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

 

[3alpacas]

I note that you are going to contact Sargent - hopefully they'll sort it for you - but two quick thoughts:-

the first is you may already have done some googling but this thread found elsewhere installing dc-dc with an EC328 might help if you didn't see it

and secondly - but less helpfully - the user guide for the EC155 provides a wiring guide for how to install a separate dc-dc charger but I see that the EC328 guide does not....that's intriguing!

good luck

 

[GeoffnDee]

I think you will find that the EC325 operates in different ways to the EC328 with its battery charging system The www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk information on the Sargent charging systems is useful.

 

[PhilandMena]

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

Not quite correct. The manual which gives minimal information on charging does say the charger can be configured for Gel but provides no further information and in addition no charging profile for Lead Acid either. Very poor information for the end user.

 

[garry63]

I've checked with sargent and the ec325 doesn't support gel or agm

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[PhilandMena]

I've checked with sargent and the ec325 doesn't support gel or agm

Page 5 of the manual states the following.
The EC325PSU is configured at the factory for standard lead acid leisure batteries, however your
dealer can reconfigure the unit to work with Gel batteries if required. The dealer may make a small
charge for undertaking this work.

However, it looks like the best option is to pull the fuse and fit a better charger.

 

[garry63]

Page 5 of the manual states the following.
The EC325PSU is configured at the factory for standard lead acid leisure batteries, however your
dealer can reconfigure the unit to work with Gel batteries if required. The dealer may make a small
charge for undertaking this work.

However, it looks like the best option is to pull the fuse and fit a better charger.

Thats what I'm going to do so easy to fit

 

[autorouter]

However, it looks like the best option is to pull the fuse and fit a better charger.

I don't know how to fit a better charger in place of the EC325 internal charger, but I do know that it's not as easy as it looks. There is a combined battery charger, fed by a 13.5V supply from a mains power supply when on EHU, and fed by the alternator when driving. So it's like a combination mains/B2B charger. This is the device that has the charging profile for flooded lead-acid, and may not be suitable for your other types of battery.

If you want to replace that charger, then in the absence of a new combined mains/B2B charger you will have to fit separate items. Then you have the problem of disconnecting the EC325 mains and B2B charging, while still leaving everything else working. That's the bit I don't know how to do. You'd need to know the details of the internals of the EC325 to do that.

When on EHU, habitation loads are disconnected from the battery and are powered by the mains power supply at 13.5V, which also supplies power to the combined charger. When not on EHU, the habitation loads are switched back to the battery. If replacing the chargers, you would need to ensure that the habitation loads are still powered as required.

 

[garry63]

I don't know how to fit a better charger in place of the EC325 internal charger, but I do know that it's not as easy as it looks. There is a combined battery charger, fed by a 12V supply from a mains power supply when on EHU, and fed by the alternator when driving. So it's like a combination mains/B2B charger. This is the device that has the charging profile for flooded lead-acid, and may not be suitable for your other types of battery.

If you want to replace that charger, then in the absence of a new combined mains/B2B charger you will have to fit separate items. Then you have the problem of disconnecting the EC325 mains and B2B charging, while still leaving everything else working. That's the bit I don't know how to do. You'd need to know the details of the internals of the EC325 to do that.

Hi autoroute
Its as simple as pluging victron smart charger into a socket and connecting to battery then removing the fuse for the ec325 charger when on ehu.
When setting off turn off victron and replace the fuse in ec325 this will charge whilst driving even with gel battery
This is what sargent said was ok

 

[Revolvor]

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

garry63 I think I may have misled you.
I realise I have an EC225, not an EC325. As I stated above, I just leave the charger switched off, and control everything from the panel over the door.

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[autorouter]

Hi autoroute
Its as simple as pluging victron smart charger into a socket and connecting to battery then removing the fuse for the ec325 charger when on ehu.
When setting off turn off victron and replace the fuse in ec325 this will charge whilst driving even with gel battery
This is what sargent said was ok

Yes, that would work, but you have to remember to do it every time you stop and start. I was thinking more of an automatic switchover. A relay added somewhere inside the box if there's room, that switches off the feed through the fuse if EHU is connected. Or in a small box with a bit of extra wiring if there's no room inside the box.

 

[garry63]

Yes, that would work, but you have to remember to do it every time you stop and start. I was thinking more of an automatic switchover. A relay added somewhere inside the box if there's room, that switches off the feed through the fuse if EHU is connected. Or in a small box with a bit of extra wiring if there's no room inside the box.

Wow that seems a bit over my head