Hymer solar installation (1 Viewer)

[KUSKUS]

purchased a Hymer b680 starline in July and as part of the deal they agreed to fit 200 watts solar panel and dual regulator.
Solar works well and keeps the leisure batteries topped up nicely but little seems to be happening with the engine battery, Charges ok when on HU and when driving but nothing on Solar.
Hymer is fitted with EBL 100 and Schaudt LR 1218 regulator.
picture of wiring

 

[KUSKUS]

Any ideas ?

 

[tonka]

From what I have learned.. the Lr1218 and Elektroblock will pass 80% to the leisure and 20% to the cab battery. Looking at your pic you have connections to both batteries but no signal information to the control panel as the connections are empty..

 

[KUSKUS]

Would that stop it charging or just not show it on display ?

 

[Stealaway]

What have the fitters said?

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[KUSKUS]

I haven't spoken to them yet , I wanted to know what was wrong before approaching them.

 

[tonka]

Would that stop it charging or just not show it on display ?

Just the display as far as I know. I had same regulator on my burstner but changed it recently for the MPPT type.

 

[KUSKUS]

On the display engine battery shows 12.6 volts if it was getting solar it would climb up at some stage wouldn't it ?

 

[CazPaul]

On the display engine battery shows 12.6 volts if it was getting solar it would climb up at some stage wouldn't it ?

Yes it should do if getting a charge and the display is accurate.

 

[KUSKUS]

So I can assume that its not charging the engine battery.
It mentions a 20 amp fuse in the installation instructions but I couldn't find it .

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[tonka]

On the display engine battery shows 12.6 volts if it was getting solar it would climb up at some stage wouldn't it ?

BUT You have no connection from the LR1218 where it says "signal" this is the feed to the display. I think what you are seeing is the battery state and not the charge state.. I am still learning about Elektroblocks and the Schaudt systems so will stand corrected if i have it wrong. Just my understanding as it is..

My replacement regulator only has signal wire for Leisure so my control panel does show high voltage when charging but engine battery pretty much stays in same place.

Schaudt LR 1218 - Solar Regulator

The Schaudt LRM 1218 Solar Regulator is the best, most cost effective way to connect Solar Power to the Schaudt Elektroblock range, i.e the EBL 99 and EBL 100. The box includes all cables and instructions to use a EBL 99 to charge both the Starter and Habitation batteries.

www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk

 

[paddymcc]

I would expect the controller panel above the door to show up to 14 v if the battery needs a charge and the sun is shining. There is probably a fuse (30A?)next to the starter battery in the engine compartment. Check that out as I think current will flow both ways - too and from the starter battery via the electroblock.

 

[KUSKUS]

Ok thanks will have a look in the morning, there is a fuse next to engine battery , I will check it out.

 

[paddymcc]

If tonka is right then you really need a voltmeter to check the starter battery voltage with the sun shining.

 

[KUSKUS]

Always carry a volt meter , will check voltage at engine battery in the morning while I am under the bonnet .
Thanks.

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[bigalw35]

Ive also got the B 680, a few weeks back I changed the solar controller for a Sunworks dual battery controller, I had to run a separate cable to the starter battery at the rear of the ebl, both batteries are perfect now, I haven’t had it on hook up now for quite a few weeks, by all accounts the ebl doesn’t charge the starter battery, oh and by the way my solar panel is only 100watts, good luck

 

[KUSKUS]

Ok thanks.

 

[bigalw35]

Sorry my ebl is the 99

 

[SIFTA SAM]

I think you will find that the Control and Switch panel DT200 which is used with the EBL 100 does not indicate solar charge, but the Control and Switch Panel DT201B does

 

[KUSKUS]

Ok I have the DT 200 so could explain why the fitters didn't bother connecting the data cables.

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[SIFTA SAM]

Ive also got the B 680, a few weeks back I changed the solar controller for a Sunworks dual battery controller, I had to run a separate cable to the starter battery at the rear of the ebl, both batteries are perfect now, I haven’t had it on hook up now for quite a few weeks, by all accounts the ebl doesn’t charge the starter battery, oh and by the way my solar panel is only 100watts, good luck

The EBL99 should charge the starter battery.

 

[wigster]

My year 2000 b680 charges the cab battery a two amp charge .

 

[SIFTA SAM]

The EBL 99 manual (Possible System Faults), refers to 'Starter Battery not charging when on EHU' '
Another Hymer (2006) owner with a EBL101 which was not charging the Starter Battery on Solar (LR 1218), finally bypassed the problem by fitting a Battery Master he tells me?

 

[KUSKUS]

Starter battery Charges ok on EHU and when driving, just not on solar.

 

[SIFTA SAM]

Starter battery Charges ok on EHU and when driving, just not on solar.

Sounds similar to the 2006 owners problem I think.
He suspected an internal EBL fault.
Please keep us informed.

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[Lenny HB]

The solar is not charging the starter battery because it has been wired incorrectly, the EBL 100 does not have a connection to the starter battery from Block 6 the solar input. You need to connect the starter battery output on the LR1218 direct to the starter battery.

Also if you have any batteries other than Gel, I would recommend yo fit a better solar regulator the LR1218 is a bit old hat. It is only a single stage charger and once the batteries get to 14.2v it holds that voltage constantly no absorption or float charge.

 

[KUSKUS]

I have 2 Yuasa wet cell batteries as leisure supply are you saying it's these that aren't getting the proper charging regime ?

 

[Lenny HB]

I have 2 Yuasa wet cell batteries as leisure supply are you saying it's these that aren't getting the proper charging regime ?

Yep, the LR1218 will shorten their life I would fit one of the Votronic MPP range you can get a data cable to link to the EBL if your display panel is an LCD one with charging info.

 

[SIFTA SAM]

The solar is not charging the starter battery because it has been wired incorrectly, the EBL 100 does not have a connection to the starter battery from Block 6 the solar input. You need to connect the starter battery output on the LR1218 direct to the starter battery.

Also if you have any batteries other than Gel, I would recommend yo fit a better solar regulator the LR1218 is a bit old hat. It is only a single stage charger and once the batteries get to 14.2v it holds that voltage constantly no absorption or float charge.

My EBL 100 is connected to the starter battery via the provided LR1218 installation wiring kit.
Not sure how you know they have wired it wrong ?
KUSKUS has already confirmed that he has a DT200 panel which does not display solar charge?

 

[KUSKUS]

It has a DT 200 display would it work with this one ?

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