Complete repair guide for the Winnebago Travato – 12V Lithium Battery Bank & Solar Upgrade. Follow these steps to diagnose and fix the issue yourself.
Parts & Tools You’ll Need
- 100Ah LiFePO4 drop-in lithium battery
- Victron SmartSolar MPPT charge controller
- Victron BMV-712 battery monitor
- 40A DC-DC battery-to-battery charger
- 200W flexible solar panel
- ANL fuse holder + 200A fuse
- 4/0 AWG welding cable (battery interconnect)
- Bus bar / power distribution terminal block
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Step-by-Step Repair Guide
Step 1: Diagnose Existing System and Safety
Before beginning any work, disconnect the negative terminal of your factory battery and wait 15 minutes to allow all systems to discharge completely. Inspect your current 12V wiring, fuse blocks, and battery connections for corrosion or damage, noting any existing grounding points and available mounting space for the lithium battery and solar equipment.
Step 2: Install Battery Disconnect and Fuse
Mount the ANL fuse holder with the 200A fuse as close as possible to your new lithium battery’s positive terminal, typically within 18 inches. Run the 4/0 AWG welding cable from the fuse holder to your bus bar, ensuring the cable is secured with appropriate clamps and routed away from heat sources and sharp edges.
Step 3: Mount Lithium Battery and Ground Cable
Secure the 100Ah LiFePO4 battery in a stable, ventilated location within your Travato, such as under a cabinet or in the basement storage area, using a battery box or non-slip mat. Run a properly sized ground cable from the battery’s negative terminal to a clean, bare metal ground point on the chassis, scraping away any paint or coating to ensure good electrical contact.
Step 4: Wire Battery Monitor Shunt Connection
Install the Victron BMV-712 battery monitor’s shunt in series with the negative battery cable between your lithium battery and the chassis ground, following Victron’s wiring diagram exactly. Mount the monitor display in an easily viewable location near your driver’s seat or galley, then connect the shunt communication cable according to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Step 5: Connect DC-DC Battery Charger Output
Wire the 40A DC-DC battery-to-battery charger’s positive output to your bus bar and its negative output to your chassis ground, ensuring both connections use appropriately sized fused circuits. Set the charger’s input to monitor your factory alternator voltage and configure it to charge your lithium bank only when the engine is running, preventing factory battery drain.
Step 6: Install Solar Panel and MPPT Controller
Mount the 200W flexible solar panel on your Travato’s roof using the manufacturer’s adhesive backing or mechanical fasteners, ensuring it’s oriented to maximize southern exposure. Wire the panel to your Victron SmartSolar MPPT charge controller using appropriate DC cable, then connect the controller’s output to your battery bus bar with proper fusing, and configure the controller via the Victron app for LiFePO4 chemistry.
Step 7: Test System Operation and Monitor Data
Reconnect your factory battery negative terminal and power on all monitoring systems, checking that the BMV-712 displays accurate voltage and current readings across all circuits. Drive your Travato in sunlight for 30 minutes to verify the DC-DC charger and solar MPPT are functioning properly, then monitor the Victron app remotely to confirm charging profiles and battery health metrics are nominal.
Recommended Parts
| Part | Link |
|---|---|
| 100Ah LiFePO4 drop-in lithium battery | View on Amazon |
| Victron SmartSolar MPPT charge controller | View on Amazon |
| Victron BMV-712 battery monitor | View on Amazon |
| 40A DC-DC battery-to-battery charger | View on Amazon |
| 200W flexible solar panel | View on Amazon |
| ANL fuse holder + 200A fuse | View on Amazon |
| 4/0 AWG welding cable (battery interconnect) | View on Amazon |
| Bus bar / power distribution terminal block | View on Amazon |