MPPT and Battery charger changeover advice please.

[daveclare]

Hi All,

I'm just about to change my solar controller and charger over to a lithium friendly set up, for a future battery change. My query is about what to do first. Am I OK in thinking I should do it in this order?

Cover solar panel
Unhook 240 and switch off mcb
Turn of control panel
Disconnect leisure battery
Disconnect solar then battery leads to old mppt
Disconnect old charger

Then reverse after swapping out charger and mppt.

Obviously I'm keeping dip switch/mppt settings for lead acid until changing battery to lithium.

Thanks.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

If your changing the controller anyway ,disconnect the old one first then there is no need to cover the panels. While your at it fit a fuse between the solar panel and the controller.

 

[the1andonly]

disconnect solar from controller add fuse or issolator to positive (remove fuse or turn off issolator).
remove ehu turn off mains charger.
these last 2 either order
disconnect at battery
disconnect battery at controller
bin controller (or store in shed for 15 years to never be used again)
fit new controller
connect battery @controller
connect at battery
connect solar to controller
fit fuse switch on issolator.

 

[daveclare]

Many thanks for the replies. It's a 120 watt panel, so will use a 20 amp in line circuit breaker.

 

[eddie]

Do it at night?

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[RobPullen]

Hi All,

I'm just about to change my solar controller and charger over to a lithium friendly set up, for a future battery change. My query is about what to do first. Am I OK in thinking I should do it in this order?

Cover solar panel
Unhook 240 and switch off mcb
Turn of control panel
Disconnect leisure battery
Disconnect solar then battery leads to old mppt
Disconnect old charger

Then reverse after swapping out charger and mppt.

Obviously I'm keeping dip switch/mppt settings for lead acid until changing battery to lithium.

Thanks.

Hi Dave, how did you get on? I’m about to do the same thing.
I am replacing my controller with a Votronic MPP250 which I believe already has protection built in with a 20A fuse. Otherwise much the same process.
thanks

 

[daveclare]

Hi Rob,

I'm having loads of fun (not) discovering the wonders of motorhome wiring. I've made a few wiring looms over the years for bikes and scooters but this is something else. My old controller is located in the microwave cupboard. which is about a 4m cable run from the battery. In addition I've found two spring clip connectors taking power from controller battery outlet cables, which power the Thule awning.

So I'm having to relocate the new Victron mppt 4m nearer the battery. In addition I'm running new 12v supply cables up to the thule controller at the back of my main control panel. I'll end up putting a 20amp inline circuit breaker, to protect/isolate power from panels to mppt, where the old controller was, just to reduce the number of connections.

As usual, the "it'll only take an hour to change over the controller" has changed to a somewhat more complicated job of threading new cables through the eye of a motorhome needle!

 

[pappajohn]

Many thanks for the replies. It's a 120 watt panel, so will use a 20 amp in line circuit breaker.

You'll be lucky to get 10amps from the panel.
120w ÷ 12v = 10amp

 

[RobPullen]

Hi Rob,

I'm having loads of fun (not) discovering the wonders of motorhome wiring. I've made a few wiring looms over the years for bikes and scooters but this is something else. My old controller is located in the microwave cupboard. which is about a 4m cable run from the battery. In addition I've found two spring clip connectors taking power from controller battery outlet cables, which power the Thule awning.

So I'm having to relocate the new Victron mppt 4m nearer the battery. In addition I'm running new 12v supply cables up to the thule controller at the back of my main control panel. I'll end up putting a 20amp inline circuit breaker, to protect/isolate power from panels to mppt, where the old controller was, just to reduce the number of connections.

As usual, the "it'll only take an hour to change over the controller" has changed to a somewhat more complicated job of threading new cables through the eye of a motorhome needle!

That's always the worry around anything electrical I find. You never know quite what lurks behind the cupboards! I have a slight concern over the run length from my controller to charger, but it is not 4m and there are no other connections along route drawing power. Think I should be able to go ahead with it and will just have to monitor how it goes.

Good luck with the threading!

 

[daveclare]

You'll be lucky to get 10amps from the panel.
120w ÷ 12v = 10amp

Yes, should've said soon to be replacing 120 with 200.

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