Lithium / inverter install help please?

[PaulC70]

Yes.

No idea on the alternator rating, cant see anything online to help :-(
As for the split charger, any thoughts on how to find it?

 

[Speve]

What made you go for the Pro rather than the standard Drift Alan?

Well I was advised it was the latest version heres a section from their data sheet.

The most striking aspect of Fogstar Drift PRO is its Victron Integration. This feature allows seamless interaction with the Victron Cerbo GX, enabling remote monitoring and systems configuration at your fingertips.

The Drift PRO also comes with a high discharge 300A JBD BMS, augmenting its power handling capacity while maintaining the safety and balance of the battery. The addition of an On/Off switch provides users quick and easy control over the battery's operations.

Inclusion of a JK active balancer input enhances the battery's performance and lifespan by equalising cell voltages and reducing internal resistance. Additionally, the Drift PRO is housed within a durable metal case and supports RS485/CAN inputs, standing tough against harsh environments and providing a reliable interface for communications

 

[Lenny HB]

As a comment on post #3: Not sure if we are looking at the same black box but the one I see on the negative side of the vehicle battery looks a lot like an isolation relay rather than a shunt.

The shunt is to the left of the relay.

 

[Raul]

Well I was advised it was the latest version heres a section from their data sheet.

The most striking aspect of Fogstar Drift PRO is its Victron Integration. This feature allows seamless interaction with the Victron Cerbo GX, enabling remote monitoring and systems configuration at your fingertips.

The Drift PRO also comes with a high discharge 300A JBD BMS, augmenting its power handling capacity while maintaining the safety and balance of the battery. The addition of an On/Off switch provides users quick and easy control over the battery's operations.

Inclusion of a JK active balancer input enhances the battery's performance and lifespan by equalising cell voltages and reducing internal resistance. Additionally, the Drift PRO is housed within a durable metal case and supports RS485/CAN inputs, standing tough against harsh environments and providing a reliable interface for communications

So the drift pro has the jbd bms with rs485/CAN, that can be plugged into the Victron gx, worth having if you use it; nice feature, but many other bms,s have this to. The addition of a active balancer it’s v good, perfect if it is set right, to start balance above 3.45v only. Many of this balances comes with factory set at 3v, useless.

 

[Lenny HB]

No idea on the alternator rating, cant see anything online to help :-(
As for the split charger, any thoughts on how to find it?

You need the part number on the alternator or ask Bailey.

I think the relay is inside the distribution box I've seen somewhere on another thread how to disable it.

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[AndrewB]

Reply to #33: Presumably the slightly necked silver thing. Live and learn, I don't think mine has that and I know it doesn't have a smart alternator.

 

[headlight]

Over on the Fogstar forum there are several people with funny readings on the app.
Fogstar says there is a firmware update available and if you contact them they send you a link to the update.

 

[Gerry77]

What rating is your alternator?

RogerIvy will be able to update you and if you buy from him you will get a 10% discount.

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That confirms no B2B.

Update on discount! 15% till the end of the year! I have just had an email telling me of this offer.

 

[autorouter]

That black box on the negative terminal of your battery is a shunt so you have a smart alternator.

I'm not so sure, that device looks like an isolator relay, ie a 2-state relay that has two coil feeds, one to turn it off and one to turn it on. The advantage of a 2-state relay is that it doesn't take any power to hold it in either the on or off state. A normal relay needs a very small amount of power to keep it on, which mounts up over a period of days or weeks.

However I might be wrong, I can't read the writing on the relay to see its part number. Looks like a Tyco Electronics standard part. Maybe the OP could post a better picture.

If I'm right, that device is for isolating the battery during long periods of inactivity. I think there is a small button on the ignition key slot that allows the ignition key to be turned to a position where the battery is totally isolated. This was used on vehicles with standard, not smart, alternators.

The shunt is to the left of the relay.

Edit: For some reason those replies have only just appeared on my screen. Still not 100% convinced, I can't see any extra sense wires on the shunt side, maybe they are well hidden.

 

[jumar]

In the initial post the OP mentioned adding a second battery eventually....I only have a 160ah lithium and don't hook up...
With the Charging Performance of a B2B adding another battery would be a little excessive....unless planning to be stationary over longer periods..

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[AdrianChen]

If I'm right, that device is for isolating the battery during long periods of inactivity. I think there is a small button on the ignition key slot that allows the ignition key to be turned to a position where the battery is totally isolated. This was used on vehicles with standard, not smart, alternators.

Our 20 plate Merc had an isolator for the start battery and it had a smart alternator - - This one looks similar

 

[PaulC70]

I'll get another clear photo of the part in question this afternoon.
In the meantime someone somewhere mentioned about Victon releasing a 50amp dcdc charger which apparantly runs cooler than other versions and hence is supposed to be more efficient? I've even seen post of people fitting computer fans to their victrons to keep them cool and increasing charging efficiency.
Looks like the new 50amp is this one? https://www.victronenergy.com/dc-dc-converters/orion-xs-12-12-50a-dc-dc-battery-charger

 

[headlight]

I'll get another clear photo of the part in question this afternoon.
In the meantime someone somewhere mentioned about Victon releasing a 50amp dcdc charger which apparantly runs cooler than other versions and hence is supposed to be more efficient? I've even seen post of people fitting computer fans to their victrons to keep them cool and increasing charging efficiency.
Looks like the new 50amp is this one? https://www.victronenergy.com/dc-dc-converters/orion-xs-12-12-50a-dc-dc-battery-charger

I had a Sterling 60 amp B2B fitted a year ago by Vanbitz.
It has a built in cooling fan.
I've never found it to be hot when I've checked it.

 

[autorouter]

In the meantime someone somewhere mentioned about Victon releasing a 50amp dcdc charger which apparantly runs cooler than other versions and hence is supposed to be more efficient? I've even seen post of people fitting computer fans to their victrons to keep them cool and increasing charging efficiency.
Looks like the new 50amp is this one? https://www.victronenergy.com/dc-dc-converters/orion-xs-12-12-50a-dc-dc-battery-charger

Yes, the one in the link is the correct one. They also released another device, a 50A DC-DC converter, about the same time, so be careful you get the right one.

 

[PaulC70]

Yes, the one in the link is the correct one. They also released another device, a 50A DC-DC converter, about the same time, so be careful you get the right one.

I just made sure I looked at the blue one lol. Is the wrong one the buck boost one ie black?

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[PaulC70]

As promised, but late, here's a close up of the item in question on the neg side of the cab battery. Not sure how this would play into fitting a dc to dc charger. if its too small you can click on it and you can see a bigger version on flickr.

IMG_4872 by Donnie Canning, on Flickr

 

[AdrianChen]

I just made sure I looked at the blue one lol. Is the wrong one the buck boost one ie black?

The Orion XS is the new 50amp DCDC charger - It looks similar to the older Orion TR 30 amp. Helpfully both are blue box's. The Black(silver) Buck Boost is an older product that can also act as a charger but I'm not sure it is three stage etc, (someone on here will know) and versions go up to around 100amp.

 

[PaulC70]

Just also taken this. I've been reading and found several youtube vids about how to test if you have or have not got a smart alternator. Apparantly after 5 to 10 mins the voltage should drop? Mines stayed a steady 14 plus volts now making me doubt myself and if i actually do have a smart alternator at all?

IMG_4878 by Donnie Canning, on Flickr

 

[AdrianChen]

I think it will depend to some extent on the state of charge before you started the engine - if the battery is pretty full, voltage should drop down if its a smart jobby (above 70% SOC - guess), if standard I'd expect to see a steady climb to 14.1 or 14.2v ish regardless.

 

[PaulC70]

I think it will depend to some extent on the state of charge before you started the engine - if the battery is pretty full, voltage should drop down if its a smart jobby (above 70% SOC - guess), if standard I'd expect to see a steady climb to 14.1 or 14.2v ish regardless.

Engine battery was saying 12.7 on the tracker app before starting the engine.

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[AdrianChen]

Then yes I'd expect a smart jobby to drop down pretty quickly to 12.? - Unless you have a load of stuff on like radio - headlamps etc....

 

[PaulC70]

Then yes I'd expect a smart jobby to drop down pretty quickly to 12.? - Unless you have a load of stuff on like radio - headlamps etc....

Nope, made sure I switched it all off, only thing on was the drls which cannot be turned off.

 

[Barti Ddu]

From your photo (although it's not entirely clear) there appears to be quite a lot of equipment attached to the negative terminal on the starter battery, which may include a shunt, which if confirmed would suggest that a smart alternator is fitted.

My 2021 Ducato Euro6D (but no stop-start) has no such gubbins on the earth terminal and has a standard alternator.

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/attachments/img_20220206_123037-jpg.582983/

 

[PaulC70]

To be honest I've given up now, someone on the Bailey Autograph owners group says that the first 150 or so of the Autograph 3's (2.0 not 2.2 diesels) were built on the older cab without smart alternator.

I've decided that all the work I need will take longer but for peace of mind Im going to get nigelivy and co to do the work as I can afford it, first stage is end of February

 

[bigtwin]

As promised, but late, here's a close up of the item in question on the neg side of the cab battery. Not sure how this would play into fitting a dc to dc charger. if its too small you can click on it and you can see a bigger version on flickr.

IMG_4872 by Donnie Canning, on Flickr

It’s one of these (a high current latching relay).

Ian

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