SMC Newark, great service again (1 Viewer)

[Blue Knight]

Just to write in defence of the LR1218 ... I installed one in our current camper in summer 2015 and our batteries are performing as well now as they were then (2 x Banner 95ah AGMs) ... they have NOT been fried! When away for 2 x 7 weeks trips a year we rely totally on the batteries so it is important they work okay, which they do.

That's good to know. The LRM1218 would probably be a safer regulator for its lower float charge of 13.4v but in its absence I'm going to place an isolator switch on the solar +ve input to ensure that I have better control of the system.

As I was also advised to reduce the 20A Fuse to 10A on the EBL solar slot.

If we buy a Frankia then I'll probably fit my own solar rig under advice from the experts.

 

[Neckender]

Lennyhb is the expert as I needed advice how to set my system up after I’d fitted it all and Lenny was a great help technical wise.

John.

 

[Blue Knight]

Must admit when I had the solar fitted I did ask about which controller they would use and they said they have never had an issue with the LR1218 and I haven’t had any problems in the time I’ve had it either, I would think it would be unfit for purpose if it fried the batteries?

I'm working to Allan's advice from A&N Caravan Services so I'm more than happy to follow his lead.

Did you manage to check your Reg wires. I assume from your first post that all is well.

 

[Dave K]

I'm working to Allan's advice from A&N Caravan Services so I'm more than happy to follow his lead.

Did you manage to check your Reg wires. I assume from your first post that all is well.

I haven’t yet Andrew but will do at some point, I gather from your posts that you’re thinking of changing the van, are you not happy with the Pilote?

 

[Blue Knight]

I haven’t yet Andrew but will do at some point, I gather from your posts that you’re thinking of changing the van, are you not happy with the Pilote?

We've not found anything out there that will match the Pilote P740, and we both love it to bits, but I've just got an itch about the Frankia.

I think the boss will have the final say but either way I'll be popping down to SMC soon for a cup of tea (famous last words ).

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[Deanobeano]

From my reading the float charge for the LR1218 is OK for AGM's but too high for flooded types. This may explain why Minxy Girls batteries are fairing well.

SMC fitted the LR1218 to mine and I will be changing it to a LRM or most probably a Victron.

I'm seeing 14.2V on the display of mine and everywhere I read this is too high for flooded batteries.

https://www.varta-automotive.com/en-gb/varta-battery-support/charging/how-to-charge-a-car-battery

 

[Xabia]

I fitted an LR1218 on Alan of AandN recommendation 3 years ago and also have had no problems with the Leisure batteries

 

[Blue Knight]

From my reading the float charge for the LR1218 is OK for AGM's but too high for flooded types. This may explain why Minxy Girls batteries are fairing well.

SMC fitted the LR1218 to mine and I will be changing it to a LRM or most probably a Victron.

I'm seeing 14.2V on the display of mine and everywhere I read this is too high for flooded batteries.

https://www.varta-automotive.com/en-gb/varta-battery-support/charging/how-to-charge-a-car-battery

That's the banana

 

[Gina M]

I am booked in tomorrow and will get them to check on all these details.

 

[Dave K]

I am booked in tomorrow and will get them to check on all these details.

That would be good

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[Blue Knight]

I am booked in tomorrow and will get them to check on all these details.

As per @Deanobeano tip-top post above the problem will only stem from having a flooded/wet battery. This was also mentioned by Allan to me the other day but I seem to have omitted that from my original info. (Just like my school report: "Must try harder").

Have a good day guys and I hope SMC has a few of those wee choccie muffins next to the coffee machine.

 

[Blue Knight]

I am booked in tomorrow and will get them to check on all these details.

Steve, Gena,

How did it go yesterday. I have a hunch that my wet batteries are shot (after only 8-months) so I now need to come up with an alternative battery set-up.

Cheers,

Andrew

 

[Dave K]

Steve, Gena,

How did it go yesterday. I have a hunch that my wet batteries are shot (after only 8-months) so I now need to come up with an alternative battery set-up.

Cheers,

Andrew

If that’s the case I would get back to SMC Andrew, there’s obviously an issue which you shouldn’t have to pay for.

 

[Blue Knight]

If that’s the case I would get back to SMC Andrew, there’s obviously an issue which you shouldn’t have to pay for.

I took some electrical measurements yesterday Dave and I think we can still go wild camping as long as we only go for 30-minutes max.

There's a bigger issue here though (I suspect) so I'm going to seek some further expert advice from Allan.

 

[Dave K]

Just came across this, batteries still shouldn’t be failing in under 2 years
by the sound of
http://www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk/lr-1218.php

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[Blue Knight]

Just came across this, batteries still shouldn’t be failing in under 2 years
by the sound of
http://www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk/lr-1218.php

Cheers Dave, that's a good article but it does say that the LR1218 is only suitable for wet batteries (not AGM or Gel) and that its float charge of 14.2v, over a sustained period, is quite dodgy to wet batteries because it is an aggressive charger.

I am sitting in the van at the moment. I have all the lights on and TV while the solar is disconnected. I'm running a constant voltage of 12.4v

We are off for a few days soon (C&MC site) so I'm going to avoid the EHU for the first day and see how these batteries unfold.

This battery stuff is not easy. I'll be interested to see what response came from the dealer yesterday.

 

[Neckender]

Good luck with it Andrew, like I’ve said before SMC have been really good with us and I hope they come good for you too.

John.

 

[Blue Knight]

Good luck with it Andrew, like I’ve said before SMC have been really good with us and I hope they come good for you too.

John.

They've always been very responsive John so I'm not worried about their future actions. I think the big issue with any dealer these days is that none of them really understand such topics as solar.

 

[Deanobeano]

I've been in contct with the service department today. It was for some minor issues with my used Frankia I purchased off them past week.

They have dealt with my issues well and I am booked in with them after I get back from our upcoming Sapin / Portugal trip.

So so far, so good for SMC.

 

[Deanobeano]

Oh, and I bit the bullet and ordred a Voltroninc Duo 250 MPPt controller and electroblock cable (from Germany) to replace the LR1218. I was concerned seeing 14.2V on both my leisure batteries and starter battery.

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[Blue Knight]

Oh, and I bit the bullet and ordred a Voltroninc Duo 250 MPPt controller and electroblock cable (from Germany) to replace the LR1218. I was concerned seeing 14.2V on both my leisure batteries and starter battery.

I've been monitoring my batteries today and this is the first time that my LR1218 has been working properly since I collected the van from the dealer. I'm 100% certain (following Allan's advice and your link too) that the LR1218 is not a good unit for my wet batteries. I have already disconnected the Reg-to-starter wire as I want to save my starter battery. I am adding an isolator in the morning so that I can switch off the solar unit as and when I want.

I've been advised to buy a Votronic MPPT 165 for my set-up which is what I'm likely to do if we don't change the van in the next few weeks.

All the best,

Andrew

 

[Gina M]

Hi all had my hab check at SMC and they have checked my solar regulator and battery and everything okay.
I had to have a fob for my tracker covered under warranty and rear locker rubber seal needed resticking, and we decided to have the rear lounge fixed table removed shmbo orders and they put 4 bungs in the holes which look okay , I was kept in coffee no munchies and they washed the van on completion. Pleased with the service

 

[Blue Knight]

Hi all had my hab check at SMC and they have checked my solar regulator and battery and everything okay.

Steve, what is your Regulator make and battery type?

Regards,

Andrew

 

[Gina M]

Hi Andrew
I will have a look on Saturday and send photo of the battery and regulator

 

[Blue Knight]

Hi Andrew
I will have a look on Saturday and send photo of the battery and regulator

Thanks Steve, that's very much appreciated.

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[Chipster]

Frankia fit (or did for 2016/17) Moll batteries. AGM I think.

 

[Gina M]

Hi Andrew
Photos of our set up and the battery is a moll

 

[Blue Knight]

Hi Andrew
Photos of our set up and the battery is a mollView attachment 223619View attachment 223620View attachment 223621View attachment 223622

Hi Steve and Gina - some great pics and thanks for going to the trouble of posting them up.

You have a Moll AGM battery which is supported by a charger with a rate of 14.3v (charge) and 13.5 to 13.8v (maintenance) so that looks like a good set-up.

I am not familiar with the charger being used and its capabilities but in principle your set-up is more synched-in than mine because your component parts are more matched and suited.

All the best

Andrew

 

[Gina M]

Hi Andrew
That's reassuring to know,although I was introduced to the technician at SMC after all the posts I wanted reassuring from them as well.
Another positive i found a cordless hoover that I had stored out of the way and forgot about

 

[Blue Knight]

Hi Andrew
That's reassuring to know,although I was introduced to the technician at SMC after all the posts I wanted reassuring from them as well.
Another positive i found a cordless hoover that I had stored out of the way and forgot about

It's always a good feeling when you find something hidden away eh

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