MPPT Help

[Gixer]

I've attached some pics - can anyone tell me whether my starter battery is being charged from this setup - I don't really want to start dismantling to trace the wiring, thanks

 

[Richard n Ann]

Looks like it is, there is a wire in for it. Can't see the screen very well but if the starter battery voltage is above 13, then yes.

 

[Gixer]

Forgot to say that the app doesn't show anything for the 2nd battery, haven't got a multimeter to check voltage of starter battery but will look at getting one, thanks

 

[bigtwin]

Not possible to tell from the information available. There is something connected to the second output but that could be anything.

With the solar panel exposed to sunlight, You could measure the voltage of the cab battery and then disconnect the output from the regulator to see if the voltage at the cab battery changes. If it does then it’s likely that it is connected and if it doesn’t then it isn’t.

Ian

 

[Neil S]

Forgot to say that the app doesn't show anything for the 2nd battery, haven't got a multimeter to check voltage of starter battery but will look at getting one, thanks

I have the same MPPT regulator and it shows battery 2 (starter battery) on the display

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[Gixer]

Cheers all - will try to improve images and screenshot the App in the next few days

 

[J.R.W]

The display is certainly not registering battery 2, so it won't be charging your starter battery (assuming number 2 is your starter bat).

Get yourself a cheap multimeter and check for continuity between the starter batt +'ve terminal and the end of the red +'ve cable attached to the controllers bat 2 + terminal (remove the red + cable at each end and check the cable end to end, not when connected to the controller). If you have continuity then you know that at least the +'ve cable is intact and going to the right place.

If not, check for a blown fuse (usually inline in the +'ve cable and probably very close to the battery). there's not one in your batt 1-'ve cable as I can see batt 2 -'ve looped to bat 1-'ve in your picture.

It looks as though both of the -'ve positioins on the controller are looped together, and, whilst this makes sense, the manual is specific that they should be completely sepearate circuits,... which does not, certainly not on a device suitable or campervans. I mailed the controller manufacturer on this but did not get lot of sense out of them. Common -'ve returns, on vans, are..er common.

However I tried a common negative setup when I had this model of controller and it works either way.

Last thing to check is that it's actually configured to charge both batteries, as I remember you can adjust the % (ratio) of the charge going to each battery. Can't recall if there was a 100/0 option but that may account for what you are seeing.

I'd check the manual for you, but I ended up sending mine back - it worked fine but was very noisy, oh and hot (even after I ran two seperate -'ves back to each batery.

Fair play to the Top Bloke at Rhino Installs who accepted a return and refunded me without any issue. He'll be seeing more of my business...

Good Luck, let us know how you get on.

 

[Mark and Mindy]

The PV Logic MPPT controller will first charge battery 1. When battery 1 is charged it will charge battery 2. There is a Bluetooth app called PVMobileSuite that can be installed on Android phones which shows which battery is charging. I have uploaded the instruction manual.

We have this controller and it works fine. On my setup battery 1 is the vehicle battery and battery 2 is the leisure battery.

Mark

 

[Gixer]

If I disconnect the Leisure Battery, would it then charge the other battery, this should then show up on the App ?

 

[Neil S]

If I disconnect the Leisure Battery, would it then charge the other battery, this should then show up on the App ?

No I wouldn’t think so as it would appear your cab battery isn’t being charged
Your display and Bluetooth app should appear something like this

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[Gixer]

Thanks Neil - my app shows nothing for battery 2, nor does the panel - I checked the 20A fuse next to the controller which looks OK, but I noted these boxes behind where the controller is fixed, any ideas what they are - ? relays, so could I fix a Battery Master to them so I don't have to delve under the seats ?

 

[Neil S]

Cant

Thanks Neil - my app shows nothing for battery 2, nor does the panel - I checked the 20A fuse next to the controller which looks OK, but I noted these boxes behind where the controller is fixed, any ideas what they are - ? relays, so could I fix a Battery Master to them so I don't have to delve under the seats ?View attachment 432251View attachment 432252

Can’t help with white CBE boxes but looking at your solar controller battery’s 1 and 2 should have separate - minus connections , they appear to be looped together also check that battery 2 is physically connected
Something is definitely not right

 

[Gixer]

Using the main electrics panel, the Leisure Battery is always fully charged and the Starter Battery is about 75% [in the green !], I'll have to check the boxes and take the cover off to check - thanks anyway

 

[bigtwin]

Have you managed to get hold of a DVM yet?

Ian

 

[Gixer]

Have you managed to get hold of a DVM yet?

Ian

Not yet no

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[AXO66]

Thanks Neil - my app shows nothing for battery 2, nor does the panel - I checked the 20A fuse next to the controller which looks OK, but I noted these boxes behind where the controller is fixed, any ideas what they are - ? relays, so could I fix a Battery Master to them so I don't have to delve under the seats ?View attachment 432251View attachment 432252

I had a battery master fitted by VanBitz on out Chausson with a CBE system.
it was wired into the appropiate wires coming in and out of these Boite Relais boxes.

i am not an electrician so cannot say which wire goes where.

However it works, so no doubt it can be figured out.

(So our solar charges to leisure battery only. The Battery master then keeps the engine battery topped up , as described by VanBitz..)

 

[autorouter]

It looks as though both of the -'ve positioins on the controller are looped together, and, whilst this makes sense, the manual is specific that they should be completely sepearate circuits,... which does not, certainly not on a device suitable or campervans.

One reason for separating the pos and neg wires is that maybe they are used by the controller to see the exact voltage of each of the batteries. The controller can't account for the very small voltage drops along the wires if there is common wiring. But it's a very minor effect, certainly won't stop anything working.

I think the first thing to do is take a voltage reading a the BAT2 terminals of the controller, and compare it with the voltage reading at the starter battery terminals.

 

[autorouter]

but I noted these boxes behind where the controller is fixed, any ideas what they are - ? relays, so could I fix a Battery Master to them so I don't have to delve under the seats ?

These boxes (Boite Relais Securite = relay safety box) are just a single-pole relay, with a big fuse and a small fuse to protect the power and coil circuits. I'm not sure, but I'd guess one is a split charge relay that connects the starter battery when the engine is running, and the other is a habitation battery isolation relay. So yes, possible candidates for a battery master connection - with a fuse, I'd suggest about 5A.

 

[Gixer]

One reason for separating the pos and neg wires is that maybe they are used by the controller to see the exact voltage of each of the batteries. The controller can't account for the very small voltage drops along the wires if there is common wiring. But it's a very minor effect, certainly won't stop anything working.

I think the first thing to do is take a voltage reading a the BAT2 terminals of the controller, and compare it with the voltage reading at the starter battery terminals.

Checked today - approx. 13.5v at controller and 11.5v at starter terminal under bonnet [15+v with engine running], couldn't find where the wires go but will look again [with tools this time]