Why does my Cyclone have three batteries with pics?

[greylynn]

I finished installing my batteries today, and posted some pics. Here's a link to the thread: //heartlandowners.org/showthread.php/22253-Cyclone-3010-Battery-Upgrade One picture shows how I elevated the hydraulic unit to get the box and batteries in.

Nice job. I am going to go get some welding wire #2 gauge to wire the batteries together, and go to the switch. I'm also going to do Series/Parallel. How much wire did it take you? I'm going to go pick up my wire on monday. I'm gonna have to go back out and do some measuring.

I went to the toy hauler today and my box will fit no prob, so I think I have more room than you... I will just have to figure out how to vent the new battery box. Anyone have any ideas? I will probably have to have Camping World hook me up when they do the inverter install.

I want to do it myself, but just can't make enough time, and I don't want to screw it up.

 

[watchthebox]

Thanks. Is #2 wire big enough for your anticipated loads (amps). I used 2/0 for my install between batteries and along paths to inverter (which is the smallest recommended in my inverter manual). I used about three feet of wire for battery interconnects, and I imagine I'll have around 4 or 5 more feet each positive and neg to inverter.

 

[watchthebox]

You elevated the hydraulics just for the install or you need to permanently move the platform up?

I only had to elevate the hydraulics temporarily to get the box in, then I screwed it back down the way it was.

 

[porthole]

If you plan on an inverter I would go with 2/0. When it comes to the DC loads, bigger is better (to a point).
Welding cable works great as it has many fine strands of wire, makes for a flexible cable. Important when you start bending this stuff around in tight spaces.
Marine battery cable works great too, but it is "tinned" (copper strands are coated for moisture protection). That makes it pricey.

Here are two sources for comparsion:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#welding-cable/=awxyha
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=10109&subdeptNum=10605&classNum=10606

Both sources have cable ends.
West Marine also has an excellent selection of thermal breakers and heavy duty fuses.

With the cables I have running to the rear of my truck, I have a fuse like this mounted up in the engine compartment.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=10109&subdeptNum=10598&classNum=11287

If you have a local welding shop close by, that may be your best bet. Work a deal with the counter guy. Buy the wire you need, make you runs and cut the wire. Bring it back to have them crimp the connectors on. Unless of course you have your own crimper.

When you get home get the hair dryer out and add some adhesive lined shrink tubing.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=10109&subdeptNum=10611&classNum=10612
http://www.mcmaster.com/#heat-shrink-tubing/=awye12

Odds are, once you add an inverter, batteries and the box. the proper cabling, connectors and the ancillary stuff to go with it may be 20% or better then your battery and inverter costs.

 

[porthole]

I will probably have to have Camping World hook me up when they do the inverter install.

I would want to see an install they did first before allowing them to do mine. just a thought. I wouldn't let CW do it.

 

[greylynn]

If you plan on an inverter I would go with 2/0. When it comes to the DC loads, bigger is better (to a point).
Welding cable works great as it has many fine strands of wire, makes for a flexible cable. Important when you start bending this stuff around in tight spaces.
Marine battery cable works great too, but it is "tinned" (copper strands are coated for moisture protection). That makes it pricey.

Here are two sources for comparsion:
http://www.mcmaster.com/#welding-cable/=awxyha
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=10109&subdeptNum=10605&classNum=10606

Both sources have cable ends.
West Marine also has an excellent selection of thermal breakers and heavy duty fuses.

With the cables I have running to the rear of my truck, I have a fuse like this mounted up in the engine compartment.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=10109&subdeptNum=10598&classNum=11287

If you have a local welding shop close by, that may be your best bet. Work a deal with the counter guy. Buy the wire you need, make you runs and cut the wire. Bring it back to have them crimp the connectors on. Unless of course you have your own crimper.

When you get home get the hair dryer out and add some adhesive lined shrink tubing.
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...toreNum=10109&subdeptNum=10611&classNum=10612
http://www.mcmaster.com/#heat-shrink-tubing/=awye12

Odds are, once you add an inverter, batteries and the box. the proper cabling, connectors and the ancillary stuff to go with it may be 20% or better then your battery and inverter costs.

Thanks for the info Porthole. What size shrink tubing do I need if I go with the #2 gauge wire on the batteries? Also what end lugs fit on to the Trojan T-105 battery terminals? Thanks for the help again!

Grey

 

[greylynn]

Thanks. Is #2 wire big enough for your anticipated loads (amps). I used 2/0 for my install between batteries and along paths to inverter (which is the smallest recommended in my inverter manual). I used about three feet of wire for battery interconnects, and I imagine I'll have around 4 or 5 more feet each positive and neg to inverter.

I'm not going to have very much amps, basically two TV's. The inverter is the Xantrex Freedom sw 3000. I don't have it yet it should be here Wednesday, but the manual here http://www.xantrex.com/documents/Inverter-Chargers/Freedom-SW-3000/Freedom%20SW%203000%20InvChg%20Install%20Guide%20(975-0546-01-01_Rev-A).pdf

says minimum of #4 gauge wire on the DC side. Also it says Max fuse 400 amps. Does that mean they should install like a 300 amp fuse. Just want to make sure they install it right.

 

[greylynn]

I would want to see an install they did first before allowing them to do mine. just a thought. I wouldn't let CW do it.

I have absolutely no other options......

 

[watchthebox]

Thanks for the info Porthole. What size shrink tubing do I need if I go with the #2 gauge wire on the batteries? Also what end lugs fit on to the Trojan T-105 battery terminals? Thanks for the help again!

Grey

I got my battery cable from Genuinedealz ( http://shop.genuinedealz.com/Marine Grade Wire/Marine Battery Cable/00 AWG Battery Cable UL/ ). They have decent prices and great service. They will custom make cables with high quality terminal lugs and heak shrink tubing to your exact specifications for a fair price. This is the heat shrink tubing I used for my 2/0 battery cables: http://shop.genuinedealz.com/Items/...avy Wall Adhesive Heat Shrink Tubing RED $/ft . 3/4 inch is the size for 2/0 wire. It's very heavy duty.

The posts on my Trojan T-105 pluses are 5/16 inch. I would suspect that they'd be the same for the regular T-105's.

 

[branson4020]

I'm not going to have very much amps, basically two TV's. The inverter is the Xantrex Freedom sw 3000. I don't have it yet it should be here Wednesday, but the manual here http://www.xantrex.com/documents/In...vChg Install Guide (975-0546-01-01_Rev-A).pdf

says minimum of #4 gauge wire on the DC side. Also it says Max fuse 400 amps. Does that mean they should install like a 300 amp fuse. Just want to make sure they install it right.

That is a very large, and very expensive inverter. Probably 10 times the size you need for your current requirements. However, if your going to install it, then you should have the wiring sized to meet the maximum draw from that monster. That would be something over 300A DC. That means a 350-400A DC fuse, and 4/0 (not 4 gauge) wiring.

 

[greylynn]

That is a very large, and very expensive inverter. Probably 10 times the size you need for your current requirements. However, if your going to install it, then you should have the wiring sized to meet the maximum draw from that monster. That would be something over 300A DC. That means a 350-400A DC fuse, and 4/0 (not 4 gauge) wiring.

Yes I am leaving the option for expansion in the future. I didn't want to skimp on the inverter, then have to buy another in a year because I had more ideas. The manual says max 400 amp fuse.

 

[greylynn]

I got out there today and got the old battery trays out. I also took all the old 6 gauge wire out. There was black on some of the ends like it had a lil too much draw on them and they got hot. What size do the terminals on the back of my Perko switch look?
I am going to get the wire and connectors and wanted to make sure I got the right ones. 3/8???

I am going to move the switch up higher in the compartment because the battery box will block it where it is now.

Also 2/0 wire is never going to fit in the buss bar shown in the third pic. Do I have to get a new bar, or can I just use one of the big bolts in the frame to gound the batteries? Just have like a eye connector on the end and bolt it to the frame?

Here are some pics....

 

[watchthebox]

Also 2/0 wire is never going to fit in the buss bar shown in the third pic. Do I have to get a new bar, or can I just use one of the big bolts in the frame to gound the batteries? Just have like a eye connector on the end and bolt it to the frame?

I'd recommend using power post studs (e.g. http://www.jamestowndistributors.co...lyName=Paneltronics+Power+Post+3/8"+-+16+Stud ) or bus bars to connect your larger 2/0 or 4/0 cables and a 6 guage wire to the grounding bar, etc.

 

[greylynn]

I got my battery cable from Genuinedealz ( http://shop.genuinedealz.com/Marine%20Grade%20Wire/Marine%20Battery%20Cable/00%20AWG%20Battery%20Cable%20UL/ ). They have decent prices and great service. They will custom make cables with high quality terminal lugs and heak shrink tubing to your exact specifications for a fair price. This is the heat shrink tubing I used for my 2/0 battery cables: http://shop.genuinedealz.com/Items/...avy Wall Adhesive Heat Shrink Tubing RED $/ft . 3/4 inch is the size for 2/0 wire. It's very heavy duty.

The posts on my Trojan T-105 pluses are 5/16 inch. I would suspect that they'd be the same for the regular T-105's.

Nice, I ordered from the Genuine Dealz site. I will have all my cables for wiring in series/parallel. I also got the post for grounding the battery bank from genuine dealz, and it was half price of the Jamestown place. Thanks for the help! I wanted to order the inverter cables too, but since Camping World will probably do the install, I don't know the length. Kinda kills me to not have time to get the inverter in. I need it by next week for President's weekend to go duning.

 

[watchthebox]

You're welcome. Hope you get everything done in time. We're going out President's Day weekend too. I hope to have at least either the inverter or solar done by then. We'll see.

 

[greylynn]

You're welcome. Hope you get everything done in time. We're going out President's Day weekend too. I hope to have at least either the inverter or solar done by then. We'll see.

How long did it take you to get your cables from Genuine Dealz? I see you are in CA, I am too, hpoing to have them by Wed, but that probably won't happen since they are in GA. Where are you going Prez weekend? If the weather is nice We're going to Sand Mtn NV, if it's bad weather we will probably go to Dumont.

 

[greylynn]

Is this the fuse I would need? http://www.solar-electric.com/fb-400t.html

 

[greylynn]

I got these Inverter cables http://www.solar-electric.com/49075.html and this fuse... http://www.solar-electric.com/cf400ampfuwi.html

 

[porthole]

I'm not going to have very much amps, basically two TV's. The inverter is the Xantrex Freedom sw 3000

That is a nice inverter. I had the predecessor to it, The Heart Interface 3000 in our boat. Worked great. I just missed open box no manual unit at our local marine supply - $350 L
2/0 welding cable for welding purposes is rated at 250 amps, 3/0 is 300 amps and 4/0 is 350 amps.

I think you will be fine with the 2/0. You start pulling 200 amps out of the battery bank and they’ll be dead before you know it.

Just want to make sure they install it right.

Ask a lot of questions, even if you are not sure what you are referring to.

 

[greylynn]

Another question....If you look at the pics on the earlier pages of my battery box.....It has the holes on the corners to allow cables to come in. It's not a truly selaed box, do I have to totally seal it and vent it?

Grey