Chinook Bayside – 12V Lithium Battery Bank & Solar Upgrade

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Complete repair guide for the Chinook Bayside – 12V Lithium Battery Bank & Solar Upgrade. Follow these steps to diagnose and fix the issue yourself.

Parts & Tools You’ll Need

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Step-by-Step Repair Guide

Step 1: Diagnose Electrical System Capacity

Begin by testing your current 12V system with a multimeter to record baseline voltage, amperage draw, and overall system condition. Document any existing battery type, age, and capacity to understand why an upgrade is necessary, then visually inspect all wiring for corrosion, damage, or improper gauging that could affect the new lithium installation.

Step 2: Disconnect Battery And Ground

Turn off all electrical loads in your Chinook Bayside, then disconnect the negative terminal of your existing battery first, followed by the positive terminal to prevent accidental short circuits. Allow several minutes for residual charge to dissipate from the system before proceeding with any component removal.

Step 3: Install LiFePO4 Battery Securely

Position your 100Ah LiFePO4 battery in the original battery location, ensuring it sits level and secure within an appropriately sized battery box or mounting tray. Verify that the battery’s built-in battery management system (BMS) is accessible and that cable routing will not expose connections to moisture or heat sources.

Step 4: Connect ANL Fuse And Cable

Run 4/0 AWG welding cable from the positive terminal of the LiFePO4 battery to an ANL fuse holder mounted within 18 inches of the battery, then install a 200A ANL fuse. Connect the opposite end of this cable to your main bus bar, ensuring all connections are clean, tight, and properly torqued to prevent voltage drop.

Step 5: Wire Battery Monitor And Charger

Install the Victron BMV-712 battery monitor by connecting its shunt across the main negative bus bar according to manufacturer wiring diagrams, then run the three-wire communication cable to your desired display location. Connect your 40A DC-DC battery-to-battery charger between the alternator circuit and the LiFePO4 battery, using appropriately sized fusing and relays as specified in the charger’s installation guide.

Step 6: Mount Solar Panel And Controller

Secure your 200W flexible solar panel to the roof of your Chinook Bayside using marine-grade adhesive and mechanical fasteners, routing the panel’s leads down through the interior via conduit or cable trays. Mount the Victron SmartSolar MPPT charge controller in a well-ventilated location away from direct heat, then connect the solar panel leads to the controller’s PV input terminals and the battery bank to the controller’s battery terminals using appropriate gauge wire.

Step 7: Test System Function And Integration

Reconnect the main battery negative terminal, then power on each component individually—checking the BMV-712 display for proper voltage and amperage readings, verifying the DC-DC charger engages during engine operation, and confirming the MPPT controller detects solar input. Run a full-day test cycle including solar charging, accessory load operation, and alternator charging to ensure all components communicate correctly and the system safely manages power flow throughout your van.

Recommended Parts

PartLink
100Ah LiFePO4 drop-in lithium batteryView on Amazon
Victron SmartSolar MPPT charge controllerView on Amazon
Victron BMV-712 battery monitorView on Amazon
40A DC-DC battery-to-battery chargerView on Amazon
200W flexible solar panelView on Amazon
ANL fuse holder + 200A fuseView on Amazon
4/0 AWG welding cable (battery interconnect)View on Amazon
Bus bar / power distribution terminal blockView on Amazon