Help please - EBL 101 voltage warning after solar fit. (1 Viewer)

[Antique]

Fitted 165w solar array via Votronic MPP 250 controller with associated LCD Solar Computer display a few days ago and all worked well considering available light.

Yesterday however, in full (low) sun, I noticed the red 'V' symbol flashing on the MP 20-T van control panel. This would normally indicate a low Hab Batt voltage yet output from the MPP indicated 12.7v to H.B.
I disconnected the S.P. and the warning stopped.

2 x 90a/h AGM H.B.s
Resting voltage is 12.7v after 20 hrs.
S.P. max output was 2a
MPP controller set to Lead Acid / AGM1 (main charge voltage 14.4v ! )
EBL 101 does not have AGM setting and is set to Gel as per original fitting.

I don't feel I should ignore the warning and the only solution I can think of is to change the MPP setting to Gel thus producing something similar to the EBL.

Has anyone else encountered this problem ?

Any assistance, ideas or words of wisdom would be very much appreciated.

Many thanks

Antique

 

[Lenny HB]

Firstly what make AGM's as most of the ones used in Motorhomes are type 2 which requires charging to 14.7v. but the EBL won't know that. If you go into the setting of the control panel can you adjust the low voltage warning, you will need a pin number to get into the setting it will be the same one for all vans of the same make.
Be prepared for the AGM's not to last very long without the correct charger. AGM's in our last van lasted 18 months with the EBL set to Gel, even though my current van has an EBL with AGM setting I fitted Gels much happier knowing I can rely on my batteries.

 

[jezport]

just check you have all the little setting switches the right way round, its easy to have them set wrong or the opposite way.

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[Xabia]

PIN number is 8251

 

[Antique]

Thanks @Lenny HB
AGM's are Banner, 3-4years old, max 14.8v charge I believe. Managed to shoehorn 2 in under drivers seat and yes, I take your point re Gels. Will see what will fit under seat when AGM's say hello to Mr Scrapman.
I think re-setting control panel with a pin number may be above my pay grade, wouldn't know where to start!

Thanks @jezport
Good point.
I have switches 1,2 & 4 in the down position and 3 (Acid/AGM1) in the up position.

Antique

 

[Theonlysue]

Using the schaudt solar controller enables the ebl to talk to the display panel.not geared up for AGM batteries.
You can get the panel to read solar input hence the 8251.

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[Antique]

Thanks again @Lenny HB ,@Xabia & @Theonlysue .
Am I at cross threads?
The low voltage symbol appears on the original van display panel fed from the EBL. It is completely separate from the new MPP which is connected direct to HB's.
My thoughts are - is the EBL detecting the higher voltage from the MPP and flagging a warning?
The van display panel (MP 20-T) simply shows various sequences of LED lights and has no means for a pin to be entered that I can see.

Thanks for bearing with me !

Antique

 

[Lenny HB]

My thoughts are - is the EBL detecting the higher voltage from the MPP and flagging a warning?
The van display panel (MP 20-T) simply shows various sequences of LED lights and has no means for a pin to be entered that I can see.

I thought your display was one of the LCD ones.
With some EBL's they get confused if you connect the solar direct to the batteries, try connecting via the EBL (would have been easier to wire that way anyway). Should be connector block BL6.
If don't already have it, instructions & wiring for EBL 101 attached.

 

[jezport]

The votronic MPPT can be connected through the EBL using a different lead. That may solve your problem. I don't have the same EBL as you so don't know too much about it. But if you contact Duo Lang at Schaudt I'm sure he will advise you how to sort this issue

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[Antique]

Thanks for the great help !!!
Will do a bit of digging and report back.

Best regards
Antique

 

[Antique]

Would this be the correct email address please

udo.lang@schaudt-gmbh.de

And.... Can I write to him in English ?
Thanks

 

[Lenny HB]

Yes

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[JeanLuc]

Here is a link to the Votronic page for your regulator. Scroll down to the penultimate bullet point and you will see a reference to connecting to an EBL. You need the dedicated cable to make it easy - referred to in the bullet point.
http://votronic.de/index.php/en/pro...trollers/standard-version-mpp/mpp-250-duo-dig

 

[Xabia]

I installed my solar system myself using the Schaudt plug for the Electroblok and never had any problems, would this be the way forward for you?

 

[Pausim]

The Votronic mppt to EBL conections are available from Offgridtec through Amazon. Bought the pack a couple of weeks back but haven’t fitted yet. Cost me £10.15

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[Theonlysue]

If you use the schaudt regulator it talks to the rest of the system and you can get your display to show solar input.

 

[jezport]

If you use the schaudt regulator it talks to the rest of the system and you can get your display to show solar input.

The Votronic will do that also

 

[Lenny HB]

If you use the schaudt regulator it talks to the rest of the system and you can get your display to show solar input.

The Votronic will do that also

That only happens with the older units that had an LCD display the modern panels that most manufacturers fit now are as good as useless they just have a row of leds for battery voltage and water level.

This is the one of the Hymer ones.

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[Theonlysue]

Agreed @Lenny HB
The more modern ones give you less info than the older ones. Talk about going backwards.

 

[Antique]

Many many thanks for the help and support.

I will look into connecting/re-directing Votronic MPP to the EBL with Udo Lang at Schaudt (hopefully) and report back with some good news (Even more hopefully!)

Cheers and all the best

Antique

 

[Antique]

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[Antique]

Don't know if I have posted this correctly but is this the lead I need ?

Thanks

 

[Lenny HB]

Yes, the small cable is only needed if you have a panel with the LCD display.
Check with Udo first as it may not make any difference.
Also you can buy the parts on eBay and make one for a fraction of the price.

 

[Antique]

Just a quick update.

I have heard back from a very helpful Udo Lang at Schaudt regarding my queries.

He suggested that the MPP 250 controller is best left connected directly to the HB's rather than re-wired to the EBL.

As mentioned by Funsters, the MP 20-T display panel is programmed to give a warning when HB's voltage is more than 14.7v.
There is an update available from Schaudt, can anyone recommend a suitable company for this ?

And . . .
Can I just check the Votronic MPP 250 controller program switches (bottom rhs of the unit).
For AGM2 only the far right No.4 slider is in the 'up' position or for Lead Acid/AGM1 only No.3 slider is 'up ? (My pictorial instructions are not too clear)

Once again many many thanks for all the help.

Antique
.

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[Lenny HB]

Any help.

 

[Antique]

If the white squares indicate the slider switch then yes, thanks @Lenny HB, that's how I have set them.

 

[Antique]

Just a final, final update.

Spoke to Timo Moller at Votronic regarding the elevated charging voltage from the MPP 250.
Quite simply, as I have fitted a battery temp sensor, it recognises the cold battery and increases the charge voltage.
(I'm now a happy bunny!)

Cheers all.

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