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