3 day off grid electrics and fridge?

S

Scottiec33

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VIP Member
Hi All, I was previously due to put some money into my T5 before some heavy bills and Nintendo Switch for the kids stopped it all!
I've read some really great posts by @Dellmassive and understand the basics of electrics and solar but not some of the more detailed stuff.
What we can probably afford to do is fit an AGM leisure battery to mainly power a compressor fridge for three days or so. I was planning a VSR for cost reasons and leave solar and mppt until later.
However is there a cost effective way of fitting a VSR and mppt that I can plug a portable solar panel into easily, both in the van and at home for use with a small 146WH power bank I have.
So wire it in from the start and be able to plug the solar panel into an easily accessible socket somewhere in the van?
I'm hoping there may still be some discounts on stuff over winter.
Sorry this is probably basic for many of you! Thank you.
 
Scottiec33 said:
If I had something like this with a built in mppt controller, could I then simply plug the mppt output into a the 12v socket coming from the leisure battery?
Click to expand...
I will let an expert reply about using the 12v socket but I would recommend you use one of these which you leave permanently connected to the battery, as it is fused, and then plug in to the end connector as required.

0.5m 4.0mm cable with 50A battery plug on one end, a 10A fuse, and 8mm ring (eyelet) battery terminals on the other end, suitable for Photonic Universe folding solar charging kits: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy 0.5m 4.0mm cable with 50A battery plug on one end, a 10A fuse, and 8mm ring (eyelet) battery terminals on the other end, suitable for Photonic Universe folding solar charging kits at Amazon UK.
www.amazon.co.uk
 
Nigel W said:
I will let an expert reply about using the 12v socket but I would recommend you use one of these which you leave permanently connected to the battery, as it is fused, and then plug in to the end connector as required.

0.5m 4.0mm cable with 50A battery plug on one end, a 10A fuse, and 8mm ring (eyelet) battery terminals on the other end, suitable for Photonic Universe folding solar charging kits: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy 0.5m 4.0mm cable with 50A battery plug on one end, a 10A fuse, and 8mm ring (eyelet) battery terminals on the other end, suitable for Photonic Universe folding solar charging kits at Amazon UK.
www.amazon.co.uk
Click to expand...
Thank you. Exactly the advice I need as I'd assumed that if I had an in line fuse from leisure battery to 12v socket that would protect the system from the solar output through an mppt.
 
Sounds like you want to fit DC-DC charger with solar input.
Be aware that 3 days is a long time to run a fridge from a leisure battery if the sun isn’t out and you aren’t driving.

Pete
 
Pete C said:
Sounds like you want to fit DC-DC charger with solar input.
Be aware that 3 days is a long time to run a fridge from a leisure battery if the sun isn’t out and you aren’t driving.

Pete
Click to expand...
We'd be driving in that time almost certainly. Thank you for reply.
 
You could look at fitting one of the combined units . . . (charger & solar)

This example has a 30A DC-DC charger - so way better than just a VSR relay, plus it has a built-in MPPT,

so just connect your mobile solar panel etc into it. . . .





1642692967187.png
 
Pete C said:
Sounds like you want to fit DC-DC charger with solar input.
Be aware that 3 days is a long time to run a fridge from a leisure battery if the sun isn’t out and you aren’t driving.

Pete
Click to expand...
As far as I am aware he will be ok with a VSR in a T5, won't need a DC-DC. Just am MPPT for the solar.
 
on a T5, you could fit a VSR kit like this. . .l


7mtr Split Charge Relay kit with Durite 12V 140amp Intelligent Voltage sense Relay & 110amp 16mm Cable SCKD317 : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive

7mtr Split Charge Relay kit with Durite 12V 140amp Intelligent Voltage sense Relay & 110amp 16mm Cable SCKD317 : Amazon.co.uk: Automotive
amzn.to


1642693502618.png



....



Then get any mobile solar kit ( that will come with a PWM or MPPT pv charge controller )

and just connect that to a fused Quick-Disconect which is connected to your new leisure battery . .


examples of those here - Battery Chargers - How I Did It -


and here:

0.5m 4.0mm cable with 50A battery plug on one end, a 10A fuse, and 8mm ring (eyelet) battery terminals on the other end, suitable for Photonic Universe folding solar charging kits: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

Free delivery and returns on eligible orders. Buy 0.5m 4.0mm cable with 50A battery plug on one end, a 10A fuse, and 8mm ring (eyelet) battery terminals on the other end, suitable for Photonic Universe folding solar charging kits at Amazon UK.
amzn.to


1642693643300.png


and for the solar side :


2.5mm Set of Connectors Pair of Red Black Solar Panel PV Cable Parallel Adapter Cable Wire Plug Tool Kit Wire Male Female Connectors : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science

2.5mm Set of Connectors Pair of Red Black Solar Panel PV Cable Parallel Adapter Cable Wire Plug Tool Kit Wire Male Female Connectors : Amazon.co.uk: Business, Industry & Science
amzn.to



1642693701871.png
 
ok . . . so you want to charge that from the solar at home?

MPPT and PWM solar controllers normally NEED a 12v battery connected for them to work correctly.


but i can see that power bank has a SOLAR input as well. . .


so that means that box will charge directly from a 100w panel (+Sun) . . . . you will just need the correct MC4 - DC connector to conect a panel to it - ie no MPPT or PWM controller needed.



looking at the spec . . - https://amzn.to/3qNguiQ


1642698756148.png

.
 
Dellmassive said:
ok . . . so you want to charge that from the solar at home?

MPPT and PWM solar controllers normally NEED a 12v battery connected for them to work correctly.


but i can see that power bank has a SOLAR input as well. . .


so that means that box will charge directly from a 100w panel (+Sun) . . . . you will just need the correct MC4 - DC connector to conect a panel to it - ie no MPPT or PWM controller needed.



looking at the spec . . - https://amzn.to/3qNguiQ


View attachment 142522

.
Click to expand...
Yes I want a portable 100w panel that I can use to charge this at home and then be able to plug into the van easily via a neat socket to charge a leisure battery install under the drivers seat and using either VSR and mppt or B2b/mppt combined. I've haven't had chance to digest all your replies yet but will later. I was after a neat plug and play option next to planned 12v socket in van ideally.
 
Thank you all and @Dellmassive for all the helpful links. Two quick questions and I should be done!
1. With B2B chargers who are some 30a, 40a or 50a?is this to cover the combined current from alternator and solar? Or do some vehicles put out a higher current from the alternator? Do I need the same cables as VSR.
2. Will an MPPT or any of these B2B's tell me the charge state of the battery or do I need more kit for that? Ideally I'd like to be able to see the draw of the compressor fridge.

Just realised that's lots of questions, sorry!
 
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