, our systems appear to perform about the same. Awesome, isn't it?
I also run the water heater on propane, but only run the heater when hot water is needed.
The shortfall to our setups is definitely when air conditioning is required.Forum moderators are not GD employees--we are volunteers and owners presumably just like yourself. Unless specifically mentioned otherwise, we have nothing to gain should you choose to purchase a product or engage a service we discuss on this forum.
Howard & Francine
2017 Ford F-350 DRW, '19 315RLTSPlus
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Originally posted by howson View PostHeal quickly, Brian!
FYI, our systems appear to perform about the same. Awesome, isn't it?
Brian & Kellie
2020 Grand Design Solitude 310GK-R, FBP, MORryde IS, 1,460w solar and 540ah BBGC3
2020 Ford F-350 Platinum SRW PSD Tremor, 60g TF fuel tank, Hensley BD3-F air bag hitch
Previous setups:
2019 Grand Design Solitude 373FB-R, 2019 Ford F-350 Platinum DRW Powerstroke, Hensley BD5 air bag hitch
2016 Grand Design Reflection 318RST, 2016 GMC 3500 Denali SRW Duramax, Hensley BD3 air bag hitch
- Likes 1
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Originally posted by ncitro View PostI could see a firmware update to show the draw on L2, that should be pretty straightforward to calculate and display. Great news!
"Hi, yes there is an update: its been looked into. Conclusion: its 99% sure that we'll be able to make it show data for L2 as well with a firmware update. And its being worked on already, but I expect that this will take several months minimum before its fully finished and released. Changes to a lot of parts are required, ie the firmware for both microcontrollers in the inverter/charger, and firmware in one, or perhaps even two parts in the GX device. And then I haven't even mentioned VictronConnect, VRM and Venus OS Gui yet."Brian & Kellie
2020 Grand Design Solitude 310GK-R, FBP, MORryde IS, 1,460w solar and 540ah BBGC3
2020 Ford F-350 Platinum SRW PSD Tremor, 60g TF fuel tank, Hensley BD3-F air bag hitch
Previous setups:
2019 Grand Design Solitude 373FB-R, 2019 Ford F-350 Platinum DRW Powerstroke, Hensley BD5 air bag hitch
2016 Grand Design Reflection 318RST, 2016 GMC 3500 Denali SRW Duramax, Hensley BD3 air bag hitch
- Likes 1
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X2, Brian - hope you have a speedy and uneventful recovery. Carol had one of her knees replaced several years ago and wished she would have done so earlier. Good to hear that your solar system is performing well. Not a surprise as you, Howard, Jim and many others are a wealth of knowledge.
DanDan & Carol
2014 303RLS Reflection #185 (10/2013 build)
2012 Silverado LTZ Crew Duramax 2500HD - 2700/16K Pullrite Superglide
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