Power Queen 12V 300Ah upgrade for our RV

Key product being reviewed

• Power Queen 12V 300Ah upgrade battery for an RV/camper, replacing an older 12.8V 100Ah Power Queen battery.
• The review emphasizes installation and system integration more than formal battery performance testing.

Main features mentioned

• Voltage/capacity: 12V / 12.8V lithium, 300Ah (intended for longer off-grid runtime).
• App/Bluetooth behavior:
  • The reviewer expected to use the Power Queen app via QR code scanning.
  • However, this specific 300Ah unit has no QR code and no Bluetooth.
  • They also noted that Bluetooth may only be active until charging/active use, depending on the battery’s Bluetooth support.
• Safety: BMS includes overcurrent protection (as an additional safety layer).
• Monitoring via external equipment:
  • Plan to use a Victron Bluetooth MPPT for monitoring.
  • Consider adding a shunt if more detailed state-of-charge visibility is needed.

User experience / setup experience

App setup difficulties

• The reviewer’s attempt to connect the battery to the Power Queen app via QR code failed because:
  • The old 100Ah unit had a QR code
  • The 300Ah unit did not
• Outcome:
  • They stopped relying on the Power Queen app for monitoring.
  • They planned to rely on Victron monitoring and potentially a shunt.

Installation approach (tight RV compartment)

• The battery was installed in a tight RV compartment, described as head-scratching and physically cramped.
• Wiring/installation elements included:
  • MPPT controller
  • fuses
  • large gauge wiring
  • shrink-wrap insulating sleeves
• Solar system described:
  • 400W total solar (400W panels, approx. 41–42V)
  • Connected to an RV port
  • During a quick test, the battery was already near full, so charging power showed only ~130–140W (bulk charging was limited).

Practical performance expectation (not fully tested)

• Based on their prior 100Ah battery with a 2000W inverter, they estimated:
  • ~2–3 days, depending on usage (lights, charging, coffee/toaster, and larger loads).
• With 300Ah, they expect “awesome” performance and several days, but they note they have not provided definitive runtime results yet.

Pros

• Much higher capacity should significantly extend runtime (from 100Ah to 300Ah).
• Works well for the camper use case (their prior Power Queen 100Ah reportedly performed “really well”).
• Layered charging safety:
  • Battery BMS overcurrent protection
  • Additional protection through the inverter and fuse/breaker system
• Monitoring is still possible using:
  • Victron Bluetooth MPPT
  • Potentially a shunt for state-of-charge measurement

Cons / issues

• No Bluetooth / no QR code on this 300Ah unit:
  • The reviewer described this as “disappointing.”
  • It prevents direct monitoring through the Power Queen app.
• Complex installation in a cramped space, including difficult physical access and careful wiring/fusing decisions.
• Fuse sizing confusion / correction needed:
  • They ordered 250A fuses, but wanted 200A to better protect wiring and reduce risk of overheating/melt/fire scenarios.
• Solar charging effectiveness limited during the test because:
  • The battery was already mostly full
  • Conditions were overcast/stormy

Comparisons made

• Power Queen 100Ah vs Power Queen 300Ah
  • The 100Ah unit worked well and had the QR code/Bluetooth behavior used for app setup.
  • The 300Ah unit (in this reviewer’s case) does not include Bluetooth/QR, even though they expected it.
• Charging/usage expectation
  • With 100Ah + 2000W inverter: roughly ~2 days, possibly nearing a third day with conservative use.
  • With 300Ah: expected “several days,” but no conclusive performance test data is provided.

Unique points mentioned (distinct items)

1. Prior 100Ah Power Queen battery performed well in the RV.
2. Buying a small power station showed them how much more power they wanted for camping.
3. 100Ah setup with a 2000W inverter enabled 2+ days using common appliances (lights, charging, coffee maker, toaster).
4. Upgrade goal: 300Ah “just awesome” for longer camping.
5. App setup relied on QR code scanning; initial setup issues were worsened by camper Wi‑Fi/cell signal problems.
6. Battery app indicated Bluetooth is off until charged, but scanning still failed due to the missing QR.
7. The 300Ah battery had no QR code while the 100Ah had one.
8. Research suggested the 300Ah unit has no Bluetooth.
9. As a result, the reviewer stopped relying on the Power Queen app.
10. Plan: use an external battery monitor / Victron Bluetooth MPPT.
11. Victron MPPT should enable monitoring of charge in/out.
12. Consider adding a shunt if MPPT monitoring doesn’t provide state-of-charge.
13. Solar components: - 400W solar panels - MPPT controller - wiring, fuses, and bus bar/megal fuses
14. Quick solar test readings: ~130–140W, attributed to battery being near full + overcast weather.
15. Installation used heavy-gauge wiring and safe terminal practices (crimping, ferrules, shrink-wrap).
16. Connector guidance: - Avoid loose connections (risk of heat/arcing) - Use correct ferrule sizes/tools
17. Fuse protection logic: - Concern about 250A instead of desired 200A (wire could overheat before fuse trips).
18. Safety layers exist (BMS + inverter fuse/MPPT fuse + converter breaker), but adding correct fuses is still recommended (“better safe than sorry”).
19. Wiring layout details: - thick cables don’t bend easily - improper bending can create pinch/hot spots
20. Negative wiring concern: - multiple negative wires on one terminal is not ideal due to loosening/overheating risk
21. Old battery usage: about ~13 cycles over ~1.5 years.
22. Conclusion: expect several days, with a plan to do a more complete update on the next trip.

Ratings / numerical scores

• No formal review ratings (no star score or percentage score).
• Key numerical details provided:
  • 300Ah (upgrade target)
  • 12V / 12.8V system
  • 2000W inverter
  • Solar: 400W
  • Observed charge during test: ~130–140W
  • Estimated runtime with prior battery: ~2 days, possibly into a third day (usage dependent)
  • Fuse sizing: 250A vs desired 200A, plus 60A fuses for solar and converter
  • Old battery status: ~13 cycles in ~1.5 years

Concise verdict / recommendation

Recommended for RV off-grid expansion due to the expected major runtime improvement from 100Ah to 300Ah.

However, check Bluetooth/app support before buying—this unit reportedly has no Bluetooth/QR, so you’ll likely need external monitoring (Victron + possibly a shunt) for state-of-charge visibility. Installation is doable but wiring/fusing is complex and should be done carefully, especially in tight compartments.

Speaker contributions

• Single main narrator: covered expected app monitoring, discovery that the 300Ah lacks Bluetooth, installation process, safety/fuse wiring logic, and solar test observations.