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.

 

[andybeary]

Quick update for those interested.

Having it all working for nearly a week no issues at all and all working as expected, the victron system and having the app and everything in one place talking to each other is amazing and massive improvement. The current power drain on everything at night without fridge etc is c0.5a this is the cerbo gx and other items just working in background (with this and the 200ah lithiums i think said can be left for 2 weeks if no charge from solar or anything)

Finished with the covers now given the Gerbo GX sits at the back

The one with the cerbo gx does stick out at the botttom slightly but only a small gap other one on drivers side flush.

Finsihed the drivers battery cover which fits flush so no worries around anything touching but passenger still some work to do as gaps on each side quite tight so need to think of a way of designing to fit.

Finally for now added Mopeka bluetooth sensor to the gas bottle in rear and can link to victron via bluetooth to get updates on how much gas is left which is super useful and is now all integrated into the victron so can see everything on app or via the small screen.

final stage i think is adding a victron ehu to replace the older AGM profile VW OEM one which will kick off soon after a road trip to make sure everything is working fine. However saying this the current one does work fine and does reduce down when batteries are at c14.4amps.

 

[Steve&Bev]

Have you considered fitting a small nuclear reactor instead??

 

[andybeary]

Have you considered fitting a small nuclear reactor instead??

next job

 

[gbtn]

How to you explain the 0h in your last picture ?
I know this is a strange calculation but i have the same behaviour with my solar panel until i put the ignition

 

[Betsycalifornia]

If anyone’s interested there are similar solutions that fit in the original spaces. Just fitted the Titan batteries that have a specially designed battery management system that makes use of the original split charge relay and the EHU charger. Though the EHU charger will probably only charge to 80% as it’s limited to 13.6 volts. 105ah per battery and utilise a slightly smaller case than the original AGMs so uses the clamps that were used for AGMs to hold in place. Been in a week now, working brilliantly. We do have solar as well and that is wired into the rear battery under the wardrobe. All works well with the VW monitoring system, though it will still think it has 150ah not 210 and that would make the time left incorrect, voltages would be accurate.

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[Wannabecamperman]

I love your effort Andy, but could you not have just used a Bluetti and Charger 1 as we did?

Far less faff and portable.

 

[Californication69]

Great job, as an engineer, I appreciate the time and effort that goes into this project work.
I’ve spent 4 months planning & project managing, and installing a Victron 3kw /600ah Fogstar drift / raspberry pi Venus setup in the Moho.
Also Truma gen2 air con, IMC locks on all doors.
HPC levelling.
It’s expensive but wholly worthwhile.
The question is:
What’s next

 

[andybeary]

I love your effort Andy, but could you not have just used a Bluetti and Charger 1 as we did?

Far less faff and portable.

Hey thanks yes I have a delta 2 and is great for air fryer or kettle etc however was fed up of the internal batteries being flat all the time even if charged to 100%

They wouldn't really last with fridge, tablets and I use electric blankets from the upstairs pop top during night from the 12v socket draws only 2.5a however the agm would run dry and means night heater etc stop when batteries low is proper pants.

Also Agm can get damaged so easy if you let them drop too low.

I am in France now by beach with no ehu but with the lithium not had any problems for last 2 nights with everything running all night and tablets charging during day etc so much better. I also use the to charge the delta 2 back to 100% after an evening meal using the output from mtp 100w only but if left on tops it up fine.

Having had this van 4 years now this is best upgrade I have done

 

[andybeary]

How to you explain the 0h in your last picture ?
I know this is a strange calculation but i have the same behaviour with my solar panel until i put the ignition

When you switch from the original AGM batteries to LiFePO4, the overhead console often gets "confused" because it’s programmed to calculate remaining time based on the discharge curve of lead-acid batteries. Since lithium holds a much higher voltage for much longer, the panel doesn't know how to interpret the data, often resulting in that 0.

I use the cerbo gx and screen now or the victron app to check everything and is much more accurate. Also can check when away from van via Internet.

 

[arklife]

I’m really enjoying this thread and a very nice job Andy – more power to your elbow!

Betsycalifornia : I am currently looking into installing the Titan batteries in my van (2022 T6.1 Ocean 204 4Motion). I’d like to ask you a few questions about your install but I don’t want to bring this excellent thread off topic so I was wondering If I might be able to PM you or is it better to start a new thread so that others can benefit from the response?

 

[Betsycalifornia]

I’m really enjoying this thread and a very nice job Andy – more power to your elbow!

Betsycalifornia : I am currently looking into installing the Titan batteries in my van (2022 T6.1 Ocean 204 4Motion). I’d like to ask you a few questions about your install but I don’t want to bring this excellent thread off topic so I was wondering If I might be able to PM you or is it better to start a new thread so that others can benefit from the response?

Sensible, happy to take questions privately or otherwise. Leave it up to you.

 

[arklife]

Thank you, appreciate it. Could you please start a PM conversation with me (I seem to be unable to start one with you because of your privacy settings).

 

[Aspire4969]

If anyone’s interested there are similar solutions that fit in the original spaces. Just fitted the Titan batteries that have a specially designed battery management system that makes use of the original split charge relay and the EHU charger. Though the EHU charger will probably only charge to 80% as it’s limited to 13.6 volts. 105ah per battery and utilise a slightly smaller case than the original AGMs so uses the clamps that were used for AGMs to hold in place. Been in a week now, working brilliantly. We do have solar as well and that is wired into the rear battery under the wardrobe. All works well with the VW monitoring system, though it will still think it has 150ah not 210 and that would make the time left incorrect, voltages would be accurate.

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That’s impressive. So literally just a direct battery swap? Everything else remains factory?

 

[Betsycalifornia]

That’s impressive. So literally just a direct battery swap? Everything else remains factory?

That’s correct.