Solar on starter battery??? (1 Viewer)

[bluesurf989]

Hi all. We have a 120w solar panel fitted to the roof of our Moho but it only charges the x2 leisure batteries,as the bus is in storage i could really do with the solar charging the starter battery too. Can i do this??Many thanks in advance

 

[Flamenca]

I have a very simple arrangement of a link cable between solar output to leisure battery bank and the starter battery incorporating a fuse and diode. There is a small voltage drop across the diode but not significant. The arrangement has kept my starter battery charged as well as the leisure batteries. I did have a battery master type electronic switch but removed it as I was not happy with the switching voltages.

 

[Derbyshire wanderer]

CAK tanks do a B2B trickle charger that has three wires. A common earth and one lead from the hab batteries and another to the vehicle battery.
It gives between 1 and 4 amps depending on the battery status.
I fitted mine near the control panel as all required connections are there without fitting long wires to each battery bank.
For less than £30, I think they are great for ensuring the vehicle battery stays charged.

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[xyz]

Do you have an MPPT controller?

If not, then get a Votronic MPP165. This will charge your domestic battery and starter batter simultaneously and also run your if your fridge if it's AES compatable. Saves gas when the sun's shining.

 

[funflair]

Do you have an MPPT controller?

If not, then get a Votronic MPP165. This will charge your domestic battery and starter batter simultaneously and also run your if your fridge if it's AES compatable. Saves gas when the sun's shining.

Only if the fridge is AES and S+ I use battery master to maintain starter battery as it is not reliant on there being solar available which there is not in undercover storage.

Martin

 

[Brisey]

A Battery Master should be all you need.
Available for sale in Jims Shop.

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[maxi77]

The reason you find more complex connections between started and leisure batteries is it is all to easy to flatten both. For this reason I would suggest a VSR (voltage sensitive relay) which will switch on the connection when the liesure voltage is high enough to confirm it is being charge and switch it off again when the voltage drops. This will protect the charge in the starter battery.

 

[chaser]

I have one of these, thougherly recommend it
Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/112464599009

 

[gus-lopez]

I have a very simple arrangement of a link cable between solar output to leisure battery bank and the starter battery incorporating a fuse and diode. There is a small voltage drop across the diode but not significant. The arrangement has kept my starter battery charged as well as the leisure batteries. I did have a battery master type electronic switch but removed it as I was not happy with the switching voltages.

I have similar.

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[hilldweller]

CAK tanks do a B2B trickle charger that has three wires.

BCM12, does what it says on the tin.

http://www.caktanks.co.uk/files/cak_catalogue_2012/2012_CAK_Electrical.pdf

 

[gus-lopez]

Duplicate-

 

[bluesurf989]

Thank you everybody for your input,all comments noted, just one thing,on our solar regulator there is space for another 2 wires,would it be that i can come out of there to the main battery??

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[hilldweller]

Thank you everybody for your input,all comments noted, just one thing,on our solar regulator there is space for another 2 wires,would it be that i can come out of there to the main battery??

Even if they are, which they may not be, the BCM does a better job because the leisure battery must first reach about 13.5V then any excess is transferred to the starter.

Some solar controller are intended as automatic night lights and switch on an output at dusk. Used for street signs and the like.

 

[andy63]

on our solar regulator there is space for another 2 wires

Not read the whole thread but most solar controllers/regulators have two terminals usually labeled load terminals... quite often not used in motor home applications...
This is possibly what you are referring to.
They are used to supply a load of your choice from the battery bank the solar regulator is connected to..
I use mine to supply an outlet I use for charging torches phones etc as my controller allows me to see the load on that connection ... in the picture it's the terminals under the light bulb symbol.

 

[maxi77]

BCM12, does what it says on the tin.

http://www.caktanks.co.uk/files/cak_catalogue_2012/2012_CAK_Electrical.pdf

Seems to be a Voltage sensitive relay in a box

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[hilldweller]

Seems to be a Voltage sensitive relay in a box

That's about it though solid state and due to modest wires some form of current limit.

Not so with the normal split charge relay, it seems they use modest wiring to limit the current when the alternator kicks in.

 

[maxi77]

That's about it though solid state and due to modest wires some form of current limit.

Not so with the normal split charge relay, it seems they use modest wiring to limit the current when the alternator kicks in.

Not quite sure how they get a current limiter in that box, just using cable size will result in a fire when the receiving battery tries to draw excess current. Of course in normal use the starter battery will be well charges when you start and this unit will just compensate for normal internal battery losses