In my prior post, I discussed the option of custom ordering your Newmar coach. I am going to discuss how I use Adobe Illustrator to customize the prints as an aid in choosing my colors.
Assumptions:
Adobe Illustrator for Windows. Mac may be slightly different.
A dealer provided print for your year, model and floorplan
Starting with original pdf named “2022-RB-DSDP-Template.PDF”.
Open in Illustrator
From Window menu select “Layers” – it may be already selected. Needs to have a checkmark
From same windows menu, select “Swatches” so it is check marked.
Open Layers Tab, and expand graphics
You will see 3 sections, Front, Rear, Side. Expand Side
There are 4 groups. Click the “eye” symbol on the left to turn the group on or off, to help identify the group you are on.
Top group is the skin. Highlight this group as shown in picture above
In the swatches, you will see that the “eggshell” is highlighted once you have the selection above
Click on a new color from the list. This will change the color.
Repeat this for each of the “groups”
Advanced Selection to make it easier
After you select the side graphics from step 4, expand out “front Graphic”.
Press “Ctrl” and click the circle to the right of the group. This adds the front graphic to the side graphic
Expand Rear Graphic, and again, press CTRL and click the circle to the right of the group for the skin.
Next You will see 5 groups under the graphics that are not labeled. As you expand them, there will be a sub-group and then a text. Find the one that matches “SKIN:” and add that to the selection using ctrl-click on the circle to right of group
This will now allow you to change all the colors at the same time.
Repeat this for each of the 4 groups. Before you start another group, go to the menu “select” and choose “Deselect”. This will let you start from scratch.
To add colors, you first need the color code you want to add.
Open one of the PDFs you found with a color you like in illustrator.
note: always import range page 1-1 when opening. This is the default
you may get errors, you can ignore by choosing “OK” or “Close”
Choose the eyedropper tool by pressing “I” on the keyboard, or clicking this icon on the tool menu
Go to window and choose color to open the color tool bar
Now move the eyedropper over the color you want to match. This is best done on the side view image.
My example was sampling what Newmar calls “64147A SALSA RED PEARL”. I have this view:
The 4 % values are what you are after. Make note of these values
Return to your main document, and go to Color tool as shown in the above image.
Your color will have changed to another value. Update the 4% values to match what you documented in step 4.
Drag the color from the square shown below and place it on your swatches group, anywhere you like
You should end up with a name like shown below, with your different % values and a preview of the color. Double Left click this value and put in the name the way Newmar labeled it.
I have custom ordered 3 Newmar RV’s, and each of them had a custom paint scheme. Newmar is one of the only manufacturers that will allow you to customize your coach color on a factory build. The only aspect they will not allow you to change is the graphic design. They will allow you to choose any color you want for each component of the graphic.
The process can be very frustrating if you do this with your dealer, as they have to go to Newmar and request prints, and the final print will be a computer representation that is close the the actual, but in some cases very different.
For example, compare the Newmar print of my 2019 DSDP 4369 to the actual here:
2019 DSDP 4369 Newmar Custom Paint Print
Finished Color
From the print, it is not possible to see the metallic or depth of the color. The Marina Black that I chose for pathway C has a lot of depth to it, and can look different with the sun. Here is another closeup of the paint
Understanding the limitations of the print is very important. I spent time looking at coaches that had similar colors when making my decision, which your salesperson can help you with. I based my color scheme off a 2018 London Aire caprice which used the same colors I chose in a different pattern. Here is the image my dealer sent me of the caprice paint scheme
In the Dutch star there are 4 colors you can choose. The Skin, which is the base color of the coach, and then 3 pathways labeled A, B, and C. I have seen some coaches choose to make more than one of the colors the same, and alter the overall appearance of the graphic. There are even a few that choose to go with solid colors, and choose the same color for all 4 paths.
In my next post I will detail how I use Adobe Illustrator to customize the print to help find the perfect color options.
Batteries exist in an RV because they are a necessity. Many of the systems simply cannot function without a battery. The 12-volt DC battery bank powers all interior lighting, climate controllers, exhaust fans, heater blowers, and many other areas.
My first RV was a 5th wheel, and it had a single 12-volt deep cycle battery. This battery powered the lift jacks, and I quickly discovered that it would not do so for very long. The battery was charged while the 7-pin connector was attached to the pickup, or while the RV was plugged into shore power.
My next RV was a 2008 Fleetwood Discovery with a much more
advanced system, and one that I never fully understood. It had a flooded cell
battery system and I learned after 3 years that they require water. I had to
replace every battery because I had ruined all 4 batteries. I also had a huge
mess in the battery bay from the corrosion caused by the off gassing. I spent a
lot of time cleaning it up when I replaced the batteries, but was unaware of
AGM batteries, and replaced it with flooded cell again. The problem reoccurred
2 years later, but at that time I was trading it in and didn’t care.
I custom ordered a 2013 Newmar Dutch star 4347. One of the specials I requested at the time was an upgrade to AGM batteries. During this time, I did a deep dive into the entire 12-volt DC power system and was amazed at what it could do, and how simple it really was, once it was fully understood.
I am writing this guide to share the knowledge I have gained.
Most of what I have learned comes from others.
Ronnie F. Moller, Jr.
redbaron73@gmail.com
Who is this guide for?
This guide is written based on my experience with Newmar
coaches utilizing the Magnum inverter/charger. It will also apply to any other
manufacturer that has the same or similar setup. The Basics
section will apply to 90% of RVs on the market, including the Newmar gas
lineup.
Magnum ME-RC
The
In Depth is more specific to coaches with a Magnum
Inverter/Chargers ME2012/MS2012/MS2812, which includes the Newmar diesel
coaches, but not the Luxury diesel line with the Xantrex chargers. The luxury
line utilizes both depending on the year, so you need to know which system you
have specifically. The simplest way to tell if this applies to you is by
looking at the controller for your inverter charger. If you have one that looks
like the one shown in Figure
1,
then this document applies to you.
This document designed for those that are normally plugged
into shore power, but on occasion will be using the battery power and want to
be prepared. I use of my generator liberally and have no concerns about over
usage of a generator, but there are times I want to limit the usage, such as
when boondocking in perfect tent weather. Our family likes to camp on BLM lands
near the Pyror
Mountain Wild Horse Range. The night time temps in August are typically in
the 60F range, and the skies are some of the darkest we have been to. This is
true off the grid, and we will spend 2-3 nights camping out there. Nothing
ruins the tranquility and peace like a generator running. We manage the
generator to run during the day, often while we are out looking for the wild
horses. At night, we run the entire coach on batteries. We can make coffee,
heat water, shower, and charge cell phones without the need for shore power.
What this guide is not
This guide is not meant to apply to
every coach or every situation. This guide does not address solar energy and is
not designed for the unique needs for those on solar.
If your coach does not have a generator, or if your
batteries do not charge while driving, then you will need to adopt different
strategies than what this document outlines.
Basics
Battery Capacity / Amp Hours
From the day I started driving a car, I was aware of the
size of the fuel tank and closely monitor the gas gauge. I understood how far I
could drive before refueling, and never pushed the limits. While this seems obvious
for a motor, I didn’t consider doing the same thing for my RV batteries when I
first started. After continuously being disappointed with my batteries, I
learned that there is an equivalent rating on RV batteries that tells you how
much power capacity each battery has, Amp Hours, expressed as Ah.
The Ah rating describes the ability of the battery to provide
power over a 20-hour period. If the rating is 100 Ah at the 20-hour rate, then
the battery can supply 5 amps for 20 hours. (5×20=100).
Parallel vs Series connections
Using
the battery for all 20 hours would result in a completely consumed battery. The
life of the battery, or number of discharge/recharge cycles, is based on how
low the battery is discharged prior to being full recharged. Each battery
manufacturer provides data on life expectancy as it relates to depth of
discharge. Generally, one should never discharge below 50% before fully
recharging. Using our above example, a
battery with a 100Ah rating should only be used at 5 amps for 10 hours before
being recharged.
To increase capacity, multiple batteries can be connected in
parallel. This keeps the voltage constant while doubling the Ah. Four batteries
rated at 100Ah connected in parallel will deliver 400Ah, or a usable 200Ah
based on the 50% guideline. This could be 5 amps for 40 hours, or 20 amps for
10 hours.
Battery Voltages
Newmar coaches, as well as most other RV’s utilize 6-volt
batteries because they provide a greater capacity. In order to bring the battery voltage up to
12-volt, two batteries are connected in series. When two batteries are
connected in series, the voltage is doubled while the capacity remains constant.
To
illustrate why a 6-volt setup is preferred, consider these batteries:
Option 1 – 12-volt Batteries: A total of 6 Interstate SRM-24 ($113.95 retail per battery providing 81Ah and weighing 46lbs.) would provide 486Ah, with 243Ah usable at a cost of $683.70 and a total weight of 276lbs. Option 2: 6-volt Batteries A total of 4 Interstate GC2-HCL-UT ($142.95 retail per battery, providing 210Ah and weighing 58lbs.) would provide 420Ah, with 210Ah usable at a cost of $571.80 and a total weight of 232lbs.
Both batteries are similar dimensions, meaning that you need
less space to with the 6-volt battery setup for similar power delivery. With
the additional money savings, and weight savings, it is easy to see why the 6-volt
setup is the way to go.
Battery types
It is important to know what type of battery you have. The
most common batteries are lead acid type of batteries, and those are the ones
we will be discussing. Less common batteries are the newer Lithium batteries.
This document does not cover lithium batteries, but this is a topic you should
explore if you are looking at the ultimate boon docking setup.
Lead acid batteries
are designed either for starting or deep cycle. This document is focused on the
deep cycle type of battery, used for inverting 12v power to 120v house power.
In this application, starting batteries should not be used or considered. Starting
batteries have a higher plate count and deliver greater amounts of energy in
quick bursts. The plates in a starting battery are much thinner and are subject
to warping when fully discharged. Once warped, the plates can touch and cause a
serious electrical short with thermal runaway. For this reason alone, one
should avoid using a starting battery on the house side of RV electrical
system. For more information, see this link: https://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/corrosion_shedding_and_internal_short
Deep cycle batteries have much thicker plates and can handle
the deep discharge without danger. As a result, deep cycle batteries deliver
less instant energy but have a greater endurance.
Deep
cycle lead acid batteries are commonly found in 2 types. Flooded (Wet Cell) and
Absorbed glass mat (AGM).
Flooded Wet, serviceable
The standard battery Newmar includes with most coaches is
the 6-volt flooded wet cell battery which is serviceable. A serviceable battery
requires that the water levels be maintained. The advantage of this battery is
the low cost and high amount of energy available for continuous usage. These
batteries are typically used in golf carts and are designed to be cycled to a
deep state of discharge.
Flooded wet cell batteries require a great deal of maintenance. The batteries also are highly
corrosive and can be easily boiled if the charger is not setup properly. These
batteries do not like to sit for long periods of times without a charge and do
not recover well from a very low discharge.
The batteries remain popular primarily because of their high
availability and low cost when compared to AGM batteries.
AGM
Absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries are a non-spillable deep
cycle lead acid battery. They may be mounted in any position and are
maintenance free. AGM batteries do not expel hydrogen gasses like the flooded wet
cell batteries do, and as a result there is no loss of either water or
electrolytes.
The design of AGM batteries allows for additional plate
surface area when compared to the same group size of a flooded wet cell
battery, increasing both the burst energy as well as the overall capacity (Ah)
of the battery in the same size.
Additionally, AGM batteries have a lower overall resistance, allowing for a faster charge and slower self-discharge. These batteries perform very well sitting at rest fully charged, holding their charge much longer than a flooded wet cell battery.
AGM batteries are generally maintenance free. All this
benefit comes at a cost. When comparing similar batteries, the cost often
approaches 80-120% more for the AGM vs Flooded wet cell.
All batteries require proper maintenance. Never discharge
the battery below 50% capacity. Never store a battery discharged, always fully
charge your battery.
source: discoverybattery.com
All
batteries have different lifetime characteristics based on cyclic usage, or the
number of times the battery is discharged and recharged. This characteristic is
affected by how much capacity is taken from the battery (discharge), the
operating temperature, and the charging method. All batteries differ on the
number, but all batteries perform better when they are kept cool and are not
discharged too deeply. See Figure 5 – Source: discoverbattery.com
for a chart that demonstrates how battery life is affected by discharge cycles.
In order to get the maximum performance, safely from your
battery, a clean and tight connection is mandatory. Battery terminal
connections should be inspected routinely. There is a lot of vibration that
occurs when driving your RV down the road, and the batteries are often exposed
to the elements. It is a good idea to clean your battery connections every time
you wash your coach, which for me is at the end of every trip, and sometimes
more often. While doing this, check your cables and make sure they cannot be
moved. If they are loose at all, tighten them.
If you have AGM batteries, then you can stop reading, as
your battery does not require any other maintenance.
Serviceable wet cell
Cleaning should be done monthly. If you do not clean them the corrosion will build up very quickly and spread. It does not take long for the cables themselves to become very corroded. Once this happens the only fix is to replace the cables, which can become very time consuming and is not cheap. A mixture of water and baking soda ( 1 Tbsp baking soda to 1 cup of water) is a great way to clean the battery terminals. Use an old toothbrush to apply the mixture directly. Rinse with water.
Serviceable wet cell batteries also require routine fluid
checking. This should be done at least once per month, and only when fully
charged. NEVER add water to a discharged battery. When adding water, distilled
water is the best option. Tap water has other minerals in it that can affect
the performance and lifespan of the battery. If you don’t have access to
distilled water, tap water is better than waiting or ignoring it. Do not let
the water level ever drop below the plates, but also be careful not to
overfill. Remember that in the summer the battery will run hotter, causing the
fluid to expand. When water overflows (called boiling over), you lose the
electrolytes that are in the battery. Not only is this very corrosive, but it
also is necessary for the battery to function properly.
Most of the corrosion is caused by the gases leaking from
the battery. I have read different strategies for adding mineral oil to the
batteries. The theory is the mineral oil will sit on top of the water and
prevent the gasses from venting out. I
have never done this and offer no opinion on the subject. This is something you
should research and determine if it is suitable for your use.
Charger
Most motorhomes will have a combined inverter and charger.
Some RV’s will have a converter/charger and a separate inverter. Regardless of
the design, the two functions are unique and controlled independent of each other.
With a combined unit, a single controller operates both functions under
different menu selections.
When does it charge?
The charger requires 120-volt AC power in order to operate.
This can be provided by either the generator or shore power cord. Once 120-volt
power is present, the charger will engage, depending on the settings. All
chargers require proper configuration for the type of battery they are charging
in order to properly maintain the lifespan of batteries.
What does it charge?
The charger is responsible for maintaining the house
batteries. In most motorhomes, the charger will also maintain the engine
battery. This is controlled by an isolating relay that will swap between the
chassis and house batteries.
Other Charging methods
While driving, most motorhomes will charge both the house
and chassis batteries from the alternator. This will allow lights, heating,
microwave, and other 12v items to be used while driving without depleting the
battery. The ability to keep up with demand varies by coach. Both of my Newmar
Dutch stars have been able to handle very large inverting loads including
microwave, refrigerator, television, DVR, laptops, etc. and arrive at camp
fully charged.
Inverter
The inverter is responsible for taking 12v DC power from the
house battery bank and changing it (inverting) to 120-volt AC power. This
allows for common household items such as hair dryer, microwave, coffee pot,
residential refrigerator, etc. to operate without the use of the generator or
being connected to shore power.
All inverters have a maximum rating, expressed in watts. The
base 2019 Newmar Bay star sport has a 1000w inverter to operate the pumps, and
an optional 1000w inverter for the televisions. The 2019 Newmar King Aire has
two 3000-watt inverters and 16 6-volt batteries, allowing for one of the air
conditioners to be run from the inverter. The size of the inverter determines
how much AC electric power you can use. If you pull too much, the inverter will
shutdown with a fault. Running it close to maximum will cause a lot of heat and
load on the batteries and discharge them quickly. Typically, items like the
coffee pot, microwave, or hair dryer will cause the most load, while TV’s will
consume very little load.
When does it invert?
The inverter must first be enabled on the main control
panel. Most inverters can safely be left turned on all the time. While turned
on, the inverter does consume a small amount of battery even without a load.
This is good to know if you are storing your RV without power or need to stretch
the battery life. Turning the inverter off will ensure that it is not drawing
any power from the battery.
You will need the inverter turned on in order to operate any
120-volt AC device when there is no external power source available, such as
shore power or generator. My inverter is always on. I store it connected to
50-amp service.
If 120-volt AC power is present from either the generator or shore power, the inverter will not engage. Some RV’s, including the Dutch star, have a feature called inverter-assist. This will allow the inverter to supplement the power available from the shore cord or generator. This is commonly used when connected to 30-amp service and running the microwave along with the roof air conditioners. The startup of either takes more power than a 30-amp service can provide, and the inverter assist can provide that extra power. This is not an unlimited source of power though, and the batteries will eventually discharge to the point the inverter will shut off.
What is powered by the inverter?
This depends on how the coach was wired. Newmar uses an
electrical subpanel from Precision
Circuits Inc. This has a separate panel for the inverter circuits. On my
Dutch star this supplies all the exposed outlets in the coach, all the outlets
in the basement, refrigerator, and microwave.
It does not power the washer, dryer, roof air, electric
stove top, basement freezer, or engine block heater. The basement freezer is a
12-volt DC and 120-volt AC device. It is more efficient to run 12-volt DC
directly vs inverting to 120-volt, and Newmar wired it accordingly.
My 2019 Newmar Dutch star has a 2800-watt inverter, and on a recent trip I was able to overload it. The combination that overloaded the circuit was running the microwave along with the central vacuum while making coffee. Not the typical work load for most people, and this was the first time I had ever overloaded the inverter.
In Depth
The details provided here are specific to the Magnum chargers
and the RC/ARC controllers. See Figure 1
for the controller that must be present. If you do not have this controller,
then much of what is described in this section will not directly apply. For
coaches with a computerized screen such as Silverleaf, the principals apply but
the settings will require translation or interpretation.
One very important note regarding battery connections
specifically with Magnum inverters. When disconnecting the battery cables, you
must first remove all POSITIVE cables before removing any ground cables. The
reason is that Magnum utilizes remote modules that are connected to a network
power cable. These devices provide a weak ground signal. If the Magnum loses
the primary ground, it will hunt for ground along the network control path and
end up damaging all the remote devices. These are items such as the Auto
Generator start, the Precision Circuits controller, and the RC/ARC controller.
This is a very costly and expensive mistake, and one that is easy to make as it
defies how most 12-volt DC connections are handled. When reconnecting the
cables, the positive cable should be the last cable connected.
Battery connections
The battery connections must be tight and clean. The next
step is to ensure the battery connections are at opposite ends of the battery.
See Figure 3
for a proper connection. The positive cable should
be opposite of the negative, allowing the entire battery bank to be utilized.
Both of my Newmar coaches where delivered with an incorrect battery cable
layout. See Figure 6
as an example of the incorrect wiring. Notice how 3 separate cables where
connected to different battery cells for the ground, and the positive
connection was in the middle cells. The result of this improper wiring is
underutilization of the entire battery, as the electrical circuit would take
the shortest path, often bypassing other battery cells. This would allow some
batteries to discharge while other batteries remain unused. This is very simple
to fix by simply relocating the battery connections to opposite ends. Be sure
to disconnect the positive cable first and reconnect it last.
Battery Ah remaining / State of Charge
The remaining battery capacity is known as the state of
charge (SOC). There are several methods to determine the SOC. The most common ones used are specific
gravity measurements, voltage-based estimation, and current-based estimation.
Specific gravity measurements are not convenient and very
few people would use this method. It requires using a hydrometer and testing
the level in each cell. This method is primarily used to test a battery that
has been fully charged to determine how well the battery is performing.
Voltage based measurements are the most common method used,
as it is the only method that is available from a stock RV. The problem with this method is the
measurement will vary based on load. When an inverter is under high load, such
as powering a coffee pot or microwave, the instant voltage readings on a
battery are unreliable. Using voltage-based methods often gives the appearance
of bad batteries, and causes frustrations when boon docking, with short
intervals between auto generator starts.
Current based estimation is the most convenient method for a very reliable battery state of charge. This method uses a value from 0-100% to show the amount of battery charge remaining, just like a fuel gauge. Power is measured in both directions to calculate the state of charge. Magnum inverters can use current-based data for AGS and Inverter settings once the ME-BMK and shunt are installed on the system.
Why you need a current-based estimation system
No RV should be without a current-based estimation
system. Using voltage-based estimation is highly inaccurate and overly
frustrating. To illustrate the difference between a voltage-based measurement
and a current-based measurement I setup a test. My battery bank provides 840Ah
of capacity with the 8 AGM discover batteries.
Starting with a full charge, I disconnected my shore cord
and observed the status with only my residential refrigerator running along with
my network and DirecTV equipment. The load was 20-amps DC, and the battery
voltage reported 13.1-volts DC. After 5 minutes, the load remained constant as
did the voltage. I then turned on my microwave, a GE Profile Advantium, using
the convection oven to heat to 350F. The battery status immediately displayed
191-amps DC load, and battery voltage of 12.2-volts DC. I ran this load for 30
minutes. The battery status reported a voltage of 11.1-volts DC. Many systems would have disengaged the
battery by this time, and if AGS is being utilized, the generator would have
started. To further stress the system, I engaged the central vacuum putting a
291-amp DC load on the battery bank, with a reading of 10.9-volts DC. I ran
this for 5 minutes, with battery voltage readings fluctuating between 10.9-volts
and 11.1-volts DC and power loads fluctuating between 178-amps and 291-amps DC.
This was based on when the microwave was energizing the heat vs stable.
Using only the voltage-based system, the generator would
have auto started, or the inverter would have cut out based on the sustained
low voltage reading. When the load was removed, the batteries reported 12.7-volts
DC, which shows that they were truly never discharged. In fact, using my
current-based measurement, I still had 94% battery life remaining. This was a
very high load for a very long time.
This is the reason I said in the beginning of this section, No
RV should be without a current-based estimation system.
Documentation for the installation and setup of
current-based SOC gauge is in the Advanced Setup
section of this guide.
Document Your System
The components in your system will determine the required settings. It is important to have the following information documented. Take time now to fill out this information, as it will required to properly configure your inverter and charger.
Personal Settings Record
A. Battery Type (Choose One): _____Wet Flooded _____AGM
B. Number of 12-volt battery banks: ______________ If individual batteries are 12-volt, enter the total number of batteries If individual batteries are 6-volt, enter ½ the total number of batteries
Example: For a battery system comprised of 8
6-volt batteries, the value should be 4
C. Battery 20Ah Rate: _________
D. Inverter Model: ___________
E. Charger Model: ____________
F. Max Charger DC Output (See Table 1) ___________
G. Battery Bank Capacity: __________Ah
Multiply value in [B] above by the value for [C]
Table 1 The common chargers used by Newmar are listed below. If your is not listed, you need to find this value before continuing.
The common settings are found under
the Setup menu.
01 – Search Watt:
5 Watts
02 – Low Battery
Cut Out: 11.0
This value is one reason why
you should install the ME-BMK, since the voltage is
measured under load, and false low readings are common. With a ME-BMK
installed, this value can be set to a more reasonable 10.7 or lower.
03 – Absorb Time: _______________
Magnum provides a chart for
determining the best time, based on amp hours of the battery group. To keep it
simple, compare your value in [G] to
the values below
Newmar coaches will have
either Flooded or AGM2. Look at your
value in [A] and choose the correct
option above. All Newmar AGM batteries are made by Discover, even though they
may have a different label. Discover batteries are type AGM2. If you replace
these with Lifeline AGM batteries, that would be AGM1.
05 – Charge Rate: ________
(see instructions that follow to compute this value)
AGM batteries typically can
be charged at 100% rate, while flooded need to be set to a value based on a
formula. The formula is C/BMr, where C = the total amp-hour capacity of the
battery bank and BMr=Battery manufacturer rate. Follow the steps below to compute the proper
value for charge rate.
C: __________ Total Amp Hours
Enter your personal settings value [G] above
BMr: __________
Compare the value you
documented in your personal settings [A].
For Flooded a value of 10-20
should be chosen. Interstate GC2-HD batteries have a charging current of C/10,
so you would enter 10 for the BMr. If you do not know the value, then a conservative
number of 20 should be chosen.
AGM batteries from Discover
are a value of 5.
Max Charge Rate (C/BMr): ______
Instructions: Divide
the value in C by BMr Example: If your battery bank is 840Ah with AGM
batteries, then Max Rate is 168amps
Personal Settings –Max Charger DC Output [F]: ______
Final Charge Rate %: _______ (Use this value for 05-Charge Rate
above)
Instructions:Divide the Max Charge Rate
by the value for your personal settings [F].
This will give you the proper charge rate. If the value is > 1, then
100% should be set. Otherwise set the percentage that is closest to your number
without exceeding
Example: Your charger has a Max Charger DC
Output [F] value of 125amps. Your battery bank is 200Ah flooded (C), with a BMr
value of 10. 200/10 = 20amps. 20/125 = .16 or 16%. 05-Charge rate should be set to 16%
06 – VAC Dropout: 90
– 100 VAC
This setting is the minimum
AC voltage that must be present on the INPUT side of the inverter before the
Inverter will switch to standby mode. The default setting of 80 is too low for
the residential refrigerator and many electronics. This value could be set even
higher, such as 100VAC safely. It really depends on the quality of the
electricity where you are camping, and how often you want the inverter to take
over.
09 – Final Charge:
________ (see instructions that follow to compute this value)
If your value in [A] is Wet flooded, then you need to use the “MULTI” mode. This will prevent the batteries from over charging and reduce water consumption. The batteries will charge to a full charge and then stop charging until the battery voltage drops below 12.7V, then it will restart charging. The display will read “Full Charge” once it has entered the waiting state.
If your value in [A] is AGM, then the proper value would
be Float. This will keep the batteries at a full state of charge.
Common Usage Scenarios
For normal operation, the charger and inverter should both
remain turned on. This will allow the charger to maintain the battery bank
anytime AC power is available, either from the generator or shore cord. When AC
power is not available, the inverter will supply AC power to the residential fridge
and other power sources by drawing DC power from the battery bank.
The inverter will consume a small amount of power even
without a load. For this reason, if the coach is to be stored without
electrical hookup, the inverter should be powered off by pressing the power
button on the remote control labeled “inverter”. When the inverter is disabled, the residential
fridge will not be powered.
Hot Weather with 30-amp shore power
Connecting to 30-amp power can be problematic without proper
planning. Newer coaches will have an automated energy management system (ems) that
makes the experience much more enjoyable. The ems will borrow power from the
inverter to help with burst energy, will automatically lower the charger rate,
and will disable power to high load devices to prevent breakers from tripping.
Without an ems, the charger can be manually disabled or lowered.
Disabling is not a long-term solution, as the 12-volt system will still be used
for lighting and many other accessories, and the batteries will eventually
drain. Disabling the charger for a few hours is generally safe.
Driving without Generator
When driving, the alternator will provide a charge to the
coach batteries. This is generally enough to keep the batteries full while
using the inverter to power the refrigerator, televisions, and even the
microwave.
Auto Generator Start
While the inverter can supply some household devices the
120VAC, it does not have the ability power all the air conditioners. With the
integrated Auto Generator start (AGS), the magnum inverter can start the
generator based on a request from the air conditioner thermostat.
The AGS can also be used to trigger a charge on the
batteries, starting the generator when the batteries reach a defined low point,
and running until the batteries reach a defined high point.
AGS Setup options
AGS: 03 Run Time
Hour: ________ Recommended setting to
match the value configured for 03-Absorb Time
AGS: 04 Start Temp F: Ext Input Setting this to Ext Input will trigger the AGS when the thermostat calls
for A/C cooling or heating. Most Newmar after 2014 can use this Ext Input.
AGS: 05 Start
Volts: 11.0 VDC
This setting
will trigger the generator based on voltage. See the discussion for “02 – Low Battery
Cut Out”, as these values are related. The use of a BMK is much more reliable
here too.
AGS: 07 Quiet Time
Menu: _______
Choose the
appropriate value for quiet time. When a time range is selected, the generator
will not auto start.
Enable Auto Generator Start
The settings for AGS determine what will trigger the AGS when the AGS is engaged to the auto mode. Press the “AGS” button on the controller and rotate the select knob to choose between OFF, Enable, Enable /w Quiet Time, Test. When you have enabled the AGS menu, the generator will be triggered by the settings under “04 Start Temp” and “05 Start Volts”.
The Magnum ME-BMK is a single battery bank amp-hour meter that functions like a gas gauge for your battery bank, giving the exact state of charged expressed as a percentage value of 0-100%.
Newmar does not include the ME-BMK on any of their coaches and will not allow it as a special. Installation involves adding 2 additional 2/0 battery cables from the ground to the shunt. Typically, a length of 4ft is long enough for these additional cables. All original ground cables need to be moved from the battery to the opposite end of the BMK shunt. See Figure 7 demonstrating the wiring differences.
Although the ME-BMK will work with the standard ME-RC remote
control, the support is limited as is the functionality. In order to utilize all
the features, the remote must be replaced with the ME-ARC. This is a direct pluggable
swap.
ME-ARC
The
Magnum ME-ARC is a direct replacement to the standard ME-RC that offers many
advanced configuration options. The primary reason to choose this remote
control is to fully utilize the ME-BMK and to properly maintain the batteries.
This section covers the settings specific to use with the ME-BMK and assumes
the ME-BMK is already installed.
Common ME-ARC + ME-BMK settings
Only the common settings are covered in this guide. Many of
the settings will refer to your specific system settings that you documented
earlier (A-G).
To enter the settings mode on the ME-ARC, start by pressing
the button labeled “SETUP”, and rotate to find the sections 01 thru 06. To
enter the desired section, press the dial in, and then continue to rotate thru
the options under the section.
01D Max Charge Amps: _______________ Instructions: Follow the steps under Common ME-RC Settings 05-Charge Rate. Compute the Max Charge Rate (C/BMr) and use that value. This entry for ME-ARC expresses the rate in amps, so there is no need to compute the Final charge rate % here, but you will need it for 03E Max Rate Charge below.
02B LBCO Setting: 10.7 Instructions: This is a safety value in case the SOC meter for some reason has not been calibrated properly. The lowest acceptable value for a battery bank under load is 10.5-volts DC. If you are wanting to stretch the battery bank as far as possible, you can safely lower this to 10.5 and adjust the SOC to 20%
02E AC In – SOC: 80% Instructions: This value is highly personal choice. It should never be lower than 20%. I keep mine set to 80% by default and adjust it lower if I am boon docking. Setting this to a lower value to use more of the battery capacity is safe, as long as it is not set below 20%. Read the note for 02B LBCO for the matching adjustment.
Newmar coaches will have either Flooded or AGM2. Look at your value in [A] and choose the correct option above. All Newmar AGM batteries are made by Discover, even though they may have a different label. Discover batteries are type AGM2. If you replace these with Lifeline AGM batteries the setting previously was AGM1 but unfortunately Magnum has not kept up with the changes at Lifeline. For Lifeline AGM batteries under the setting “Battery Type” use “Custom” and enter the following values. Absorb=14.3v, Float=13.3v, and Equalize=15.5v. The Custom setting also works for other battery types that do not fit the standard charge profiles of Flooded, AGM1 or AGM2.
03D Absorb Done: SOC
03E Max Charge Rate: ___________ Instructions: Follow the steps under Common ME-RC Settings 05-Charge Rate. Compute the Final Charge Rate % and use that value.
03F Max Charge Time: 18 Hrs
03G Final Charge Stage: ________ Instructions: If your value in [A] is Wet flooded, then you need to use the “MULTI” mode. This will prevent the batteries from over charging and reduce water consumption. The batteries will charge to a full charge and then stop charging until the battery voltage drops below 12.7V, then it will restart charging. The display will read “Full Charge” once it has entered the waiting state.
If your value in [A] is AGM, then the proper value would
be Float. This will keep the batteries at a full state of charge.
04A Gen Run VDC: Start Volt: OFF / Stop Volt: OFF Instructions: The voltage will not be used for AGS since a better option exists with the ME-BMK
04D Gen Run SOC:
Start Gen SOC: 60% is a good balance battery
usage/minimal gen run time. Increase up to 80% for max battery cyclic lifetime.
Decrease as low as 50% for max battery usage.
Stop Gen SOC: 90% is a good set point
to minimize generator run time. Setting it to 95% will add about 30 minutes gen
run time and setting to 100% will add 1 hour of additional run time.
04E Gen Run Temp: Set Gen Run Temp Start: Ext Input Instructions: The voltage will not be used for AGS since a better option exists with the ME-BMK
05A Charge Efficiency: Auto
05B Amp Hour Size: ___________ Instructions: The voltage will not be used for AGS since a better option exists with the ME-BMK
Revisions
Revision 4: Release May 29, 2019
Clarified that multi-mode final charge will stop
charging until the battery voltage is below 12.7v.
Corrected/Updated the information on Lifeline
batteries and the proper custom settings.
Thanks to Don
(757driver) for these corrections.
Revision 3: Release May 3, 2019
Clarified that AGM batteries have a slower
self-discharge rate. Previous wording incorrectly stated they had a slower
discharge rate.
Fixed Figure 6 image of factory wiring, it had a
missing jumper wire in the image
Clarified the maximum safe discharge of a
battery bank
Added additional instructions for utilizing the
ME-BMK and ME-ARC to maximize battery consumption for maximum boon docking per
charge.
Revision 2: Release May 2, 2019
Minor typographical errors corrected.
The formula for Battery bank capacity under “Personal
Settings Record” was corrected
Additional details where added for “Why you need
a current-based estimation system”
Revision 1: Released May 1, 2019 – Initial release
The ITR Heat Oasis CH50 is a diesel hydronic heating system that is pre-installed in the 2019 Dutch Star. This provides for domestic hot water, and furnace heating for the whole RV and basement. The oasis is powered by either the diesel burner, or by electrical providing either 5k or 10k BTU. Engine waste heat is also used to provide heat energy to the distribution module, allowing for all system functions while driving without the use of additional heat sources.
All units are pre-wired for the engine loop pump. The panel will have to be replaced with one that provides the Engine Preheat Pump switch, and the pump will have to be installed inline.
I opted to go with the ITRTouch Remote because I liked the look and it provided the function for preheat. When replacing an existing switch, you will need to order the over sized ITRTouch remote to cover the hole used by the original, which is taller and slightly more narrow than the new one. You can use the new ITRTouch without the pre-heat option. If you want to play with a demo of this switch, ITR has one on their website located here.
The new remote is 1/4″ wider than the standard switch. Once the hole is the proper size, the wiring harness will connect to this switch as a direct replacement. The pump was $295, and the new remote was $260.00 before any applicable discounts.
To perform the installation of the pump, you will need several items:
When I started the install, I only had 2 sets of hose pinch pliers, and they were too bulky to properly close the hose in the cramped area. I ended up spilling about 2-3 cups of fluid before I gave up and reconnected the hose. I then researched what I could get delivered in 1 day from Amazon, and found these clamp pliers. What I liked about this style is that they are not vice-grip style, using a ratchet style system instead.
ITR Oasis DM12 Distribution Module
Newmar places the DM12 distribution panel behind a wall in the bay just behind the pass thru bay. Removing the wall will expose the DM12, and provide you with access to perform the full installation. Looking at the graphic for the DM12, you will see that the left side is where the engine coolant inlet and outlets are located. The pre-heat pump is installed on the outlet side, with the pump oriented to return the coolant to the engine.
Place 1 clamp on the inlet side, about 3 inches above the clamp, and another on the outlet side, about 6 inches from the clamp. I used a 3rd clamp and clamped the line higher up at the frame rails. This allowed me to capture the fluid in the line in a controlled manner, and have more flexibility with working with the hose.
Once the outlet is disconnected, place the pump in the final position and connect the engine side to the pump. There is not enough room to connect the pump and then re-position it to the back wall. The other hoses will not allow for the pump to fit through. Also pay close attention to the routing of the return hose, ensuring that it will not rub or kink. I had to alter how it routed from the frame rail down to get a proper alignment. I personally did not have the proper tools for easily handling the continuous pressure clamp, so I removed this and replaced with a worm-gear hose clamp.
Install the 4″ of 3/4″ heater hose to the outlet side of the DM12 and connect to the pump.
Secure the pump to the back wall, but use caution on the screws length,as the other side is where all of the 12v electrical connections are located.
The electrical needs to be connected to the pump using the spade connectors. The wires are red and black, and are exiting the DM12 above the outlet connector. They will be crimped together for protection. When doing the final routing of the electrical, make sure it does not rest along the heater.
After cleanup of any spilled fluids, place clean white towels around all connections that have been replaced, and run the engine for 30 seconds. Verify that your towels remain clean white, and that there is no leak.
Next, bring the ITR up to running temp and turn on the pre-heat option. Verify the pump is operating.
Since I had spilled so much fluid, I was worried about the air in the lines, and the loss of fluid. I ran the pre-heat pump for several hours, which was overkill, and then topped off the reservoir with coolant.
The final step was to take a test drive and bring the engine up to operational temps and let it remain for 30 minutes. This was about an hour total of driving. After that, I was satisfied that there would be no leaks, and closed it up.
For a view of the Remote Control operation of the Oasis, view this video.
For a view of the final pump installation and commentary, view this video.
Thought I would put some more of my modifications up. I have been working on installing the ME-BMK in my coach. If you are not familiar, this is a Battery monitor kit that acts like a fuel gauge for the battery bank. It is a far more reliable way to determine state of charge (SOC).
I attempted to get Newmar to install this as a special, and was told no. Well it turns out that there is good reason for it, and the upgrade is very involved with the 2013 Newmar coaches.
The typical installation of a BMK is to install the battery shunt between the load and battery ground, install the ME-BMK-NS device. Provide 12v power to BMK-NS, connect the network to the inverter, and install a sense cable between the BMK-NS and the shunt.
The 2013 Newmar coaches come with the Magnum ME2812 inverter, the ME-AGS-N (auto genstart network version) and the RC-50 remote.
For the features of the BMK, you need the ARC-50.
This is the easiest part to swap out, remove 4 screws, unplug RC-50, Plug in ARC50 and install 4 screws. At this point you must reprogram all of your settings. Do this now, as it will not be setup for your battery type.
After installing the ARC50, then I installed the shunt. There are 2 ground bundles connected to the coach. Mine is the all electric, with factory AGM batteries. So I have 8 6v Batteries. From the factory there was a main 0-gauge ground going to the inverter, and then a bundle of about 8 smaller wires going to the main electric panel. These were connected at different points on the battery. For the BMK to do its job properly you need to move all ground wires leaving the battery to the load side of the shunt.
In the above picture you will see the shunt installed below the two positive wires. The back side is the load side, and the original wiring from Newmar is attached there. You will see two cables coming off the stud. I had to cut a lot of straps, and then reconfigure the straps so there was no metal rub and the tray could still slide. This wasn’t hard, but took some thought.
The front side of the shunt is where the battery connects. I made a custom 4/0 gauge wire, and soldered the ends instead of crimping. Lots of solder..and then shrink wrap the ends to make it look neat.
The above picture shows the battery tray extended, and the bottom right ground is my cable connecting the battery to the shunt. Just to the left is the temp sensor for the inverter, this came stock.
The BMK-NS module is installed in the bay closest to the battery, as the sense cable can not be cut or spliced.
On the back wall is the black box with the power connection, data cable, and sense cable.
So after getting it all hooked up, I tested and things worked great. my SOC read accurate, I was able to drain it down to 80% and have it shutdown the inverter. Plug in power, and it charges back to 100%.
So then I decided to test AGS. I set the AGS to start at 80% and stop at 90%. Watched it drain down (helped with microwave) and once it hit 80% the generator fired off. After the 60 sec warm up it stopped. Then started again, and this loop kept going.
Frustrated – I double checked everything. In the mean time I had to stop my work, and take the coach to the dealer to get some work done. That was hard..I hate leaving work undone.
When I finally got the coach back I started playing with the settings and discovered that if the ME-BMK-NS is plugged in (either power or network) then the AGS will not function. Even turning it to manual run via the ARC50, it will do the cycle. I could start the generator with the dash switch, my software switch, or from the generator itself, but not from the ARC50.
If I unplug the ME-BMK-NS then it works from the ARC50, but of course now I can’t use SOC to start.
I placed a call to tech support at Magnum Energy, and after 50 minutes of diagnosis the culprit was found.
The 2013 Newmar coaches include a Power Control Systems EMS. The inverter actually connects into the Power Control module, and then the remote connects to another port on the Power control module.
In the mid toilet room, there is a cabinet with all the breakers. This box houses the PCS control.
This picture shows the box removed. Lighting was poor because I had no 12V or 120V…that would have been dangerous.
3 telephone connections are behind. I had to locate the one with black tape (matches cable connected to magnum inverter remote port) and the one with blue tape labeled “remote”, which matches the cable going into the ARC-50.
Once these were located, I unplugged, and connected them together with a telephone joiner.
As soon as that was complete, and I fired it all up, things worked as I expected.
So my next step was to contact Precision Circuits and find out what I could do to make the BMK compatible, and what I was losing by doing the bypass.
I sent an email, and the response was very fast and informative.
Here is the response:
Quote:
By bypassing the PCS system will cause you to lose two things.
If you normally plug into 50A service, then this should not be a problem. If you regularly plug into 30A service, then you may want to consider updated the system.
What you lose when PCS is not communicating:
If RV is drawing more current than the Main Circuit Breaker can supply, then PCS first attempts
1. Battery Charge Reduction, (temporarily reducing Battery Charging rather than shedding a load)
2. Inverter Assist, (temporarily allowing Inverter to produce 120V power to run the appliances that are wired to it, like the Microwave)
PCS will continue to operate, and will shed the Appliances, and continue to prevent circuit breaker tripping.
Most people choose to bypass
If you choose to upgrade, you would have to send in the PCS Monitor and PCS Control. We would be willing to upgrade free of charge, and could ship back to you within 24 hours of receipt.
Just emailed with Magnum, and they state the ME-ARC50 already has the upgrade,
PCS Monitor is the Central Monitor Panel 00-10019-000
PCS also sent me an upgrade document that outlines the complete install steps, and also gives info on what is gained. The biggest gain I can see is the communications is no longer done ‘man in the middle’, but rather part of the RS-485 bus. So instead of being a relay, it now assigns itself an ID on the network, and takes action that way.
There are a few new features, including the ability to set to 15amp service (30->20->15->30) and the removal of the blinking panel LED light.
Taken from document:
Quote:
Additional PCS Features included in new Version:
1. PCS Central Monitor Panel
a. Displays error message during loss of communications with PCS Control rather
than appearing to be running.
b. Displays message when PCS Control is busy communicating with Windows
WinPCS program. (Requires Power Cycle to reset.)
c. When No Service present, does not keep bouncing or forcing back to this
screen; allows troubleshooting of other conditions.
d. Unplugging and re-plugging Monitor during error condition does not mask the
error. (Error message regenerates.)
e. Installation without Magnum Inverter-Assist feature now displays correctly.
2. RV Data Mismatch error will no longer lock up system, but PCS will continue to
retry in cases of poor connections or low battery.
a. During an RV Data Mismatch, Control will continue to operate with RV Data it
has stored, rather than stopping all operation.
b. This error condition will no longer stop Magnum Remote/Inverter
communications.
3. Force RV Data from Remote to Control.
a. If Control has been mis-programmed at the factory with the wrong RV Data it no
longer needs to be replaced. Only a new Monitor needs to be shipped to Dealer
to reprogram system.
4. Clearing RV Data in Monitor to restore to Blank condition.
a. Monitor can be restore to original Blank condition, without the need for Windows
software, or the need to send back to Precision Circuits.
6. PCS Control slows down the Load to Load turn on delay.
a. When turning back on loads, wait 5 seconds from one to another load, to assist
Generator recovery when heavy loads are turned on.
7. Add one more Service Type 15amps
a. Now It will step 30amps -> 20amps -> 15amps ->30 amps
8. Remove Central Monitor Panel blinking LED
a. Customers complaining during night
9. Delay Generator Run Signal, so that if Generator is wired to Engine battery, starting
RV engine will not cause PCS to lose Gen Run signal.
10.Turning Inverter Off at Magnum Remote, still allows manual override of Inverter-
Assist Feature, and Battery Charge Reduction Feature.
11.Allowing Inverter-Assist when in Absorb Charge Mode. Previously Inverter-Assist
would only operate in Float Charge Mode. Note: If Low Battery Cut Out threshold
reached, then Float Charge Mode is required.
After I received my upgraded PCS unit, I was able to reinstall it without any trouble. The upgrade fixed the problem I was having with the BMK interfering with the AGS.
I spoke with the owner of Precision Circuits, and he explained that the big difference in pre-upgrade vs post-upgrade is how communication works. The way the unit is shipped from Newmar, the PCS controller talks to the Magnum Inverter, and the remote talks to the PCS unit. The PCS is doing a ‘relay’ of all messages between the two. Works fine, until you do something silly like upgrade or add a component after market. Then it all falls apart because there is too much communication going on.
Post-Upgrade, the PCS is just another device on the bus, and is able to listen to what is going on, and then send requests.
So now when you are on 20 amp service and want to run the microwave, and you are 10 amps short, the pcs will call to the inverter to ‘assist’ as well as override the command from the remote for charger, either doing a setback or shutdown temporarily.
PCS is going to be delivering the new units to all manufactures with this upgrade within the next few months. So earliest you would see this factory installed is mid model year 2014, but most likely it will be a 2015 option.
If you want it now, it only took me 30 minutes to remove and another 30 to reinstall. Shipping cost me $25, and the upgrade was free from PCS.
Overall, this was a bigger project than I expected, but one that I am very pleased with. I firmly believe that every coach should have a BMK, no matter how little you use the battery. This is the only true way to protect your batteries.
***UPDATE 2018-July-04****
I have been using this system for over 5 years now. The original batteries are installed, and they are still working! I keep my coach plugged in all the time when storing, and have kept the SOC set to 70% max usage for my normal habits.
Over the past 5 years, I have manually set it to 50% for the few times that I was boon docking, and dealing with Generator restrictions (ie: National parks). The battery life is absolutely amazing. There is now way these would have lasted as long if I had not installed the BMK.
I am going to describe my media setup. I had this system working in my previous RV (2008 Fleetwood Discovery 40x), but was not as robust as I am describing. The features streaming features where all available, but the source selection was not. Since the Fleetwood was a RF signal, I was limited in how I could wire it. I setup a dedicated media server that ran off the middle television, and did the wireless streaming. Now that I have my 2013 Newmar Dutchstar, there is a lot of improvement. Below I am describing the features, and the planned wiring. The technology works as I describe, and for the most part is working already. What I have not done is the complete re-wiring of the AV Media cabinet. I will continue to update this as I make progress and changes.
Wireless Network available at all times. A single wifi & wired network will provide access via any source including AT&T, Verizon, local wifi. This network connection will be used by all tablets, phones, laptops, media streaming devices, and television(s).
Ability to have entire DVD/Blue ray library available on the road to all TV’s, iPads, iPhones, Android devices. I have 4 kids, and a wife. Kids ages are 2, 5, 12, and 15. All of them have different TV they want to watch. At the home our network PVR has 64TB of storage, so I allocate 250GB per child that will export to the RV system. The older kids can choose their shows, and have it automatically sync unwatched shows to the RV. The younger kids don’t care if they watch the same shows over and over, so we choose their favorites, and have it fill up. The wife and I watch different shows too, so we get 500GB each, and then the final 1TB is assorted DVD’s, and music that we all like.
Ability to stream audio to any TV/device
Ability to stream internet to any TV/device
To accomplish the above, the software is key. At home I use a combination of SageTV (no longer available) and PlexApp. I am starting the move away from SageTV towards XBMC and NextPVR. All of these systems allow recording over the air, and from DirecTV. My home based system records 6 channels OTA, and 6 channels DirecTV simultaneous, and can be viewed anywhere. The family is spoiled by this ability, and on the road, wanted a similar experience.
In order to record OTA and DirecTV, it requires a lot more horsepower, and room for equipment. I don’t want the power drain, heat, nor do I want to give up the space. So I am doing the next best thing. The system in the RV will synchronize when the RV is in the Garage. I have two methods for doing this:
WiFi – the default method that is always running. When the coach is in the garage, it will get access to a dedicated WiFi for the sole purpose of video synch. This takes a long time – 72 hours or so for 3 TB of data, but since it is just updating, this is not a big deal.
When time is pressing, I remove the hard drive from the base, and connect it directly to my home based media server via eSata. This will synchronize in about 3 hours.
Product List Option GlobeSurfer III+
This is used to provide Wifi Access to the coach using cellular. This uses AT&T GSM, and provides unlimited client connections, as well as the option to attach to another wireless signal (ie: park internet) and toggle between. This is a very advanced router. I chose this because I have a grandfathered Unlimited AT&T Sim. With this device I can also use my Verizon air card, plug it in via the USB ports, and use that internet connection. I can set a limit for the amount of bandwidth to use on the Verizon signal, and also limit which devices get to this source of internet. My laptop, iPad, and iPhone will always have data available, no restrictions. My wife will have the same, but the kids will lose connection to the internet if we fail over to Verizon, as will all of the PC, TV devices. This is because I do not have unlimited. When at a campground, the wifi will connect to the campground wifi, and repeat the signal over my network. It will use this connection to load-balance with the AT&T.
Price: 277.99
Link: Amazon.com: Option GlobeSurfer III+ GSM/HSPA Router – 3G+ Wireless Gateway for Voice, Broadband Data, and Wi-Fi – White: Computers & Accessories
Netgear XAVB5004 Powerline Network Adapter
This device will connect all of the components in the front AV cabinet to the Local Area Network and the internet. Internet comes from the GlobeSurfer. Since some of the devices that need the network connection exist in the bedroom and wall slide, this one device will bridge those using powerline adapters. Using this component a single power connection is required, and it is not a wall wart!
Price: $129.48
Link: Amazon.com: Netgear XAVB5004 Powerline Network Adapter: Electronics
Netgear XAVB5101 Powerline Nano500
This will provide an Ethernet connection to your device by using the power system. You will need one of these for any location that you want a network jack. Since I intend to stream high def media to my rear, I am choosing not to use Wifi. On the 2013 DSDP, the Sony TV with the Televator has an Ethernet jack, with software that allows the TV to directly connect to Netflix, and other features. This is a great option, and works from the Sony remote, so I chose to add an Ethernet connection to this TV as well. The power adapter above (XAVB5004) includes one of these, so this set may not be necessary. With what I have purchased, I will end up with an extra Ethernet connection, which I plan to put in the bedroom area for the laptop to do high speed transfer to the media PC Storage server. Great for updating!
Price: $72.00
Link: Amazon.com: Netgear XAVB5101 Powerline Nano500 Set(XAVB5101): Electronics
Computer System
The computer is a Booksize barebones system. I had to add the storage and memory to it.
The specs are not stellar, but are adequate for the purpose I have. AMD E-350 APU (1.6GHz, dual core), AMD Radeon HD 6310, Ethernet, Wireless, USB 3.0, USB 2.0, HDMI Output. The keyboard is one that has a trackpad built in like a laptop computer, and is wireless. I love this, but it may not be for everyone.
Dimensions: 7.48″ x 5.31″ x 0.98″
Power: 65W, 19V, 3.42A
Purchased Parts from NewEgg. Newegg.com – Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics, and More!
AV Receiver
The Sony STRDH520 that came in my 2013 DSDP is a great low end HDMI unit, but I had 2 problems with it. #1 – it was too tall, as I had lots of plans for stuff in here. #2 – It was better than the unit in my s&b bedroom. So I was looking for a replacement. What I want from an AV receiver is the ability to listen to the audio from *any* source I throw at it, but not require it to be on. Nothing like driving the coach while the family is watching the TV, and a police siren or other noise plays in the “surround” speakers which happen to be directly overhead. Gets me every time, and the noise also interferes with my front stereo. I looked all over for a receiver that would handle this, and found only one.
Sherwood R-904N Internet A/V Streaming Receiver
If you read the reviews on this, all of the problems with this unit focus on the fact that it is a terrible internet streaming receiver. I do not plan on using this feature, as the PC I am putting in place will handle all streaming media needs. There are even instructions to completely remove the module and make it the equivalent of the R-904, which is only available in 220V NON-US models.
The big advantage is this is a 7.1 receiver, 2 zone, and is only 2.8 inches high! This saves me almost 4 inches where I really need the savings. I do not plan on using the 2 Zone feature, but do have an idea on how it might work if I were to use it. For now this will solely be used for streaming the 7.1 sound when watching a movie while we are parked.
Link: Walmart Purchase the Sherwood NetBoxx A/V Internet Streaming Receiver, R-904NW, for less at Walmart.com. Save money. Live better.
Price: $259.00
4×4 Matrix Switch
The true beauty of a matrix switch is you can choose any of 4 input devices and output to any of the 4 outputs. So if you have 3 TV’s as I do, you can have the outdoor TV connected to the WII, the Televator connected to the Computer for web surfing, and the Kitchen TV playing a DVD movie.
The downside is that it does require a selection of source per device. So switching from DVD to DirectTV requires going to the Matrix switch and choosing “output TV” and “Input Source”. Not a big deal for me, but not exactly user friendly for those that just hit a source button and have 2 devices to choose from. The matrix switch I selected has a serial control interface, and I am running homeseer automation software. I am using Bluetooth events to trigger source selection, on a custom application that I wrote. This is an extension of what I have running at my Stick & Brick. Other options are to create a simple web interface to choose your macro setups. Otherwise, the unit includes a remote control, and is easy to setup. With the way that I wired it, you can still have 2 options available to you at all times, using HDMI 2 via the stereo for a source, and HDMI 1 to be the alternate selected source.
Link: For only $145.80 each when QTY 50+ purchased – 4X4 True Matrix HDMI® Powered Switch w/ Remote (Rev. 3.0)
Price: $156.60
Roku 3
This media player will be located in the rear bedroom, and can stream any of the content from the Media PC. This includes all my movies, recorded TV, audio, as well as Netflix, and other online content.
As a bonus, the audio can be played through the remote control, so when my wife is sleeping, I can still listen to my shows.
Link: Amazon.com: Roku 3 Streaming Player: Electronics
Price: 99.99
