Victron Upgrade Series Part 1: Orion XS 50A DC-DC Charger Install

This upgrade will be completed in multiple phases. Over time, all, or at least most, of the coach battery system will be converted to Victron components, excluding the lithium batteries themselves. I am starting with the DC-DC charger. The wiring schematics remain the same. Check the SFK lithium battery installation on this link (click here).

The original 40-amp Renogy DC-DC charger has been replaced with a Victron Orion XS 50-amp DC-DC charger. For reference, you can view the original 40-amp Renogy DC-DC charger installation at this link (click here).

The DC-DC charger will remain in the same location, which required fabricating a new mounting system for the Orion. This time, the mount is designed in two pieces. The baseplate is secured to the firewall using three existing OEM bolt studs. A separate L-bracket holds the Orion and bolts to the baseplate, allowing for easy removal if needed.

DIY Spot Welder Using Two Microwave Power Transformers

⚠️ Important disclaimer (please read)

Disclaimer: This DIY involves very high-voltage transformers and wiring and could fatally electrocute you or someone else, start fires, or cause serious injury or property damage. This project is for entertainment/educational purposes only and does not endorse anyone attempting it. Do it at your own risk. If you are not experienced with mains electricity and transformer safety, stop now and buy a commercial spot welder or ask an experienced professional.

What this blog will (and won’t) do

What you’ll get here:

• A conceptual explanation of how to use two microwave power transformers (MOTs) to create a DIY spot welder.

• A general materials and tools list.

• Safety guidance and recommended protective measures.

• Alternatives that are much safer and often cheaper in the long run.

What I will not provide:

• Exact wiring diagrams or step-by-step instructions for modifying MOTs or wiring mains terminals in a way that could cause electrocution.

• Specific measurements, voltages, or instructions to bypass safety features on appliances.

• Anything that would knowingly enable unsafe modification of high-voltage equipment.

The working spot welder:

Starlink Mini DIY Battery Pack!

Take your Starlink Mini anywhere! This compact DIY battery pack keeps your Starlink online off-grid, perfect for RVs, camping, or emergency backup. Reliable, portable, and hassle-free… and best of all, you can build it for a fraction of the cost of commercial options!

If you’re not into the DIY option, Amazon sells various battery packs for the Starlink Mini. I’m not endorsing the product links below since I haven’t tried them, purchase with caution.

• LiFirst Starlink Mini Battery
• QUIDDITY Starlink Mini Battery Pack
• PeakDo LinkPower Power Bank Compatible with Starlink Mini
• E100 Starlink Mini Battery Pack with Charger
• Starlink Mini Mount, with Battery Pack 

On Sale! Flame King Refillable 1LB Empty Propane Cylinder Tank

 AMAZON DEAL FINDER!

Flame King Refillable 1LB Empty Propane Cylinder Tank On sale for $14.50 today, hurry this deals usually don't last long. I got same bottles 8 years ago for about $10 each. Regular price now is about $29/ tank.

You also need Flame King Propane Refill Fitting Adapter Valve for 1LB Camping Refillable Tank Cylinders.

Stand: Flame King Propane Refill Stand for 1LB Camping Refillable Tank Cylinders fits Standard 20Lb Propane Tanks

Refill Kit + 1-lb empty refillable tank: Flame King Refillable 1LB Empty Propane Cylinder Tank - with Refill Kit and CGA600 Connection

Mounting Starlink Mini on NCV3 Sprinter Dashboard

After brainstorming a variety of ways to mount the Starlink Mini on my Sprinter’s dashboard, I had two main goals: keep the dish securely in place during travel and make it easy to remove for repositioning—especially when the dashboard view is blocked by trees or other obstructions.

Finding the Right Spot

The dashboard top center cubby turned out to be the ideal mounting spot. However, it's partially covered by a front-facing plastic trim piece that must be removed to fit the Starlink dish. This piece is secured with screws hidden beneath the L-shaped vent trims, which requires first removing the radio surround to access. Be sure to disassemble the trim pieces in this order for proper removal.

Once cleared, the dish slotted in as if the space were made for it. It sits low and blends seamlessly with the dashboard, giving it a clean, factory-installed look—while also keeping a low profile to deter theft.

For step-by-step trim removal instructions, see this earlier post – click here.

Bathroom Vent Fan Caulk Replacement Turned Full Restoration

What started as a simple task of replacing the aging caulk around my RV's bathroom vent fan quickly turned into a much bigger project. I initially planned to remove the old caulk, reseal the edges, and call it a day. However, upon closer inspection, I discovered that the fan casing had rusted significantly. Rather than replacing the entire fan, I decided to restore and improve it by removing the rust and applying a durable powder-coated finish.

• If you choose to replace the bathroom fan, it is available on Amazon: VENTLINE/DEX VP543 6" 12V Powered Round Vent
• Butyl Tape for sealing fan into roof: Dicor BT-1834-1 Butyl Seal Tape - 1/8" x 3/4" x 30' 
• Polyurethane Sealant: Sika Sikaflex-221 White or Sikaflex 521 White (more UV resistant)

Time to Change Your Wiper Blades! (Costco Deal & Short Installation Guide)

It’s that time of year again—time to swap out your old wiper blades! Right now, Costco has Michelin Guardian wiper blades on sale for just $7.99 each. At this price, it’s hard to beat.

This is my first time using these blades, and so far, I’m impressed—they’re smooth, quiet, and don’t chatter or squeak. The only downside? The IKEA-style instructions are nearly impossible to decipher, and even an online search didn’t help.

So, I figured it out myself and put together a quick tutorial to save you the hassle. Apologies for the less-than-stellar cinematography—filming with one hand while installing with the other is no easy task!

Enjoy the video, and happy wiper swapping! You’re welcome.

The Ultimate Compact Camp Chair: My Go-To After 5 Years of Use

After almost five years of heavy use, I can finally say with confidence that this is the camp chair I wholeheartedly recommend. It might not be for everyone, but when it comes to compactness, portability, and ease of use, it has been my favorite chair.

Over the years, I’ve tested multiple camp chairs—some incredibly comfortable but bulky and difficult to store. If you own a camper or RV, you know that storage space is at a premium. The last thing you want is a chair that takes up half your available storage.

This chair solves that problem. I can set it up and store it away in seconds! Despite its small footprint, I find it just as comfortable as the larger, bulkier chairs I’ve owned. I personally have a pair of these Cliq chairs, and they come with their own portable storage bags, making them even easier to stow away.

Just to be clear—I have no affiliation with the company, nor am I being paid for this recommendation. I’m just genuinely impressed with this chair and wanted to share my experience.

If you’re interested, you can check it out here: Cliq Chair on Amazon.

Also, take a look at this quick video showing the chair’s setup and fold-away process: 

Maximize Space with a 3D-Printed Shampoo Bottle Holder for Your RT Agile Bathroom

RV Bathrooms are often tight on space, especially when it comes to storing essentials like shampoo bottles and other toiletries. In my Agile, there's an awkward, often wasted space next to the toilet bowl—an area that could be turned into a highly functional storage solution. Enter the 3D-printed shampoo bottle holder! In this post, I’ll show you how to use that space efficiently by creating your very own custom holder with a 3D printer.

Say Goodbye to Shin Injuries: Custom 3D Print Bumper Cover for Your Roadtrek Sprinter Swivel Seat Release Lever.

If you’ve got a Sprinter Roadtrek van, you know how great it is for road trips and adventures. But let’s be real: that metal swivel seat release lever can be a real pain—literally! Those sharp edges are notorious for catching shins and causing some pretty nasty bruises. Luckily, there’s an easy fix: a custom 3D printed bumper cover. Let’s dive into why this simple addition can make a world of difference!

The Dreaded Swivel Seat Release Lever

We’ve all been there. You’re hopping in or out of your van, and BAM! That metal lever gets you right on the shin. Ouch! It’s a common complaint among older Sprinter Roadtrek owners, and it’s especially concerning if you’ve got little ones or pets. The last thing you want is for someone to get hurt just trying to get comfy in the van.

Custom 3D-Printed Flip Cover for ScanGauge 3 Monitor

If you're like me, you love having all your vehicle’s critical information right at your fingertips. The ScanGauge 3 monitor is an incredible tool for monitoring everything from fuel efficiency to engine performance. But, as with any tech device, keeping it safe from accidental bumps, dust buildup, and potential theft is essential. 

Flip Screen Cover for ScanGauge III

While the ScanGauge 3 is durable, adding an extra layer of protection is always a smart move, especially if you're frequently on the road. Whether you're into RVing, off-roading, or daily commuting, your dashboard can be a busy space. A flip cover can protect the screen from scratches, sun glare, dust, and importantly- it helps deter theft.

Transitioning to LiFePO4 Batteries in my Campervan/ Class B RV: A Major Upgrade

After many years of reliable service, my AGM batteries have finally reached the end of their life. While they still work, their capacity has drastically decreased. So, I decided it was time for an upgrade and made the big leap to LiFePO4 (lithium iron phosphate) batteries. This was no small decision, as switching to lithium required significant rewiring of my RV. Lithium batteries can't withstand the extreme heat under the hood where the AGMs were located.

The biggest challenge was finding space for the new batteries, as there was technically no available room in the RV. I considered installing them in the generator’s spot but chose to keep the LP generator for emergency power, as I value redundancy. In the end, I opted to install the lithium batteries inside the RV to protect them from the elements and extreme temperatures.

Wiring Android Head Unit to Coach Batteries

To utilize the Android head unit without starting the engine or depleting the chassis battery (when used with the ignition set to ACC), I rewired the Android head unit to operate off the coach batteries. It's a great way to enjoy streaming media like YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, etc. when parked or relaxing at the campground using the upgraded Android head unit's larger screen. It's also an excellent way to get the navigation started to our destination before starting the engine. A dash switch is installed to toggle the power of the head unit between ignition only and always on. A simple wiring modification and the addition of an automotive relay are all that is required. This is how I did it.

Installing Dash Accessory Fuse Block Powered by Coach Battery

 

I generally draw power from the battery disconnect relay post, but this is inconvenient because it necessitates removing the driver seat every time I need to power something. Installing a fuse block powered by coach batteries under the dash is the simplest approach to future-proof any aftermarket additions.

Finding a suitable placement for the fuse block is not as simple as you might assume; there is barely enough space beneath the dash to put a good-sized fuse block. You could place one over the dash plastic trims, but that would look unprofessional.

ML-ACR and DC-to-DC Charger Transfer Relay with Time Delay Start

 

If you upgraded from Blue Sea ML-ACR to DC-to-DC charger and wants to keep the ACR functional, this is for you. I added a Renogy 40-Amp DC-to-DC charger (this post) and decided to keep the Blue Sea ML-ACR as a backup alternator charger for our coach batteries.  It will come in handy if the starter battery needs a boost from the coach batteries. When connected to shore power, it can also be used to charge the chassis battery. This mod will also work on battery separator system, although wiring for the separator will be different.

The changeover/transfer relay only activates one charger at a time, either the ACR or the DC-DC, turning them on at the same time could cause some issues down the road. I also added a time delay relay for the DC-to-DC charger D+ trigger so that it does not immediately turn on as soon as the engine is started. I added a 3-minute delay (user selectable) to allow the chassis voltage to stabilize before starting the DC-to-DC charger. Here's how I did it.

Replacing/ Upgrading Sprinter Door Speakers, and Dash Tweeters. Installing Sound Deadener on Cab Floor

Our factory door speakers broke, the rubber surround that holds the paper cone has disintegrated into pieces, causing the speakers to sound terrible. I used an eBay speaker adapter to replace it with a larger speaker. The factory speaker is proprietary and cannot be simply replaced with an aftermarket speaker without the use of an adapter or some modifications.

The new speakers have a much better dynamic range and a deeper bass response. I also replaced the tiny dash tweeters and was very pleased with the upgraded speakers. Here's how to change them.

DIY DC-to-DC Chassis Battery Trickle Charger (Trik-L-Start Alternative?)

You've probably heard that the Trik-L-Start DC-DC battery trickle charger has been discontinued, the only commercially available alternative is the Echo 15-Amp Charger by Xantrex. The Echo Charger is quite expensive at around $150 and only compatible with lead acid batteries.

I wanted to add a chassis battery trickle charger from my Solar Charge controller's auxiliary output but couldn't find an inexpensive low current DC-DC trickle charger for my application. The Trik-L-Start trickle charger would have been ideal, but they are no longer sold, necessitating the DIY approach. With the addition of a battery protection module to the circuit, it will mimic the Trik-L-Start trickle charger and can be adjusted to start/stop charging depending on the source voltage.

DIY Foldable Insulated Tent Bed for Mom's Fur Baby

Winter camping is here, and our pet dog (Nala) needs something to keep her warm during the cold nights spent in the RV. I decided to make her a bed that would fit between the two front seats. Because the cab gets quite cold at night, the bed can be moved into the galley and behind the curtain for extra warmth. A foldable insulated tent cover over the bed provides additional cold protection.

Sprinter Vital System Monitoring using ScanGauge III

My UltraGauge monitor lost many of its gauges after the MB Approved Emission Modification. I did like the UltraGauge when it was working, but UltraGauge support is almost nonexistent and there is no current firmware update to fix the issue, so...I jumped over to Linear Logic and got their new ScanGauge III.

NOTE: My 2011 Roadtrek Agile was built on a 2010 Freightliner Sprinter chassis with an OM642 3.0 L 6-cylinder engine. AEM (Approved Emission Modification) was performed at the MB dealership, and a new updated ECU was installed.

Macerator Emergency Extension Hose

 

I always keep a macerator hose extension on hand in case the sewer connection required extra reach. Although it is uncommon for campgrounds to place sewer connections far back from camp sites, I have seen it on occasions.

The Thetford Sanicon 21-ft Retracting Hose is ideal for extending the reach of your macerator hose; it is also available in a shorter 10-foot version. The 28-footer costs around $81 and the 10-footer costs around $38. I made my own extension using a Flexible PVC flat hose with a Polyester sleeve, similar to a fireman's hose, for a more compact and less expensive alternative.