B2B + MPPT units ?

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Hello, as in the title could those who know about such things please advise. I am/will be in the market for both of the above, but during research found a couple of combined units. The pro's would be the reduced cost, but is the con a reduced quality? Any other useful pro's and con's to consider.
Although a bit bigger than the individual units we do have room at the back of the EBL under the passengers seat, so should be quite easy to wire from there.

DCC50S 12V 50A DC-DC On-Board Battery Charger with MPPT(New Version)

Renogy DCC50S 12V 50A DC-DC On-Board Battery Charger with MPPT, featuring enhanced heat dissipation, 50V input capacity, versatile DIY connections, optimized charging logic, and smart monitoring via the DC Home app.

uk.renogy.com

CTEK D250SE Dual Input DC-DC Charger & MPPT Solar Controller

The CTEK D250SE is a dual input 20A DC-DC (battery-to-battery) charger & MPPT solar controller for Euro 5 & 6 vehicles. Suits lead-acid & Lithium batteries. From 12 Volt Planet

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

TIA.
Mike.

 

[Al n Val]

I’ve not had any experience of any other makes but Victron really are very good imo

Al

 

[Lenny HB]

Downside of combined units is all your eggs are in one basket.
I prefer seperate units so if ones fails you still have a means of charging.

 

[Al n Val]

Downside of combined units is all your eggs are in one basket.
I prefer seperate units so if ones fails you still have a means of charging.

100% agree Lenny

 

[BouncyBoatFolk]

Good point, a bit like the old multi media " Music centres"
Can a " smart MPPT " regulator be used on an un-smart system? There seems to be many smart units at a good price on Ebay,

Victron Energy 360W ORI241236140 DC Charger - Blue for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Victron Energy 360W ORI241236140 DC Charger - Blue at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

Mike.

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[Lenny HB]

Don't see why not main difference with the smart is they have Bluetooth built in so a bit easier to set up.

 

[Two on Tour]

Good point, a bit like the old multi media " Music centres"
Can a " smart MPPT " regulator be used on an un-smart system? There seems to be many smart units at a good price on Ebay,

Victron Energy 360W ORI241236140 DC Charger - Blue for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Victron Energy 360W ORI241236140 DC Charger - Blue at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

www.ebay.co.uk

Mike.

£2.50 cheaper on Amazon.

Amazon product ASIN B087CSRWDQ

 

[Revolvor]

These are some previous posts I've made on this subject - the first when I had just installed a CTEK D250SE, and the second after a few years experience. I've been very pleased with the CTEK D250, especially for its simplicity and no conflict between Solar and B2B.

However, as others have said, a combined unit has no redundancy - if it fails you lose B2B and Solar. Also it only charges at 20 Amps max.

Thread 'Solar Panel and CTEK D250S Dual Installation completed.' https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...tek-d250s-dual-installation-completed.134706/

Post in thread 'Alternative to the Ctek D250SE?' https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/alternative-to-the-ctek-d250se.248191/post-4669082

 

[paddymcc]

The Renogy unit is 50A max which is fixed at 25A solar and 25A from the alternator. Whilst the former isn't too bad 25A from the alternator is on the low side for charging lithium- they can take a much faster charge. A shame the units can't be programmed to take variable percentages from each source. So that adds to the critique of combined units. I went for separate Votronic units.

 

[autorouter]

These are some previous posts I've made on this subject - the first when I had just installed a CTEK D250SE, and the second after a few years experience. I've been very pleased with the CTEK D250, especially for its simplicity and no conflict between Solar and B2B.

However, as others have said, a combined unit has no redundancy - if it fails you lose B2B and Solar. Also it only charges at 20 Amps max.

Thread 'Solar Panel and CTEK D250S Dual Installation completed.' https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/foru...tek-d250s-dual-installation-completed.134706/

Post in thread 'Alternative to the Ctek D250SE?' https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/threads/alternative-to-the-ctek-d250se.248191/post-4669082

The 20A limitation can be overcome by adding a CTEK Smartpass 120, which will add up to 120A (ie up to 140A total)

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[Revolvor]

The 20A limitation can be overcome by adding a CTEK Smartpass 120, which will add up to 120A (ie up to 140A total)

Yes, I'd forgotten that. It also caters for battery banks of 800Ah. A bit more than most of us have.