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Leisure Battery

Well am still waiting for them
To be available :) Sounds really appealing. My thoughts where to put the dc to dc there to avoid pulling to much current from the generator.
 
Torben said:
Well am still waiting for them
To be available :) Sounds really appealing. My thoughts where to put the dc to dc there to avoid pulling to much current from the generator.
Click to expand...

some inspiration.. D a 150 ah is enough i think.-....since you have to drive along time reacharging a 180ah. however these batteries are not as good as titans,,,they will do i think. D

www.1sternehotel.de

The smart 250 watt solar system including installation for Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo, Horizon, Activity W447 & Viano Marco Polo W639 from 2004 onwards

The smart 250 watt solar system including installation for Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo, Horizon, Activity W447 & Viano Marco Polo W639 from 2004 onwards. Self-sufficient solar power for your camper - incl. installation in the Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo accessories shop and specialist workshop...
www.1sternehotel.de www.1sternehotel.de
 
Yeah looked at them as well. They have a lot of interesting stuff. And not far from me (6 hours) But i dont think ill need solar, and also the land charger will charge the Titan if it supports the AGM profile as you found it did.
 
top dollar lol. D just remember the land current charger is under the fridge...and without a dc-dc... you will lack power since mercedes charge algorithm is wierd.. D u can watch the charge in the menu mbux. D it will 80-100 when low....which is out of recommended charge spec.... maybe thats not to bad, but worse is that it will charge almost nothing when above 80%. making a 260ah really need better controlling i think. D im not exactly sure about the capabillities of the ground current charger.... but you can find it and see for your self easy under the fridge.. just remove the panel... and the wire to seat. D

again a tech dude is needed since this ground charger also charges the main starter battery. which you cant replace with these ones ..


you realizing a project i had for some time.... let me know how it goes D GL
 
Hello all. I'm in the process of installing a Victron Orion XS 12/12-50 in my 2021 MP. I plan to keep the 2023 AGM until it wears out. I'll then replace it with a LiPo. The Orion XS will have no problem with the new chemistry but the shore power charger is rather primitive. Has anyone found a good replacement for the Dometic ? It looks like Victron IP22 might work. Anyone try it? Best, KJ
 
Torben said:
Nope. But Reading up on it. Looks to do the job. How Would it fit, any idea?
Click to expand...
I'll have to get back on board and measure. It looks like a very tight fit for where the existing Dometic is but there might be just enough room for the Victron IP22. At any rate, as I'm keeping the existing AGM, I'm not in a big hurry to change out chargers.

I'll try to post some photos of my Orion XS install. My idea is to replace the K120 relay with it and add a Smartshunt 500A for monitoring. It's VERY tight but I think I'll be able to shoehorn it in once I get the right cable and crimp ends.
 
Kevin John said:
I'll have to get back on board and measure. It looks like a very tight fit for where the existing Dometic is but there might be just enough room for the Victron IP22. At any rate, as I'm keeping the existing AGM, I'm not in a big hurry to change out chargers.

I'll try to post some photos of my Orion XS install. My idea is to replace the K120 relay with it and add a Smartshunt 500A for monitoring. It's VERY tight but I think I'll be able to shoehorn it in once I get the right cable and crimp ends.
Click to expand...
Did you get around to this. Would love some inputs on location of the victron Orion xs dc - dc
 
Does anyone have a schematic for the charge system? My 2024 has charging issues since Mercedes fixed the heating and they are completely useless and have no idea what they are doing.
 
Torben said:
Did you get around to this. Would love some inputs on location of the victron Orion xs dc - dc
Click to expand...
Yes. My MP is left hand drive and the service battery is under that seat. As the Orion XS is much smaller than the previous model, I was able to shoehorn it into the space where the K120 relay was. It is easily identifiable as it has As you may or may no know, the K120 is a voltage sensitive relay that joins the start and service batteies together when a charging voltage is present. With Euro6 alternators, they shut off after a few minutes once your engine is running. This reduces the load on the engine and associated emmissions. As everyone knows, this doesn't do us a lot of help in charging the service battery. I was obligated to unmount a component inboard of the K120 to make room for the Orion XS and used zip ties to secure it in place. I mounted the Orion XS to the existing panel where the K120 was with two of the 4 available screw holes. I'm confident it will hold. I also installed a Victron SmartShunt to monitor the service battery charge conidition as this installation throws off the onboard computer's monitoring of the service battery. The shunt was a bit of a challenge due to limited space available but it's held in place via pressure from the access panel and the stiffness of the cables (16mm2).

In preparation for a lifepo4 install, I pulled a cable between the two seats so I can add a Votronic Standby Charger Pro for shore power charging the two different chemistries. I plan to pull the second sensing wire for the SmartShunt to monitor the start battery once I start the lifepo4 install.

For shore power charging, I bought a Victron Blue Smart IP22 220v charger. The available space under the reefer is also quite limited and I'll eventually have to modify the bracket that holds the plug for the reclining rear seats to accommodate it. It won't be pretty but I only need about 7mm.

Side bar: It's important to use the correct size wiring as there is the capacity for high amps while charging. I had some extra 6AWG (16mm2) cabling to use to complete this stage of the project.

Side bar 2: The K120 has crimp eye connectors and the IP22 uses crimp on ferrules. I'll be honest and tell you that it took a little courage to cut those crimp eyes off because that was the point of no return. All worked out well and I used Gemini AI to program the Orion XS while driving to Cherbourg to meet a client. So far it is working like a champ but we haven't done a deep discharge cycle on the service battery since installation. We'll get around to that later next week.

Side bar 3: I detuned the Orion XS to 15a max output (capable of 30a) as the space it is installed is quite tight and I don't want it getting too hot in there. I'll monitor the heat with an infrared temp gun and tune it up or down.

Due to limited time and fatigue, I didn't document the installation with any photos but I'll take a stab at that when, if, I get around to the lifepo4. Presently looking at a Titan 150ah unit (that has been talked about on this forum. It is much more that we'll need for the demands of our 2021 MP but will give us much longer off-grid autonomy. We do not need an an inverter as most of our needs are satisfied by the USB outlets and I don't know where it would go if we wanted one.

FWIW, I have a background in marine (yachts) systems installation so I wasn't/am not too daunted by the prospect of these modifications. In the spirit of full disclosure, I used Gemini AI extensively on this install to have added confidence. It's important to have a background in these types of installation to know whether or not you are getting good answers. Gemini proved much better than Claude.

Finally, I ordered the Votronic Stand By Charger Pro from a company in Berlin named Stromzone. The price was too good to be true and it seems I've been scammed. Be advised.

Here's photo of the K120. I had to fab a ground wire to attach the Orion XS to the van's ground (small gauge brown wires in the photo). The sensing wires on the K120 are not used. 1FFA6A8C-5794-42E7-9995-A98E9816A53C_1_105_c.jpeg
 
Kevin John said:
Yes. My MP is left hand drive and the service battery is under that seat. As the Orion XS is much smaller than the previous model, I was able to shoehorn it into the space where the K120 relay was. It is easily identifiable as it has As you may or may no know, the K120 is a voltage sensitive relay that joins the start and service batteies together when a charging voltage is present. With Euro6 alternators, they shut off after a few minutes once your engine is running. This reduces the load on the engine and associated emmissions. As everyone knows, this doesn't do us a lot of help in charging the service battery. I was obligated to unmount a component inboard of the K120 to make room for the Orion XS and used zip ties to secure it in place. I mounted the Orion XS to the existing panel where the K120 was with two of the 4 available screw holes. I'm confident it will hold. I also installed a Victron SmartShunt to monitor the service battery charge conidition as this installation throws off the onboard computer's monitoring of the service battery. The shunt was a bit of a challenge due to limited space available but it's held in place via pressure from the access panel and the stiffness of the cables (16mm2).

In preparation for a lifepo4 install, I pulled a cable between the two seats so I can add a Votronic Standby Charger Pro for shore power charging the two different chemistries. I plan to pull the second sensing wire for the SmartShunt to monitor the start battery once I start the lifepo4 install.

For shore power charging, I bought a Victron Blue Smart IP22 220v charger. The available space under the reefer is also quite limited and I'll eventually have to modify the bracket that holds the plug for the reclining rear seats to accommodate it. It won't be pretty but I only need about 7mm.

Side bar: It's important to use the correct size wiring as there is the capacity for high amps while charging. I had some extra 6AWG (16mm2) cabling to use to complete this stage of the project.

Side bar 2: The K120 has crimp eye connectors and the IP22 uses crimp on ferrules. I'll be honest and tell you that it took a little courage to cut those crimp eyes off because that was the point of no return. All worked out well and I used Gemini AI to program the Orion XS while driving to Cherbourg to meet a client. So far it is working like a champ but we haven't done a deep discharge cycle on the service battery since installation. We'll get around to that later next week.

Side bar 3: I detuned the Orion XS to 15a max output (capable of 30a) as the space it is installed is quite tight and I don't want it getting too hot in there. I'll monitor the heat with an infrared temp gun and tune it up or down.

Due to limited time and fatigue, I didn't document the installation with any photos but I'll take a stab at that when, if, I get around to the lifepo4. Presently looking at a Titan 150ah unit (that has been talked about on this forum. It is much more that we'll need for the demands of our 2021 MP but will give us much longer off-grid autonomy. We do not need an an inverter as most of our needs are satisfied by the USB outlets and I don't know where it would go if we wanted one.

FWIW, I have a background in marine (yachts) systems installation so I wasn't/am not too daunted by the prospect of these modifications. In the spirit of full disclosure, I used Gemini AI extensively on this install to have added confidence. It's important to have a background in these types of installation to know whether or not you are getting good answers. Gemini proved much better than Claude.

Finally, I ordered the Votronic Stand By Charger Pro from a company in Berlin named Stromzone. The price was too good to be true and it seems I've been scammed. Be advised.

Here's photo of the K120. I had to fab a ground wire to attach the Orion XS to the van's ground (small gauge brown wires in the photo). The sensing wires on the K120 are not used.
Click to expand...

Kevin John said:
Yes. My MP is left hand drive and the service battery is under that seat. As the Orion XS is much smaller than the previous model, I was able to shoehorn it into the space where the K120 relay was. It is easily identifiable as it has As you may or may no know, the K120 is a voltage sensitive relay that joins the start and service batteies together when a charging voltage is present. With Euro6 alternators, they shut off after a few minutes once your engine is running. This reduces the load on the engine and associated emmissions. As everyone knows, this doesn't do us a lot of help in charging the service battery. I was obligated to unmount a component inboard of the K120 to make room for the Orion XS and used zip ties to secure it in place. I mounted the Orion XS to the existing panel where the K120 was with two of the 4 available screw holes. I'm confident it will hold. I also installed a Victron SmartShunt to monitor the service battery charge conidition as this installation throws off the onboard computer's monitoring of the service battery. The shunt was a bit of a challenge due to limited space available but it's held in place via pressure from the access panel and the stiffness of the cables (16mm2).

In preparation for a lifepo4 install, I pulled a cable between the two seats so I can add a Votronic Standby Charger Pro for shore power charging the two different chemistries. I plan to pull the second sensing wire for the SmartShunt to monitor the start battery once I start the lifepo4 install.

For shore power charging, I bought a Victron Blue Smart IP22 220v charger. The available space under the reefer is also quite limited and I'll eventually have to modify the bracket that holds the plug for the reclining rear seats to accommodate it. It won't be pretty but I only need about 7mm.

Side bar: It's important to use the correct size wiring as there is the capacity for high amps while charging. I had some extra 6AWG (16mm2) cabling to use to complete this stage of the project.

Side bar 2: The K120 has crimp eye connectors and the IP22 uses crimp on ferrules. I'll be honest and tell you that it took a little courage to cut those crimp eyes off because that was the point of no return. All worked out well and I used Gemini AI to program the Orion XS while driving to Cherbourg to meet a client. So far it is working like a champ but we haven't done a deep discharge cycle on the service battery since installation. We'll get around to that later next week.

Side bar 3: I detuned the Orion XS to 15a max output (capable of 30a) as the space it is installed is quite tight and I don't want it getting too hot in there. I'll monitor the heat with an infrared temp gun and tune it up or down.

Due to limited time and fatigue, I didn't document the installation with any photos but I'll take a stab at that when, if, I get around to the lifepo4. Presently looking at a Titan 150ah unit (that has been talked about on this forum. It is much more that we'll need for the demands of our 2021 MP but will give us much longer off-grid autonomy. We do not need an an inverter as most of our needs are satisfied by the USB outlets and I don't know where it would go if we wanted one.

FWIW, I have a background in marine (yachts) systems installation so I wasn't/am not too daunted by the prospect of these modifications. In the spirit of full disclosure, I used Gemini AI extensively on this install to have added confidence. It's important to have a background in these types of installation to know whether or not you are getting good answers. Gemini proved much better than Claude.

Finally, I ordered the Votronic Stand By Charger Pro from a company in Berlin named Stromzone. The price was too good to be true and it seems I've been scammed. Be advised.

Here's photo of the K120. I had to fab a ground wire to attach the Orion XS to the van's ground (small gauge brown wires in the photo). The sensing wires on the K120 are not used. View attachment 4132
Click to expand...
Thank you for this precise description. Mine is also left hand drive If I understand it right, the k120 is under the other seat then the leasure batteri ? Was it obvious which cables is in and out - and did you reuse those. I am thinking to replace only the k120 with the Orion xs and keep the build in dometic charger for charging from the grid - would that work, you think?

I just don’t quite understand how the build in dometic charger can charge til start batteri as well. It says so in the manual that it does. But then also as you are thinking replace the leasure battery with titan, as it accepts an agm profile for charging. The titan seems to also have a Bluetooth connection to understand the current charge situation
 
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