E 19 Battery Victron Components Installation

[sackettd]

I wanted my 2024 E19 to have a robust electrical system. With help from several members of this board and a lot of research, I decided to go with a partial ETI, largely DIY installation. This post will be long, as I think it may help current and future Escape owners with similar electrical interests. I’ve written details below and added photos.

System summary: 3 x 230 amp hour LiTime batteries, Victron: Multiplus (not the Multiplus II), Lynx Distributor, Victron Battery Protect, Victron smart shunt, 200 x 200 Watt solar (ETI installed), 2 x Victron 100/30 solar controller, 2 X 200 Watt Bluetti Portable solar panels, Orion 12/12 18 DC to DC charger (ETI installed), Victron Cerbo-S GX, Victron GX touch 70 touchscreen, EMS (ETI INSTALLED), WFCO Power Center (ETI installed), passenger side in and out Bluetooth controlled fans.

Installation Steps:

-I knew I would need help as I had limited experience. I didn’t have anyone local, so I searched for a consultant and I am happy I did. Matthew Walker, the owner of Mobile Solar Consulting https://www.mobilesolarconsulting.com worked with me on an initial system design and provided an excellent, newbie-friendly color-coded custom wiring and component diagram. I ordered most of the components through his company, and email, phone, and video chat communications were provided throughout the installation. The price was very reasonable and his assistance was invaluable. The installation ended up being a complete success. I highly recommend Matt and his company if you are in a similar situation.

-I took out the ETI-provided lead-acid battery and most of the wires from the passenger side under dinette. Other than leaving the ETI installed 110 outlet and 12 volt outlet, the passenger side was bare. My battery bank was almost a perfect square and fit the door end of the space. The Multiplus fit on its back with appropriate clearance on the front side of the space. I worked on connecting the Lynx distributor, Battery shutoff, Lynx smart shunt, and all the wires on a workbench outside of the trailer in my garage and than had a near-perfect fit by connecting the components vertically on a board then to the wood piece that runs on the top, middle of the space. I performed many measurements and maybe I got lucky but everything fit perfectly, including the 4-inch Multiplus clearance. The installation included lots of cable management with P clamps, and zip ties and all the needed fusing and I torqued connections to specs.

-Driver’s side: I kept the ETI installed EMS but removed the 110 wires. I kept the -WFCO Powercenter but removed the charger-switch. I kept the ETI installed Orion DC-DC charger but removed the wires. I then rewired most of the components with appropriate 6 and 10 gauge wires.

-I installed the Cerbo-s gx and touchscreen and connected all the needed communication cables.

-On the final day I had a video call with Matt and we started up the system. He worked through all the needed settings and sent me a video link to a recording of the settings. I have been on several trips and everything works great!

If anyone has questions don’t hesitate to ask.

 

[sackettd]

More photos

More photos including the driver's side installation.

 

[hugh]

Nicely done. I built a similar "DIY" system around the 3000VA Multiplus and have been very happy with it.


One thing that's worth considering: When charging or discharging at a medium to high load, the Multiplus will put out quite a bit of heat - up to several hundred watts. I added a temperature controlled fan that exhausts to the outside to help keep the battery and/or Multiplus from getting too hot.

It's not absolutely essential, but may help extend the life of your batteries and electronics.


(Edit: On my 21C, I used the re-used the battery vent holes for the exhaust fan.)

 

[sackettd]

Under Dinette Fans

Thanks Hugh! I did add an intake and outlet fan with a bluetooth controller managed by the Cerbo. I looked at reusing the outside vents, but I was concerned about insects getting in through the vents so I plugged them. I'm sure you can screen the vents, so my decision was mostly made by the fact that a dinette wall installation looked more strait-forward then modifying the vents for fans.T

The bluetooth exhaust fan is located about 6 inches from the Multiplus exhaust fan and the intake is a few inches away, both attached to the dinette wall. It seems to be working well. I set the fan on temperature to 90 degrees and the Multiplus does get to that temp. when charging, but the fans drop it down to the setting of 86 pretty quickly.

Question: what temperatures did you set your fans for? Like I said, mine turn on at 90 and off at 86, but I semi-randomly chose those numbers.

 

[superspeckman]

Excellent write-up. So you optioned the solar package, lithium prep, and standard battery. Did you omit the inverter knowing you would be replacing it anyway?


I'm about to submit a build sheet this week with the intention of the 6V battery and inverter options with long-term goals for a system almost identical to yours after we see how the base system treats us. Now I'm wondering about not going that route....

 

[Mike Lewis]

One thing that's worth considering: When charging or discharging at a medium to high load, the Multiplus will put out quite a bit of heat - up to several hundred watts. I added a temperature controlled fan that exhausts to the outside to help keep the battery and/or Multiplus from getting too hot.

Hugh-- where did you get the temperature controlled fan? I could use one. Thanks.

 

[dstreight]

Hugh-- where did you get the temperature controlled fan? I could use one. Thanks.

FWIW, this is the temperature sensor/controller I've been using for the past 3-years and it works: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011VGAPOC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[sackettd]

Solar-Electric Options

superspeckman: I got the 2 X 200 watt roof solar panel add-on that included the Victron solar controller, the Lithium-ready option that included a Victron Orion DC-DC charger and the EMS. The plan was for me to DIY the rest of the components.

-Highly recommend the ETI installed roof panels. Unless you are young (ish) and nimble I wouldn't risk going on the roof for safety reasons and concern about attaching the panels to the roof correctly.

-The only reason for the lithium ready add-on was that ETI drilled through the dinette floor to wire the Orion DC-DC charger. I would of been a little nervous drilling through the floor. Also, I added the spray on insulation which probably would have made that under-trailer wiring a real PITA.

-The EMS add-on was pricey and having belatedly read some forum EMS threads, I could have bought and installed a perfectly good EMS for about half the cost.

What you decide to do should be based on your needs. If you will be camping without shorepower often (we are off shorepower about 2/3rds of our camping days), I would highly recommend a lithium battery pack similar to ours (3x230 amp hours), and a 3000w inverter like the Multiplus to allow some off-shorepower aircon use. And get the Houghton air conditioner--it is excellent.

If you are going to mostly be on shorepower and don't need aircon when you are off shorepower, you could go with a smaller battery pack and inverter.

My DIY electrical project took close to 100 hours to complete, even with about 25% already ETI Installed and the huge help of a consultant. I was very deliberate and careful and SLOW working, so I am sure it could be done a bit quicker. When I told Matt my consultant about the 100 hours he said he wasn't surprised and even his installation team would take similar hours to complete this level of installation.

Even so, I am very happy I did this project. I didn't save a huge amount compared to a full ETI Zap pack installation (maybe $1500). The greatest benefit is I am now intimately familiar with the whole system (except for the roof solar) so I can confidently manage settings and troubleshoot future problems.

 

[superspeckman]

Great info, appreciate the feedback. My current spec is to include the lithium prep as well to get the DC-DC and EMS. We also have the Houghton selected but have not gone compressor fridge. I guess the only "wasted" expense would be for ETI to provide the 2 x 6V batteries ($280) and the inverter + transfer switch ($1,115) if I knew I was going to upgrade.



I was on the fence about maybe just using that $1,395 towards a more robust system like you spec'd out. Although the wisest choice would be to use the system as is for some trips and see if the added expense is needed.

 

[Jeffers]

I wanted my 2024 E19 to have a robust electrical system. With help from several members of this board and a lot of research, I decided to go with a partial ETI, largely DIY installation. This post will be long, as I think it may help current and future Escape owners with similar electrical interests. I’ve written details below and added photos.

System summary: 3 x 230 amp hour LiTime batteries, Victron: Multiplus (not the Multiplus II), Lynx Distributor, Victron Battery Protect, Victron smart shunt, 200 x 200 Watt solar (ETI installed), 2 x Victron 100/30 solar controller, 2 X 200 Watt Bluetti Portable solar panels, Orion 12/12 18 DC to DC charger (ETI installed), Victron Cerbo-S GX, Victron GX touch 70 touchscreen, EMS (ETI INSTALLED), WFCO Power Center (ETI installed), passenger side in and out Bluetooth controlled fans.

Installation Steps:

-I knew I would need help as I had limited experience. I didn’t have anyone local, so I searched for a consultant and I am happy I did. Matthew Walker, the owner of Mobile Solar Consulting Mobile Solar Consulting worked with me on an initial system design and provided an excellent, newbie-friendly color-coded custom wiring and component diagram. I ordered most of the components through his company, and email, phone, and video chat communications were provided throughout the installation. The price was very reasonable and his assistance was invaluable. The installation ended up being a complete success. I highly recommend Matt and his company if you are in a similar situation.

-I took out the ETI-provided lead-acid battery and most of the wires from the passenger side under dinette. Other than leaving the ETI installed 110 outlet and 12 volt outlet, the passenger side was bare. My battery bank was almost a perfect square and fit the door end of the space. The Multiplus fit on its back with appropriate clearance on the front side of the space. I worked on connecting the Lynx distributor, Battery shutoff, Lynx smart shunt, and all the wires on a workbench outside of the trailer in my garage and than had a near-perfect fit by connecting the components vertically on a board then to the wood piece that runs on the top, middle of the space. I performed many measurements and maybe I got lucky but everything fit perfectly, including the 4-inch Multiplus clearance. The installation included lots of cable management with P clamps, and zip ties and all the needed fusing and I torqued connections to specs.

-Driver’s side: I kept the ETI installed EMS but removed the 110 wires. I kept the -WFCO Powercenter but removed the charger-switch. I kept the ETI installed Orion DC-DC charger but removed the wires. I then rewired most of the components with appropriate 6 and 10 gauge wires.

-I installed the Cerbo-s gx and touchscreen and connected all the needed communication cables.

-On the final day I had a video call with Matt and we started up the system. He worked through all the needed settings and sent me a video link to a recording of the settings. I have been on several trips and everything works great!

If anyone has questions don’t hesitate to ask.

Wow ! I am very impressed. I'd like, but have doubts on my ability to duplicate on my 5.0 ...

 

[John in Santa Cruz]

my suggestion, is, "keep it simple!"

a couple years ago I replaced my dual GC2 6V golf cart bats with a couple big lithiums, replaced my 160W rooftop solar with a 360W, and replaced my broken Dometic absorption fridge with a Norcold N2170. I have a Victron SmartShunt, and an Smart Solar 100/30 MPPT. and I installed a PD4655L in place of my old WFCO 8955 (which didn't do lithium) I bought a Orion TR 18/30 but it never worked out due to wire gauges, so I'm totally forgoing any tow charging.

we can now dry camp for at LEAST a week without sunshine, and with sunshine, we're pretty much unlimited.

 

[hugh]

Question: what temperatures did you set your fans for? Like I said, mine turn on at 90 and off at 86, but I semi-randomly chose those numbers.

Well, sorry for the late reply! -- I missed your question earlier. I have a variable speed controller, which is set to turn on at 20% at 77F and ramps up to 100% at 95F. Those temperatures are based on Victron's temperature specs:

https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/Output-rating-operating-temperature-and-efficiency.pdf

Hugh-- where did you get the temperature controlled fan? I could use one. Thanks.

I used a "3 inch bilge blower". This is the one that I installed: https://www.amazon.com/Attwood-1733-4-Blower-Bilge-Resistant/dp/B001O0DE9E . It moves a lot of air, but gets fairly noisy at full speed.

The temperature controller was custom built, as I wanted a variable speed to keep the noise down, but couldn't find anything "off the shelf"