KS2 Li-ion batteries and alternatives?

[chowdog]

Since the bluetooth module is on it's own little circuit board, I extended the wires using cat5 and moved the module inside the rear of the van near where the batteries are located. I installed a weatherproof cat5 connector on the metal battery case, like the one SFK uses for the RS485 port. I wasn't sure how long the BT/UART signals could go but it seems to work fine with an extra 8 ft of wire. The power for the BT module comes from the switch which complicates things, but you don't necessarily need to use the switch. The monitors are JBD, they are connected to the optional RS485 SFK port. I also used the cat5 to route those wires out of the battery into the van. The KS2/Ecotrek setup had a set of control wires that I reused to move the SFK switch inside the van. There were just enough wires between the KS2 and the 8-wire cat5 that I added to get it all accomplished.

 

[D&C ERV2]

If you already have a SFK system you can extend the dongle cables by splicing. If you would like longer cables and you are buying your components from SFK ask them to extend the cables for you, so you don't have to splice. The problem with full cables will be protecting them, keeping your case waterproof and penetrating your van shell to get them inside. All of this can be done with careful planning. I installed my dongle in the metal boxes and could only receive the signal from the outside of the van directly above the boxes, so I replaced my lids with plexiglass and improved the signal to reach almost to the front seat. I think if I were to move the dongle to the back of the box and as High as possible, I could gain more distance to the front of the van. Honestly, I don't monitor the batteries all the time so what I have done works for now. I am planning to move the dongles the next time I pull the boxes down for inspection. When I put the new lids on, I found water inside one of the boxes that may have gotten in thru the vent in the lid so no vent in the lids now and fully sealed with gorilla tape. These boxes don't have drain holes to let water out, so I intend to inspect every year for issues. And continue to think about improvement's I could make such as cooling vents and drain vents that are water and dust proof if needed.

 

[Van Vagabond]

While I have followed along the history of these systems from the onset, I have never owned them myself. At the start there really weren't really any other ways to go for complete systems.

Among the huge pile of problems they have had was insanely high parasitic drain in active modules.

For that reason, Roadtek started recommending that owners only us one module at a time. If they were all on at all times the parasitic was eating up all the capacity

The parasitic is said to be much less now, so the one at a time probably should be ignored. Other systems all keep all the batteries on all the time, as it makes sense.

The draw got resolved with latching relays controlled with reverse polarity signals. However other than that the batteries still seem to lack longevity , let alone battery monitoring on most Roadtrek/Hymer Vans using the KS2 Ecotrecks. Replacing with Edge Vanworks replacement kit is almost as easy as OEM replacement and much less expensive.

They use very good batteries!

 

[Van Vagabond]

I have a 2019 Roadtrek CS Adventurous with solar panels and four 200 Amp-hour (Ah) Li-ion house batteries, made by KS2 in Canada. Three of the batteries are the original L1 model and the 4th is an L2 model because I have already had to replace one of the original L1 batteries within 18 months of purchasing the rig, which we bought new in 2019. Two more of the L1 batteries have now died and I need to replace them. The last L1 battery may not be far behind.

KS2 batteries are extremely expensive compared to other brands that sell comparable Li-ion batteries (Ah & wattage ratings). The price I have been quoted here in Colorado is $3120 each (plus ~$500 shipping; plus ~$1000 installation), so I am looking at about $8k to replace these two batteries. I am wondering if anyone has figured out what it would take to replace all 4 batteries and adjust/modify the other components of the system so that everything works right. Any advice you can provide, being as specific as possible, would be much appreciated. Also, if you can suggest someone capable of performing the work for such a project here in Colorado or elsewhere I would be very grateful.

Thanks very much in advance, Steve

This company (Edge Vanworks) has been helping with price and quality of KS2 Ecotrek replacements. Very straightforward with good instructions.