2016 Roadtrek CS Adventurous electrical and solar rebuild

[TomofBend]

Another user thought I should post about my electrical rebuild on my 2016 Roadtrek. Long story but I bought it used a year ago and was told it had brand new AGM 12v batteries. I checked and verified everything else but that. Turns out they were 6v lead acid batteries. They ended up cooked shortly after I purchased it after our first long trip. After a ton of research and months of contemplation, I decided to rebuild the electrical system and pulled out most of the wiring, and components, and the outlets, including the 12v cigarette type outlets. Ran all new wire from the alternator and pulled the old batteries out. Moved all components to the rear under the bed. Bought all Victron components and a 460 AH Epoch battery. Pictures attached. The new system is actually amazing and have now been on several trips with no issues. I also redid the solar panel system. It was wired in series limiting everything to the smallest panel, 35 W. Kept two 75W panels and added two 100W panels. Wired each of those in series to each other and then parallel for 200W and 150W coming into my solar controller. Way better charging to the battery covering less roof space. I did all the work myself but had it inspected before I turned it all on. Very happy with it, and all in I spent about $5k. Happy to answer any questions and hopefully useful to some of you.

 

[Alan19067]

Looks great. I had replaced my inverter and batteries on my 2016 CS. Unfortunately this was done on an emergency basis with essentially in kind KS2 equipment. Did you consider adding ventilation, I have the inverter under the my rear seat/bed could likely use better heat removal.

 

[TomofBend]

I did add ventilation fans, not just for heat removal but better circulation. It’s made a huge difference in heating and cooling efficiency as well. I added 7 fans in total with variable speed control. I also added a curtain at the foot of the bed. In the winter it really helps keep the heat in the sleeping area. Used it in -14 degrees and we were snug as a bug.

 

[Alan19067]

Thank you for the info and the posts, I saw your fan add post after this one. Will be trying the fans and lights - great upgrades.

 

[K6GHL]

Another user thought I should post about my electrical rebuild on my 2016 Roadtrek. Long story but I bought it used a year ago and was told it had brand new AGM 12v batteries. I checked and verified everything else but that. Turns out they were 6v lead acid batteries. They ended up cooked shortly after I purchased it after our first long trip. After a ton of research and months of contemplation, I decided to rebuild the electrical system and pulled out most of the wiring, and components, and the outlets, including the 12v cigarette type outlets. Ran all new wire from the alternator and pulled the old batteries out. Moved all components to the rear under the bed. Bought all Victron components and a 460 AH Epoch battery. Pictures attached. The new system is actually amazing and have now been on several trips with no issues. I also redid the solar panel system. It was wired in series limiting everything to the smallest panel, 35 W. Kept two 75W panels and added two 100W panels. Wired each of those in series to each other and then parallel for 200W and 150W coming into my solar controller. Way better charging to the battery covering less roof space. I did all the work myself but had it inspected before I turned it all on. Very happy with it, and all in I spent about $5k. Happy to answer any questions and hopefully useful to some of you.

I have a 2014 CS Adveurous and have been thinking that I wanted to do the same thing. If possible can you post the Victron components that you used. Did you replace the extra engine alternator or use a DC-DC Charger to charge batteries went driving?

 

[TomofBend]

I have a 2014 CS Adveurous and have been thinking that I wanted to do the same thing. If possible can you post the Victron components that you used. Did you replace the extra engine alternator or use a DC-DC Charger to charge batteries went driving?

Multiplus 12/3000/120/50 120v, Orion 12/12 50 A DC to DC battery charger, MPPT 150/45 Solar Controller, Smart Shunt 500A/50Mv, Lynx Distributor, Cerbo GX MK 2, EPOCH 12v 460 AH battery, and a GX Touch 50 were all the major components, all Victron except for the battery. The engine generator alternator was smoked. A new one from Nations was $1600, which just seemed crazy to me. After a lot of research I decided to just come off the engine alternator and that has worked fine. My MPPT is a little overkill but in cold weather I don’t get over voltage alarms. There were also several switches, fuses, and wiring. I love the setup. It really is trouble free.

 

[MarCorpsMustang]

I have a 2014 CS Adveurous and have been thinking that I wanted to do the same thing. If possible can you post the Victron components that you used. Did you replace the extra engine alternator or use a DC-DC Charger to charge batteries went driving?

Ditto. I also have a 2014 CS Adventurous and would love to do something similar in my unit.

 

[RUNINAWY]

I have a 2010 RS Adventurous, before they were doing solar, and I'm planning to add my own solar setup. TomofBend, yours is a fantastic example I'd like to emulate. As far as relocating everything to the rear, that sounds like a fairly large wiring overhaul. I'm curious logistically how much of the finished interior you needed remove to be able to perform the relocate?

 

[TomofBend]

Good question. I first hand traced and did continuity checks to determine what I was going to need to do. It turned out that was the major effort. I spent about two weeks under the van in total pulling out old wiring and installing new. As far as the back end went it was not too bad. I pulled out the rear seat and the rear heating radiator under the rear seat. I had raise the rear seat by about an inch so I had to get new spacers and bolts. I also pulled out both interior side panels. It was not terribly difficult. I also pulled out the front driver seat. The nest of wires under there is poorly marked and I only did it to add a breaker that I can now access on the base of the seat between the alternator and the dc to dc charge controller. Overall I am very pleased with how it turned out. The only thing I would change is getting 600 watts of solar on the roof. I may still do that but too busy out using the rig right now.