Quality batteries...but a really poor installation.

[@davidjones8680]

No switched isolators and no fuses, that is just totally criminal, a major accident waiting to happen. Thank the Lord that they found you. David in the UK.

[@tigerspook1]

I think the whole abortion that company produced for those two lovely people, is totally criminal to the anstonishing point of life threatening..

[@davidjones8680]

@@tigerspook1 Yes indeed. All that potential fire hazard under the bed they were sleeping in.

[@theblubus]

I'm subscribed. I want to see you untangle this botched bus build! I'm very skeptical when people send me their bus builds because we had very high standards for ours and were very anal about doing it right for the very reasons you outlined in the intro video to this build. This is a vehicle first and foremost, and you really have to do your research and know what you're doing when you're adding components on the interior like walls and furniture, adding electrical, and water. Messing this up can be very dangerous. So happy to see you rescuing this build!!!!!!!!

[@daizydayze9440]

Such valuable information. Thank you for this priceless tutorial. So many people will benefit from these details.

[@RollingLiving]

Why, thank you. My hope was to make this informative and not just a gripe session. I want to help people learn from these issues. I appreciate your kind comment!

[@MrThisIsMeToo]

@@RollingLiving my question is the mix in quality. Why put in high end Battleborn batteries with a cheap clipped wave Chinese invertor. The two qualities / price marks do not match up. For the price of the Battleborns you could put in 500AH of decent quality Chinese LiPo. If I see Battleborns I would expect to see Victron doing the math after the fact. Either way, terrible build I agree.

[@eloyanzaldua7433]

I'm starting to learn very slowly how this stuff works. Very slowly. Great job explaining.

[@francoisdutoit5998]

Also doing my own setup in my bush trailer. Learnt a valuable lesson. Thanks for you channel and advice.

[@edsteward7717]

Trying to figure out my own system, I just learned a couple of very valuable things today. Thanks! I am intending to get my favorite electrician to ok my plans, but now I'll look smarter!

[@philmccrackin1775]

At first I thought maybe the customers of the original builder were adding on to the original spec of what they asked for and didn't want to pay for upgrading/and rework, but seeing your review and explanation of the electrical system somebody seriously screwed up BIG TIME . Thanks for sharing how everything works. Looks like you have a lot of work in front of you to remedy the situation 👍

[@rodneymiddleton9624]

Very poor installation and design!!!! Glad you're getting them straightened out. Thanks!!!!

[@goleafsgo8496]

Awesome tutorial and this is just one component in a complex bus conversion. Much "love" sent to "Blues" owners and there journey into fixing some incredibly shoddy work done by the prior "craftsmen". Thank goodness they found you as this death trap requires someone with some solid knowledge. 👍

[@sum2automation]

It's a shame when get ripped off from contractors that should not be doing the work! Ask about experience and history of projects for your review, before you pay them anything... Truly sad.... But, happy your doing the video! I hope the go out of business and can never burn another RV customer... Thanks for sharing!

[@RollingLiving]

You are absolutely right. Unfortunately, they have some good reviews and positive comments on their site (some by the same person under different profile names). Even worse, they are listed #1 in a "top 10 conversion companies" article found online. My experience has been that those are paid placements, though...but that's not made clear to potential customers. Thanks for the positive comment and support!

[@angelacarter6593]

Thank you for sharing. I'm learning a lot from your explanations of the problems.

[@marchalpeck470]

Darn it, I followed a wiring diagram and it said to use #4 cable, well thanks to your video I guess I am going to rewire my 6 100 amp hour batteries, good thing I found out now, thanks for a great video

[@salty6pence672]

Your math kills me. ✌️❤️

[@tanyaholmes3213]

Thanks for the information very informative

[@EDM_Gaymer]

I like how there is a bag of fuses just sitting right next to the inverter!

[@highway75]

Thankyou for your explanation on electric power. No one else does it where you can understand it. I've had other owners look at mine and laugh because I use 8 OT cable. Again good job.

[@Dadcam_Can]

I am currently using a 100 A-H Lynac Li battery tied to a 2000 W Renogy inverter. Based on your technical guidance I am also running underpowered with really only about 1200 W of usable power available. Luckily I never run close to full output so no harm done yet.

[@RollingLiving]

Thanks for the comment! I don't know those batteries, so I don't know if they have an integrated BMS to limit the output current. If your system meets your needs, then it's perfect! The nice thing is you can always add and grow as your needs change.

[@Dadcam_Can]

@@RollingLiving Lynac is Lithium battery manufacturer from Thunder Bay, Ontario. My battery has an LED display for voltage and charge levels and I believe it also has smart functionality. I am the second owner and have been very happy with its performance.

[@jd512k]

Excellent Video! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@jeffbyrd7976]

Thanks for the review.

[@DanielPerdiguero]

DC also relies on cable run for calculations. Once you calculate intensity (A), you would need to calculate the cable run and factor it into the ecuations for voltage drop.

[@RollingLiving]

Always, for all conductors. Indeed. 👍

[@Stephen-ou4sy]

Boy oh boy is that some dodgy workmanship..... I hope the customers do something about getting it rectified. I feel for them

[@motolifts]

Just as a rule of thumb I use for a rough idea but if you look at the 120v appliance amperage you can usually add a zero and that will give you a pretty close number to the 12v inverter input. It’s the same calculation as doing the watt conversion.

[@RollingLiving]

Yup...that's math I can do. :-) 12 x 10

[@gd2329j]

Just do your conversions in watts & add 30 % for conversion loss ! But the biggest question is did that induction hob work with the modified sine wave inverter ?

[@badgerpa9]

It was Tesla that designed our AC system we use today. He patented generators, motors and many things. Now days no one would listen to him, he said God would talk to him and tell him how to do things. He designed the power generation at the Niagara falls and the transport from Niagara to New York city. The man knew more than most EE do now.

[@chrispartosbro4555]

someone correct me if i am wrong but this 200 amp hour battery pack (2 x 100 amp) would supply the 400 amp as required but only last for half hour, However it will ruin the cells in record time and run a serious fire risk, or it could supply 20 amp and last 10 hours, (forgetting the losses etc).EDIT i forgot about the battery management system so probably not.

[@cliffyb5896]

So, the water heater runs at 30 amps, but they wired it to a standard cord to plug it into a 15amp outlet. It's been 25 years since I took high school electrical shop but even I know that won't work. Amongst the rest of the botch job

[@burlybair]

2 things: While you are right that the load requirement for 400A is 0000awg wire (4/0), I seriously doubt that this tiny inverter has terminals or internal wiring to accommodate 4/0awg. Also the 4/0awg recommendation is based on 120/208 line voltage. I believe for 12VDC it is different. I do not have my NEC handy, but I believe it is in there. (Don't always believe Google: the opinions there are not always correct). Secondly, I'm glad you touched on how the battery pack is mis-wired. But I think you should have spent a better explanation on why. In it's current (pun?) wiring the lead battery is doing all the work and the second battery is just along for the ride. You will not get 200A out of that configuration and the lead battery will eventually pull down the 2nd battery. One lead (positive or negative) should be at one end of the battery bank and the other lead should be at the other end of the bank. -=Dale=- (Licensed Calif Electrical Contractor since 1984)

[@Scott_From_Maine]

A DC wire gauge chart will show the amps/wire size for 12 volts. It also factors in length to account for voltage drop.

[@philipparcel2548]

4/0awg is overkill for a 12 volt system, it won't hurt anything but a lot of expense for over sized cable

[@Scott_From_Maine]

@@philipparcel2548 I was given some scraps of 4/0 so I used it. I couldn't find a definitive answer to how many amps an AGM might pull at the max. The 4/0 will handle the full output of my alternator, so I don't have to think about it.

[@Folsomdsf2]

I quick pulled up my calc for this, the wiring was the cheapest that was 'ok' under 6 ft.

[@Yeetus223]

Hey Ross I am about to buy my own mostly converted bus tomorrow. I know a lot about mechanics but know very little about conversions. You seem very earnest and very knowledgeable. I want to contact you to at the very least because I’ll be driving through your area in a month or so and I want you to look at what I have bought. I’ll be happy to compensate you for your time. Is there a better way to contact you?

[@anlacombe]

how is this electrical work legal?

[@djpWilson]

I'm pretty sure those induction cooktops *hate* modified sine wave inverters. If memory serves, the cooktop will audibly buzz when in use

[@burlybair]

One more thing while I am thinking of it: If this bus is going to have a towed that is getting charge power from the bus, there needs to be a diode of proper size preventing backfeed from the towed. -=Dale=-

[@kenlew4945]

IMO If I was redoing 12 volt DC system. I totally would completely go way over the top and then some on the cables including fuses and breakers because of being able to add onto the system without too much of a problem. Especially not having to run brand new wires if the system gets upgraded for any reasons.

[@petermiddo]

So long as your appliances are 24v compatible, you run at roughly half amperage, which gives you about the same run time. You do need to have 24 volts capable appliances

[@chris_vandepeer]

For high amp/current output you cannot get better than a battery terminal busbar.

[@dwjr5129]

On the bright side, that riggin is good job security for the customers local fire department… 🙄 Jeez…

[@RollingLiving]

Funny, but true. Thankfully, these customer/owners have a wonderful sense of humor...or they'd be crying.

[@caveone-365]

Yeah that 4g wire is puny. Needs some 1/0 at least for sure. Welding supply store is the cheapest place to grab the cable. It's where I used to get my power cable when I ran my car audio install business way back in the day. Agreed, those 'crimps' are shit. Has no where near enough battery to run anything substantial.

[@Folsomdsf2]

If the run is under 6ft the wiring actually passes current standards for a 12v system. I sure wouldn't do it(it's literally the cheapest one that is ok for 400/12 at those lengths), but it's not dangerous. The crimps are just absolute dogshit though.

[@grannieannie1371]

I don't think it's an exaggeration to say this bus is a death trap.

[@dodgeguyz]

I think you’re missing a decimal in the water heater number! Even a house will not provide 290 amps! I’m thinking it should be 29 amps. Edit, I see you are talking about pulling from the battery! So never mind it would be 280 amps.

[@ericneering6357]

Just like my camper a Terry it looks like they got a water tank right next to the electrical oh daddy right you can’t do that least I wouldn’t

[@sandmanxo]

As easy as it is to find out how to wire up a system properly there is no excuse for this work. I didn't even know there was a 5000 watt inverter on the market that runs on 12v. I have a 3000 watt pure sine wave inverter that's less than a foot from the battery, otherwise the wiring would cost a fortune in my garage and designing a 48v system for a 5kw array of panels for my house. Terrible choices all around on this system.

[@keffective6650]

Gotta love a conversion formed of the cheapest dry wood products laced with undersized, damaged wiring, and a conversion-company-installed deadbolt designed (albeit erroneously) to latch the entry door closed at the top of the door. Good thing the emergency escape windows are duct-taped shut!

[@vangeezerexperience]

Besides from everything (greatly) pointed out in the video. Electronics will not work/not work good on a modified sinus inverter either and that battery bank is connected wrongly, the charge side should be crosswise connected, as the load should. Meaning that minus is taken from one battery and the plus is taken from the other (the first and last if more batteries than two) - to get a "flow" thru the whole bank...this is a shamble of a conversion and makes me pissed off.

[@Chereese0808]

Well can't they just push an extension cord through the window to the outside then plug it in to the bus.... Just kidding.

[@fernandocarty9754]

I will tear that bus down and start from scratch It's easier and cheaper. And for what thoses crooks did just ply wood and 2x4. they should go to jail.

[@Folsomdsf2]

I think they just went 'We'll use the same line we connect the batteries with' without thinking. you won't have more than 12/100 going across that, you need more on the output. Also your math regarding the current is quite wrong as well. It's WORSE than that. The Device pulls down 3500/120... the inverter isn't 100% efficient, it's pulling down way more than that to provide 29.1a at 120. Also this is 12v DC, your thinking like it's 120 AC, way diff measurements with distance becoming EXTREMELY important. Run it through a calc and it's not as bad as you think either.

[@nv1493]

1. How has this bus not killed anyone or burned down? 2. How is LS Skoolie even in business? And for them I use the term very loosely. Hacks is too kind of a term.....

[@SuperBrainAK]

you talk too much, just video yourself fixing the problems