Host F550 4X4 Motorhome Quad Slide 330

B1Toad said:

That's the one I'm using but I only have 100ah. The newer Orion 50 amp is all the rage, and smaller. Check and see what the allowable auxiliary current output is on your alternator. In my case I have a 220 amp and Mercedes originally said in the upfitter guide no more than 40 amps auxiliary loads but later they changed it to 80 amps on the same alternator.

You probably already know this but the DC-DC not only raises the voltage to the correct level for the Li batteries but it also protects your alternator by limiting current. If you have at least one method to fully charge them occasionally for top balancing that's really all you need, whether it's your solar, DC-DC or a plug in charger. Li batteries can be charged to near full by just about any charge means as long as occasionally they are topped off properly. Some of the "drop ins" even claim you don't need any charging system mods. I think it's because they know their cells will last long enough for the warranty if kept below full.

I don't have solar but I did add a Victron charger so I can balance two ways now. I have a WFCO converter that has a lithium profile which is "auto detect" enabled but I need to run fatter wires so it will detect the Li, or just change it to a Progressive. The WFCO is mostly hated in the Li world.

Good luck on your isolation issue, you might have a BIS (battery isolation solenoid) or a BIM (battery isolation module) or something like a "Bird" which I know nothing about. Also check for a chassis charger that the PO could have installed, the early ones were called Trick-L-Start but they closed when the owner died but there is another one called Amp-L-Start. They charge your chassis batteries off the house batteries and as long as you are plugged in everything stays charged.

Do you have a Boost switch on the dash?

Click to expand...

CMBD said:

Love these big Hosts.

You have the "I'm full timing with a wife, 6 kids, and 2 100lb dogs" look

I dont remember the manufacturer, but one of my Offroad Design peeps has a crewcab diesel Ram huge RV.

Click to expand...

B1Toad said:

I was going to tell you if you should run into any issues and need help to get ahold of me here in Tucson but I looked at your route and you'll be quite a ways North, but if anything changes the offer stands. There are enough of us stretched out across the country that you probably won't be far from someone at any given time, probably some will have room to park your rig too.

On the Powerstroke forum we have a brotherhood and when folks are traveling if they need help they just need to look on the list to see who's in the area. Of course over the years things change and people forget to update the info but a post to the general discussion area usually works to bring people out. Even new first time posters have received local help when they broke down and found the forum and posted.

Click to expand...

B1Toad said:

If you can find access to the Ford upfitters guide that would tell you, but if you're only going with that 30 amp Victron DC-DC, or even the 50, I don't think you'll have any problems. Plus, they are both fully configurable with BT so you can choose the charge rate, you don't have to charge at the maximum rate. Where people get into trouble is when they connect a big lithium bank without a DC-DC charger and the lithiums get low, that's when they can suck up a lot of current, lots more than lead acid. Wire size and distance will also determine how much current will flow, voltage drop in a 12 volt DC system is huge and can work for or against you depending on what you are trying to accomplish. Voltage drop through undersized charge cabling can limit current and protect the alternator.

If I recall there is even a delay setting in the Victron so you can delay the charge till your glow plugs are finished cycling and your starting battery has recovered.

Click to expand...

NashvilleTJ said:

You'll love Windrock. I've asked my daughter to reschedule her wedding so I can join you. I'm waiting for an answer...

Click to expand...