Walk me through my electric/battery upgrade plan

[RiversToTheSea]

I've read a bunch of threads on electric system upgrades for my Campervan and I'm now in the analysis-paralysis point of the process.

I want to upgrade the coach battery to a LiFePo battery for the durability, safety, and capacity. With that I'll replace the failed Magnatek with a good DC-DC charger,

I also plan to install a 12VDC TruckFridge or equivalent.


Here are my three use cases and what I want:

Use case 1
Driving, or parked and no shore power
Van alternator charges the LiFePo coach battery via DC-DC charger
12V power available through the cigarette lighter ports and USB ports

Question:
Should I also have 110V power available via an inverter?


Use case 2
Parked, no shore power available.
Van 12V accessories run off of LiFePo coach battery

Question:
Should I also have 110V power available via an inverter?


Use case 3.
Parked, shore power is available
Van 12V accessories run off of LiFePo coach battery
LiFePo coach battery charges via shore power
110V available to outlets via shore power


I guess, having said all that, do I need to keep the 110V outlets at all? Do I need a 110V inverter? Everything I can think of that I would take camping is 12V or USB. I really can't think of a need to have 110V available, but I can't rule out that it might be useful at least once. But when I tear into the back of the van to upgrade the battery and add the DC-DC charger that is the perfect time to add a 110V inverter too.

Anyone here ditched the 110V outlets and have no regrets?

For my plan If I size the LiFePo battery right, I think I could get 2 days off-grid, then a day on shore power or driving to recharge the coach battery, and then get another 2 days off-grid.

So this should work for both weekend trips without shore power, and week-long or longer trips with shore power or a day's driving every third day or so.

So tell me what I'm missing: Is going all 12V sufficient, or should I also add a 120VAC inverter just in case?

[kourt]

I hardly ever use an inverter. Don't build your life around it. It's just another DC load.

kourt

[krusovice]

I’m also new and somewhat paralyzed but my feeling is if I need 110 and have shore power I won’t need an inverter. 12v is so much more efficient.

If you mean get want 110 and won’t have shore power there are power stations with built in inverters. I just can’t imagine a case where it isn’t more efficient to get 12v devices.
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1984 Vanagon 1.9/4 speed
2001 Eurovan Camper

[EuroTec]

I have a 2003 MV that I converted to a camper by building closets and repurposing a Westy sink/stove.

My setup is very simple. Lead acid battery in the back (vented outside) for camping charged via alternator through a constant duty solenoid so it's isolated with the van not running. I have a small inverter mounted on the sink cabinet behind the driver seat. I mostly use 12vdc via usb or cig outlets running off the aux battery. The inverter is handy for when I want to run a laptop or a small power tool.

My only monitor is a voltage readout for the aux battery and an amp meter in the dash to monitor charging.

My suggestion is to evaluate how you want to use power and build out from there. Personally, I like things simple.
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If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

[RiversToTheSea]

[quote="kourt"]I hardly ever use an inverter. Don't build your life around it. It's just another DC load.

kourt

Thank you kourt, you filled in the missing piece I didn't even realize I needed. The AC-DC charger to charge the house battery when shore power is available.

Question for you: I'm okay giving up the DC-AC inverter but I am kind of stumped on where to mount the other components, given how tight space is in the back of the van. Where did you mount the AC-DC charger and the DC-DC charger? Do they both fit where the old Magnatek unit fit?

[kourt]

You haven't confirmed what van you've got--is it an EVC or a Weekender?

The EVC has tons of room under the plastic fascia in the back.

kourt

DCDC and MPPT chargers and house battery, with original battery box removed, passenger side:

Inverter and AC/DC charger, with Magnetek removed, driver side:

[RiversToTheSea]

Oops sorry. it's the Winnebago campervan. Thanks for those pics, they are very helpful.

I just received the Renogy DC-AC inverter, and I plan on buying the Victron DC-DC charger and AC-DC chargers early next year.

Reading the instructions for the Renogy inverter they give a max length for the battery wires as 3' for the model I chose. I see yours is on the opposite side from the battery - how long are the wires, and where did you run them to cross over?

[kourt]

See this post.

I had to ignore Renogy's advice, and put 2ga wire from the battery to the load panel. Huge wire. It's fine.

kourt