Battery Isolation Manager (BIM) is essential for alternator charging in 12 V systems only.

Battle Born recommends using the BIM in systems with 3 or more batteries. The BIM is designed to allow up to 225 amps of current to the batteries during a charge cycle. For smaller battery banks, this could lead to overcharging, which could potentially shorten the cycle life of the batteries.

The BIM will connect for 15 minutes every 35 minutes. That means that the BIM will connect for 15 minutes, disconnect for 20 minutes, and repeat this cycle until the coach battery is charged.

If the coach battery resting voltage exceeds 13.4 V, then the BIM will disconnect. A resting voltage greater than 13.4 V indicates a fully charged battery. Note that “resting voltage” means that no current is flowing to the coach battery. The BIM will disconnect if the alternator voltage exceeds 14.4 V. This protects the coach battery from over charging.

The BIM will disconnect if the voltage difference between the alternator and the coach battery is less than 0.1 V. If the voltage difference is too low, then there is a negligible charging current, and no need to connect to the coach battery. The BIM will disconnect if the alternator voltage drops below 13.3 V. If the alternator voltage is too low, than it cannot adequately charge the coach battery, so there is no reason to connect.

The Li-BIM 225 can monitor the voltages of your chassis and coach or auxiliary batteries. We recommend incorporating a BIM into your system when you want to charge your auxiliary batteries from your alternator. The BIM can monitor and regulate the voltages of your batteries in a variety of ways.

A converter is a device that will convert the voltage from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). This varies from an inverter, which converts the voltage from DC to AC.

As you may know, most of the on-board electrical components in your RV run off DC power, while most household appliances will run off AC power. A converter charger will allow you to charge your battery bank from an AC power source, such as shore power or a generator. It will also allow you to take this DC power and distribute it to your on-board electrical components. 

The battery guardian (BG) is a great component if you are looking for a low voltage disconnect.

Restricted for only 12 V power systems, this component allows you to remotely disconnect the vehicle from the battery by sensing the voltages of the coach or auxiliary batteries. We recommend using a BG when you intend to store your system for long periods of time.

When a BG is incorporated into your system, it works as a direct current (DC) disconnect switch, and it will cut off loads once your batteries reach 11.5 V. This will protect your batteries during long-term storage as it prevents the loads from draining your batteries and will completely eliminate the cumbersome task of physically removing the battery cable from the bank of batteries.

Implementing a solar system can be confusing to say the least, panels come in a wide array of shapes, sizes, wattage, voltages and types. Should you go with Monocrystalline (MPPT), Polycristalline (PWM), thin film, or amorphous? Do you need 12 V panels, 24, 48, or maybe even 72 volts?

The good news is, by following a few basic rules, you can figure out how many watts you need for properly charging your Battle Born Batteries. 

How many watts?

As a basic rule, match 200-250 watts of any solar type, for each 100 Ah of your lithium battery bank. This should allow charging from nearly empty to full in one full day of direct sunlight. Just make sure that your solar charge controller is compatible for charging lithium.

What voltage of panel?

Select your solar charge controller, then choose the voltage of your solar panels. MPPT solar charge controllers handle voltages of 75 V up to 250 V, depending on the model, meaning you can easily build a solar array with almost all voltage types. The less efficient PWM solar controllers usually only handle 12 or 24 volts, limiting your choices of solar panels.

Connect my solar array in series or parallel?

Again, this will depend on your solar charge controller. For most PWM controllers, parallel connections work best. Parallel connections keep voltage of your solar array low as these controllers can’t handle the higher volts. Series connecting is preferred with MPPT controllers as this can create more efficiency with the higher voltage that’s created connecting this way.

Parallel solar connections give a measure of shade tolerance, meaning if you cover one panel out of the array, the other panels still generate a good amount of power. Series solar connections give a bit more efficiency and power but tend to give much less power when one panel is shaded from the array. Many choose a hybrid of both series and parallel and will give the best of both worlds. 

DC to DC or battery to battery chargers are a great way to charge your Battle Born Batteries using your vehicle’s alternator and starting battery. These devices provide a quick and smart charge with the added benefit of isolating the chassis and coach batteries when not in use.

These devices are typically used in conjunction with one to two Battle Born Batteries as they reduce the charging current under the recommended charge rate.