Maximum Ah Battery Size Using Schaudt EBL 119A Transformer/Rectifier

[Hondaman]

Hello All,
We've just bought (private sale), a 2020 Dethleffs 7057 and I'm in the process of thoroughly checking everything out.
It's fitted with a Schaudt EBL 119A Transformer/Rectifier that has 3 settings for the various battery types (lead acid, AGM and lithium).
The switch is currently set to charge lead acid batteries.
Upon checking to see what type and size of leisure battery the MH has, I noted that it has 2 batteries in total, but an odd mix of an 85Ah AGM and a 110Ah lead acid battery.
From all that I have read, it isn't advisable to mix AGM and lead acid batteries, and definitely not to have such a mis-match in the Ah ratings.
The batteries aren't holding charge particularly well and I plan to replace them with a matching pair of new ones.
I already have a virtually brand new 110Ah Banner lead acid leisure battery from the caravan that I've just sold, so I'm planning to buy a matching one to pair it up.
This brings me to the question:
Is the Schaudt EBL 119A Transformer/Rectifier capable of charging 2x110Ah batteries?
I cannot find any information on a maximum battery size, only that the minimum must be 55Ah.
Many thanks,
Chris

 

[tonka]

Have a Google for A and N caravans, n Wales. Lots of helpful info that could give you some pointers.
When I bought my van having a EBL unit several people warned me to be careful not to overload the charger. I have the EBL 220 and run 2 X Varta 90amp lead acids.

 

[Lenny HB]

Mixing battery sizes is OK but not different construction types as they require different charging voltages.

Schaudt always recommend when fitting a second battery you should fit the additional 18 amp (I think it's an LS1218).
But in practice unless you are often charing your batteries from a low state you can get away without it.
I have 3 x 78 ah Gels with the standard charger but we rarely use EHU.

 

[Hondaman]

Have a Google for A and N caravans, n Wales. Lots of helpful info that could give you some pointers.
When I bought my van having a EBL unit several people warned me to be careful not to overload the charger. I have the EBL 220 and run 2 X Varta 90amp lead acids.

Thanks for that, I’ll check it out

 

[Hondaman]

Have a Google for A and N caravans, n Wales. Lots of helpful info that could give you some pointers.
When I bought my van having a EBL unit several people warned me to be careful not to overload the charger. I have the EBL 220 and run 2 X Varta 90amp lead acids.

Just had a look at the website, some excellent information on there - thanks.

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[VXman]

Is the Schaudt EBL 119A Transformer/Rectifier capable of charging 2x110Ah batteries?
I cannot find any information on a maximum battery size, only that the minimum must be 55Ah.
Many thanks,
Chris

Mine charges 3 X 110ah AGM batteries with no problems. Surely if there was an issue it would be that it just going to charge more slowly not damage the charger? We have 175 watt solar too so I guess that probably helps.

 

[tonka]

Mine charges 3 X 110ah AGM batteries with no problems. Surely if there was an issue it would be that it just going to charge more slowly not damage the charger? We have 175 watt solar too so I guess that probably helps.

At least 2 funsters who advised me about overloading the chargers had done exactly that, to many batteries resulting in a charger repair. I guess the issue is if you let the batteries go real low and they pull a big demand. I know my EBL 220 is rated at 18amp, also you have to allow for the charge for the engine battery.

 

[VXman]

At least 2 funsters who advised me about overloading the chargers had done exactly that, to many batteries resulting in a charger repair. I guess the issue is if you let the batteries go real low and they pull a big demand. I know my EBL 220 is rated at 18amp, also you have to allow for the charge for the engine battery.

The starter battery will only use around 1 amp from the EBL - just a trickle charge I believe. It is an interesting one given that they don't state a maximum. 300amps is not unusual with Lithium batteries nowadays. I guess most people with big battery set ups will have solar too anyway.

This is interesting though...

Typical Faults -These units often have broken mains charger due to spikes and surges or the use of a generator. Sometimes they do not respond to the on/off buttons on the control panel.​

Schaudt Elektroblock EBL 119 Fuseboard with Integrated Charger | Apuljack

Schaudt Elektroblock EBL 119 - exchange, repair, new, lithium upgrade

www.apuljackelectronics.co.uk

​

 

[VXman]

This in the manual at least seems to suggest 160ah is ok

Total discharge. Damage to the leisure area battery: F Fully charge the living area battery before and after closing down the system. (Connect vehicle to the mains with an 80Ah battery at least 12 hours and with a 160Ah battery at least 24 hours).

 

[autorouter]

Is the Schaudt EBL 119A Transformer/Rectifier capable of charging 2x110Ah batteries?
I cannot find any information on a maximum battery size, only that the minimum must be 55Ah.

The charger built into the EBL is a smart 3-stage charger. In the first 'bulk' stage of charging, the charger puts out the maximum amps (18A), regardless of the size of battery. That's the reason for them saying not to use a battery less than 55Ah. It will keep pushing out 18A until the voltage has risen to the 'absorption voltage'. At that stage it is about 80% full.

Some chargers like the Victron can push out their maximum amps 24/7 and never have a problem. The issue with EBL chargers is that if the battery bank is too big, the charger will be in full output mode for a long time, and the charger will be over-stressed. Schaudt recommend that an additional 'auxiliary' charger is added if a second battery is fitted. This is presumably to reduce the total charging time, since the charger will still be working at full amps when the second charger is added.

I ignored this advice. I fitted two, and sometimes four, 100Ah batteries. When the EBL charger eventually failed after several years, I disabled the EBL charger and wired in a Victron 15A charger which is enough for what I want. They do bigger chargers if you prefer.

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[Hondaman]

This in the manual at least seems to suggest 160ah is ok

Total discharge. Damage to the leisure area battery: F Fully charge the living area battery before and after closing down the system. (Connect vehicle to the mains with an 80Ah battery at least 12 hours and with a 160Ah battery at least 24 hours).

Thanks for that.