Please review my setup

[Panda]

Hi folks, this is what I'm planning to install next weekend, I've measured the lengths of the wires and will be using appropriate wire gauges. Aside from that, is there anything here that I could be missing or not considering? I'm using a 2018 Ford Transit 250, from my understanding, that uses a 150 amp alternator, but the van generally pulls 75 amps to run. The leisure batteries are 100 amps each for a total of 200 amps. 

 

[MrNoodly]

If the alternator is going to be your only means of charging the house batteries, I hope you plan on driving hours each day. An idling vehicle won't put out enough voltage to charge the batteries. There should be at least a state-of-charge meter connected to the house batteries so you know where you stand.

 

[regis101]

To add, I remember SternWake as a proponent of tapping off the Alt to anything House related and not the Starter Batt batt terminal. He referenced a ( bottle neck ) effect if doing the latter. YMMV.

 

[highdesertranger]

yes tapping off the alternator is better. also a fuse at every battery. highdesertranger

 

[vangotransit]

This is not the proper answer for a Ford Transit, per the upfitters guide. The CCP should be used for connection, all us spec transits have at least 1 60 aH fused CCP(customer connection point)
You can upgrade to 3 CCP, there is a Ford part number for the kit otherwise it is some 60 aH fused and studs and nuts and you can have a potential source of 180 aH.

From the Ford service bulletin

Ford SVE bulletin Q-226R1 states:
For B+ Battery Power Greater than 60 Amps
Vehicles with factory installed 3 X 60A Customer Connection Points (available with option 67C-Upfitter
switches)
• Connect to the 3 x 60A Customer Connection Points on the driver seat pedestal.
• The CCP’s are capable of providing up to a total of 180A.
• Refer to the BEMM for information regarding the use of CCP’s
Vehicles without factory installed 3 X 60A Customer Connection Points.
Upfitters may order a Customer Connection Point kit through Ford dealers. The kit part number is:
BK2Z-14S411-A
This kit provides hardware for two additional 60 Amp CCP terminals, allowing the modifier to upgrade from
the standard single 60 Amp CCP to three 60 Amp CCP’s, for a total of 180 Amps.

Granted the only way to get the full power load is to have a high current alternator. I would put a load plus ten percent circuit breaker after the CCP and have the fuses as extra protection. Drawing high current from the alternator risks damaging it when idling. Also lead chemistry batteries do not appreciate high current charging, I recommend a Sterling b2b charger sized to the pack

In reference my Ford Transit uses a 60 amp Sterling b2b converter, 100 aH shore power charger, 10 aH shore power charger, 20aH MPPT charger, 1200 watt inverter with transfer switch, 6000 btu ac, microwave, and 6kwh of LiFePO4

 

[Panda]

If the alternator is going to be your only means of charging the house batteries, I hope you plan on driving hours each day. An idling vehicle won't put out enough voltage to charge the batteries. There should be at least a state-of-charge meter connected to the house batteries so you know where you stand.

Thank you everyone for your valued feedback, looks like there's quite a bit more I need to reconsider. I'm a bit timid hooking up to the alternator but it sounds for the best. Going back to the drawing board on this.

 

[Panda]

This is not the proper answer for a Ford Transit, per the upfitters guide. The CCP should be used for connection, all us spec transits have at least 1 60 aH fused CCP(customer connection point)
You can upgrade to 3 CCP, there is a Ford part number for the kit otherwise it is some 60 aH fused and studs and nuts and you can have a potential source of 180 aH.

From the Ford service bulletin

Ford SVE bulletin Q-226R1 states:
For B+ Battery Power Greater than 60 Amps
Vehicles with factory installed 3 X 60A Customer Connection Points (available with option 67C-Upfitter
switches)
• Connect to the 3 x 60A Customer Connection Points on the driver seat pedestal.
• The CCP’s are capable of providing up to a total of 180A.
• Refer to the BEMM for information regarding the use of CCP’s
Vehicles without factory installed 3 X 60A Customer Connection Points.
Upfitters may order a Customer Connection Point kit through Ford dealers. The kit part number is:
BK2Z-14S411-A
This kit provides hardware for two additional 60 Amp CCP terminals, allowing the modifier to upgrade from
the standard single 60 Amp CCP to three 60 Amp CCP’s, for a total of 180 Amps.

Granted the only way to get the full power load is to have a high current alternator. I would put a load plus ten percent circuit breaker after the CCP and have the fuses as extra protection. Drawing high current from the alternator risks damaging it when idling. Also lead chemistry batteries do not appreciate high current charging, I recommend a Sterling b2b charger sized to the pack

In reference my Ford Transit uses a 60 amp Sterling b2b converter, 100 aH shore power charger, 10 aH shore power charger, 20aH MPPT charger, 1200 watt inverter with transfer switch, 6000 btu ac, microwave, and 6kwh of LiFePO4

So glad I posted here first, will definitely make use of the CPP, thank you for saving me

 

[vangotransit]

No problem.
I also do upfitting on van electrical systems and small off grid solar based in the Mid-Atlantic.
I have done several Ford Transits and own one