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04-13-2021, 09:20 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: USA, Nunavut
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 274
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Solar ready, No batteries 5.0 delivery, brake switch calibration
Spoke with ETI about a full solar ready package, minus batteries at delivery. I want to purchase the latest Battleborn Li batteries with the internal heating protection. The provided GoPower batteries don't offer internal heating. ETI mentioned it's an option but I would be responsible to install a battery and calibrate the brake break away switch before driving the trailer. Anyone know what's entailed doing the said calibration at the break away switch?
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04-13-2021, 09:45 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
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Calibrate (?) a break away switch? WTF is that about? I installed a Battleborn 100ah in my trailer and did no calibration of any kind so I have no idea what they are talking about.
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
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04-13-2021, 09:46 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MyronL
Calibrate (?) a break away switch? WTF is that about? I installed a Battleborn 100ah in my trailer and did no calibration of any kind so I have no idea what they are talking about.
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I imagine it is Escape's way of saying "check to see that it works"!
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04-13-2021, 10:37 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Central, Pennsylvania
Trailer: Escape#5 2022 E19
Posts: 26,268
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Pull the pin and see if it works......
__________________
Jim
Sometime life gets in the way of living.......
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04-13-2021, 10:47 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: ..., New Mexico
Trailer: 2013 Esc19/'14 Silvrado
Posts: 4,193
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I tried doing that once. Couldn't reach the pin from the drivers seat.
__________________
Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
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04-13-2021, 10:48 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: USA, Nunavut
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 274
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MyronL
Calibrate (?) a break away switch? WTF is that about? I installed a Battleborn 100ah in my trailer and did no calibration of any kind so I have no idea what they are talking about.
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It was a head scratcher for me as well. I was thinking perhaps they pull the pin to adjust the brakes during manufacturing. Without a battery perhaps they can't adjust the brakes....don't know. They are checking to see if they can still allow me to ship them a Battleborn, as was done in the past. If not, I can opt for a no battery delivery. Not a big deal to get the brakes adjusted if that's the case. Still digging into this one and still a ways out from a build sheet, so plenty of time. Thought I'd check here for anyone that may have done this in the past.
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04-13-2021, 10:58 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: New Mexico, New Mexico
Trailer: 2017 E19
Posts: 610
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack!
Spoke with ETI about a full solar ready package, minus batteries at delivery. I want to purchase the latest Battleborn Li batteries with the internal heating protection. The provided GoPower batteries don't offer internal heating. ETI mentioned it's an option but I would be responsible to install a battery and calibrate the brake break away switch before driving the trailer. Anyone know what's entailed doing the said calibration at the break away switch?
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I suspect that given ETI is incorporating a Victron DC-DC converter for lithium systems, they wanted you to "test" or "validate" the breakaway switch function after installation of your battery. Not clear why they used the term "calibrate".
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04-13-2021, 11:53 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: St. Thomas not BVI., Ontario
Trailer: 2014 Escape 5.0TA / 2016 Ram Eco Diesel 4X4
Posts: 8,035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jack!
It was a head scratcher for me as well. I was thinking perhaps they pull the pin to adjust the brakes during manufacturing. Without a battery perhaps they can't adjust the brakes....don't know. They are checking to see if they can still allow me to ship them a Battleborn, as was done in the past. If not, I can opt for a no battery delivery. Not a big deal to get the brakes adjusted if that's the case. Still digging into this one and still a ways out from a build sheet, so plenty of time. Thought I'd check here for anyone that may have done this in the past.
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Hi: Jack... "Them's the brakes"!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
__________________
Quote Bugs Bunny..."Don't take life too seriously, none of us get out of it ALIVE"!!!
'16 Ram Eco D. 4X4 Laramie Longhorn CC & '14 Escape 5.0TA
St.Thomas (Not the Virgin Islands) Ontario
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04-13-2021, 01:06 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
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Most likely ETI doesn’t want to open the door to substituting Li batteries. They negotiated a wholesale price with Gopower and make $$$ installing Gopower. Probably was chump change on flooded batteries, but a very nice margin on Li.
If they let anyone substitute, it could open a door they don’t want open. I haven’t done a deep dive on the Gopower Li batteries, but just glancing at them awhile back it wouldn’t be my first choice. Maybe Brian will weigh in with a deeper evaluation.
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04-13-2021, 01:20 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: USA, Nunavut
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 274
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg A
Most likely ETI doesn’t want to open the door to substituting Li batteries. They negotiated a wholesale price with Gopower and make $$$ installing Gopower. Probably was chump change on flooded batteries, but a very nice margin on Li.
If they let anyone substitute, it could open a door they don’t want open. I haven’t done a deep dive on the Gopower Li batteries, but just glancing at them awhile back it wouldn’t be my first choice. Maybe Brian will weigh in with a deeper evaluation.
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My take was a little different in that they offered a no battery delivery and are checking for me to see if I can ship Battleborns to them. I didn't get a "no" on that yet. It was just the comment that I would be responsible to install the batteries & calibrate, as no battery is no breakaway & a road violation. They were very helpful & fast to respond. I'm thinking it CYA liability stuff.. The other possibility was the solar system need calibration & it was mixed into the breakaway remarks, so confusing. In any case it needs clarification and I'm hoping to send a new style Battleborn and install the other myself. That would be ideal. I believe the Li battery internal heating solves a significant problem for RV'ers & sending a battery should be allowed at least until its offered by Escape's supplier, as well.
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04-13-2021, 01:52 PM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: SF Bay Area, California
Trailer: 2021 21C
Posts: 65
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When I was asked about a "no battery" option I got a decisive no. I understand that it is a safety issue in that no battery, no brakes should the disconnect be pulled. We had our 21 delivered with the stock 12 volt and simply sold it after we replaced it with two 6-volt AGMs.
__________________
Don
2021 21C "Travels with Karma"
GMC Canyon Denali Turbodiesel Long-bed
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04-13-2021, 02:01 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: USA, Nunavut
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 274
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWM3
When I was asked about a "no battery" option I got a decisive no. I understand that it is a safety issue in that no battery, no brakes should the disconnect be pulled. We had our 21 delivered with the stock 12 volt and simply sold it after we replaced it with two 6-volt AGMs.
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Seems that changed...
"I have asked that question for you (shipping Battleborn). Waiting on an answer but in the mean time. We do have a lithium ready package and you would need to supply your own batteries. no standard battery will be provided. You also need to be acutely aware that no battery means no break away functionality, this would be an on the road violation. You would be accountable to install your batteries and calibrate the system as required prior to driving away."
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04-13-2021, 02:42 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oswego, New York
Trailer: 2017 Escape 21C, 2018 Ford F150
Posts: 5,363
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I wonder what they do to power the breakaway & get it legally across the border?
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04-13-2021, 03:09 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: Wake Forest, North Carolina
Trailer: 2020 5.0TA
Posts: 154
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You do not get a price reduction when you delete any item out of a new Escape. So why don’t you just get the batteries that come with it and mod it when you get it home? This isn’t that hard.
__________________
2020 Escape 5.0 TA
2014 Escape 19 - Sold
2004 Casita 17 - Flooded by Hurricane Florence
2019 Tundra Crew Max TV
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04-13-2021, 03:38 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: USA, Nunavut
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 274
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ritacasita
You do not get a price reduction when you delete any item out of a new Escape. So why don’t you just get the batteries that come with it and mod it when you get it home? This isn’t that hard.
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Li Batteries are a different situation along with the full solar package, inverter, solar charger. This option requires a battery type selection so the system can be setup properly for lithium as I understand things. The "No batteries" delivery in the case of Li batteries drops the pricing significantly. Also, with the cost of the full solar system, I'd rather not set it up myself. That and I am by no means any kind of solar setup expert. I'd like to ship one of the new style Battleborn batteries so everything is setup and ready to go at pickup. I can add the second Battleborn later. The alternative would be they setup everything ready for Li batteries so I can just install two of my Battleborns at pickup & everything is ready to go. I think this is the new "Lithium Ready" package mentioned. It's the "calibration" break-away remark that's the unknown, so far.
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04-13-2021, 05:18 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: USA, Nunavut
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 274
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MVA
I suspect that given ETI is incorporating a Victron DC-DC converter for lithium systems, they wanted you to "test" or "validate" the breakaway switch function after installation of your battery. Not clear why they used the term "calibrate".
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Makes sense...Thanks.
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04-13-2021, 06:27 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: USA, Nunavut
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 274
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Great news. ETI just contacted me. I can send them the new style, heated, Battleborn, Li batteries. ETI will install them and setup the solar package & break-away so I can simply hook up and go at delivery. That's some great Customer Service!
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04-14-2021, 10:18 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Trailer: 2015 Escape 19 "Seventy Degrees"
Posts: 3,495
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Awesome, Jack. I hope they will allow that to continue for others as some have indicated they have blocked it previously. You got a good resolution.
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04-14-2021, 02:41 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2021
Location: USA, Nunavut
Trailer: Escape
Posts: 274
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Greg A
Awesome, Jack. I hope they will allow that to continue for others as some have indicated they have blocked it previously. You got a good resolution.
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Don't know for certain but suspect as RV'ers they understand heated Li batteries solves a major drawback on very expensive batteries. Battleborn has a good video showing how the heater on/off switch is setup and daisy chaining the heater option for multiple Li batteries.
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04-14-2021, 03:53 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: East of Austin, Texas
Trailer: 2021 Escape 5.0 / 2022 F150 SuperCab
Posts: 2,866
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DWM3
When I was asked about a "no battery" option I got a decisive no. ....
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Same here and although a slightly different scenario than Jack's I'm among those who have posted about that with the explanation given by ETI at that time; I only hope that other forum surfers won't find those apparently now obsolete posts and run without asking ETI about their situation. For me it's no worries, I'm happy take the base-standard 12V and DIY my solar installation with batteries of my choosing.
In any case, I'm very happy to read that Jack has now received an answer that works to his benefit and likely will for others.
(just to reinforce - the forum is a great source of information but everything is subject to change and case-specific nuances; IMO folks should always ask ETI about everything they might want during their trailer configuration discussions to ensure they realize the most current possibilities for their build! )
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