Temporary Switching Solar Panel from Leisure to Starter Battery

[Lizbiebrowne]

Going away for a couple of months without the Fiat Ducato PVC and want to avoid the starter battery discharging. I could leave the CBE charger switched on but it occurred to me that I could simply switch the solar panel output cable from the B2 leisure battery terminal to the B1 starter battery terminal in the CBE DS520 Distribution Box and isolate the leisure battery. Any flaws there I haven't thought of?

 

[berni109]

Make sure it's set to the correct charging profile for the battery type.

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

Make sure it's set to the correct charging profile for the battery type.

Yes, that's one thing I'm a little unsure about. The instructions for the Controller state it's suitable for OPEN, AGM and Gel lead acid batteries but there's no information on how to switch between these so I assume its "one size fits all" for the charging profile.

 

[Just smiffy]

Then the leisure batteries may drain.. better to get a battery master then both sets of batteries are kept charged through the solar…

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

Then the leisure batteries may drain.. better to get a battery master then both sets of batteries are kept charged through the solar…

I've left it a little late for that I'm afraid. Do you think the gel leisure battery will discharge significantly if I isolate the +ve terminal?

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

 

[berni109]

2 ?
Is the battery in good condition - holding charge.
Will it be fully charged before disconnecting.

I used to disconnect my gel leisure battery for 3 or 4 months at a time with on I'll effects. BUT it was charged off the vehicle with a multistage charger set to gel before total disconnection.

Not familiar with your control system so don't feel qualified to comment. One size does not fit all if you want to charge different chemistry/construction batteries correctly but the rough approximation which is probably set for wet acid will get a charge into them.

 

[Just smiffy]

I've left it a little late for that I'm afraid. Do you think the gel leisure battery will discharge significantly if I isolate the +ve terminal?

Should be ok if completely disconnected…

 

[Brains]

Just buy a [Broken Link Removed]
Problem solved.

Anyone with a solar panel and two+ batteries should fit one as standard from the outset.

 

[RogerIvy]

Why not install a Battery Master? … good permanent solution and they work really well

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

Why not install a Battery Master? … good permanent solution and they work really well

Yes, I’ve heard good things about them on here but I don’t have time unfortunately. It’s a five minute job to swap the solar panel cable over in the CBE distribution box.

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

 

[Lenny HB]

Yes, I’ve heard good things about them on here but I don’t have time unfortunately. It’s a five minute job to swap the solar panel cable over in the CBE distribution box.

It's a five min it job to fit a Batterymaster just connect it to the battery terminals in CBE unit.

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

It's a five min it job to fit a Batterymaster just connect it to the battery terminals in CBE unit.

Yes, but I haven’t got one.

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

Thanks for all the recommendations for the Battery Master, but I was hoping I could get around the problem without buying one. I’m pretty sure the leisure battery, fully charged, will be fine for two months disconnected so I wanted to make sure there wasn’t some flaw in my idea to switch the solar panel cable from the B2 to the B1 terminal in the CBE distribution box to keep the starter battery charged and avoid any problems with the ECU/ air bag.

 

[MisterB]

could you just hook up a small solar panel direct to the battery, you could get one delivered tomorrow from amazon ...?

 

[dunnah01]

The CBE units usually have a battery separator already in the system so should trickle charge the starter battery once the leisure batteries are charged provided there is enough soar to fill the leisure batteries.

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

 

[Lenny HB]

The CBE units usually have a battery separator already in the system so should trickle charge the starter battery once the leisure batteries are charged provided there is enough soar to fill the leisure batteries.

She doesn't want to leave it plugged in.

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

could you just hook up a small solar panel direct to the battery, you could get one delivered tomorrow from amazon ...?

I could but, as is becoming increasingly clear to everyone by this thread, I’m too mean to spend any money on the solution. And, I do have a functioning solar panel on the roof.

 

[dunnah01]

She doesn't want to leave it plugged in.

It also works on solar only so as long as there's minimal drain on the leisure side it should still keep the starter charged up

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

The CBE units usually have a battery separator already in the system so should trickle charge the starter battery once the leisure batteries are charged provided there is enough soar to fill the leisure batteries.

Do you mean within the CBE CB516 battery charger or the CBE DS520 distribution box? As Lenny HB said, I’d like to avoid leaving the van connected to the mains.

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

It also works on solar only so as long as there's minimal drain on the leisure side it should still keep the starter charged up

Thanks, was replying to your first post whilst you were posting.

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

 

[dunnah01]

Do you mean within the CBE CB516 battery charger or the CBE DS520 distribution box? As Lenny HB said, I’d like to avoid leaving the van connected to the mains.

No, there would be a separate box somewhere that looks like this



Unfortunately they can be located anywhere in the van, ours was hidden away in the passenger footwell even though the CBE unit is at the rear of the moho.

 

[headlight]

I could but, as is becoming increasingly clear to everyone by this thread, I’m too mean to spend any money on the solution. And, I do have a functioning solar panel on the roof.

So as you already have solar is £65 really to much to spend to solve your problem.
It's only 3 wires and really is fit and forget.

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

Taking the dogs for a walk this morning this thought occurred to me:

I leave the setup as it is, starter battery connected to B1 and leisure battery to B2 on the CBE Distribution Box but I move the solar panel +ve cable from B2 to B1. When the voltage at B1 increases due to the solar panel, will the CBE system think the alternator is running and at some point operates the VSR so that both the starter battery and leisure batteries get charged?

 

[AdrianChen]

On mine which is a DS470 what that would do is direct the solar straight to the starter battery, the leisure battery charging relay only operates on mine when there is a D+ signal which requires the engine to be running so that would not be charged. Assuming the Solar regulator is set for an appropriate charge profile for your starter battery there would be no harm, and I guess you could then isolate the leisure battery.

On my van (Carthago/DS470) if the CBE main control panel is switched on and when the leisure battery(s) voltage exceeds 13.5v, which they may with solar active, the DS470 will trickle the starter battery (2amps max?). It does mean the control panel has to be left on, so I fitted an Ablemail AMT12 which does the same thing(ish) as a Battery Master. Not sure if the DS520 works in the same way, but should be in the manual.....

 

[berni109]

All sorts of advice has been streamed your way which i hope has been helpful to you.
Why not adopt the KIS(S not inferring you are) principal - just disconnect the existing battery wires from the solar controller and put a couple of new wires direct to the starter battery.
(If you disconnect the solar controller remember to connect to battery before connecting the panels)

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

 

[Lizbiebrowne]

All sorts of advice has been streamed your way which i hope has been helpful to you.
Why not adopt the KIS(S not inferring you are) principal - just disconnect the existing battery wires from the solar controller and put a couple of new wires direct to the starter battery.
(If you disconnect the solar controller remember to connect to battery before connecting the panels)

Yes, that was my aim: to do the minimum to keep the starter battery charged. I think using the existing wiring is compatible with keeping it simple so I have switched the solar +ve output to the B1 terminal in the Distribution Box and disconnected the leisure battery. I’ll monitor it for a few days to satisfy myself all’s well.

When/if I’m looking for a more permanent solution I’ll definitely consider the Battery Master.

 

[Tombola]

You'll be fine for a few hours at a time.
Do it your way.
Even if the leisure drops low your solar can soon bring it back.

Just keep an eye on them