Regulator (1 Viewer)

[Hils and Glenns]

Our van Hymer B524 has obviously had a solar panel on before but probably removed by the previous owner. We are looking to fit a 130w panel. All the wiring is still there and there is a Schaudt LRS 1214 regulator fitted. My question is do we need to fit a new regulator or will that one be ok? A bit of investigation on line says we should use and LRM 1218 but I'm not sure why. Any help and advice appreciated.
We are on our way to Cirencester today so I might not be able to respond until this evening.

 

[JeanLuc]

I think the older LR1214 regulator will handle a 130 watt panel but if you want confirmation, email Udo Lang and he will tell you. Udo.Lang@schaudt-gmbh.de
The LR1214 and current LR1218 models are PWM regulators (I have a LR1218 with a 135W panel and it works very well); the most recent LRM1218 is a MPPT model but it is about £130 if I remember correctly.

 

[Geo]

Does't answer your question but until someone does
For simplicity, reliability and to avoid damage to sensitive equipment
I would fit a stand alone regulator and go straight to my batteries, its virtually bomb proof and you will know exactly when and what it doing and you will know what wires are doing what and what size they are
a good few of the built in regulators have very low watts limits because of wire sizes already installed at a time when 50 watts was a lot, sometimes a 100 watts will be the maximum, if you do use the vehicles systems be sure of your facts

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[autorouter]

There are two types of solar regulator. The LRS is the old type (PWM), which regulates the panel voltage in a simple way, to avoid overcharging, reverse flow etc.

The LRM is the newer type (MPPT), and has more electronics inside it, extracting maximum power by presenting the solar panel with an optimised load for all conditions, then transferring the output to the batteries intelligently. If you were buying new, then MPPT is the way to go. It makes a difference in cloudy/low light conditions, but is much the same in bright sunlight.

If you already have a PWM controller, many people think it's cheaper to buy a larger/extra solar panel than change the controller. Also depends whether you're nearer Manchester or Malaga.

Both Schaudt controllers, LRS1214 and LRM1218, have extra connections to communicate with your control panel and trickle charge the starter battery, so everything works together. Other controllers would probably not have this advantage, but would otherwise work perfectly well.

So, to answer your question, the LRS1214 will be fine, unless you really need that extra bit of power in cloudy conditions.

 

[autorouter]

LRS 1214: LR = Laderegler = charge controller. S = solar. 1214 = 12 volts 14 amps.

For a 130 watt panel it will be fine, unless you are camping at the equator on Mercury.

 

[Hils and Glenns]

Thanks for all your explanations. I think I understand it now I thought it might be ok but I will email Udo just to be sure before doing anything else. I should have said we have the EBL101 Electrobloc and two leisure batteries. I don't know if that makes any difference. We will probably go for buying the new LRM1218 eventually to be sure but the cheapest I can find is £164 plus postage.

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[JeanLuc]

Ask Udo if you can buy directly from Schaudt. I'm not sure if they sell complete units to the public but I have bought components from them in the past. They are very competitively priced for repairs even allowing for postage. You can pay them via PayPal.
If no luck with Schaudt, ask Dave Newell (trade funster) as he has fitted Schaudt solar regulators for people before.

 

[mickymouse]

My regulator went and my van is fitted with a EBL101 and I purchased a LR1218 from Brownhills which came with al the wiring looms and plugs and cost me 78 pounds and that included postage to Spain

 

[Hils and Glenns]

Thanks again everyone for your input. We have been away and just got back, so I have emailed Udo for advice. I'll let you know how we go on. Just want to get it sorted as soon as possible now.

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[Lenny HB]

Only problem with the LR 1214 & LR1218 is once they reach 14.2 volts they just hold it at 14.2 I'm sure that is what contributed to the failure of my AGM batteries, if you have Gel batteries they can stand it. Also they are OK with the more sophisticated Elektroblocks that control the charging rate from the solar, the EBL 29, 99 & 101 are just a straight through connection.