What remote solar control panel for my solar setup?

[Lenny HB]

That only gives you info on the solar much better to know the state of your batteries I use a Victon BMV700, the BMV702 has built in Bluetooth.

 

[Rodneyplonker]

Showing my lack of knowledge there! Haha!
I'm always willing to learn though. Thanks Lenny.

 

[Rodneyplonker]

Thanks to everyone for your help and info. I've learned a lot and think this forum and It's contributors are fantastic! No doubt I will be posing a few more questions once I pick my van up.

 

[Metamorfosis]

Udo said

All the other charger like the alternator or the solar-charger will charge with a welcome additional charging and will maybe get the battery never fully charged in the time whilst the motor is running or the sun is shining.
So don´t worry about the solar-charger, I think this will not matter very much.
Just take care to have the mains connection in the summer time once in a month vor 24 hours connected and in the winter when the camper stands without any usage once in a week for 24 hour with a timer vor the 230V to charge automatically.

I find this strange that udo suggests the alternator not capable of charging the AGM batteries at high enough voltage. The burstner lyseo 680g is specced with the start stop amplified alternator. I assumed the alternator feeds the ebl that then feeds the leisure batteries at correct profile, but from his inference an alternator feeds the leisure batteries direct and cannot supply at required higher voltage. Which is it?

 

[MobyDick57]

My recommendation is buy a MPPT as it is more efficient, plus over spec the unit, so you can always add another (same wattage) panel later if needed at very little extra cost

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[Binky]

My van is a Lyseo TD 680G Harmony which I believe, has a different internal layout than other versions of the 680G range. Both passenger and drivers seat spaces are crowded... the passsenger seat has the EBL119 and LR1218 under there with lots of wiring and the drivers seat has one AGM battery at the rear end of the seat space. There is an aluminium profile screwed to the floor roughly in the middle which is meant to divide and hold two batteries - one either side but strangely, protuding downwards and slightly back from the front of the seat base there is a small array of fuses that occupy some of the space where the second battery should sit.
when I was negotiating the price of the van during lockdown I asked them to fit a second battery in the price. They came back and said that, there wasn't room for it but they would make an allowance for me to get something done elsewhere.

Just taken delivery of a 727g and that has exactly the same issue with the space for an additional battery under the driver's seat and Becks told us there wasn't space for another. I did email Burstner and they confirmed that there wasn't space, but given that Burstner offer a second battery as an option, I went back and asked where they fit it. I am still awaiting a reply.

 

[Rodneyplonker]

Just taken delivery of a 727g and that has exactly the same issue with the space for an additional battery under the driver's seat and Becks told us there wasn't space for another. I did email Burstner and they confirmed that there wasn't space, but given that Burstner offer a second battery as an option, I went back and asked where they fit it. I am still awaiting a reply.

I would be very interested to hear their response too! Please let us know!
As it happens, Becks is my local dealer and we first viewed the TD680G there. I actually asked if it was OK to fit a second battery and the guy said yes, under the seat with the other one! I didn't purchase from them in the end because they only offered small discounts once you were ready to commit.... I think it is a well honed practice that pushes buyers into the deal with a small discount - rather than back out at the last minute.

i also phoned Southdowns who, I may say, were very helpful whilst under lockdown (as opposed to Becks who were completely closed) and who said they would investigate. I got a message back stating that, they do it all the time and that, it was a simple enough job - even if they have to use a seat locker?

The options I am now exploring are: scrap the AGM and try to get a Gel battery of around 160 - 180ah that is tall and slim - opposed to a longer one and lay it flat under the seat with the terminals facing towards the front of the seat. Alternatively, bite the bullet and fit a similar shaped/sized Lithium one! I'm minded to go with the Gel one for now though and think about changing that when Lithium prices come down a bit more in a year or two? I will also change the Solar controller.
You are correct in stating that the brochure offers a second battery to be fitted under options.

i was looking forward to fitting the usual goodies to the van but was not expecting at this stage, to have to modify the whole charging system just to be able to stay off hookup for longer than a day or two. Ridiculous!

 

[Rodneyplonker]

The Chausson Welcome 630 and 640 models have the same layout as the Lyseo TD680G and I wonder if any owners of the Fiat based versions have had an extra battery fitted under the seat? If there are any out there, please let us know?

 

[Binky]

I would be very interested to hear their response too! Please let us know!

Burstner have replied (and contradicted their first email):

Thank you for your mail.

The place for a second leisure battery, for the motorhome you are mentioning, is below the front seat, beneath the other leisure battery. For the installation please contact your local Bürstner Partner, he will support you in your issue.

We hope to support you with this information.

Greetings,


Ihr Bürstner Team

Wilfried Leupolz

So it looks like we too shall be replacing the current solar bits and fuses and try and squeeze another battery under there. Could be interesting.

 

[Rodneyplonker]

What a waste of time!
i phoned Becks again and asked about the Alternator Charging and if there was a B2B fitted to compensate for 5he AGM battery only getting a charge of 14.2 from the Shaudt LR1218?
he didn't seem to have a clue and eventually said "No dealer would be expected to have that information!"
What? Why are you selling specialist products that are £60 - £100+ and don't know anything about them?
They may as well be selling cakes!

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