Victron IP22 mains charger turned off

[Ingwe]

Van is kept indoor storage. Not enough light for the solar panel to help and mains charger wasn’t turned on. As the 2 110ah lithium batteries were at 87% charged, was not concerned as the van started first time (have a Battery Master) when we brought van home to pack for tomorrow's trip to Wales.

However, with the van plugged into mains and in full sun, I was expecting the batteries to be fully charged after over 8 hours. But on checking a while ago, it was only 91% charged but I noticed that the IP22 wasn’t displaying on my devices list. Transpires that the charger had tripped at the pdu. I turned it back on and all’s working, touch wood. Any ideas as to why the mains charger would trip when hooking up to the mains?

 

[bubble63]

Did driving the vehicle trip the breaker, I had a caravan that the road journey would trip the mains RCB

 

[Ingwe]

Did driving the vehicle trip the breaker, I had a caravan that the road journey would trip the mains RCB

I don’t know because I didn’t notice it had tripped until this evening.

 

[Two on Tour]

Did driving the vehicle trip the breaker, I had a caravan that the road journey would trip the mains RCB

If you're driving then there is no 240v to the IP22 mains charger, with that being the case I don't see how it could trip a mains RCD other than vibration.

Ingwe what size breaker do you have your IP22 going through and are any other mains circuits piggybacked on the same breaker as the BCA PDU's only have 4 x 240v breakers.

 

[bubble63]

If you're driving then there is no 240v to the IP22 mains charger, with that being the case I don't see how it could trip a mains RCD other than vibration.

Ingwe what size breaker do you have your IP22 going through and are any other mains circuits piggybacked on the same breaker as the BCA PDU's only have 4 x 240v breakers.

That was my point, vibration tripped my RCB , nothing to do with electrics

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[Two on Tour]

That was my point, vibration tripped my RCB , nothing to do with electrics

But you neglected to mention your point so it's lucky I did then.

 

[Ingwe]

@Ingwe what size breaker do you have your IP22 going through and are any other mains circuits piggybacked on the same breaker as the BCA PDU's only have 4 x 240v breakers.

Does this assist? Sorry for the delay, have been travelling.

 

[autorouter]

Which breaker actually tripped? Was it the MCB labelled 'CHARGER', or the RCD 'RCD PUSH TO TEST'?

 

[Ingwe]

Which breaker actually tripped? Was it the MCB labelled 'CHARGER', or the RCD 'RCD PUSH TO TEST'?

Sorry been travelling all day again. It was the MCB labelled Charger.

 

[Gromett]

Sorry been travelling all day again. It was the MCB labelled Charger.

I can think of a few theoretical reason for this to happen. But I have just had a similar problem in my van.

My MCB had aged and was getting very warm and causing it to trip at random. It was a 6 amp like yours.
Is it fairly old (Over 10 years or so)?

If so either live with it occasional tripping although I would check the temp with back of my finger during charging.
OR
Replace the MCB.


I would turn off the charger and let the battery get down to 80% or less. Then turn the charger on. Give it 20-30 minutes then put your finger on MCB. This will either clear it or confirm my theory.

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[autorouter]

That MCB has 'C6' on it, so it's a 6A MCB that trips if there's an overcurrent for some reason. It's not an RCD, so it won't be triggered by stray leakages etc. These MCBs have a mechanical (magnetic) trip and a thermal trip, so if the spring is getting a bit weak then it could be vibration that's triggering it, as has been said already.

 

[TinaLes]

Just found out, easy to get replacements, see below link.
LES

NBSe DZ47-63 C6 6amp double pole MCB

NBSe DZ47-63 C6 6amp double pole

www.swordcrowncaravans.com

 

[Ingwe]

Just found out, easy to get replacements, see below link.
LES

NBSe DZ47-63 C6 6amp double pole MCB

NBSe DZ47-63 C6 6amp double pole

www.swordcrowncaravans.com

Easy to fit?

 

[Gromett]

Easy to fit?

If you are ok with a screwdriver it should be straight forward.

Just make sure you are not plugged in when doing it

 

[Lenny HB]

If you are ok with a screwdriver it should be straight forward.

Just make sure you are not plugged in when doing it

Why did you tell him that, you have taken all the fun out of it, we won't get any whoosh bangs now.

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[TinaLes]

Easy to fit?

Its a doddle, disconnect mains EHU lead obviously, then remove screws to front cover.
The MCB's are double pole, so you will have live/neutral feeds at the bottom, and live/neutral output wires at the top which go to the charger.
The MCB may well be secured on a metal bar at the back, to remove just locate where the sprung clamp is and lift with a screwdriver, whole thing will pop out.
It really is a simple job, if you just take your time, make sure all screw terminals are tight, loose wires will cause heat build up, and burn out the MCB, I have changed many a RCD & MCB due to unsecure wires mainly on 45/60 amp circuits, not so many on light 6amp circuits though, but crimp em up as tight as you can.
LES

 

[Gromett]

Ingwe I would recommend watching a few youtube videos as the clips on some of them can be awkward if you don't know what you are looking at.