Fridge on 12v (and b2b + mains charger questions)

[DuncT]

Just an idea, can you add another cable on the negative from XS to chassis?

So the negative from the XS currently goes to the chassis ground/near the starter battery. It's the main one that the starter battery goes to with a thick braded cable/strap.

This cable is new, 16mm2 and about 1m long.

I could/will re-check the crimp/lug on the end but I'm sure it's good. It's also tightly down flat on top of the battery earth strap (not touching paint etc).

I did wonder if it was just that my alternator couldn't supply enough power but with the engine ticking over (which is all I've tested this on up till now but revving it doesn't change anything). But I then switch on the fridge which pulls about 11a and the XS doesn't change with the fridge getting this extra power. So the alternator seems good. It's also not that old & only done 8k miles.

 

[Raul]

So the negative from the XS currently goes to the chassis ground/near the starter battery.

Ok, how is the leisure battery getting the negative? Is it to the chassis ?

 

[AdrianChen]

Not sure why the charger was in absorption, when the battery was still at 13.4v and whilst the settings show absorption set to 14.2v, which is what the charger is outputting. Should still be in bulk?

When the charger is switched on as the engine starts, does it go into bulk to begin with, or more or less straight to Absorption?

Would be interested to see the XS history.

 

[DuncT]

Ok, how is the leisure battery getting the negative? Is it to the chassis ?

I think that's the problem!!!

The negative from the leisure battery goes to a new 300a busbar and then the other negatives connect to that. But, it's not actually getting to the chassis until it's been through 10mm2 cable that goes to the EBL (which I assume is then earth/bonded to the chassis).

So... can I use/take the negative that goes from the XS and put this into the negative busbar. Then connect the Orion into this busbar? Thus saving another run of cable to the earthing point.

 

[Raul]

Or, if practical and the preferred option in this case, pull a wire from that bus bar to chassis.
That way the XS and battery has a common ground: chassis, skipping your ebl and the 10mm2 section.

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[DuncT]

Or, if practical and the preferred option in this case, pull a wire from that bus bar to chassis.
That way the XS and battery has a common ground: chassis, skipping your ebl and the 10mm2 section.

Please excuse my quick sketch but can I just do this? Or do I need an extra neg wire? Thanks

 

[Lenny HB]

Please excuse my quick sketch but can I just do this? Or do I need an extra neg wire? Thanks



View attachment 1038149

Basically what I did I connected the neg from the XS to my neg bus bar it works perfectly.

 

[Raul]

Please excuse my quick sketch but can I just do this? Or do I need an extra neg wire? Thanks



View attachment 1038149

That's exactly what I said,

 

[DuncT]

Finally sorted. It was the neutral.
Thanks for all your help

 

[Raul]

Well done for your effort and sticking with it , till you sorted it.

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[DuncT]

Really appreciate all your help

It's just a nightmare working on the leisure battery as it's in the driver's side step area but as it's an a class, there's no door. So all work involves laying on the floor in the cab. Not fun!!

Hopefully all's good now. Victron B2B charges at 50a, Victron IP22 mains charges at 30a, Victron mppt 100/30 has this far put about 15a max in.