Lithium Upgrade - minor issues. After some suggestions / advice?

[Buddy1012]

Currently giving full upgrade (400ah batteries, new inverter, chargers, additional solar to Hymer) in the Alps. All working well it seems especially solar due to clear skies and abundant sunshine.

One niggle though which I’ve noticed is some interference with the lights and one of the TVs (Alphatronic so not the best I know). When the pump runs (tap, shower, toilet flush) it causes the lights to dim slightly and on several occasions the television will flicker ranging from minor to turning itself off.

Installation wise everything is now located in the garage with a 6m cable run to the EBL. I’ve used 25mm cable to get from the +ve bus bar in the garage to the EBL 12v input at the original front dining area location. (The last few cms is the original 16mm cable taken off a bus bar under the floor).

I was just wondering if this is a voltage drop issue which could be remedied by a thicker cable all through or just eliminating the final few cms of 16mm? I did it thid way as I didn’t have the right EBL connections at the time.

Any thoughts / advice appreciated.

 

[Lenny HB]

Have you upgraded the negative cable from batteries to the EBL?
However, I don't think the cable size to the EBL will make much odds as the pump only draws a few amps. The TV turning itself off does sound like a volt drop problem.
Monitor the voltage on the TV and lighing circuit with a meter when the pump runs to see if there is any significant voltage drop.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Undoubtedly a voltage drop issue, but not necessarily from wiring size or even poor connection to the battery. But could be flimsy wires to the pump.

Lithium can be up to 13.6V compared to leas acid which fully charged is 12.6-7V. So a significant addition in percentage terms. I have also seen lights flicker slightly in my van with water pump, but not all the time. I suspect it is the pump affected by the higher voltage and how it starts up as many motors can have a proportionate high initial current draw.

 

[Lenny HB]

I suspect it is the pump affected by the higher voltage and how it starts up as many motors can have a high initial current draw.

Shouldn't be a problem as the Lithium voltage is still lower than when charging on mains.
The pump will be a Reich Tandem submersible quite low current compared to a Shureflo.

 

[Buddy1012]

Have you upgraded the negative cable from batteries to the EBL?
However, I don't think the cable size to the EBL will make much odds as the pump only draws a few amps. The TV turning itself off does sound like a volt drop problem.
Monitor the voltage on the TV and lighing circuit with a meter when the pump runs to see if there is any significant voltage drop.

Negative cable yes - all 25mm apart from last bit then 16mm as with +ve. What is the best way to check TV? I have a meter with me - do I unplug and check the voltage of the cable?

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