12v systems intermittent shutdown

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Nov 5, 2019
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Arkley, Barnet, UK
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Corinium Duo
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Corinium Duo 2017. All worked just fine until I had HPC and SemiAir fitted. Afterward, the GasIt LPG gauge lost its perm 12v supply and the below problem manifested.

Problem

On occasion, the 12v circuit will switch off entirely; there is a noticeable click from the oven/sink area, and everything goes off but the fridge lights on Gas. I cannot see anything that has "tripped". Switching the EC480 back on, it does so for about a second then it trips out. I can see briefly (as you can with EC480 "off") the various levels and disturbingly I can see the vehicle battery range up and down from 0v to 16v! Disconnecting the vehicle battery at the ignition makes no difference other than at some point it settles and correctly reads 0v from the vehicle battery.

It will do this consistently for ages until I physically turn off the EC500, wait a few mins, then turn it back on again. Then it might all be good again for hours or days even, but at some point, it switches off and we go round in circles again.

I've tried the above with EHU connected and not connected and I've tried it with just the 12v on, no pump or lights and get the same issue.

Solution?

I wonder if you good folks have seen this before? I'm tempted to think it's the charger unit because I can't see what else might trip out and couple that with the odd vehicle battery behavior. Of course, it could be something to do with how the wiring was done for the HPC and air compressor but I'm at a loss to explain what or where the 12v "trip" is...

Your thoughts in helping me troubleshoot are welcomed - thank you...

ETA: Some other threads I'm finding...

 
Sounds like they have messed up on the wiring the jacks & air should be wired to the starter battery so it shouldn't have any effect on the hab electrics.
 
Sounds like they have messed up on the wiring the jacks & air should be wired to the starter battery so it shouldn't have any effect on the hab electrics.
Agreed, that is what they say, but I've no way of being sure.

More research is pushing me toward the solar controller/charger as the culprit...
 
I had this with the EC480 and EC500 psu and it was the Solar Regulator overcharging and the Sargent system shutting down to protect itself. Does it do it at night?
 
I had this with the EC480 and EC500 psu and it was the Solar Regulator overcharging and the Sargent system shutting down to protect itself. Does it do it at night?
I'm not 100% sure but I think it's OK overnight. Which of course gives more credence to the solar regulator to blame...

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The solar reg is on the EC500, once the 4 screws are removed it pulls out easily enough, it has a few looms attached but they are long enough to get it out to see what you are doing. If my memory serves me right the wiring from the reg plugs into the EC500 PCB so easy to isolate it if it turns out to be the prob. I replaced mine with a Victron MPPT which is much better than the original Sargent one.
 
If it did turn out to be a goosed solar reg, what (Victron?) should I replace it with? I'll have a single 100W 12v panel installed soon, replacing the current 80W unit and I have 2 x 100AH lead-acid EFB leisure batteries. Could go lithium in the future so might consider a unit that would work with lithium.
 
Victron 75/15 would do fine for your needs.would just about allow you to keep both panels if you had the roof space and assuming other variables accounted for.
 
Victron 75/15 would do fine for your needs.would just about allow you to keep both panels if you had the roof space and assuming other variables accounted for.
Yep, thats the one I fitted(y)
 
Quick update/confirmation of issue. I'm currently at Lyndon Top (with bl**dy yapping dogs!) and the 12v won't stay on as described above.

I've found the solar controller cable at the back of the Sargent and disconnected it.

12v is working just fine now.

Anyone got a replacement or a Victron 75/15 going spare...?

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