James Cook Forum

Greetings from the U.K. I’m about to try to convert my 2004 Cook to Lifepo4. First stage is to fit a BtB booster under the seat. What is the output of the alternator (316cdi auto)? Will 30A be enough for 2x 100ah lithium?
I would like to fit a Victron Orion 1212-30 booster but don’t think there will be enough room in the seat box. Does anyone know? Alternatively there is the smaller Votronic 1212-30 but that has mixed reviews for breakdowns. Does anyone have experience? Thanks

It will fit perfectly under the seat. The power of the alternator depends on the installed option. 90 A is standard. Just check your installation.

It’s not recommended to use more than 50 % of the alternator power.

Just try one 30 A charger and if you later think it’s not enough install another one. So than you have 60 A. The Victron charger is perfekt, because it has no fan.

Best regards
mito

Thanks Mito. I see from the photos that you have left the split charge relay in place between the Booster and the Bord batteries. Why is that as I assumed I would be replacing the relay with the booster? Also, is the yellow wire into the Victron a feed from the D+ cable into the relay? Finally, where did you earth the negative from the Victron. Your system though looks as if it is easy wiring, with no need to run any additional cables to the Bord. Thanks

Yes, the yellow one is for D+. I left the Relais so I can switch between the Booster and the Relais. Also the wiring is really easy, as you can see…