fitting a dc to dc charger to sargent ec155

[jessestrum]

hi is there anyone who can advise me , i bought an EC 155 PSU for my ducato which is euro 6 and i need to fit dc to dc charger. just stuck on what relay to buy, i have the sargent wiring diagram , has anyone done the same installation , or know a motor home electrician in darlington area

 

[Jamesh]

There is a guy on eBay who sells b2b chargers much cheaper than the big outfits who might we worth a shout. Otherwise the Tech departments of sterling or victron should give you a steer as would Sargent themselves. I'm no expert but I cannot see how they would interfere with each other...?

Cheers James

 

[jessestrum]

Thanks James some really good advice i,ll start checking it out cheers John

 

[TCG]

hi is there anyone who can advise me , i bought an EC 155 PSU for my ducato which is euro 6 and i need to fit dc to dc charger. just stuck on what relay to buy, i have the sargent wiring diagram , has anyone done the same installation , or know a motor home electrician in darlington area

Hi
We have a sargent ec500 system along with a victron orion 30amp B2B with no problems

 

[Jaws]

Fitted a Stirling 60a B2B with a Sargent 325 unit... No problem

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[jessestrum]

thanks very much for advice TCG and JAWS thats made me feel better, i feel confident to wire it in, sargent say i need to put a relay in about 30 to 40 amp , just a bit confused about deactivating the split charge in the psu and where the d+ signal is . thanks again

 

[Jaws]

thanks very much for advice TCG and JAWS thats made me feel better, i feel confident to wire it in, sargent say i need to put a relay in about 30 to 40 amp , just a bit confused about deactivating the split charge in the psu and where the d+ signal is . thanks again

They said that to me..
I just left all as was and nailed the B2B in... All worked fine but then I thought... good opportunity to get rid of the stupid 'no 12v in the hab area when running' brit van thing
So I sussed out which wire was used to detect the 12v up to the Sargent box and just cut it..
So now got a decent charge, and all the electrics work whether the engine is running or not
I have done the same on a couple of Sargent equipped vans and it has always ( so far ) been a thin orange wire

 

[jessestrum]

ill see if i can find this orange wire. thanks mate

 

[Tombola]

I fitted a Victron orion to my lithium and I have the EC155, no issues. fire up and getting full amps into the battery The funny thing was I was expecting a smart alternator too on my 2019 van, but it isn't ??
youll poss find a d+ and the fridge on the floor behind the drivers seat

 

[TCG]

They said that to me..
I just left all as was and nailed the B2B in... All worked fine but then I thought... good opportunity to get rid of the stupid 'no 12v in the hab area when running' brit van thing
So I sussed out which wire was used to detect the 12v up to the Sargent box and just cut it..
So now got a decent charge, and all the electrics work whether the engine is running or not
I have done the same on a couple of Sargent equipped vans and it has always ( so far ) been a thin orange wire

Hi Jaws
Is this orange wire actually in the sergeant unit or in the fuse box on the floor behind drivers seat.
Also if you disconnect it does the step still automatically retract when you start the engine

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[Jaws]

Hi Jaws
Is this orange wire actually in the sergeant unit or in the fuse box on the floor behind drivers seat.
Also if you disconnect it does the step still automatically retract when you start the engine

It goes in to the Sargent box
The step circuit is not affected.

 

[jessestrum]

tombola thanks for some good input, i did 2 tests on my 2018 ducato for a smart alternator, 1 i looked for a small sencsor type thingio on my battery neg terminal and couldnt find one. 2 i did a check with a multimeter with engine running it was about 14.3v and after 10min it went down to 14.1 v. i assumed it was not a smart alternator. the guy in the fiat garage said at that year they all had smart alternators its doing my head in .apparantly you could order the van without

 

[Tombola]

tombola thanks for some good input, i did 2 tests on my 2018 ducato for a smart alternator, 1 i looked for a small sencsor type thingio on my battery neg terminal and couldnt find one. 2 i did a check with a multimeter with engine running it was about 14.3v and after 10min it went down to 14.1 v. i assumed it was not a smart alternator. the guy in the fiat garage said at that year they all had smart alternators its doing my head in .apparantly you could order the van without

Dealer told me Autotrail requested some without , but cant do that any more.
How true it is I dunno, but I defo dont drop below 14v and all points to "dumb"

 

[Tombola]

It goes in to the Sargent box
The step circuit is not affected.

Do you get any trouble with things like water tank full alarm etc sounding as you take corners or anything Jaws

 

[Insider]

I fitted a Sterling 60A B2B to a camper with an EC400 if that is of any help. I also fitted a relay to cut the power from the alternator so that the B2B was able to do its job properly. It was a blue/white wire on my system that is the 12V+ ignition live. Easy job to find with a multimeter if you are unsure as I do see the references to an orange wire in previous posts. I have also been tempted to cut the ignition wire into the EC400 but I once started the van with the EC400 turned completely off and drove with the step out. I missed my house by 1 to 2 inches!! I got the diagram below from soneone on the SWIFT forum when it was still active last year.

Did a bit of quick googling in the meatime. Have a look at

https://www.vwt4forum.co.uk/threads/waeco-cr50-with-sargent-ec155.108176/ and



From a quick look it appears there is a red wire for the fridge that is also engine on signal.. You should be able to use that for your relay.

Happy hunting

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[Jaws]

Do you get any trouble with things like water tank full alarm etc sounding as you take corners or anything Jaws

No.. but then I have not got a water tank full alarm !
Having said that, as I run with full tanks I think I would disconnect such a thing any way.. Nowt but a bit of fluff and more than a slight nuisance ( just my opinion.. )

Always worth remembering it is YOUR van.. not a rental... You should always aim for a set up that YOU like and not be afraid of modifications

 

[Tombola]

Always worth remembering it is YOUR van.. not a rental... You should always aim for a set up that YOU like and not be afraid of modifications

Agreed, 100%.
I have the b2b set up atm and an inverter running when driving to charge up leccy bikes etc or run frdige on better than 12v if needs be. works a treat.