Battery flat despite 80 solar panel

[Reallyretired]

Apologies for duplicate post, not quite sure what happened.

 

[Techno]

CBE control panel so it makes sense that the circuitry of the CSB2 would be integral

 

[JJ]

Fitted the original controller back...

Like the Rapidos mentioned above, my Hymer does the same... charges both leisure batteries and the starter battery too both via solar or hook up... (and of course the engine.)

I am sure the Steca 1515 can be persuaded to do the same with a Battery Mate type thingy (I have one from Road Pro for the Wagon but not fitted it yet...)

Anyhow... the red light on the controller now lights up but have no idea what this is telling me... the instructions are faded and in German!

JJ :Cool:

 

[Gromett]

I have the WellSee 30A MPPT charger.

It works but stops charging about the 13.8V mark.

Not as effective as my old TriStar TS-45 but then again I didn't spend £500 on this one either...

 

[JockandRita]

Like the Rapidos mentioned above, my Hymer does the same... charges both leisure batteries and the starter battery too both via solar or hook up... (and of course the engine.)

Ours does as well JJ, via the Elektrobloc when on mains, or alternator running, but whoever fitted the original solar panel, did not wire it through the Elektrobloc. :Sad:
That's where our little CAK Tanks BCM12 comes in that I fitted.

Anyhow... the red light on the controller now lights up but have no idea what this is telling me... the instructions are faded and in German!

Our old solar controller showed a red LED when charging, and a green one when charged.

Cheers,

Jock.

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[Techno]

The electroblocs
EBL99
EBL100
EBL244-9
EBL240
EBL269
do not charge the starter battery with the LRS1218 without additional wiring from it to the starter battery and same goes for any other regulator that may be plugged into it.
Yes the starter battery gets a 2 amp charge when on mains but not when on solar alone.
http://www.aireandsun.co.uk/pdf/solar_systems_and_electroblocs.pdf

These do
EBL101
EBL220
EBL220-2
EBL225
Link Removed

 

[JeanLuc]

The electroblocs
EBL99
EBL100
EBL244-9
EBL240
EBL269
do not charge the starter battery with the LRS1218 without additional wiring from it to the starter battery and same goes for any other regulator that may be plugged into it.
Yes the starter battery gets a 2 amp charge when on mains but not when on solar alone.
http://www.aireandsun.co.uk/pdf/solar_systems_and_electroblocs.pdf

These do
EBL101
EBL220
EBL220-2
EBL225
Link Removed

If you buy the LR1218, it is supplied complete with the required cable links to charge the starter battery when used with EBL99 or EBL100, or the later EBLs that work with LCD (DT) control panels. I have an installation to an EBL99 - both battery sets are charged, and the charging current is displayed on the meter in the IT992 control panel. (It was supplied and installed by Stephen at Aire & Sun last year - great job.)

 

[Techno]

Yes it includes the required additional wiring

 

[JeanLuc]

And in case anyone is concerned about running cables to the starter battery - you don't have to. All the cable links are made to the terminals on the EBL.

 

[Techno]

You can connect to the battery input terminal but for many the seat might need to come off

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[JeanLuc]

You can connect to the battery input terminal but for many the seat might need to come off

You might well have to remove the seat in order to site the LR1218 as it needs to be close to the EBL for the cable links to reach - they are quite short. But all the connections are made to the connector blocks on the front of the EBL.

 

[Techno]

So which is the connection point for the starter battery on the front of a 99 etc?

 

[JeanLuc]

The answer is Block 2 (indicated D+).

The LR1218 comes with two harness links (relevant to EBL99).
One connects the Leisure Battery outlets from LR1218 to EBL block 6 (marked no 7 in the diagram).
The other link has three connector sets. One fits on the LR1218 Starter Battery outlet. Then the existing connector to EBL block 2 (marked no 3 in the diagram) is pulled out and plugged into a matching socket on the LR1218 harness. The other end of the LR1218 harness has a plug that goes back into the now vacant EBL block 2.

It is explained clearly in the LR1218 installation instructions.

 

[Techno]

Thanks, appreciated.
Does the regulator come with this harness no matter which electrobloc or do you specify which one you want it for when ordering?

 

[JeanLuc]

It comes with a few cables (three if I remember correctly). One is common (Leisure battery set) and the other two are options: one for the older EBL99/100/220 series; the other for the newer EBLs with LCD (DT) control panels.
If yours is an EBL99 it will come with the right cables. Aire & Sun supply the units and if in any doubt, contact Stephen, or e-mail Udo Lang at Schaudt. I started by contacting him and he e-mailed the instructions for everything so I could decide on the installation requirements. In the end I was happy to pay Aire & Sun to supply and install for me, but being an inveterate DIYer, I watched and learned so feel I have a reasonable grasp of the system now.

Udo Lang <Udo.Lang@schaudt-gmbh.de>

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[Techno]

It's unlikely I would go for the PWM regulator but it's useful to know, thanks again.
I've just installed an MPPT regulator direct to batteries with a CBE CSB2 connected to a EBL100 to provide starter battery charging. Works well with control panel registering almost same voltage within .1 volt as regulator and when the CSB2 kicks in it shows the transfer charge as an additional load on the leisure battery.

 

[Techno]

Having now obtained a manual for the LR1218 I see the harness you mention and all this does is provide a connection to the feed from the starter battery that would feed the fridge when the engine is running, obviously before the cut off relay. You could connect much easier without all those extra joints by using a piggy back fuse on the 20amp fridge fuse holder.
This type
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/180735817...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649#ht_1734wt_1392

This can also serve as a means to connect a CSB2 or a (battery master) if not using the Schaudt regulator

 

[1Oll]

Good Healthy Batteries, solar, MPPT controller and BCM12

I have a couple 100w of solar panels with an MPPT contoller and two 100amp hour batteries.
Not had electric hook up this year, except to cool the fridge before setting out on a trip. My internal charger is always switched off. Had a week in Wales mostly rain, no EHU. Batteries fully charged each day by solar.
The key to the vehicle battery charge is, as mentioned in previous posts, but there are two other ways. First, cheap and cheerful but not really a good idea.
Connect both leisure and car batteries together with a fused cable. Removing the fuse when starting the car. Disadvantage: Forgetting to remove fuse. (but easily replaceable.)
The sensible idea is to fit a Battery Master but it is quite expensive or the one I fitted, a CAK Tanks (Page 90 in their latest on line catalogue) BCM12. Link to CAK catalogue.
.

Three wires only to connect. One to vehicle battery, one to leisure battery and the last to earth. The BCM12 is fully 'potted' ie filled up with epoxy, so no problem with damp.
It took me half and hour with no real skill required. I suppose a professional auto electrician would take 5 or 10 minutes.
My solar now keeps the two leisure and the vehicle battery topped up.

Important: Newish batteries that have never been allowed to remain flat for any period of time.
MPPT Controller and beefy 4mm square cable, so not loss in charge.

 

[Techno]

Or you can buy it where it's cheapest
Link Removed

 

[EuroTrotters]

So which is the connection point for the starter battery on the front of a 99 etc?

So where is the battery charge output? Underneath?

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[scotjimland]

So where is the battery charge output? Underneath?

yes..

connections on underside of EBL

 

[EuroTrotters]

Very Useful, thank you.

 

[scotjimland]

Very Useful, thank you.

no problem.. bear in mind these are Hymer cable colours .. can be confusing...

Red is Starter battery positive (conventional)

Black is Hab battery Positive

Brown is Negative for Hab Batteries

UK motorhome convertors will in all probability use conventional colours, Red and Black as Pos and Neg .. but always check with a multi-meter

 

[EuroTrotters]

no problem.. bear in mind these are Hymer cable colours .. can be confusing...

Red is Starter battery positive (conventional)

Black is Hab battery Positive

Brown is Negative for Hab Batteries

UK motorhome convertors will in all probability use conventional colours, Red and Black as Pos and Neg .. but always check with a multi-meter

Thanks again, ours is a Hymer so probably as you mention.

I have not had the unit out yet, but there seems to be a lot of excess cable coiled up under it.

 

[scotjimland]

Thanks again, ours is a Hymer so probably as you mention.

I have not had the unit out yet, but there seems to be a lot of excess cable coiled up under it.

yes, there will be enough slack to lift it clear to allow disconnecting cables.. don't forget to remove battery fuses before lifting..

I had mine out (hence photo) to send away for repair..

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[EuroTrotters]

yes, there will be enough slack to lift it clear to allow disconnecting cables.. don't forget to remove battery fuses before lifting..

I had mine out (hence photo) to send away for repair..

What repair did it require may I ask?

 

[scotjimland]

What repair did it require may I ask?

wasn't charging on 240v mains ..

had it repaired by Apuljack Eng,

 

[BusyBuilder]

If you buy the LR1218, it is supplied complete with the required cable links to charge the starter battery when used with EBL99 or EBL100, or the later EBLs that work with LCD (DT) control panels. I have an installation to an EBL99 - both battery sets are charged, and the charging current is displayed on the meter in the IT992 control panel. (It was supplied and installed by Stephen at Aire & Sun last year - great job.)

Agree, when I replaced cheapo regulator with the LRM1218 into my EBL99, the instructions stated to change the red wire and put an extra (supplied) cable into the wiring system to charge the vehicle battery, after 6 months it's all working very well and all 3 batteries are being charged up by the 250w solar panels.

 

[TerryL]

And now for your battery.
A battery that has been allowed to go flat and remain there for a while is probably now dead. You may be lucky if your battery charger is one of the intelligent ones but it will never perform as well in the future so once you've got the charging systems sorted out plan for a replacement cab battery.