Winnebago Rialta: Power Systems Overview

Today I give an overview of the way the power systems in my 2004 Winnebago Rialta work, some of the upgrades that have been made, and then we discuss some of the new features I will be adding soon.
Quick shoutout to www.rialtainfo.com for being a fantastic resource for Rialta owners and fans.
Filmed using a GoPro Hero 9 Black: amzn.to/2O1ds9I
Renogy DC to AC inverters: amzn.to/3dVEABX
MaxxFan Deluxe RV fan: amzn.to/37RIW95
EPEver Solar Charge Controllers: amzn.to/3bLcB59

[@nancyskean6425]

Looks great Maury! Your project is really coming along. It’s a good time to be doing all these projects during the pandemic. Once things loosen up, you’ll be able to rock and roll in your “new to you” rig. I must say though, I miss you in your Hymer. Safe travels.

[@TravelingSolo]

Yeah, at least I’m making some use of the downtime. I still participate in the Hymer owners group, too. :)

[@irenemackenzie3232]

Nice video Maury, lots of food for thought. Just have to ask you are these the original blinds and if not would you know where they were purchased? Mine are like most distorted and bent. thanks Irene

[@TravelingSolo]

Poptopheaven used to sell original style Rialta replacement blinds but I don’t see them now. In the group, people seem to be using stevesblindsandwallpaper.com. The Rialta came with half inch cellular.

[@irenemackenzie3232]

@@TravelingSolo thanks Maury

[@Poorfarmhiker]

Hi great information- Would you mind listing the products you are upgrading with as a reference. I am about a year away from purchasing a rialta and want to do exactly what you are doing Just don’t have the skill set to do it myself and will hire it out 😀 Thanks for the education ALan

[@TravelingSolo]

You bet. I usually put links in the video descriptions when I reference specific items. There are a few in the video notes here that you can check out. These items don’t get changed much so the links may still work when you’re ready to do your upgrades. :)

[@ChadEMight]

I just bought a 2004 myself and tried to run the hot water heater with my generator, it started to work, my generator bogged down quite a bit, ran about 5 minutes, then stalled and would not start back up. Have you ever had this problem?

[@TravelingSolo]

That could be a few things but first question would be how much gas did you have in the rig? The genset pulls gas from the tank and if you’re below a quarter tank, it won’t get fuel.

[@jeromehebert3184]

These are really nice; though I am reading mixed reviews about them, ie mainly availability of parts and finding someone to work on the engine, transmissions if you have issues. So I am not sure about getting one. But for riding around the US and exploring the country, it looks like it would be almost perfect for that. Of course I don't like the bathroom setup but could live with it if needed.

[@TravelingSolo]

I just said something similar to someone else, that the Rialta isn’t inherently unreliable, but you really need to be comfortable with working on them. The real challenge is that some parts can be very difficult (or very expensive) to find. I think the expanding bathroom is a pretty neat trick, and it was handy on my most recent trip. But….I’ve been considering doing a build of my own, and it most likely would not have a dedicated bathroom.

[@rvsandshane]

Is there a way to run a tv and PlayStation while traveling? This 2001 Rialta does not have a gen and 5 batteries. Inverter ?

[@TravelingSolo]

What kind of batteries do you have and how do they charge? An inverter will draw a lot of amperage so it depends on what your setup looks like. A PS5 only draws a couple hundred watts and a small TV is negligible, so you could get away with a smaller inverter (although having a larger one might be convenient.)

[@TroyD-vo1bz]

A few questions: I would like to put in some lithium iron phosphate batteries. Typically alternators don't put out enough power to charge these, but if you install something like the victron DC to DC Converter I think it may work--do you know? The standard solenoid valve is kind of a crude device in my opinion, so just curious if you tried something like the Victron or some other DC to DC charger . I think Renogy makes one too as well as Sterling. I'm a little confused if you have a starter battery, why is there a solenoid valve between the auxiliary batteries? Is that to make sure there's always one good battery to start the RV?

[@TravelingSolo]

The issue isn’t so much that the alternator doesn’t put out enough power, it’s that a lithium battery can take more than it can handle outputting safely, and at low RPM’s a standard alternator will overheat. There are alternators that are designed specifically for this sort of application but they aren’t just a drop-in replacement. The DC/DC converter will allow you to limit how much the lithiums can take from the alternator; again, limiting how much strain it puts on the alternator when at low RPM’s. The Rialta is a different animal in that it has a special setup that allows the van to be “jump-started” from the coach batteries, which are just regular deep cycle batteries. The solenoid is what isolates those batteries from the engine battery but still allows them to be charged when the van is running. Hope that helps!

[@TravelingSolo]

And yes, I had a 20A DC to DC converter installed in the Rialta with an on/off switch, so that I could decide when the lithium battery would be charged, but would still be limited to a 20A draw. Alternately, those converters have a trigger line that lets you turn it on anytime the van is running. I wanted more control than that.

[@TroyD-vo1bz]

Doesn't the DC to DC charger limit the voltage to avoid overheating? And of course, we really haven't talked about solar or things like all-in-one controllers that have built-in chargers in them, but that requires shore power. I'm just learning about the DC to DC chargers, so that is why I asked specifically about them. Back when I owned by VW Westfalia, I just had a simple relay/solenoid, and I think that's where you can really get into trouble if you're auxiliary battery is super low, and has higher capacity then the starter battery. Again, I thought the DC to DC Chargers had some built-in programming to avoid too much juice going into the Auxiliary batteries. Unrelated to the topic, but. have you had any issues with the transmission on your Rialta? Do you have a cooler and scan gauge?

[@TravelingSolo]

The converter does modify the voltage slightly to keep it consistent at around 14-14.2v instead of the typical fluctuation you see from an alternator, but when lithium batteries are an add-on that’s being served by that alternator - as a matter of priority - limiting or controlling the amperage draw is more important. At idle, if an alternator is capable of producing say, 40 amps…a lithium battery can take that without thinking twice, if it’s connected without a converter. However, an alternator putting out those maximum amps at low RPM’s will overheat, as there’s not enough air being moved to cool it down. That’s why I went with 20A, so that the lithium wouldn’t overwork it when idling. My Rialta didn’t have any transmission issues, but it also didn’t have a cooler or a scangauge and I sold it before getting one (which really is a “must have”, along with regular maintenance.) The transmission is a weak link in these rigs but with the proper care it doesn’t have to be.

[@TravelingSolo]

Also, related to what you said about “too much going in”….both the solar controller and DC/DC converter will reduce the amperage and/or stop charging once the lithium battery reaches full capacity.

[@salsainatlanta]

Good evening. My rear speakers are not working. Are they connected to the auxiliary battery system. Radio Wires and harness are correct. Also new radio.

[@TravelingSolo]

Stock, they just connect to the head unit in the dash, so if the radio is on, they are on, unless a previous owner installed an amplifier somewhere. Did they ever work for you?

[@Kurtis-Schubert]

The coach passenger side speakers stopped working in my 2002 HD. I found an amplifier under the floorboard in the cupboard located under the sink. I had a stereo guy replace it and everything works great now.

[@TravelingSolo]

@@Kurtis-Schubert I just learned recently that there was an option for a stereo upgrade that included an amp and subwoofer behind the driver’s seat, so this is definitely something to look for.

[@joannejoma3223]

Where are your other Rialto videos?

[@TravelingSolo]

Everything I’ve done is posted, is there something in particular you’re looking for?

[@joannejoma3223]

@@TravelingSolo I found them. Thanks!