B2B questions

[Jim Jackson]

Having just upgraded my leisure battery from a 110Ah lead acid battery to a 200Ah gel battery I am wanting to install a B2B charger to correctly charge the battery whilst driving.
Currently it is through a CBE setup, PC200/DS300 unit with a CB516 240V charger and a separate 20 amp MTTP solar charger with 200watts of solar panels.
The 240v charger is OK as has a gel setting that matches the battery recommendations.
Would a combined B2B/MTTP be the way to go or keep my existing solar charger and buy a B2B only unit?. Also what are your recommendations please. Jim

 

[Tombola]

What MPPT do you have now, is it Victron smart and bluetooth, if so then go seperate b2b with Victron and keep it in the family.
I dont like combined gear, if one thing goes then both can be gone.
If you keep em seperate if one fails you still have another option to charge with.

 

[Googlebot]

Get a separate one, Victron stuff is generally excellent. I however prefer the Votronic B2B.

 

[Bobby-gg]

Get a separate one, Victron stuff is generally excellent. I however prefer the Votronic B2B.

Yes, I like victron stuff too, but just fitted a Votronic 45A isolated B2B

Ecotree 110A lithium & B2B install 2008 ih Fiat PVC

Guys, I was another lucky recipient of the half price offer Ecotree lithium battery deal and, as I'd been preparing my vehicle over the last few year's to make the jump to lithium it couldn't of been timed any better. As a bit of background, we bought our van in summer 2019 and found out...

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[Jim Jackson]

What MPPT do you have now, is it Victron smart and bluetooth, if so then go seperate b2b with Victron and keep it in the family.
I dont like combined gear, if one thing goes then both can be gone.
If you keep em seperate if one fails you still have another option to charge with.

It's a Epever solar charger. I have looked at the Victron chargers. Is the Bluetooth app OK?. It gets poor reviews on Google play.

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[Tombola]

It's a Epever solar charger. I have looked at the Victron chargers. Is the Bluetooth app OK?. It gets poor reviews on Google play

Ive had the bluetooth app on the past 3 vans been fine. But now I have lithium with its own BMS and app, I rarely look at the victron stuff, as I can see whats going in the battery and whats coming out via that.

 

[gerry mcg]

I have victron charger, MPPT, shunt etc but also have gone for a votronic vcc1212-50 B2B

 

[Jim Jackson]

Thanks for your replies. Both look great products. The voltronic 1212-30 B2B may be my choice. Jim

 

[stevewagner]

Whichever B2B you choose you will need to snip the R37 resistor to disable the alternator charge relay.

 

[Steve and Denise]

Whichever B2B you choose you will need to snip the R37 resistor to disable the alternator charge relay.

I used a B2B and chose to use a 70amp relay instead of removing r37 so I could return back to std

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[Pausim]

I used a B2B and chose to use a 70amp relay instead of removing r37 so I could return back to std

Me too.

 

[Jim Jackson]

Whichever B2B you choose you will need to snip the R37 resistor to disable the alternator charge relay.

I have been reading on other threads regarding this or to use a relay instead

 

[Tombola]

I used a B2B and chose to use a 70amp relay instead of removing r37 so I could return back to std

interesting .
how do we do this chaps Pausim Steve and Denise
this new van of mine has CBE , and it throws up to 40amps into the batteries but Im worried about the alternator so was ging to fit a b2b.

 

[Steve and Denise]

I am not saying I am right but this worked for me, 40amps is ok from your alternator,
Your main feed from your Cbe unit assuming DS type, I just cut in put my B2B 30amp Victron then bridge the terminals with a N/C 70amp relay with a D+ signal to both works a treat and limits the draw to 30amps on the alternator, my std charge cable to the CBE is 16sq mm so good for 50amps according to Carthago spec, so could probably increase to 50amp B2B with no problem.

 

[Pausim]

interesting .
how do we do this chaps Pausim Steve and Denise
this new van of mine has CBE , and it throws up to 40amps into the batteries but Im worried about the alternator so was ging to fit a b2b.

I intercepted the engine battery connection at the CBE DS box and fed it through a normally closed relay, this leaves everything working normally except when the engine is running. The relay is triggered by the d+ signal which means it opens and separates the engine battery from the DS when the engine is running.

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[stevewagner]

I have been reading on other threads regarding this or to use a relay instead

I assume you mean on the battery lead to cut the feed once the engine is running

 

[Tombola]

my std charge cable to the CBE is 16sq mm

and mine, Im imprressed with the wiring in this can compared to the autotrail cotton before,

 

[Steve and Denise]

and mine, Im imprressed with the wiring in this can compared to the autotrail cotton before,

Yes but then again they are twice the price so should be better built.

 

[the1andonly]

interesting .
how do we do this chaps Pausim Steve and Denise
this new van of mine has CBE , and it throws up to 40amps into the batteries but Im worried about the alternator so was ging to fit a b2b.

My rapido has cbe equipment and i cut r37 when fitting my votronic b2b. Works perfectly.

 

[Jim Jackson]

Votronic 30amp B2B arrived today. Having seen a Sterling B2B I can't believe how small it is.

I plan to do the standard install and cut the R37 resistor for simplicity. May add a smart shunt at a later date
Thanks for your helpful comments
Jim

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