Solar + B2B charging: 2 charging sources at the same time?

[poindexter]

Hey Forum, I am I am starting to think about and design the electrical system on my camper van conversion.

I will use a B2B charger along with solar panels.

I have two types of solar panel (5 panels in total) so will need x2 MPPT charge controllers to run them. x2 175 panels and x3 50w panels.

I will also use B2B charger setup.

I am wondering, if I am driving when it is sunny, is it OK to allow both solar and B2B to be operational at the same time? Or should I wire in a switch so that it is either B2B or Solar charging, never both?

It is looking like the best option for me is to use a separate components for each of the three above functions, although open to suggestions here.

 

[poindexter]

I am thinking that charging from both sources at once is just asking for trouble...

 

[Jev88]

Solar controller won't put any charge out if it senses battery is full.

 

[Stealaway]

I have the same set up and it always seems to get it's act together whatever the source, even when on EHU as well. I only have simple wet lead acid batteries.

 

[funflair]

The way I see it is you would only need to worry if you were going to exceed the maximum charge rate of your batteries.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Hoovie]

Having both active at the same time is fine.

You would be best to use the same make of solar controller and ones which can synchronise with each other (the Victron Smartsolar would be a good example of that).

 

[poppycamper]

I am thinking that charging from both sources at once is just asking for trouble...

Disagree... EHU and solar charging works just fine....so why not B2B and solar.?
If you dont have B2B you will probably have basic relay charging, again with solar... no problem !!

 

[Baileyme]

Modern MH's come with fitted solar and slit charge and both work in conjunction without issue so why shouldn't a B2B & solar be any different?

 

[Just smiffy]

Modern MH's come with fitted solar and slit charge and both work in conjunction without issue so why shouldn't a B2B & solar be any different?

That’s what he’s asking, so tell him why it shouldn’t be any different, him and me are none the wiser….

 

[poindexter]

Disagree... EHU and solar charging works just fine....so why not B2B and solar.?
If you dont have B2B you will probably have basic relay charging, again with solar... no problem !!

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is EHU? If it is usually safe and OK to have both sources charging the batteries as the same time then great! After some more research I am now thinking that a single unit that can manage both solar and B2B charging is the way forward as its just easier to install. Single point of failure however. I'll probably go this way...

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[poindexter]

Modern MH's come with fitted solar and slit charge and both work in conjunction without issue so why shouldn't a B2B & solar be any different?

Sorry guys, more ignorance but what is a MH?

 

[Dazzola]

MH = Motorhome
EHU = Electric hookup

 

[Raul]

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is EHU? If it is usually safe and OK to have both sources charging the batteries as the same time then great! After some more research I am now thinking that a single unit that can manage both solar and B2B charging is the way forward as its just easier to install. Single point of failure however. I'll probably go this way...

Don’t put your eggs in one basket. If that single point of failure goes south, you lost both abilities to charge. Separate units is a robust and professional choice. Combined units are not as versatile and have more limitations, like combined charging power.
And the more sources of charging the better for redundancy.

 

[Baileyme]

That’s what he’s asking, so tell him why it shouldn’t be any different, him and me are none the wiser….

Both the solar controller and the B2B are intelligent chargers, they will both independently switch of when the battery reaches it's full charge level.

 

[autorouter]

Please excuse my ignorance, but what is EHU?

Some of the more common motorhome jargon like EHU is coloured blue, and has a link to an explanation if you click on it. And you're right, 'MH' needs adding to the list.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}