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03-29-2023, 09:28 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Massachusetts
Posts: 4
THOR #29080
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LI-BIM 225 Install & The mystery wire!
Hey friends!
Want to hear something crazy! I started a YOUTUBE channel!
I have been learning SO much about RVs this past year. Nearly every video is created by guys and they are all made for people who already know too much.
I wanted to create a space to encourage other women to learn their way around the RV systems who are just getting started.
These videos are TRULY TERRIBLE.... but you have to start somewhere.
Why you need a BIM anyway -
My LI-BIM 225 Install -
Next up, are detailed videos on how I upgraded my battery bank.
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04-21-2023, 09:42 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2019 Chateau 28Z
State: Tennessee
Posts: 487
THOR #22388
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Good for you. Wish you all the luck in the world. I will subscribe to them.
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2019 Thor Chateau 28Z 2018 E-450 Chassis W/ V10
4 Wheel tow a 2021 Ford Ranger Lariat 4X4 W/ Blue Ox Alpha Tow Bar/Base Plate and Stay-IN-Play DUO Brake system.
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05-21-2023, 06:35 AM
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#3
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: California
Posts: 3
THOR #25170
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Installed our Lithium BIM 225 today on 2022 Thor Fourwinds
This saved me a lot of time. I ohm out the wires, everything stated here was correct. Note: Yes, some wires are different colors. My emergency start had a Yellow/Black versus Yellow/Red, and Purple versus Blue Ignition wire that changed to yellow after the 7.5 amp fuse on the engine wall. I couldn’t trace out the slide out wire.
You did a great job!
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05-21-2023, 02:05 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 24F
State: Ohio
Posts: 4,087
THOR #16721
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ELC1973
This saved me a lot of time. I ohm out the wires, everything stated here was correct. Note: Yes, some wires are different colors. My emergency start had a Yellow/Black versus Yellow/Red, and Purple versus Blue Ignition wire that changed to yellow after the 7.5 amp fuse on the engine wall. I couldn’t trace out the slide out wire.
You did a great job!
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Mine (wire colors) was same as yours. My coach (2020 24F) doesn't have a slide interlock wire attached directly to the BIM. Maybe there is one - possibly connected to the ignition circuit before the isolation manager.
I'll have to test it... start the engine and see if the slide extend switch works. Also, I don't think the engine should start either with the slide extended?? Regardless, those things are on our pre-departure checklist so I don't have a "senior moment".
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05-27-2023, 11:52 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Model: 25.2 Axis
State: Arizona
Posts: 839
THOR #3471
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PeggySue
Hey friends!
Want to hear something crazy! I started a YOUTUBE channel!
I have been learning SO much about RVs this past year. Nearly every video is created by guys and they are all made for people who already know too much.
I wanted to create a space to encourage other women to learn their way around the RV systems who are just getting started.
These videos are TRULY TERRIBLE.... but you have to start somewhere.
Why you need a BIM anyway -
My LI-BIM 225 Install -
Next up, are detailed videos on how I upgraded my battery bank.
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I converted my axis to 200 ah lithium and all I did was changed the converter charger to 45 amp left bim as is working fine. Alternator never overheats
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05-27-2023, 11:59 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,117
THOR #7035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hugh.vines@att.net
I converted my axis to 200 ah lithium and all I did was changed the converter charger to 45 amp left bim as is working fine. Alternator never overheats
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How would you know?
Until it craps out.
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Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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05-28-2023, 01:19 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 24F
State: Ohio
Posts: 4,087
THOR #16721
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The last few days while working on the MH I've heard the new Li-BIM "clunking" every so often, so it's working.
So I'm confident that it will keep the chassis battery charged while in storage next winter. The solar is keeping the LiFePO4 batteries at 100%... which may be another issue in itself. I've heard that LiFePO4 batteries don't necessarily like being kept in storage at a constant 100% charge.
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05-28-2023, 04:00 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: 2018 24.1 AXISSIXxSIX
State: Arizona
Posts: 6,759
THOR #13932
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90% of what you read about li is strict and straight b.s..
If they absolutely hate and fight full charge you'll lose a month off of a 10 year, then 80% for another 10 years life.
The outlandishness of thinking
lab=life
Is
Outlandish.
No one should care about that one month vs 20 years.
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05-28-2023, 04:23 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 24F
State: Ohio
Posts: 4,087
THOR #16721
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ducksface
90% of what you read about li is strict and straight b.s..
If they absolutely hate and fight full charge you'll lose a month off of a 10 year, then 80% for another 10 years life.
The outlandishness of thinking
lab=life
Is
Outlandish.
No one should care about that one month vs 20 years.
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Yep my dear old ma taught me to not believe everything I hear... and take things with a grain of salt. Now I have high blood pressure.
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06-01-2023, 06:28 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Model: 25.2 Axis
State: Arizona
Posts: 839
THOR #3471
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 16ACE27
How would you know?
Until it craps out.
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Still working fine after 1600 mile trip to Florida and back in 80-95 degree heat
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06-01-2023, 09:04 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Connecticut
Posts: 1,772
THOR #20289
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hugh.vines@att.net
Still working fine after 1600 mile trip to Florida and back in 80-95 degree heat
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Use an IR gun to check the alternator’s case temp while charging depleted Li batteries at idle during warm weather.
If you are under 210 F you will probably be ok. Otherwise it is only a matter of time before the alternator fails.
David
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06-01-2023, 09:34 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 24F
State: Ohio
Posts: 4,087
THOR #16721
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidEM
Use an IR gun to check the alternator’s case temp while charging depleted Li batteries at idle during warm weather.
If you are under 210 F you will probably be ok. Otherwise it is only a matter of time before the alternator fails.
David
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What's your opinion on the Li-BIM as in protecting the alternator? I haven't driven ours since the lithium battery conversion. I hear it cycling (connect/disconnect) so I know it's doing what it's programmed to do. It's actually quite a bit louder (resonates on the firewall) when cycling. It would probably startle someone who wasn't aware of it.
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06-01-2023, 10:12 PM
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#13
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 24.1
State: Virginia
Posts: 43
THOR #11769
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10,000 miles of Li-BIM experience so far
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad
What's your opinion on the Li-BIM as in protecting the alternator? I haven't driven ours since the lithium battery conversion. I hear it cycling (connect/disconnect) so I know it's doing what it's programmed to do. It's actually quite a bit louder (resonates on the firewall) when cycling. It would probably startle someone who wasn't aware of it.
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Since we installed two 105AH LiFePO4 batteries and the Li-BIM in our 2018 Vegas 24.1 in October 2021, we have driven 10,000 miles over the past 20 months. The alternator seems to be working fine in conjunction with the Li-BIM.
Reviewing data from our Victron shunt, the alternator output voltage to the lithium batteries is generally in the 14.2V to 14.6V; the cycling of the BIM is apparent on the graphical output; and the current flow from the alternator to the lithium batteries is generally in the 19A to 27A range, decreasing as the batteries near 100% SOC.
When running both the generator (through the WFCO Li-MBA converter) and the alternator, the current flow to the lithium batteries has been more around 38A to 47A, at 14.6V.
While we do carry an IR thermometer, we haven't yet bothered to measure the alternator temperature under the max load to the lithium batteries (first thing in the morning after startup delay). At 30A to 40A output, I can't imagine it stressing the alternator...just the dash Air Conditioner fans, headlights, and 30A-fused 12V power port (cigarette lighter) draw more than that amount.
(But the concern does give me a nice reason to ask my wife to keep that 12V hair dryer on low, or she will be replacing the 30A fuse at location 72).
Note that our experience is limited to a total of 210AH of LiFePO4 batteries.
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06-01-2023, 10:44 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 24F
State: Ohio
Posts: 4,087
THOR #16721
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Korey & Tana Jackson
Since we installed two 105AH LiFePO4 batteries and the Li-BIM in our 2018 Vegas 24.1 in October 2021, we have driven 10,000 miles over the past 20 months. The alternator seems to be working fine in conjunction with the Li-BIM.
Reviewing data from our Victron shunt, the alternator output voltage to the lithium batteries is generally in the 14.2V to 14.6V; the cycling of the BIM is apparent on the graphical output; and the current flow from the alternator to the lithium batteries is generally in the 19A to 27A range, decreasing as the batteries near 100% SOC.
When running both the generator (through the WFCO Li-MBA converter) and the alternator, the current flow to the lithium batteries has been more around 38A to 47A, at 14.6V.
While we do carry an IR thermometer, we haven't yet bothered to measure the alternator temperature under the max load to the lithium batteries (first thing in the morning after startup delay). At 30A to 40A output, I can't imagine it stressing the alternator...just the dash Air Conditioner fans, headlights, and 30A-fused 12V power port (cigarette lighter) draw more than that amount.
(But the concern does give me a nice reason to ask my wife to keep that 12V hair dryer on low, or she will be replacing the 30A fuse at location 72).
Note that our experience is limited to a total of 210AH of LiFePO4 batteries.
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So you have the legacy V-10... probably the same alternator as our 2020 E-350 cutaway. I also have 600 watts solar, so I've noticed the amps into the batteries (two 100Ah LiFePO4) drops dramatically as they near full charge. No guarantees, but I don't anticipate a situation where I'd drain the batteries enough to allow a high amperage charging situation... at least not for an extended period while driving. That was the basis of my question about the BIM.
Just for curiosity I may run the batteries down to below 50% or so, then measure the alternator amps at idle.
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06-01-2023, 10:46 PM
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#15
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,117
THOR #7035
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hugh.vines@att.net
Still working fine after 1600 mile trip to Florida and back in 80-95 degree heat
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But you have no idea if the alternator is running hot and having it's lifetime decreased.
It's like saying "I ate 5 Snickers bar last week and I don't have diabetes, so no harm and I'll keep on doing it". Some get away with it, most don't.
__________________
Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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06-01-2023, 11:19 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Axis 24.1
State: Connecticut
Posts: 1,772
THOR #20289
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Chateau_Nomad
What's your opinion on the Li-BIM as in protecting the alternator? I haven't driven ours since the lithium battery conversion. I hear it cycling (connect/disconnect) so I know it's doing what it's programmed to do. It's actually quite a bit louder (resonates on the firewall) when cycling. It would probably startle someone who wasn't aware of it.
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The Li BIM 225 cycles on and off so it probably cuts average current from the alternator in half. That should probably work for most installations of Li batteries up to 400 Ahs.
I wish someone would post measured current and case temps.
David
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06-02-2023, 02:46 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Chateau 24F
State: Ohio
Posts: 4,087
THOR #16721
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DavidEM
The Li BIM 225 cycles on and off so it probably cuts average current from the alternator in half. That should probably work for most installations of Li batteries up to 400 Ahs.
I wish someone would post measured current and case temps.
David
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The best I can probably manage is measuring at idle with a clamp meter. No IR thermometer, so I may finegl a temp sensor on a voltmeter. Is that going to give anything useful?
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06-03-2023, 04:19 PM
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#18
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Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 24.1
State: Virginia
Posts: 43
THOR #11769
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Example of current to lithium batteries after a night of boondocking.
The attached report from our Victron shunt is an example of SOC and current for our 210AH of LiFePO4 batteries while at a Harvest Host overnight.
then rising and driving for several hours with both the generator and the alternator recharging the batteries.
Followed by a stop for refueling with gasoline and pancakes, then driving down the road again with just the BIM recharging the lithium batteries back up to 100% SOC.
The left side of the graph is overnight, with various steps down in SOC to about 80% and spikes down as our 120VAC refrigerator cycles on and off. The deepest current spike was when both the refrigerator was cycled on and the furnace kicked on simultaneously.
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