Pre wired connection help please (1 Viewer)

[rob0114]

Hi,

Need some help please with pre wired solar connections in my new Chausson 627ga on a mk8 ford transit base. It has CBE equipment with aux input fused at 20A for 'panneau solaire'

In the attached pictures, one shows the two connections I found behind a panel as per the wiring diagram (Red & blue wires on their own in 2 way wago connectors - also took a pic of the relevant section.

My questions are:

Can I connect solar panels direct to these connections or is a regulator required? I suspect there is an inbuilt regulator? Manual doesn't say much other than these connections must be used as 'Any direct connection to the battery may disrupt the correct operation of the electrical installation of our cell's'.

If I can connect a panel direct, how do I know what rating of panel to fit? Our last van had 120W Solar & that was sufficient for our needs so not looking for a powerful system.

My searches have confused me as some results say use the pre-wiring & some say don't (fit regulator with dual charger).

Also, if you do fit a dual regulator & connect direct to battery, does that have warranty implications as you've ignored the manufacturers advice?

Sorry to ramble on & as an electrician more than happy with 400V but scratching my head atm! No reply from Chausson customer services as yet.

Edit:

The relay in newest picture switches the live feed to the solar on & off -I'm assuming the trigger circuit comes from the CBE suggesting inbuilt regulator?

Thanks,

Rob

 

[Simon Richardson]

My Carthago is pre-wired for solar, but has no solar controller.

It was pre-wired for satellite too, but they had left a deliberate gap in the cable to the TV.

 

[rob0114]

Thanks for that Simon, so are you using the pre wired connection then?

Cheers

Rob

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[Simon Richardson]

I am for the Satellite, but haven't bothered with Solar to be honest.

I would be confident enough to fit it myself though as the wiring is really easy to trace - yours looks like a Pigs Nest! Lol

 

[rob0114]

Any solar gurus out there?

 

[Lenny HB]

Also the cables look far too small to me, I would start again and do it properly.

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[rob0114]

Also the cables look far too small to me, I would start again and do it properly.

Connections are 4mm cable?

Can always start over but why do they provide pre-wiring in the first place if the
norm is to start over? Also just wanted some advice on the manufacturers instructions?

By the way, the connections were neater behind a panel but pulled them out to get a good look at them! The rolled up cable is spare Snipe 2 wiring

Cheers

 

[Lenny HB]

4mm Ok they looked smaller in the photo.

 

[rob0114]

Any other comments- possibly from a Chausson owner?

I'm taking the van back to the dealer for a couple of minor snagging issues & will ask them - hopefully get an answer!

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[The Wino]

I have a best of flash 10 looking at doing the same I found a red and blue wire finnishing in a terminal block but no idea if theres a regulator either! I have heard it said that if you use the pre supplied wiring the solar only works when the main panel is switched on so not when in storage so best to wire to battery seems a shame if the wire is already in not to use it!

David

 

[rob0114]

Will update once I've visited dealer - more worrying is the paragraph from the manual saying don't connect solar direct to battery!

My old Chausson had a dual regulator fitted with no problems but need to preserve the warranty on the new one.

Cheers

 

[rob0114]

Update after visit to dealer.

Question: can I use the pre-wired solar connection?
Answer: we dont as they use a common earth - take the cables straight to the batteries.

Question: does this affect warranty given its not recommended in the manual?
Answer: No, we've always done it that way!

So I suppose you would have to check with your dealer but I'm now happy to install a dual regulator!

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[Ridgeway]

Our Laika was supposedly "solar ready" from the factory, turns out it just meant they had added a cable box on the roof and drilled the hole through. I just ran the cables directly from the panel to the regulator, cable was specced by the panel supplier.

 

[andy63]

Hi.. i have the 620 and wired my solar system through a controller directly to the leisure batteries.. i think the inbuilt system can only cope with 120w max..which may not be an issue for you, but the other point i didnt like was the fact that the panel would have to be switched on to allow the solar to be connected... in storage i shut that down..
Rather than a dual solar controller to keep the engine battery topped you could just use a battery master...that will keep your engine battery right and simplify the solar controller... im not sure what facilities the dual controllers have to allow you to decide how to split the charge..
Andy.

 

[ShaKen]

Hi rob0114

What did you do in the end; run new wires or use existing loom?

I am planning on fitting some solar to my 2018 640, and have also discovered the spaghetti.

If you fitted new cable, did you have problems routing it (I can’t see how I could route news cable from that location without a lot of work.

I’d welcome any tips / guidance you have; thanks in advance.

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[rob0114]

Hi,

cables in a bit of flexible conduit down behind the fridge & through floor with wiring loom & then to leisure battery- went for a battery master so only one connection.

Rob

 

[ShaKen]

Thanks rob0114 - I was planning on using the entry point above the galley, perhaps I should rethink and enter via the other access above the fridge - with easier routing as you have done.