Calira 38/20 230v/12v controller/20a charger not charging

[Wack]

This controller/charger isn't charging the battery as I found out on the 1st day of a 3 day trip, it looks like a bit of a nightmare to swap it for anything else so I have 3 options


1/ There's a guy that upgrades and repairs them , exchange £400, looks like he fits a fan to cool it better


2/ I could send mine off for an estimate the likely repair cost around £280 + post each way so £300 but not upgraded


3/ buy a multi stage charger, remove the 12v charging part from the calira and just leave it to control the 230v /12v as that bit works when the battery is charged, bearing in mind I have no idea how to fit a multi stage charger and would probably have to pay someone to do it option 1 is the most expensive but just undo the plugs, swap , good to go

 

[Vipar]

As I am the same as you. I know nothing about electrickery I would plum for option 1

 

[Itsmcb]

My original charger was only 12amp so I have recently fitted a Victron 30 amp smart charger.
Simple to install, mains plug plugs in somewhere convenient. Two cables out, one to each of the battery terminals.
I've just switched off my original charger so I have it as a backup

Simply Split Charge: Vehicle & Marine Electrics

Large range of campervan wiring kits, split charge systems, battery to battery DC-DC chargers, mains hook up, inverters, solar panels, auto & marian electrics

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[Wack]

My original charger was only 12amp so I have recently fitted a Victron 30 amp smart charger.
Simple to install, mains plug plugs in somewhere convenient. Two cables out, one to each of the battery terminals.
I've just switched off my original charger so I have it as a backup

Simply Split Charge: Vehicle & Marine Electrics

Large range of campervan wiring kits, split charge systems, battery to battery DC-DC chargers, mains hook up, inverters, solar panels, auto & marian electrics

simplysplitcharge.co.uk

View attachment 511786

I suppose before I shell out £400 for what is effectively a dumb charger from 2007 I should at least have a look at how the 230v connection is made , there's only one 230v socket in the van , high up above the cooker

 

[Itsmcb]

Well you have 230v at the existing charger control box as that's your 230 breaker on the left. Also the white cable on the far right looks like a 230 cable Probably very easy add another 13amp socket (or two) nearby
Edit: I'm referring to the photo in your post yesterday

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[Wack]

Thanks, might be easier than I thought then

 

[autorouter]

a dumb charger from 2007

From the squiggly diagram in your photo, I can see that the existing charger is a 3-stage intelligent charger. However as you imply, chargers have got better since 2007, and something like Itsmcb's suggestion is a lot better and cheaper. I have the 15A version in my MH.

 

[Wack]

My original charger was only 12amp so I have recently fitted a Victron 30 amp smart charger.
Simple to install, mains plug plugs in somewhere convenient. Two cables out, one to each of the battery terminals.
I've just switched off my original charger so I have it as a backup

Simply Split Charge: Vehicle & Marine Electrics

Large range of campervan wiring kits, split charge systems, battery to battery DC-DC chargers, mains hook up, inverters, solar panels, auto & marian electrics

simplysplitcharge.co.uk

View attachment 511786

Did you have to change any of the existing wiring to go from 12a to 30a , was what was already in there up to handling the extra power for the charger

 

[Itsmcb]

Did you have to change any of the existing wiring to go from 12a to 30a , was what was already in there up to handling the extra power for the charger

No wiring to change except to use heavy enough cables from the charger to the battery. Mine is very close as you can see so 10mm2 is fine, if your charger is further away you might need slightly heavier.

 

[Itsmcb]

Looking at your photo again you do seem to have an excess length of cable running from the battery, that blue one especially seems to loop around a lot

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[Wack]

I thought that when I opened the hatch , I wonder if it's had more than one battery connected in its lifetime

 

[Wack]

That was £5.21 well spent on a multimeter , it's looking like the battery has had it

Drove it 30 miles and it was at 16 volts , left it for a couple of hours with the halogen outside light on and it dropped to 10v and cut the power

Put the meter on it and plugged into the mains and the voltage is climbing so the charger must be working

 

[Itsmcb]

Nice one, a few quid save then

 

[autorouter]

That was £5.21 well spent on a multimeter , it's looking like the battery has had it

Drove it 30 miles and it was at 16 volts , left it for a couple of hours with the halogen outside light on and it dropped to 10v and cut the power

I think sadly you are right about the battery. However it takes several hours to recharge a flat battery. The voltage (16V) is not a good indication - it only indicates that the battery is being charged. The 'resting voltage' of a fully charged battery is about 12.8V. That's the voltage with no charger or load connected, after it has been left for several hours.

 

[cookie]

I had a calira and found that when i added another battery ,it couldn't cope with the extra power, ended up adding a 12v smart charger to the system.

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[Wack]

I've changed the battery for a new one but ctec has got the old one to 7 , I don't trust it though hence the new one