LiFePO4 Upgrade for a 2002 Kodiak Converter and Charging

[Isaac-1]

Its only a great price if it works, I bought a 45A PM4 PowerMax converter for a non-RV project off Amazon a couple of years ago, and it did not work as advertised, the one I bought had adjustable voltage, and even set to the lowest adjustment was still outputting 14.5VDC (was advertised as adjustable from 13.0 to 16.5VDC yet would not adjust below 14.5VDC)

 

[DonTom]

8 amp size

8 amps or 8 AWG?

8 AWG is good for around 50 amps or so.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[dipdavis]

8 awg

thx

 

[dipdavis]

got another question for you all, my refrigerator runs off propane or generator and shore power, can I somehow add an inverter to trick my fridge and run off the "battery" when driving. with my 280AH battery i think this would handle my driving needs

 

[Isaac-1]

You can, but why do that, note that your absorption refrigerator likely draws around 450 watts when running on all electric mode, vs around 7 to 12 watts DC for the control board and defrost heater when on Propane.

 

[Gary RV_Wizard]

8 AWG wiring is typical for a converter in the 45 amp range. These days, and with that bigger lithium battery, I would have gone for a larger converter amp capacity. Lithiums can and will draw or deliver higher amp rates than lead acid. But I guess you already placed your Aliexpress order...

 

[dipdavis]

You can, but why do that, note that your absorption refrigerator likely draws around 450 watts when running on all electric mode, vs around 7 to 12 watts DC for the control board and defrost heater when on Propane.

i dont know why, How can I keep my fridge cool while driving?

 

[dipdavis]

8 AWG wiring is typical for a converter in the 45 amp range. These days, and with that bigger lithium battery, I would have gone for a larger converter amp capacity. Lithiums can and will draw or deliver higher amp rates than lead acid. But I guess you already placed your Aliexpress order...

aliexpress was the ecoworthy battery. I replaced the converter for what I had, opps. should I add some sort of breaker in line with the battery lead

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

can I somehow add an inverter to trick my fridge and run off the "battery" when driving.

I've been doing this for years and has worked well.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[Lou Schneider]

You can, but why do that, note that your absorption refrigerator likely draws around 450 watts when running on all electric mode, vs around 7 to 12 watts DC for the control board and defrost heater when on Propane.

450 watts is about 45 amps from your alternator. That's a lot of current and your alternator has to be able to supply this continuously in addition to all your other vehicle needs. Many can't do this without overheating.

 

[Mark_K5LXP]

Beacause the engine is running the inverter sees 14.2v so draws less current than at ~12v. Watching my battery monitor it peaks at 26 amps and change.

Mark B.
Albuquerque, NM

 

[DonTom]

my refrigerator runs off propane

How can I keep my fridge cool while driving?

Why not use propane while driving? It uses very little propane to run a refrigerator, but needs quite a bit of power when only on electric.

I only turn my propane off for storage.

-Don- Auburn, CA

 

[Isaac-1]

Much the same here, the only time my propane gets turned off is when it is when the tank is being filled, or when I am going on a car ferry or through a tunnel that that requires the propane to be turned off.