Solar Regulator - how wire in AC - DC charger?

[berniebgf Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close berniebgf]

Hi all,

I am setting up a Solar system for the caravan, I have purchase a solar regulator (MPPT) that also has a remote head unit for monitoring statistics including Battery level, load, solar power and so on.....

My question is around how I can/should incorporate the standard AC-DC charger into this solution without effecting any of the controller statistics (to much)......

On the Regulator I have the following which is simple enough.

1. Battery
2. Solar Panel
3. Load

I would like to run my thinking passed everyone......

After reading the Controller Unit manual it states that the battery level statistics are measured (and estimated) from the battery voltage level not the "real" battery level.

So that being said, I believe connecting the DC side (obviously) of the AC-DC charger directly to the Battery will not effect any of my load readings and will simply mean that the controller will display 100% battery level when the AC-DC charger is on (As it will bring the voltage reading up on from the battery).

All of my load will be connected to the MPPT regulator on the load side. (it will be fused 20amp).

Hope that makes sense.

Any advice welcome.

Bernie.

[berniebgf Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close berniebgf]

OK,

Ran through all of the manuals again for the power unit in the caravan (Jayco), it actually states to place any solar charging solution directly across the battery parallel to the existing system. The only caveat is that the solar regulator must keep the voltage below 14.8 Volts.

So all sorted!

Hope this helps someone else.

Bernie.

[maxjj Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maxjj]

I read your post with interest, I only just got a van a couple of weeks ago with solar and still trying to figure out how its set up.

Have been at work the last couple of days only just now having a look. It uses a projecta intelli charger ( also has remote head unit) and then a separate controller from the panels to the battery, its all just hooked up independently directly to the battery.

The two controllers seem to work just fine together.

[mjrandom Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close mjrandom]

I cannot comment on any regulators other than the two I have and both definately state to connect directly to the battery otherwise the regulator can misread the voltage/

[berniebgf Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close berniebgf]

Yeah, its a bit of a compromise as I can not now use the "load" from the Solar Regulator, however because of the system in the caravan I have no other option (unless I change it).

I am going to buy a Amp / Amp bainbridgetech meter so I can monitor current too and from the battery.

At least I will be able to review the Battery level and the Solar charging level from the remote head.

Do you know what solar controller you have? I went with a system from EPSolar (cost focused), they seem to make some of Redarc's low end systems. I would have liked the BMS1215S2 (Full system management) but can't justify the cost.

bernie.

[maxjj Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maxjj]

looks like my solar controller is a topray tps 1230.

the other thing I am trying to work it is where and how to fit the inverter. I didn`t want to fit it in the front boot like the other stuff, was thinking under the seats in the middle of van.
Some sort of dc-dc charger from the house battery to charge the AGM. Need to have a good look at how I am going to run the wiring.

[berniebgf Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close berniebgf]

What do you mean by dc-dc from the house battery?

One of the reasons I went with the solar for the caravan was that I could not be bothered running aux power from the car battery through to the caravan. Having the solar will save me the trouble.

1. When I am at home it (being the battery) will be plugged into 240 and charging Via the inbuilt AC-DC charger.
2. When we are travelling it will be charging / assisted by the solar.

If I need more "buffer" power stored I will just put another 100AH battery in.

Bernie

[maxjj Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maxjj]

I have got a battery in the caravan boot that is charged from either solar, 240V via projecta charger or from the anderson plug from car.
It looks after all the van lighting, water pump, TV radio etc.

I want to fit an inverter, to charge laptops and other devices. Most convenient spot would be inside van under seat so that I can plug devices into the inverter while sitting in van. An AGM under the seat to supply inverter seems a good idea. Was just trying to work out how to charge the AGM, a dc to dc charger sitting next to the AGM supplied from the van battery in boot that I can turn on when required seemed to make sense. Probably should also mention that I am trying to avoid caravan parks and want to be self sufficient.

[berniebgf Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close berniebgf]

Your solar is going to charge the battery while you are "off the grid"?
In turn your inverter will charge the appliances...(that are 240 rated)...

Why are you looking to charge your AGM another way beside solar? if so, generator to the Anderson plug or generator to the 240volt input. (connecting to the Projecta). Also, I would purchase RED colors 240 face plate so you can easily distinguish the "inverter source" v's "grid source".

Am I missing something?

I have DC chargers for all of them, no point in converting from 12 volt --> 240v --> 12v DC when you can provide 12volt anyway... All that heat in the laptop adapter is just lost power.

My load is as follows.

1. 2 x fridges ( 1 x Gas, 12volt or 240, 1 x 12volt)
2. ~2 laptops (all on 12volt adapters, low usage)
3. TBC - 12volt 19" TV
4. All LED strip lights (next to no power draw)
5. Trumatic heater (Gas but electric fan)
6. Water pump (biggest power draw...~5-6amps)

We don't have any stereo stuff and don't use the laptops much. I have an analogue amp meter from the battery, I am going to change this over to the Baintech. So our usage on power is fairly low.

Bernie.

[maxjj Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close maxjj]

the main concern for me is the location, the front boot of the van has got the main battery and all the charger etc. Yes I could get 12v chargers for most things, but in the end I still need an inverter for some.

How do you like the gas heater for heating the van, , was considering diesel heater, but they make a fair bit of noise particularly on the outside.

[berniebgf Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close berniebgf]

Trumatic Heater was one of the best things we did to the van, as we camp all year round. less people in winter time.

I installed it myself and had someone check the GAS plumbing, it is very quiet on the outside... the fan inside is a bit noisy when heading to bed but you get use to the noise an beautiful heat. It is VERY efficient on gas.

We looked at the Diesel units but they were expensive, did not look at the noise. We went to the sandown camping show last weekend, they had a new diesel unit on display that was really compact...looked good not sure of price.

We got our Trumatic off Ebay, our neighbour purchased the same unit off the ebay seller (thats where we got the info from)

Bernie