Where is my B2B?

[Dorset Diver]

My Carthago Chic C-line I50 has two leisure batteries and the vehicle battery plus a 140W SP and Victron MPPT 75/15 Solar Controller. All three batteries are charged by the system on or off grid and as delivered the system prioritises the charging of the leisure batteries on or off grid. It all works well and I have no wish to change it at present; however, I would like to know where the device (B2B?) is likely to be and possibly what it looks like, as I simple can't find anything that looks remotely like what I think is it.

 

[Lenny HB]

It won't have a B2B unless it's the latest Euro 6d engine.
It will have a split charge relay inside the CBE distribution/charger box.

 

[Dorset Diver]

Thanks for that Lenny HB. Bearing in mind that the SP was wired in using the pre-installed loom provided by Carthago does that same relay provide the split charge when off grid just using the SP?

 

[Lenny HB]

Thanks for that Lenny HB. Bearing in mind that the SP was wired in using the pre-installed loom provided by Carthago does that same relay provide the split charge when off grid just using the SP?

Not as far as I'm aware. Might want to check your solar is working properly as some installers use the cables not realising that the ones from the roof and the ones near the batteries are not joined but left in place where Carthago install the solar regulator on a factory install often behind the dash.

 

[Robert Clark]

Not as far as I'm aware. Might want to check your solar is working properly as some installers use the cables not realising that the ones from the roof and the ones near the batteries are not joined but left in place where Carthago install the solar regulator on a factory install often behind the dash.

The break in the cables for the solar regulator on our Carthago was in the side glove compartment. The one with the hinged lid on the right hand side (looking forward on the inside of the van)

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Dorset Diver]

Lenny HB. The wires used by Southdowns to connect the SP are definitely the ones mentioned by Robert Clark and the SP controller is located in the glove compartment he describes. When off grid the system definitely prioritises the charge to the leisure batteries and does charge the vehicle battery. It all work well but if it is not the split charge relay doing the "split" what should I be looking for?

 

[Robert Clark]

The split charge relay will not allow you to charge the engine battery from the leisure battery
You’d need a battery master to do this
We had one fitted by Vanbitz
It was located in the locker to the right of the hab door (looking from outside)
From memory they put the battery master across the split charge relay which therefore must be located in that area

 

[Wagoneer]

Maybe the OP has a dual output solar regulator with one output going to leisure and the other going to starter.

As mentioned above, the split charge relay, located on the CBE board, will only join the starter/leisure batteries together when the alternator is running.

If no dual output solar regulator then look for a device (battery master or similar) connected to +B1, +B2 and -B2 at the CBE box.

 

[Lenny HB]

Cheaper alternative to the Batterymaster is the CBE solar split charge relay.

 

[peterc10]

Lenny HB. The wires used by Southdowns to connect the SP are definitely the ones mentioned by Robert Clark and the SP controller is located in the glove compartment he describes. When off grid the system definitely prioritises the charge to the leisure batteries and does charge the vehicle battery. It all work well but if it is not the split charge relay doing the "split" what should I be looking for?

The split charger, or the B2B (if fitted) is only used to charge the leisure batteries when the engine is running. Both have nothing to do with charging by solar or when on EHU. You will have a 240v charger, probably made by CBE if you have a Carthago, for charging the batteries. And you will have a solar regulator for charging with solar and that may work in conjunction with your CBE unit, or may be independent of if it.

I would be very surprised if your CBE charger and solar system would not charge both leisure and engine batteries. But if it turns out that it doesn't then you just need to buy a battery master or the CBE unit Lenny has suggested.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}