Need new charger for twin leisure batteries and solar panel.

[Richsouthwest]

Recently purchased a Riviera 181 which didn't seem to be charging the leisure batteries when on EHU so I spent just the day checking over the electrical systems and removing some previous owners wiring "modifications" (which were less than pretty and some were a real hazard) and it looks like the charger has died.
I have 2 x 100Ah batteries (also thinking about uprating them to 120Ah once I get the system working again).

The van came with a solar panel and basic controller.

My plan is to buy a new charger with more than 1 output (probably a Victron IP22 30 amp) so I can use 1 output to charge the 2 leisure batteries and the other to charge the the starter battery when on site hook up, then connect the solar panel across both the the leisure batteries.

Also think I need to up date the old stye split charge relay for a VSR.

Will this work?

Any help/suggestions much appreciated just want to try and get it right so it's safe to use again.

Cheers, Rich.

 

[Camping Gaza]

Yes it will work just fine as described

Have you considered a MMPT solar charger shoving ALL your solar into your starter battery, and a B2B charger to take the excess solar into your HAB batteries? (when not on EHU)

That way you will always have a float/maintenance charged starter (even in winter) and float charged HAB batteries all of the time also gives you MAX charge up to 40 or 60 amps when your alternator is running to ALL your batterys when driving

A standard charger for hab/starter on EHU (better a smart charger) will do fine as well

 

[Minxy]

Ref the batteries, rather than get larger ones, replace with gel as they allow you to use more of the 'stored' power than lead acid ones, eg lead acid would allow 110ah in total (ie 50% max discharge), 2 x 78ah gel of a similar physical size so they would fit under the passenger seat would give you 125ah (max 20% discharge) - the GF12065Y batteries say they are 75ah but in reality they are 78ah.

GF12065Y Sonnenschein Battery (GF1265Y / GF 12 65 Y)

GF 12 65 Y Sonnenschein GEL/VRLA Battery Sonnenschein is owned by the battery manufacturing giant Exide. With over 130 years in the battery business, Exide are known for their quality in the industry. Sonnenschein were one of the first companies to develop VRLA GEL batteries and to this day they...

www.tayna.co.uk

 

[TerryL]

Have you considered a MMPT solar charger shoving ALL your solar into your starter battery, and a B2B charger to take the excess solar into your HAB batteries? (when not on EHU)

Agree the MMPT regulator. But I've got mine wired directly to the leisure batteries and have fitted a Battery Master (less than £30) to divert excess power to the engine battery - never had a problem with engine battery since. Using a B2B in that way would work but they're around £300 I believe. As it happens we've got a B2B but wired the recommended way i.e. to the hab batteries. - and no there's no conflict with the solar, it's regulator recognising when it's not needed.

 

[Camping Gaza]

Thats fine TerryL, your battery master does not provide staged charging or a maintenance charge and I need it as the parasitic drain on my starter is nuts!

My B2B is wired as yours from the starter to the hab

My (as does yours) B2B charges my hab bank FAST up to 40 amps when the alternator runs and when its not running by using excess charge from the starter again fast, with solar daytime, excess voltage from starter at night (cuts off from starter at 12.3 so starter always starts the motor)

So I am doing the same as you, the other way around, eliminating the need for a battery master ensuring my starter battery remains charged by solar all year round but with a maintenance charge

( my B2B has a built in MPPT solar regulator as well, but so far have not needed it)

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