Schaudt Pwm (LR1218) or Mppt (LRM1218) (1 Viewer)

[Mr Mousy]

A little advice please...
My Hymer has an EBL101 electrobloc and a DT201 display.
I currently have a a single 70 watt (I believe) panel that was fitted when we bought the van. It is connected to an EP Solar Pwm and then to the hab batteries (2 x 110 wet acid). There is a separate info display panel.

My objectives are two fold... to have the solar controller linked to the EBL101 so the control system recognises the solar input and the solar element to trickle feeds the starter battery.

My options are to buy the LR2018 @ about £70 or the LRM1218 @about £170.

Would I get more solar input for my money by using the difference in the price of the controllers to buy an additional 100w panel?

If so do you have any recommendations for the new panel?

Thank you, Martin

 

[SandraL]

I have opted for a Votronic mppt duo regulator.
It feeds both leisure and starter batt.
It has output for leisure batt to ebl to display solar amps on your dt panel.
It will not display amps to starter batt.
It is possible to buy a temp sensor to attatch to batt. In warm weather this reduces charge voltage ( maintain battery life) and in cold weather increase batt charge voltage.

 

[Lenny HB]

Only use the LR1218 if you have Gel batteries, the LR1218 is a single stage charger once up to 14.2v holds that voltage, not good for flooded cells or AGM.
Both the LR1218 & the LRM1218 are limited to 270 watts of solar. A much better option would be one of the Votronic MPP range they do 4 models 165w/255w/350w/430w.

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[Mr Mousy]

@SandraL and @Lenny HB thank you both for your replies. Do I need a special cable to connect the Votronic mppt duo to the EBL101 so it shows the solar output on the DT201 panel and charges the vehicle battery? On another note ... It would be easier for me to join the cables from the existing solar panel within the battery locker and then run an extended cable under the van to the locker on the other side of the van where the EBL is. Is this a problem joing the cables? If not what sort of connection would you use? Thanks Martin

 

[Lenny HB]

Votronic sell a cable for linking into the EBL I don't know how long it is but looks short.
Is it the solar cables or the link cable you are looking at extending.

A bit more info on your current installation would be helpful, like where your batteries & EBL are in the van & where the regulator is.

 

[two]

I'm not sure what extra benefit you may gain by using your EBL. I'd go for charging the starter independently by using a batterymaster (or similar). There may also be benefits (resilience) in adding a second controller with an extra panel if the current one is unable to cope. Food for thought...

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[Lenny HB]

He has the LCD control panel that allows you to show solar charge.

 

[Mr Mousy]

@Lenny HB

Lenny, my hab battery is in a locker under the van, above it in the van is the wardrobe where the existing controller is . My Ebl is in a locker under the van on the other side. My thoughts are to leave the existing cables from the solar panel in place, to bypass (join together in the wardrobe) the cables to the batteries. Extended the cables where they were connected to the batteries under the van to the Ebl locker. These cables will go into the new controller that will be positioned as close as possible to the Ebl. So I will have two joints in each cable (in the wardrobe and in the hab battery locker).

 

[Lenny HB]

First thought was to extend the signal cables and keep the solar cables short. But the EBL has a shunt in it, not sure if you need to run the solar into the EBL to get full info on the panel, I don't think so. I would have a play around as it's best to keep the solar cables short.

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