Changing to a b2b

[U.Toadifact]

I run a 2017 Ducato based PVC with a smart alternator. I would like to fit a b2b. Can I just install it with no other mods or do I need to do something with the existing split charge relay, bearing in mind my fridge is a 12volt only compressor unit which runs from the leisure battery when the engine is running but powers off when the engine is stopped.

Motorhome electrics fries my brain cell. How easy home electrics are in comparison.

 

[DBK]

The split charge system, if it has one, will need disconnection. There may be a fuse which might make it easier but check you don't isolate other systems when you do, for example my batterymaster needed a bit of rewiring.

Your 12 volt compressor fridge is incorrectly wired if it doesn't work unless the engine is running. It should work all the time. It sounds as if yours has been connected to the 12 feed which would be used for a 3 way fridge as they should only work on 12 volts when the engine is running.

Fitting a B2B is straightforward if you can sort out good cables, fuses and connectors. If you have a shunt type battery monitor and you connect directly to the battery, which is what the instructions will probably say then your battery monitor won't measure the charge from the B2B. This isn't a major problem as I discovered when I did mine that way as the monitor soon works out the batteries are fully charged.

There's a link in my signature to an account of my B2B fitting.

 

[U.Toadifact]

Thanks for your reply. My fridge does work when the engine is not running but the main control panel over the door has to be switched on manually after stopping the engine.

 

[Guigsy]

If your existing system is up to it, and you limit your B2B to 30amps, you can wire the B2B between the cab battery and the EBK and leave the existing links in place. No bypassing required. The B2B boosts the voltage up from what the smart alternator is supplying, so it still draws current to keep your hab side happy. This is only possible if your EBK is relatively robust to cope with the current.

 

[U.Toadifact]

Thank you for your reply, but what is an EBK?

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[Guigsy]

Your Elektroblock... or whatever the equivalent charger/fuse/distribution box you've got is.

 

[U.Toadifact]

Yes understood. Mine is a Sargent set up.

 

[autorouter]

Mine is a Sargent set up.

What model number is the Sargent distribution/fusebox? Because the split charging is done differently for different brands of fusebox, and even different models, the details of disabling it can depend on the exact model number. Another complication is that the split charge relay sometimes supplies other things as well as the leisure battery, so if you disable it you have to find an alternative way of powering the other things.

 

[U.Toadifact]

Thanks for your reply. My van has the EC600 control unit.