Elektroblock and Solar (1 Viewer)

[3crispies]

Looking at adding a solar panel set up to the power supply unit in motorhome, may fit suitcase type set up with regulator for 12 months budget and use depending. Will our set up automatically switch to starter battery as struggling to find information I know we have starter on hook up, both on mobile operation charge but need to sort asap as starter battery was at 12.1v earlier in storage yard before we took for a run.......

 

[Lenny HB]

Need to know what EBL you have

 

[3crispies]

Apologies see ours.

 

[autorouter]

The first answer is no, the solar input will not automatically trickle-charge the starter battery like the hookup does. There are a number of possible workarounds, depending on how automatic you want it.

That 3-way connector goes to the leisure battery positive (Pin3) and the common negative (Pin1). On the EBL 252 the starter battery is connected to Pin2, the centre pin. So one possibility is a simple switch that flips the solar controller output between Pin3 and Pin2, and you can decide for yourself which battery needs charging the most.

There are other possibilities. For example a Votronic Duo solar controller has two outputs, and can trickle-charge a starter battery at the same time as sending the main charge to the leisure battery. This can connect to pins 1, 2 and 3 of the 3-way connector.

Alternatively you could fit a battery maintainer to directly trickle-charge the starter battery from the leisure battery whenever the leisure battery is being charged. There are various brands, including the BatteryMaster which is reliable and popular. The connections required are pins 1, 2 and 3, so very convenient.

 

[3crispies]

Thanks for detailed reply and have seen battery master. https://simplysplitcharge.co.uk/ima...ttery Charger/StandBy-Charger-12v-600x600.jpg

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[autorouter]

Thanks for detailed reply and have seen battery master. https://simplysplitcharge.co.uk/ima...ttery Charger/StandBy-Charger-12v-600x600.jpg

Yes that's one of the brands of battery maintainer. The actual VanBitz BatteryMaster is this one:

The Vanbitz Battery Master

No More Flat Engine Batteries The Battery Master keeps your engine starter battery topped up by linking it to the leisure battery. This automatic one-way action passes a small trickle charge to the engine battery whenever its voltage becomes less...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[3crispies]

The first answer is no, the solar input will not automatically trickle-charge the starter battery like the hookup does. There are a number of possible workarounds, depending on how automatic you want it.

That 3-way connector goes to the leisure battery positive (Pin3) and the common negative (Pin1). On the EBL 252 the starter battery is connected to Pin2, the centre pin. So one possibility is a simple switch that flips the solar controller output between Pin3 and Pin2, and you can decide for yourself which battery needs charging the most.

There are other possibilities. For example a Votronic Duo solar controller has two outputs, and can trickle-charge a starter battery at the same time as sending the main charge to the leisure battery. This can connect to pins 1, 2 and 3 of the 3-way connector.

Alternatively you could fit a battery maintainer to directly trickle-charge the starter battery from the leisure battery whenever the leisure battery is being charged. There are various brands, including the BatteryMaster which is reliable and popular. The connections required are pins 1, 2 and 3, so very convenient.

sorry autorouter can you explain which 3 way connector as been down to MH to come up with a plan. did you mean block 5 the one for aux batt which is spare and then work out route for extra cable to each via fuse.

 

[GeoffnDee]

I think autorouter may be suggesting Block 2 ( item 6 a 3 x pin socket on your original diagram )for your solar connections

 

[autorouter]

I think @autorouter may be suggesting Block 2 ( item 6 a 3 x pin socket on your original diagram )for your solar connections

Yes that's the one, it is Block 2 as GeoffnDee says, not Block 5. It's a 3 pin MNL (Mate'N'Lok) connector, available from automotive electrics suppliers. They come with separate pins that crimp onto the wires with standard NON-insulated crimping pliers. The pins have a couple of barbs that lock the pin into the shell when it is pushed in.

The position of Pin1 is labelled. Pin1 is negative, Pin3 is leisure battery positive, Pin2 is starter battery positive. It needs a fuse in the 'Solar ' slot to enable the leisure battery connection - in your picture there's already a fuse in the slot. No fuse needed for the starter battery connection. Best to double-check all this with a multimeter, or course. Note that the 3-way connector is polarised, so it only fits in one way - check the slot is the correct one for the pin before you push it in.

Mate N Lok Universal Connector Pair - 3 Way

3 way Mate N Lok connectors for 0.5-2.0mm² cable provide secure and robust multiple connections. Supplied as a pair of male/female housings with all terminals.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

 

[3crispies]

Yes that's the one, it is Block 2 as GeoffnDee says, not Block 5. It's a 3 pin MNL (Mate'N'Lok) connector, available from automotive electrics suppliers. They come with separate pins that crimp onto the wires with standard NON-insulated crimping pliers. The pins have a couple of barbs that lock the pin into the shell when it is pushed in.

The position of Pin1 is labelled. Pin1 is negative, Pin3 is leisure battery positive, Pin2 is starter battery positive. It needs a fuse in the 'Solar ' slot to enable the leisure battery connection - in your picture there's already a fuse in the slot. No fuse needed for the starter battery connection. Best to double-check all this with a multimeter, or course. Note that the 3-way connector is polarised, so it only fits in one way - check the slot is the correct one for the pin before you push it in.

Mate N Lok Universal Connector Pair - 3 Way

3 way Mate N Lok connectors for 0.5-2.0mm² cable provide secure and robust multiple connections. Supplied as a pair of male/female housings with all terminals.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

thanks again and connector ordered.

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[3crispies]

Have the actual plug now, can we plug a foldable solar into block 2 (solar regulator) via anderson powerpole plugs or do we need a regulator as well. Then if this works can fit a vanbitz battery maintainer as well or are there any other brands that will trickle off leisure to starter battery as I believe all dont.
https://www.hampshiregenerators.co....panels/excel-power-100w-portable-solar-panel/
the reason for this is we use have had dealing with this company before.
Many thanks.

 

[autorouter]

Have the actual plug now, can we plug a foldable solar into block 2 (solar regulator) via anderson powerpole plugs or do we need a regulator as well.

The Block 2 connection is straight wiring to the leisure battery, no inbuilt regulator, so anything bigger than 10W or 20W will need a regulator

 

[3crispies]

The Block 2 connection is straight wiring to the leisure battery, no inbuilt regulator, so anything bigger than 10W or 20W will need a regulator

Thanks much appreciated, is there a better option than something like this as it part future proofs so we can have a 200w panel on the roof in the future.

Victron Bluesolar MPPT 75/15

Victron Bluesolar MPPT 75/15 A solar charger gathers energy from your solar panels, and stores it in your batteries. recommended for use the Victron BlueSolar MPPT 75/15 with solar panels up to 220w (12v) and 440w (24v)

www.sunstore.co.uk

 

[autorouter]

Thanks much appreciated, is there a better option than something like this as it part future proofs so we can have a 200w panel on the roof in the future.

Victron Bluesolar MPPT 75/15

Victron Bluesolar MPPT 75/15 A solar charger gathers energy from your solar panels, and stores it in your batteries. recommended for use the Victron BlueSolar MPPT 75/15 with solar panels up to 220w (12v) and 440w (24v)

www.sunstore.co.uk

That's a very good option, just one thing is that this BlueSolar version doesn't have Bluetooth capability, the SmartSolar version does, so you can see the settings on a phone app, and change the settings easily. Also plays nicely with any other Victron kit if you have it, or intend to fit it in the future. I think the MPPT part is the same in both versions.

 

[3crispies]

Thanks have smart solar Mppt will connect via this to Ebl, have done this sketch. Job for weekend before fitting larger LB.

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[3crispies]

The first answer is no, the solar input will not automatically trickle-charge the starter battery like the hookup does. There are a number of possible workarounds, depending on how automatic you want it.

That 3-way connector goes to the leisure battery positive (Pin3) and the common negative (Pin1). On the EBL 252 the starter battery is connected to Pin2, the centre pin. So one possibility is a simple switch that flips the solar controller output between Pin3 and Pin2, and you can decide for yourself which battery needs charging the most.

There are other possibilities. For example a Votronic Duo solar controller has two outputs, and can trickle-charge a starter battery at the same time as sending the main charge to the leisure battery. This can connect to pins 1, 2 and 3 of the 3-way connector.

Alternatively you could fit a battery maintainer to directly trickle-charge the starter battery from the leisure battery whenever the leisure battery is being charged. There are various brands, including the BatteryMaster which is reliable and popular. The connections required are pins 1, 2 and 3, so very convenient.

Got leisure working no probs, now need to sort starter, have a block diagram and pin 2 seems to operate via fridge relay and also starter relay so your idea of a switch seems next plan.
For now starter is temp hooked up as it was below 12v