Chinook RV

What have forum members used to replace an inoperative Sure Power LVD 135001?
Thanks
Larry

I don't think that one is made anymore. However, that said, you might want to see if a more "modern" approach might suit your use case (or not).

The reason I say that is that by the time batteries are at the point where that stock LVD cuts them off.... well, it would be like having something that shut off your engine ten feet before you ran out of gas (gee, thanks ) vs. a modern gas gauge where you can check the status all along the way.

There ARE modern LVD's you could use, such as the Blue Sea 7635. If I wanted an LVD, I'd likely choose this one. The default cutoff setting is 12.1 volts (I think the original Surepower was down in the "11's" wasn't it?). 12.1 volts isn't ideal, but also isn't tragic to your batteries. You can set it lower as well.

I think of an LVD (nowadays) as something you are (typically) going to use if you aren't going to be watching your system, and/or you know the system is undersized for your uses. Common applications would be, say, emergency response vehicles that may have a number of drivers who don't "own" the system but just hop in the seat and run to an emergency. Then they are busy doing emergency things. Or a small fishing boat with only one battery, and if that battery gets run down at the ol' fishing hole, you won't be starting your motor to get home

Nothing wrong with having one, but also perhaps not needed if the system is sized for one's uses, has a modern meter (gauge), has only one or two "owners" who know how things are going and keeps an eye on them, plus has more than one power source (house and start bank).

Okay, now looking back on that I hope I didn't come across as too harsh on LVD's. It's just that nowadays with battery meters and better charging systems (solar, etc.), I would lean toward sizing the system to not need a "you've just run me down to rock bottom, bye!" type component.

But okay, let's say that you still want one -- or maybe your use case means it makes sense (you only go off the power post once in a blue moon, so you'd rather just have a cut-off such as an LVD than bother with a more robust system). Despite what I said above, I could see that. Then I'd get the Blue Sea one most likely. You would need a bus bar or etc. for collecting the small wires that "roundhouse" on the stock LVD. I'd have to remind myself with a look at a schematic if they rely on anything inside the LVD, or if it's just used as a fancy bus bar for those. My new system pretty much eliminated those is why I don't particularly remember. But I do have a photograph of each labeled wire from before I removed it.

(I sent my original LVD to another Chinooker, so you could always see if someone else here has removed theirs.)

Thanks for the reply. The Sure Power LVD 135001 also functions as a battery disconnect relay. The Blue Seas 7635 does not have that function, except on a temporary basis. To have all the functions of the 135001, some type of battery disconnect relay or solenoid would have to also be used. The instructions for the 7635 show an example of that setup. When my Sure Power 135001 becomes inoperative, I plan on using a battery disconnect relay only and not use a LVD. I was just wondering if someone had found or used another LVD that had all the functions of the 135001.

Sounds like you know your way around the situation. On the battery disconnect, you mean the "store" position, right? I remember now, that's one of the functions of the LVD "small wire roundhouse."

A simple battery switch would do the "store" job, or a "remote" switch if you don't want to have to reach said battery switch (which needs to be close to the battery). Naturally both available from Blue Sea (I should really own stock ).

Anyway, those don't exactly answer your question. And to bring it back to that after my tangent: Does anyone know of a currently available LVD that functions just like the original?

Yes, the "store" position. The Glacier has a fairly robust system from the factory. Three group 31 batteries, 2000 watt inverter/charger, 50 watt solar panel, Sure Power 1315 battery separator. They can all be improved on. But for the way we use the coach they are more than adequate.

If only I'd had two, I could be sending you one

As you point out, the "best" system is one that matches your usage type.

How many amp is the 135001 rated for? 50A? I still see a smaller version available, the 130512, and it is rated for 20A. I guess you can use a solenoid to take care of the current if 20A is not enough. I did not really look into the 130512 for all the other compatibility like wiring and specs, so if anyone want some home work, here is a link to the manual.

Blue, I read that the 135001 has adjustable disconnect voltage, so i think you can adjust it to cut off at 12.1 V, for example.

I should have looked that up - thanks for correcting that.

Blue~Go wrote: November 15th, 2018, 10:51 pm I should have looked that up - thanks for correcting that.

I tried for more than a year, and this is the first time I succeed in adding to what you said! I had better luck with most of my professors back in the undergrad days.