The FD19 is a large campervan and has been designed with the intention to provide all the basic motorhome features within the confinement of a more restricted space. The compromises taken will challenge the promises made in the sales brochure.
It's OK to miss out on comfort features such as a washing machine, satellite dish or a generator. You can still carry it with you if yo don't mind the smell of carrying a Gennie and Jerry Can under your bed.
At 565 x 320 x 470 mm height this 3.5kW Gentrax model will just fit and its weight is only 28 kg.
The van is advertised for free off the grid free camping and lacks an optimised charge and energy storage solution
So what can be done ?
Space restraints are the biggest problem. No room for a second battery or solar panel. Nevertheless an upgrade of the three system components comprising of 1- charger, 2- battery and 3- solar panel can still be considered and I will discuss proposals in a separate log post.
A few zero cost hacks will improve Jaycos travel charge system:
The van features triple charge modes with 2 AUX charge circuits and one Solar charge circuit.
Problem1: Charge Source Selector not efficient
During driving the fridge is usually the only load running. This means that the J35 algo encounters a light load condition and is likely to select only one charge source, i.e. the stronger one at any given time. In practice the system may toggle frequently between charge sources. While in AUX mode we miss out on Solar charging without getting more charge then what the Redarc bypass provides.
Solution1: Disconnect AUX charge cable from J35C
This takes only takes seconds to implement. Disconnect the AUX power supply plug (located in the compartment under the floor cover behind the drivers seat) The benefit of this hack is that the two dedicated charging circuits will always be active regardless of any number of house appliances being used (J35 load test). With the BMPRO J35 Solar and Redarc AUX bypass always active we can expect double the charge on a sunny day.
Problem2: False Current readings:
Solution 2: Redirect the neg high current wire
Said wire is running from the B-Pillar to the house battery (BMPRO output) to the BMPRO AUX input, so that the BMPRO amperage readings will be correct. This is also likely to prevent the J35 charge algo from getting confused as it assesses the loads for demand of dual charge mode as well as the supply source strength to determine the dominant source for single source charge mode (Voltage based only ?). Note: Once miniboost is installed, solution 2 may have to be removed to avoid induction currents into ground loops.
--------------------------------------------
TO BE CONTINUED (UNDER REVIEW / Construction)
1- Install miniboost
2- Beef up battery - An AGM battery with 140Ah is available in the same size as the original Jayco 100Ah battery. Gain 40% !
3- Add more solar power. Tailored flexible solar panels may be a consideration. Customised solutions are available in Melbourne (Ringwood) at solar4rvs https://www.solar4rvs.com.au/lightweight-solar-panels/earche/
However
It's OK to miss out on comfort features such as a washing machine, satellite dish or a generator. You can still carry it with you if yo don't mind the smell of carrying a Gennie and Jerry Can under your bed.
At 565 x 320 x 470 mm height this 3.5kW Gentrax model will just fit and its weight is only 28 kg.
The van is advertised for free off the grid free camping and lacks an optimised charge and energy storage solution
So what can be done ?
Space restraints are the biggest problem. No room for a second battery or solar panel. Nevertheless an upgrade of the three system components comprising of 1- charger, 2- battery and 3- solar panel can still be considered and I will discuss proposals in a separate log post.
A few zero cost hacks will improve Jaycos travel charge system:
The van features triple charge modes with 2 AUX charge circuits and one Solar charge circuit.
Problem1: Charge Source Selector not efficient
During driving the fridge is usually the only load running. This means that the J35 algo encounters a light load condition and is likely to select only one charge source, i.e. the stronger one at any given time. In practice the system may toggle frequently between charge sources. While in AUX mode we miss out on Solar charging without getting more charge then what the Redarc bypass provides.
Solution1: Disconnect AUX charge cable from J35C
This takes only takes seconds to implement. Disconnect the AUX power supply plug (located in the compartment under the floor cover behind the drivers seat) The benefit of this hack is that the two dedicated charging circuits will always be active regardless of any number of house appliances being used (J35 load test). With the BMPRO J35 Solar and Redarc AUX bypass always active we can expect double the charge on a sunny day.
Problem2: False Current readings:
Solution 2: Redirect the neg high current wire
Said wire is running from the B-Pillar to the house battery (BMPRO output) to the BMPRO AUX input, so that the BMPRO amperage readings will be correct. This is also likely to prevent the J35 charge algo from getting confused as it assesses the loads for demand of dual charge mode as well as the supply source strength to determine the dominant source for single source charge mode (Voltage based only ?). Note: Once miniboost is installed, solution 2 may have to be removed to avoid induction currents into ground loops.
--------------------------------------------
TO BE CONTINUED (UNDER REVIEW / Construction)
1- Install miniboost
2- Beef up battery - An AGM battery with 140Ah is available in the same size as the original Jayco 100Ah battery. Gain 40% !
3- Add more solar power. Tailored flexible solar panels may be a consideration. Customised solutions are available in Melbourne (Ringwood) at solar4rvs https://www.solar4rvs.com.au/lightweight-solar-panels/earche/
However
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