T6.1 Ocean 2021 model lithium install (trying anyway)

[andybeary]

Bit of a mess, if any pointers please drop them below but my thinking so far

1. replace the split charge relay with feed to Orion xs dcdc input,
2. output 4awg from dcdc will go into a 60a fuse then to the positive terminal on leisure under passenger seat
3. New 4awg wire connection from under driver seat positive via 80a fuse to fist leisure via 80a fuse.
4. 4awg orion ground output to victron smartshunt (500w) in minus side along with the original negatives from factory cables as well as then new drivers side awg4 negative
5. connect direct from victron smartshunt (500w) 4awg to the negative on under passenger seat
6. connect the original ignition start cable to the orion H input (i think this is right) - going to try and buy a vw connector so can adapt it so keep OEM cables.

• If all works then i will add the cerbo gx link to the victron smartshunt and orion xs dc dc
• Bring MPPT from rear to front to connect to leisure battery
• add a VE cable to the cerbo GX from mppt in rear via 5m cable (attempt to find route)
• Ensure connect the seats back before starting up as i know the airbags and stuff need to be connected before connecting the batteries up

I think my other worry is obviously the second battery doesnt have the origional VW battery sensor so need to find a solution here so it doesnt throw errors.
The other item then is also from reading is that the EHU will be older AGM battery profile but heard will still charge just need to check when full and disconnect (hopefully wont need with the new x2 ecotree lithiums) but have the Delta 2 for big appliances.

Removed the rear leisure battery use as more storage and just tie up the cables and ensure saftly insulated.

Have i missed anything or any recommendations i have missed?

I am waiting on some connector lugs as ran out so probably going to keep it like this for another week.

 

[andybeary]

So seems to have all worked out fine, so moved where battery would be in rear cupboard to front drivers and replaced with lithium on both. (used rear wires to connect MPPT which was in rear)

the Victron Cerbo GX and screen works great, solar has improved from what i can tell now linking with all the other victron items i.e. smartshunt and battery monitors.

Orion XS DCDC is great at charging fast and i have been charging my delta 2 in rear using the MPPT output. With this charging on old batteries it would have run them dry in a few hours and would have got the error on camper screen (you then cannot use any of the camper electrics) now charging all day the batteries dropped like 5%

The batteries do mean i cannot now put the rear panels on the back of seats but i am designing some covers and will link them here when done. I have also done some first attempts at some covers in the image but are work in progress so will share final images when all done.

Also the control panel works fine just shows 100% all time but does show amps going in and out (the victron system is more accurate anyway even when was using original pre-install), all other functions work as per OEM. Also i thought the start stop would throw errors but this also works fine.

The EHU works fine and will eventually slow down charging when hits peak, the lithiums will hit 14.3v or slightly higher when 100% and then drop back down to 13.4v or so when unplugged.

Note also i am no expert i just decided to make the changes after i had enough with the batteries running dry and unable to use night heater etc when at campsites with no EHU.

Going away to France next week so will give it all a good test then and report back.

Thanks to this forum for the hints and tips on changing the split charge relay and other tips as came in handy.

 

[wildslammer22]

Nice job! Where have you put the DC-DC charger, I can’t see it in either seat base?

I did something similar but retained the existing battery configuration. It’s not ideal as I can’t use a smart shunt as I have the MPPT connected to the rear and the DC-DC to the front. I have a sub under the drivers seat so that space not available.

I may eventually try a 230ah under seat battery, get rid of the rear as you have done and build a centre console between the two front seats to house the DC-DC, Cerbo, smart shunt etc.

I can’t remember the last time I’ve needed the EHU since the upgrade and even if running the heater and Starlink all night I still have 75-80% battery capacity left in the morning.

 

[andybeary]

So the dcdx is under the front passenger on the side wall of the seat base so can cool against the metal, under the yellow casing I made for the smartshunt to keep that clean.

Yeah such a difference already wish I did this 4 years ago lol, but think the prices have dropped on batteries and now out of Warrenty so I thought f it lol.