Autotrail Solar Controller

[Loftyboy]

Hi All.

Can anybody tell me the name for factory fitted solar Controller on a 2019 Amala? Thinking of up grading to a more reliable one, possibly a smart one. Any suggestions would be welcome?

Thanks Lofty

 

[tonka]

Looks like one of these from Sargent.

10amp Solar Regulator | Shop | Sargent Electrical

They are often very helpful so try a call or email to ask for more info on it.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

Very likely to be the Standard, basic, Sargent PWM controller.

Very easy to swap out. My v-line had the same looking controller and the EC176 box of "tricks". Simple change over of the solar controller (no other wire changes) to the Victron MPPT 75/15 smart solar that gives you blu tooth info and settings on a smartphone app.

One panel that size Victron controller is fine. If you have ambitions to increased solar a larger capacity controller would be desired, and you'd then be upgrading wires between battery and controller.

 

[Loftyboy]

Thanks Kannon Fodder, I will have a look at the Victron you suggest. No plans to add additional solar, well not at this stage! Just looking for a more user friendly controller.

Cheers Lofty

 

[Lenny HB]

While upgrading the regulator I would upgrade the wiring as well. The cables are way undersized.

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[Loftyboy]

Thanks for all your advice.

After reading older autotrail solar issues on her. I have found out that the selector switch from the controller to select either vehicle or lesuire was wired the opposite way round. Seems to be working properly now, charging the vehicle battery. So much for autotrails quality control. Thought I was going mad. Never had a battery fail at 1.5 years old.

Think I will get the Victron anyway. Really like the functionality it offers to monitor solar condition and battery levels.

Thanks guys. Lofty

 

[autorouter]

At risk of stating the obvious here, but be careful with the polarity. This controller is wired +- + -, the Victron is wired + - - +.

The Victron SmartSolar controllers can send data via Bluetooth to a phone app. Also you can get a 'Smart Battery Sense' module that sticks on the side of the battery, with thin wires to positive and negative. It sends voltage and temperature readings to the SmartSolar controller via Bluetooth, for more accurate charging.

Smart Battery Sense - Victron Energy

Improve the charging-efficiency and prolong the life of your batteries with the Smart Battery Sense. Find a dealer near you.

www.victronenergy.com

 

[Tombola]

Ive got the same van and same year.
Installing the victron made hardly any difference to the amps getting to the battery due to the cable thickness.
I added thicker cables (though I do have 360w solar on the roof after I got rid of the exisiting).
I also moved the controller by routing new cables to under the seat where the battery goes.

That said, if you are not looking to get extra power, but just have a better interface then all good.

And yeah that switch LOL, madness.

another thing you may want to think about is that on board sargent charger in the EC176, gives 7 amps to the batteries at best