Nord Electra 237 - connecting solar to NE 237 control unit? which connector, from where?

[MisterB]

I have finally got round to starting to install my solar panels on our Adria, we have the NE 237 control unit and i have located the installed cables both in the cupboard above the fridge and under the leisure batteries (in the sub floor)

i have identified which connector i need to connect to on the the NE237 BUT i dont have the correct connector and it hasnt been 'cleverly' fitted to the installed wiring to allow for a simple retro install ! (even the cables are not bloody long enough)

My question is - where can i get the correct connector from please?

its the three pin connector (though only two connections i assume) with the numbers 123 and J7 to identify it !

thanks

 

[IRHP]

As far as I know the Ne237 isn't a solar controller you still need a solar controller between panels and Ne237. My dealer fitted my solar as part of the deal but didn't connect it to the NE237. He just fitted a cheap controller and connected directly to the leisure battery. To connect to the ne237 you would need the appropriate connectors as you say but you would also need a dual output solar controller to allow charging of both engine and hab battery. I've since fitted a dual output controller but connected to both batteries via the connection points for both batteries on the underside of the Ne237

 

[MisterB]

As far as I know the Ne237 isn't a solar controller you still need a solar controller between panels and Ne237. My dealer fitted my solar as part of the deal but didn't connect it to the NE237. He just fitted a cheap controller and connected directly to the leisure battery. To connect to the ne237 you would need the appropriate connectors as you say but you would also need a dual output solar controller to allow charging of both engine and hab battery. I've since fitted a dual output controller but connected to both batteries via the connection points for both batteries on the underside of the Ne237

Thanks, I do have have a separate controller which is a dual output. I did think I only need to connect from that to the ne237, I assumed the ne237 would then pass charge to both batteries.
I assume your suggestion is to bypass the ne237 and just direct the charge from the solar controller to each battery ??

 

[ontheroadagain]

My solar is connected - panel to controller to ne237. It charges both batteries. Sorry but mine was factory fitted so I have no idea where to get the 3 pin connector.

 

[IRHP]

Thanks, I do have have a separate controller which is a dual output. I did think I only need to connect from that to the ne237, I assumed the ne237 would then pass charge to both batteries.
I assume your suggestion is to bypass the ne237 and just direct the charge from the solar controller to each battery ??

Yes you could do it via the 237 if you can get the connectors, I think this would also show you charge input of the leisure battery on the Adria panel.

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[MisterB]

thanks, thats how i was hoping to connect it up as its already set up to distribute i assume its a pretty standard connector (surely they wouldnt have designed 'un technical' something from scratch when they can use off the shelf components ....

IRHP
ontheroadagain

can you confirm that only two wires go to the NE237 please - as although there are three pins, i assume that its only pos and neg from the solar controller?

 

[ontheroadagain]

I cant be 100% sure but it looks like a “3 way male mate n“ connector.

 

[ontheroadagain]

3 wires on mine as my controller has two positive outputs. (Leisure and starter)

 

[ontheroadagain]

Just remembered that I have a photo of mine.
It is the white connector to the right.

 

[IRHP]

If it’s a dual output controller and you want to charge cab and hab batteries You’d definitely need a pos from each output of the solar control and the common Negative. http://www.apuljackengineering.co.uk/ May be able to help with the connector. There’s a good doc here describing the NE237 it looks like it might be a max 15amps from your panel so you will be limited on size of your panel/panels. http://web.adria.dk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/MAN-95_0001_085_R1-KIT-NE237-SH_AD_2012.pdf

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[paddymcc]

It looks like a 3 pin Mate N Lock connector. You will need one with good quality pins to cope with the max current of 15A. It would be worth finding out what the 3rd pin connects to. It could be a feed to the starter battery?

 

[ontheroadagain]

If you refer back to my photo above, the wiring coming from the controller is -
Red/blue = leisure battery
Red = starter battery
Black = earth

 

[MisterB]

So I am assuming that the two wires that are pre installed and labelled up as solar panels, that run into the area near the NE237 (red and black) should now go into the solar controller. Then I connect a live from the controller to two of the pins and the negative to the other pin. Then the NE237 does it's magic and feeds both the leisure and vehicle battery?

I have managed to find a local company I can get the connector from on Monday morning, so that's a result !! If not I could just run the cable direct to the leisure battery (via the solar controller) as a temp solution ......

 

[IRHP]

Sounds right to me. Your solar controller will have 2 outputs. One for hab one for engine, the charging profiles are different so make sure you know which goes where on the JP7 port. Yes you can connect the leisure battery directly from the solar controller via a fuse as a temporary measure. Follow the solar instructions for connecting, usually it's connect the battery first then the solar panels, that way it works out its a 12v system and not 24v.

 

[MisterB]

And so to my next question....

The Moho is pre wired for solar (cables are marked up and run from the leisure battery area up to behind a panel in the cupboard above the fridge). However, there are only 2 cables ....

I assume therefore that my votronic duo mppt needs to be installed in the leisure battery area at the end of the pre installed cable run, with the fuse protection in the cupboard above the fridge where the wires from the solar will enter the Moho and connect to the pre installed wiring? I can then run the necessary connections the short length o the NE237 My concern though is how do I know that the pre installed wiring is rated high enough to deal with the current from the panels to allow me to use it as a feed to the mppt?

Can anyone with an Adria tell me where there solar controller is please, is it close to the leisure batteries or in the cupboard above the fridge (behind the false panel?)

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[ontheroadagain]

Can anyone with an Adria tell me where there solar controller is please, is it close to the leisure batteries or in the cupboard above the fridge (behind the false panel?)

Ours is in a cupboard beside the NE237.

 

[MisterB]

Our is in a cupboard beside the NE237.

thanks, that suggests to me that the preinstalled cable is of sufficient rating and makes the process a lot easier, much appreciated. which solar controller do you have please?

 

[MisterB]

If it’s a dual output controller and you want to charge cab and hab batteries You’d definitely need a pos from each output of the solar control and the common Negative. http://www.apuljackengineering.co.uk/ May be able to help with the connector. There’s a good doc here describing the NE237 it looks like it might be a max 15amps from your panel so you will be limited on size of your panel/panels. http://web.adria.dk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/MAN-95_0001_085_R1-KIT-NE237-SH_AD_2012.pdf

Thanks, there is a company in Harwich, about 12 miles from me that is a major supplier of 'stuff' like that - i called into a local car accessories supplier and he took the time to go through their catalogue and identified what i need, they are £5 for a packet of 5 and i also need to buy the pins, which come in packs of 100!

so if they will sell direct to the public ....does anyone else with an NE237 needs this connector and pins ..... LOL

 

[ontheroadagain]

which solar controller do you have please?

Sun Control SC300 MPPT.

 

[IRHP]

I’ve got an epever duo racer located in the cupboard with the ne237.

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[IRHP]

Thanks, there is a company in Harwich, about 12 miles from me that is a major supplier of 'stuff' like that - i called into a local car accessories supplier and he took the time to go through their catalogue and identified what i need, they are £5 for a packet of 5 and i also need to buy the pins, which come in packs of 100!

so if they will sell direct to the public ....does anyone else with an NE237 needs this connector and pins ..... LOL

I’d actually like a set if you have a spare as I’d like to connect my solar through the Ne237 and hopefully be able to see the charging input. Happy to pay postage.

 

[Martin How]

I bought a set of Mate n Lock connectors from 12VoltPlanet.co.uk online (for a Schaudt Electroblock) . The elctroblock manual happily labels the socket as MNL As stated you needs pins and the shell. A proper ratchet crimp tool will make life simple but a pair of long nose pliers and a simple cable crimper will get the job done.

The manual for the NE237 is available from http://web.adria.dk/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/MAN-95_0001_085_R1-KIT-NE237-SH_AD_2012.pdf . It includes pin outs etc.

 

[IRHP]

I’d actually like a set if you have a spare as I’d like to connect my solar through the Ne237 and hopefully be able to see the charging input. Happy to pay postage.

Now I know the connector type I’ve just noticed I can get one on eBay for £2 inc postage. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/14093848...d=link&campid=5338547443&toolid=20001&mkevt=1

 

[MisterB]

I can confirm the connector(s) I bought was the right one (and matches the eBay one)

 

[IRHP]

I can confirm the connector(s) I bought was the right one (and matches the eBay one)

Great thanks, good to know. When you get it connected could you confirm that charging current from the solar is shown on the Adria panel with the A button.

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[MisterB]

Great thanks, good to know. When you get it connected could you confirm that charging current from the solar is shown on the Adria panel with the A button.

Yes, but my dilemma is that having fitted and finished it all yesterday and now waiting at the tunnel - should I actually test it all or leave it until we get back in four weeks 'just in case' there is an issue ???
Sensible me says I can manage without solar ..... But the devil on my shoulder is singing rather loudly - do it, do it, do it ...

 

[ontheroadagain]

Go for it!
Just make sure you connect the battery to the controller first (before the solar is connected to the controller).

 

[MisterB]

Go for it!
Just make sure you connect the battery to the controller first (before the solar is connected to the controller).

It's all connected - it's just the 3 fuses that need putting in (starter battery feed, leisure battery feed and then the main solar panel fuse (in that order - so yes the solar will be the last thing to be made 'live')
Go away devil .... No I won't do it yet !

 

[IRHP]

It's all connected - it's just the 3 fuses that need putting in (starter battery feed, leisure battery feed and then the main solar panel fuse (in that order - so yes the solar will be the last thing to be made 'live')
Go away devil .... No I won't do it yet !

I'd just put the fuses in to make sure it's working. If it is then just leave it connected.

 

[MisterB]

I'd just put the fuses in to make sure it's working. If it is then just leave it connected.

Stop chatting in my ear, if there was an issue the boss would kill me and we could be stuck on the tunnel car park with probably the wrong tools to sort things out ..

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