Smart Alternators, B2B and Battery Master

[gilbaro]

I am new to all this. I thought I understood 12v electrics but is clear knowledge is very basic when I read the threads on the forum. I've heard of batteries boiling but I think my brain is currently
I have 2015 Elddis Majestic with a 100w solar panel. I also have a 20w solar maintainer on the starter battery. The van is stored outside with no EHU.
I try to take for a run once a week.
So to my questions.
1 Is it likely to have smart alternator and how can I check.
2 Do I need B2B?
3 What is difference between B2B and Battery Master and what are pros and cons.
4 Solar controller has a second port for connecting starter battery which chargers when leisure is at 70% I think. so is it worth connecting?
Sorry to go on at length but something for you guys sitting, bored, in the warm sun to think about or even those enjoying the endless grey in UK
Thanks in anticipation

 

[funflair]

Sorry to disappoint but I am in the endlessly grey UK,

I doubt if 2015 will be smart alternator but could be wrong.

A B2B essentially drags power from your starter battery and send a controlled amount to you habitation battery, only when engine running of course.

A battery master sits between your habitation batteries and starter battery and sends a trickle charge from habitation to starter when there is something like 0.65v difference between the two, this works without the engine running.

B2B may give you more charge while you are driving but do you need it? Do you ever move pitches and wish the battery was more charged after the drive.

If you had a battery master you would not need to connect the starter battery to the solar regulator and possibly vice versa, and you already have the solar regulator so makes sense to give it a try if you can route the cable.

 

[Dazzola]

My nissan is 2015 (renault based) and has a smart alternator, it's euro5.
You can check if yours is by multimeter in maybe a cigarette lighter socket while driving, if it's a constant 14v+ then it's not smart, if it fluctuates from 12v to maybe 14.8 it's smart.

 

[Tombola]

they did start fitting them as early as 2015

some smart alternators have a distinctive black box-like device connected to the negative terminal, but apart from using a multi meter and standing like a numpty or a while then as above,

Amazon product ASIN B0C7RLZ6XZ on of them and keep and eye on it when driving

 

[Pausim]

My 2015 Mercedes Hymer had a smart alternator. However if it is a Fiat based motorhome it is unlikely to have a smart alternator before September 2019 because until then Fiat were disabling them.

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[Tombola]

My 2015 Mercedes Hymer had a smart alternator. However if it is a Fiat based motorhome it is unlikely to have a smart alternator before September 2019 because until then Fiat were disabling them.

Yup,
My 2017 ducato autotrail imala was a normal alternator, apparently requested by the converters

 

[autorouter]

Do I need B2B?

If it's a smart alternator then I think you need a B2B to keep the leisure battery charged. If it's a standard alternator then you don't need a B2B, but it's a good upgrade from the usual split charge relay arrangement. If you have a lithium battery then a B2B is a good idea, especially if you get one that has a temperature sensor so it won't charge when the temperature is too low.

What is difference between B2B and Battery Master and what are pros and cons.

A B2B is a high power charger, from the alternator/starter battery to the leisure battery, while the engine is running. A battery maintainer such as the BatteryMaster is a low power trickle-charger that works in the opposite direction, from the leisure battery to the starter battery. It keeps the starter battery topped up while you are parked up and the engine is not running.

The second output (trickle charge) of a solar controller does the same job as a battery maintainer, but only when the sun is shining. A battery maintainer does this, but also trickle-charges the starter battery when the leisure battery is being charged from mains hookup.

 

[Gaston aires]

You should read my post just posted called Lithium update, it might help your decision.
Personally I would fit some more solar to bump it up 250/300 watts.
Phil

 

[gilbaro]

thanks guys for all your input.
The 'van is based on Peugeot Boxer so I don't know how that affects likelihood of smart alternator.

 

[funflair]

thanks guys for all your input.
The 'van is based on Peugeot Boxer so I don't know how that affects likelihood of smart alternator.

There were good suggestions back at posts #3 and #4 to check whether your alternator is smart or not, might be worth giving that a go and take out the guesswork.

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[CAB96]

The 20w panel will likely do nothing in midwinter.

Can you hook up to EHU?

Even a couple of hours a week will charge the leisure battery, but you may need a 240v smart battery charger or maintainer plugged in to a socket. I have a CTEK MXS 5 which I use every couple of weeks.

But a Battery Master would do the trick and is fit and forget.

If you don't have easy access to the voltage try these on one or both.

Amazon product ASIN B08VHMJYXY