Connecting a victron smart charger to a sargent ec325

[garry63]

Hi all starting a new thread as asking a specific question
Thank for all input on my other post about batteries
I have a sargent ec325 with built in charger but been told its not compatible with newer batteries agm gel.
I've been advised to fit a victron smart charger but not sure how to connect has anyone done this?
I also have a 130w solar connected direct to battery via mppt controller
Advice on this specific system please

 

[garry63]

 

[PhilandMena]

I have had a read of the manual and all it states is there is an intelligent battery charger that can also be configured for Gel.
I would advise you find out what the actual charging profile is for this charger by contacting Sargent then check it against the charging profile of the batteries you want to install. There is a 20 Amp fuse om the front of the EC325 so very simple to isolate if you decide to fit anouther charger.

 

[Tombola]

Remove the fuse to the Sargent to disable it and then fit the victron anywhere you see fit and plug in to your 240 v sockets when needed or run a permanent 240 switched socket closer to where you stick the victron.

2nd option use the supplied power from fuse input from the ec325 and divert it to the victron.

1st option is prob easiest.

 

[garry63]

Remove the fuse to the Sargent to disable it and then fit the victron anywhere you see fit and plug in to your 240 v sockets when needed or run a permanent 240 switched socket closer to where you stick the victron.

2nd option use the supplied power from fuse input from the ec325 and divert it to the victron.

1st option is prob easiest.

What about charging whilst driving does the ec325 do this in the configuration I have now and if so will it still charge with the victron

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[garry63]

I have had a read of the manual and all it states is there is an intelligent battery charger that can also be configured for Gel.
I would advise you find out what the actual charging profile is for this charger by contacting Sargent then check it against the charging profile of the batteries you want to install. There is a 20 Amp fuse om the front of the EC325 so very simple to isolate if you decide to fit anouther charger.

Cheers im going to contact sargent tomorrow

 

[GeoffnDee]

garry63 If it would be useful to you , there is a operation manual for your Sargent EC325 that can be downloaded , in the Manuals for Motorhome stuff section of Resources that can be found at the bottom of this page

 

[garry63]

garry63 If it would be useful to you , there is a operation manual for your Sargent EC325 that can be downloaded , in the Manuals for Motorhome stuff section of Resources that can be found at the bottom of this page

Thanks geoff

 

[Insider]

Do you have a seperate bit of kit like a Sargent PX-300 charger located near the EC325 by any chance?

 

[garry63]

No at the moment the leisure battery is charged by the ec325 and solar

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[Tombola]

What about charging whilst driving does the ec325 do this in the configuration I have now and if so will it still charge with the victron

No the 325 doesnt charge the battery whilst driving.
It charges the leisure batteries when on hook up & solar, and has the ability to keep the starter battery topped up too from solar too.
the problem with it is that when it detecets a low leisure battery it can send a higher rated voltage up to even 18v to blast the battery, this can obvs cause problems to anything else directly connected to the battery.

 

[garry63]

No the 325 doesnt charge the battery whilst driving.
It charges the leisure batteries when on hook up & solar, and has the ability to keep the starter battery topped up too from solar too.

I fit the solar panel to a mppt controller and direct to batteries not via ec325.
This was advised was I given bad advice

 

[Revolvor]

I fit the solar panel to a mppt controller and direct to batteries not via ec325.
This was advised was I given bad advice

No, not bad advice - it's what I did with my EC325.

 

[garry63]

I was advised by a motorhome repair shop to use a separate charger if using gel or agm battery as the charger on the ec325 wasn't good and possible not supporting these batteries

 

[garry63]

Going to call sargent tomorrow

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[Tombola]

I fit the solar panel to a mppt controller and direct to batteries not via ec325.
This was advised was I given bad advice

no, not if you disconect the 325 charge function.

So you dont have a solar panel going through the 325 do you , just going through an MPPT.
If not then switch off the ehu charge function, add a victron smart charger that can be plugged in when required and you are good to go...apart brom b2b charging that is.

Discon the 325
Add a solar though MPPT
add a victron smart
add a b2b if needed
thats what Ive done on my past 2 vans, it can also be removed if required when selling

 

[Tombola]

You should not connect any device direct to the battery on the EC325.
The Sargent EC325 unit has a very sophisticated mains charger. If 240v is connected and the battery is low it will 'isolate' the battery from the Motorhome and switch a small 12v power supply into it's place to keep things ticking over.
It will then 'super charge' the battery at up to 18v and 25amps. Anything connected directly to the battery will get hit with these higher volts.
A Battery Master style unit should not be fitted, for obvious reasons.

Because the charger voltage can reach 18v, a Gel or AGM battery should not be used for the habitation battery. Ideally it should be a Silver technology based battery like the Varta LFD90 as these will cope with 18v charge better than most.​

 

[garry63]

no, not if you disconect the 325 charge function.

So you dont have a solar panel going through the 325 do you , just going through an MPPT.
If not then switch off the ehu charge function, add a victron smart charger that can be plugged in when required and you are good to go...apart brom b2b charging that is.

Discon the 325
Add a sloar though MPPT
add a victron smart
add a b2b if needed
thats what Ive done on my past 2 vans, it can all be reomived if required when selling

If I go for smart charger and connect to the feed for charger on ec325 can I just leave and forget with it working auto when I plug ehu in

 

[Tombola]

If I go for smart charger and connect to the feed for charger on ec325 can I just leave and forget with it working auto when I plug ehu in

yes, if the 230-240v feed into the 325 charger part goes seperatley through one of the breakers/fuses taken the feed from that side so its protected .
or just as easy add an extesion to one of the sockets to where the charger will sit in your battery box using a UK 3 pin plug...same thing.

 

[garry63]

No, not bad advice - it's what I did with my EC325.

Revolver
When you fit your set up did you disconect from ec325 charger ie remove fuse

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[GeoffnDee]

The EC325 is unusual as it charges the leisure battery from the alternator power, when running , through its built in charger and , as Tombola said can boost up to 18v when on EHU (the Sargent manual does state that nothing else should be connected to the battery because of this feature).
If you do talk to Sargent they should be able to advise you about this.

 

[Tombola]

looks like its the one on the end

 

[garry63]

yes, if the 230-240v feed into the 325 charger part goes seperatley through one of the breakers/fuses taken the feed from that side so its protected .
or just as easy add an extesion to one of the sockets to where the charger will sit in your battery box using a UK 3 pin plug...same thing.

Tombola
If I fit extra socket and switch on when on hook up do I remove fuse from charger on ec325 to disable charge facility

 

[Tombola]

Tombola
If I fit extra socket and switch on when on hook up do I remove fuse from charger on ec325 to disable charge facility

either remove the fuse or the wires from it inside...or keep it switched off with a big sticker over it. ( I did that on the EC176 which is a crap unit)

Having posted that picture above it looks like the MCB controls 3 things, so a fuse in the charger itself you could remove, or wires is best... but some tape over the switch would do

 

[garry63]

Slowly getting my head round it.
So when I disconect ehu to drive away I unplug smart charger and put fuse back in so that batteries are charging whilst driving

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[garry63]

Extra to last post the ec325 doesn't support gel or agm

 

[Tombola]

Slowly getting my head round it.
So when I disconect ehu to drive away I unplug smart charger and put fuse back in so that batteries are charging whilst driving

thats the thing I was unaware about, I didnt know it had a split charge facility built in. and if then it is suitable for your battery

 

[garry63]

thats the thing I was unaware about, I didnt know it had a split charge facility built in. and if then it is suitable for your battery

Your advice has been really helpful ill check with sargent tomorrow and hopefully have a solution

 

[Revolvor]

Revolver
When you fit your set up did you disconect from ec325 charger ie remove fuse

I fitted a CTEK D250 Dual which is a combined MPPT Solar charger and B2B. I hardly ever use the mains charger, just occasionally connecting a trickle charger in the winter, as the van solar panels don't get any sun in winter. I didn't remove any fuses - I just leave the charger switched off. I did however fit a relay in the supply from the split charger, do it didn't compete with the B2B.

Edit: Solar and B2B connected direct to Leisure batteries

 

[Tombola]

In which case, if you already have a relay knocking off the Dc side f the EC325 then just shove a victron smart in and plug in to any EHU 3 pin socket.
this way you will have the Ctek controling the solar and dc, and the victrom smart controling the battery/power draw when on ehu