Installing Victron 12/12/30 DC to DC Charger: To disable or not?

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COZZIE1963

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autosleeper corinium
hi hope someone can help me there seems to be a lot of conflicting views on this subject.
Ive just installed a Victron 12/12/30 dc to dc charger and the existing system is still in place ,a lot of views say you should disable you existing charge relay some say it’s ok ,
I am going to 280w lithium I’ve put the b2b in place and also the Victron mppt for my solar both direct to house battery changing mains charger as well .
So my question is I really don’t have a clue about a relay install to stop the signal can I disable it even tho my fridge and step won’t work for a while until I get relay fitted with a pro my unit is an autosleeper corinium 2018 with EM40 and Ec500 .Be very grateful if someone could help or even put me intouch with someone who can fit the relay what ever it costs Thanks
 
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:welco:
Its very important to disable the split charge relay otherwise it is in parallel to the B2B and you will never achieve much output from the B2B

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Lenny HB said:
:welco:
Its very important to disable the split charge relay otherwise it is in parallel to the B2B and you will never achieve much output from the B2B
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Yes I agree that’s why just as a short term fix I was just going to cut the D+ with a switch if I knew what wire
 
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COZZIE1963 said:
Yes I agree that’s why just as a short term fix I was just going to cut the D+ with a switch if I knew what wire
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I wouldn't do that better just disable the split chare relay. Sorry I can't help with Sargent systems only know about German vans.
 
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Lenny HB said:
:welco:
Its very important to disable the split charge relay otherwise it is in parallel to the B2B and you will never achieve much output from the B2B
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Do all modern vans have split chargers?

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COZZIE1963 said:
hi hope someone can help me there seems to be a lot of conflicting views on this subject.
Ive just installed a Victron 12/12/30 dc to dc charger and the existing system is still in place ,a lot of views say you should disable you existing charge relay some say it’s ok ,
Click to expand...
Not seen many people say it is ok to leave a split charger in parallel with a B2B. Having got my first install wrong I can tell you it doesn’t work properly. Sometimes the B2B is wired through the split charge relay which removes the parallel operation but might put a strain on the relay.
 
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Lenny HB said:
All vans have always had them. Most of the latest vans with Smart alternators now have a B2B.
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I'm not convinced mine has, my battery went flat on my last trip to Southern France. The dealer said it was because of the smart alternator.
 
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Dorwyn said:
I'm not convinced mine has, my battery went flat on my last trip to Southern France. The dealer said it was because of the smart alternator.
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A split charge relay system will not work with a smart alternator. You will need a B2B. This has been known for several years but some manufacturers have been very slow to do anything about it.
 
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Dorwyn said:
I'm not convinced mine has, my battery went flat on my last trip to Southern France. The dealer said it was because of the smart alternator.
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I did say most, Elddis are cheapskates so you probably have a split charge relay which won't work with your smart alternator.

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Pausim said:
A split charge relay system will not work with a smart alternator. You will need a B2B. This has been known for several years but some manufacturers have been very slow to do anything about it.
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That's what I meant, I haven't got a b2b, and not sure about whether I have a split charger, which will need to be disabled if I fit one.
 
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Pausim said:
Not seen many people say it is ok to leave a split charger in parallel with a B2B. Having got my first install wrong I can tell you it doesn’t work properly. Sometimes the B2B is wired through the split charge relay which removes the parallel operation but might put a strain on the relay.
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My question still remains how to disable without adding a relay
 
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Sorry I can’t help with a Sargent system, I have only done it on Schaudt and CBE ones.
 
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COZZIE1963 said:
My question still remains how to disable without adding a relay
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See my post #16 above, and look at post #9 in the thread I linked.

I received this from Sargent

Hello,
As the split charging is a built in function of the main PCB in the EC225, the only way you will be able to disable it without affecting other systems is to use a high current relay to disconnect the vehicle battery supply when the engine is started.

Best Regards

Dan Howlett

Design Technician
Sargent Electrical Services Ltd
 
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My question still remains

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Dorwyn said:
I'm not convinced mine has, my battery went flat on my last trip to Southern France. The dealer said it was because of the smart alternator.
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I’m not saying this is true in your case, but one of the problems with LiFePO4 battery sellers that advertise drop-in replacement is that they don’t take into account smart alternators. Basically get the sale and make the money, and then admit some changes may be required.
 
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