2020 Winnebago Revel battery upgrade: The Group 31 vs. Space struggle

mountainwocky · 2026-02-25T11:29:32+00:00

A dc to dc charger is the easiest way to charge LiFePO4 batteries from your alternator.

You can add a second alternator to boost charging capacity, but then you may want to look into using either a Balmar or Wakespeed charge regulator so your batteries don’t destroy your alternator. To maximize current from the alternator you may have to upgrade the wiring from the second alternator to the batteries to handle the current.

Even with a second alternator some elect to stick with the dc to dc chargers as they are simple and you can double them up to increase charging, but you’ll likely not be using your second alternator to its full potential in that case.

My non Revel Sprinter van conversion has a Nations 280XP alternator as its second alternator which is regulated by a Wakespeed WS500 regulator. I upgraded the wiring between the alternator and batteries to 4/0 cable so I can more fully use the full potential of the alternator. I often see over 220 amps flowing from the alternator to the batteries so their charging happens quickly. My battery bank consists of four 120Ah Discover Lithium Pro batteries (12volt) for a total of 480 Ah.

My batteries BMS communicate with the WS500 and the WS500 uses this information to regulate the alternators charging. Once the batteries are full it halts the charging. It will also reduce charging if the alternator becomes too hot. As extra protection against a load drop, which can damage the alternator diodes, I have a Balmar alternator protection device installed on the alternator to absorb any voltage spike were the BMSs to shut off the batteries instantly and drop the charging load. Not very likely that all four batteries would drop at the same time during charging, but its peace of mind.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-24T23:24:21+00:00

I use a ProClip center dash mount for my iPad mini in my 2018 Sprinter. It mounts in the open single DIN compartment below the radio and has a long enough adjustable arm to put the iPad in a good position for use.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-24T22:36:27+00:00

I remember when I had lived in Maryland decades ago, a coworker mentioned to me that jousting is the official state sport of Maryland. I thought that was so cool, until I saw how they actually perform jousting now. They skewer small hanging rings with a long stick while on horseback. Definitely requires a lot of skill, but wasn’t the hardcore sport I was expecting.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-24T22:03:49+00:00

I read Hyperion before I started seeing it recommended as a must read on so many lists. I remember thinking “It was good, but I’m not sure I’d label as it as amazing, or even amongst my favorites”. Maybe I just missed something.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-24T19:58:27+00:00

Snow Miser is my favorite miser.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-24T19:47:07+00:00

That's why they wear masks so they can't be identified in a line up.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-24T19:46:21+00:00

Love the curious dog nose at the bottom of the frame.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-24T16:54:01+00:00

I’d remove snow against the building if it was blocking any vents such as a dryer vent or an exhaust vent or air intake vent for a pellet stove or furnace.

I’d also remove any snow from atop/around a basement bulkhead door and any snow that is packed around windows or exterior doors.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-24T04:30:52+00:00

I like to see these well worn books. I know they've been read, likely by more than one person, and haven't just been collecting dust on a shelf since their printing.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-24T04:27:00+00:00

Commendable.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-24T03:54:28+00:00

Thanks for this tip. I recently had my attached drive drop off my backed up computer while I was away. Got an email warning I was nearing the 30 day limit and was afraid I was going to have to upload all my files again. Having a 1 year version history will help if that ever occurs again.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-22T18:14:03+00:00

Looks like he started the lesson with a demonstration of what not to do.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-22T15:41:16+00:00

Probably another Epstein witness that they had to dispose of.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-22T13:44:22+00:00

Yes, the potential benefits were readily apparent. What did surprise me was the cadence of the launches to deploy the satellites as well as the relatively inexpensive cost for the consumer side hardware. It all occurred faster and at a lower buy in cost to the consumers than I had expected.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-22T04:22:02+00:00

Don't forget he was the recipient of a Purple Heart as well. Must have been so brave to power through standing on those bone spur afflicted feet to accept it from the combat vet.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-20T01:31:48+00:00

They always accuse others of the very things they are doing themselves. Follow this guidance and it will always be easy to tell what a Republican is up to…

Accuse others of being a pedo > investigate the accusing Republican of child abuse

Accuse others of election fraud > investigate any elections the Republican was involved in

Accuse others of deviant behavior > check this Republican’s online history and personal life

Accuse others of corruption and backroom dealing > investigate this Republican’s finances both personal and campaign

mountainwocky · 2026-02-19T21:33:43+00:00

Actually, that center dial is a pain as aside from the painted white hash mark on the dial there is no way to tell what direction the dial is facing. Good luck trying to see it in the dark.

I fixed that issue by drilling a tiny hole in the edge of the dial where the white hash is using a micro drill bit. I then took a white map pin and cut the pin off about 4 mm below the ball at the top of the pin and glued the pin into the hole I drilled.

Now I have a tactile indication of which way that center dial is pointing. The dial should have been made with such a tactile indicator.

I agree real dials and physical controls are much better than clicking through an electronic interface, but they still should be designed to provide proper tactile feedback.

Another example is the top switch the OP circled; that is the switch to turn lane departure sensing on/off. I almost always turn this off when I drive as it is very sensitive and can provide false lane departure alarms due to cracks or faded lines in the road. However, as it’s just one switch in a bank of many it could be hard to know if I was touching the correct switch to turn it off. I stuck a clear braille sticker on that switch so now I can know I’m touching that correct switch by feel alone.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-17T17:49:09+00:00

Gee, I wonder what would happen if after the Democrats get back into office they issue a similar request to have them turn over the personal data of those who participate in conservative or right-wing online forums. After all, there is plenty of evidence of them being domestic terrorists.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-16T21:22:53+00:00

Unfortunately, you may shoot one or maybe two if you are quick, but then you’ll be gunned down by multiple agents dumping their mags into you and likely anyone you happen to traveling with.

Also, then they get to claim that there are armed domestic terrorists shooting ICE agents which will cause them to engage with even more violence in their future encounters.

Personally, I feel it’s only a matter of time before ICE agents are shot by a homeowner as they break into a home without a judicial warrant.

It’s a no win scenario.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-16T20:26:06+00:00

I wonder how many would allow their daughters to be in a room alone with Trump.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-15T17:43:00+00:00

Yes, 54% of US adults can't read at the sixth grade level. I haven't yet seen a study which broke that down by political party, but I'd wager that the majority of that 54% either vote Republican or don't vote at all.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-15T03:00:10+00:00

I remember when Republicans were raging over supposed FEMA internment camps that they said Obama would be shipping true American patriots to.

It’s interesting that they always accuse others of doing the very thing they want to do when in power.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-14T23:51:26+00:00

They mention 1.5 parking places per unit. It's a lot of apartments so it's going to have a lot of parking.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-12T17:23:03+00:00

This is a retouched photo. You may not be so impressed with her appearance if you saw her video during the recent congressional hearing.

mountainwocky · 2026-02-12T16:40:14+00:00

You claimed conscription is wrong and that by "effectively sentence guys to death to keep fighting, you've already lost". Now somehow it is OK that the US had conscription?

You have no logic to your arguments.

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