Magnitude Four Battery Upgrade

[Judge]

Originally Posted by Walter Brauer

Is there a technique to actually get the second set of batteries in?
I have the two new batteries pushed outboard, partially under the steps

To get the original batteries installed inboard of the new set is a very tight fit, I haven't been able to position the 3rd battery to drop down into the battery compartment. Obviously not the 4th either.

Lots of cables in the way, I've raised them to allow clearance, but cannot find the sweet spot to get the battery to drop into the tray.

Working in 110 degrees in Phoenix doesn't help.....

Thanks
Walter

It's been 6 months since I did this but let me see if I can remember all of the things I did to get the fourth battery in place. First make sure you have a battery strap because the batteries are heavy and it takes some maneuvering to get them all placed.

First, I permanently moved a lot of the wiring. They had a single Buss post in the center of my battery tray where many of the positive cables were tied together. I removed most of the wiring until I got all four batteries in place and then moved it once the batteries were installed.

I placed the new batteries in first. I figured the stock batteries would go bad before the new ones so I wanted the old batteries more accessible. The new batteries also had a nice mechanism to open the cells to check and add water so it was going to be easier to have the Duracell's installed first for adding water.

After I got the third battery into the compartment, I moved it and the other two batteries as far right as I could to give me as much room as possible on the left side of the compartment.

Then I angled the fourth battery with the bottom towards the drivers side and the top angled towards me..... sliding the left side of the battery into the opening first where there was the biggest opening / most room. It took some wiggling and maneuvering an a few f-bombs but it finally dropped in place.

I also purchased two of these battery hold downs....

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I drilled a hole in the center of the battery tray on both sides of the battery. I did the drilling from underneath the tray after the batteries were in place. I installed a RivNut in the holes so I could screw down then bolt to tight the holder in place. I positioned the hole so the hold down would cover both batteries on each side. It keeps them firmly in place with room on each side to access the BIM or the Bussman Breakers.

Good luck!

[Alex55]

Hi Judge,
Was wondering if you needed to change/upgrade any of the other wiring. I'm guessing no, since you didn't mention it. I have the 2021 Thor Omni BH35 and I am thinking of adding 1 more 100 watt solar panel and a 200 ah LifePO4 battery. I know I'm gonna have to change the converter/charger, but that's no problem. I wanted to know if the stock wiring would be ok with the additional solar panel. I may even add a 200 watt solar panel in addition to the already installed 100 watt panel, but again, not sure about the existing wiring.

[Judge]

Originally Posted by Alex55

Hi Judge,
Was wondering if you needed to change/upgrade any of the other wiring. I'm guessing no, since you didn't mention it. I have the 2021 Thor Omni BH35 and I am thinking of adding 1 more 100 watt solar panel and a 200 ah LifePO4 battery. I know I'm gonna have to change the converter/charger, but that's no problem. I wanted to know if the stock wiring would be ok with the additional solar panel. I may even add a 200 watt solar panel in addition to the already installed 100 watt panel, but again, not sure about the existing wiring.

I cleaned up and better organized all of the wiring in the battery compartment when I added the two batteries because it was a mess from Thor. I added some better bus bars but the stock wiring was ok.

My 2020 SV34 was solar-ready with the 10A controller and wiring to the roof. I installed two Renogy 160W Flexible panels and the wiring and stock controller handled it just fine.

Since I did the upgrade to four wet batteries, I have changed over to four 170Ah LiFePO4 batteries that I installed under the dinette seats. I did install the Progessive Dynamics Lithium 60A Charge Controller I also upgraded to a Renogy 30A Solar Controller as well.

I just purchased the Xantrex Freedom XC Pro 3000W Inverter / Charger. I am going to swap out the Freedom X 2000 Inverter and do some rewiring so I can run one of the A/C units off the Inverter as well.

[Pillbox]

Judge,
Just a thanks,
Got my battery mod finished today. You article help a lot.
4 12volt agm 150 amp batteries parallel, 600 amp hours, yeah
Installed a bird, chassis batteries now charge up as they should, and put in the renogy battery monitor. I finally have a clue for state of charge.
Thinking about building an inclosed space where the batteries use to be, hummm
Terry

[Judge]

Originally Posted by Pillbox

Judge,
Just a thanks,
Got my battery mod finished today. You article help a lot.
4 12volt agm 150 amp batteries parallel, 600 amp hours, yeah
Installed a bird, chassis batteries now charge up as they should, and put in the renogy battery monitor. I finally have a clue for state of charge.
Thinking about building an inclosed space where the batteries use to be, hummm
Terry

Excellent Terry! Glad it worked it out for you!

[lwmcguire]

Originally Posted by Judge

I cleaned up and better organized all of the wiring in the battery compartment when I added the two batteries because it was a mess from Thor. I added some better bus bars but the stock wiring was ok.

My 2020 SV34 was solar-ready with the 10A controller and wiring to the roof. I installed two Renogy 160W Flexible panels and the wiring and stock controller handled it just fine.

Since I did the upgrade to four wet batteries, I have changed over to four 170Ah LiFePO4 batteries that I installed under the dinette seats. I did install the Progessive Dynamics Lithium 60A Charge Controller I also upgraded to a Renogy 30A Solar Controller as well.

I just purchased the Xantrex Freedom XC Pro 3000W Inverter / Charger. I am going to swap out the Freedom X 2000 Inverter and do some rewiring so I can run one of the A/C units off the Inverter as well.

Sounds great, how about a few photos?

[Alex55]

Originally Posted by Judge

I cleaned up and better organized all of the wiring in the battery compartment when I added the two batteries because it was a mess from Thor. I added some better bus bars but the stock wiring was ok.



My 2020 SV34 was solar-ready with the 10A controller and wiring to the roof. I installed two Renogy 160W Flexible panels and the wiring and stock controller handled it just fine.



Since I did the upgrade to four wet batteries, I have changed over to four 170Ah LiFePO4 batteries that I installed under the dinette seats. I did install the Progessive Dynamics Lithium 60A Charge Controller I also upgraded to a Renogy 30A Solar Controller as well.



I just purchased the Xantrex Freedom XC Pro 3000W Inverter / Charger. I am going to swap out the Freedom X 2000 Inverter and do some rewiring so I can run one of the A/C units off the Inverter as well.

Thanks Judge. I will probably leave the stock wiring since I am not going to really add alot of solar and probably change out the charger.