Beach EHU charger fuse location

[lydart]

Just finishing installing 2 x 110Ah LiFePo4 batteries and I want to disable the OEM charger. The charger is hidden behind the trim and is not easy to access so I believe removing one of theses green 30A fuses should do the job, but which one?

 

[Loz]

Blue circle is where it is on the ocean.

 

[lydart]

Thanks. I thought that might be the one.

 

[lydart]

Plugged in the EHU and Smartshunt is saying battery is being charged at ~16A. Removed the circled fuse and it's still charging at 16A! So this can't be the fuse that disables built in charger. Any ideas?

 

[Loz]

Pull a few more 25A/30A fuses...

 

[lydart]

Pulled all the 20/25A fuses and no change, but removing the yellow circled 30A fuse reduces the charge to 1.94A. So not off but lower!

 

[Loz]

Odd, but it drops to zero when you unplug the EHU?

 

[lydart]

Yes. Everything connected to the leisure batteries is switched off and the Smartshunt is displaying 0A current. Plug in EHU and it goes to 16A. Remove 30A fuse (yellow circled) and current holes down to 1.94A. Unplug EHU and current returns to 0A.

 

[Loz]

On the ocean, there is a second circuit from the charger that goes to fuse box C and trickle charges the starter battery. What connects your alternator(starter battery) side to your leisure side?
I'm wondering if the charger is trickle charging the starter battery and the increased voltage is bringing your DC-DC(or whatever you have) alive?

 

[lydart]

I have an Orion Tr Smart 12/12-30 with Travelvolts plug and play connection. Also Smartsolar 75/15. Both chargers are off.
My leisure batteries are at 13.30V and starter battery is 12.20V. The reading from the Smartshunt is +, so the leisure batteries are charging when on EHU. Level of charging depends on which of the 30A fuses is removed.

 

[lydart]

I now have a DC clamp meter and can confirm that the yellow circled 30A fuse is for the on board EHU charger. I also have a SBP65 to protect the battery bank and it is input to output only. Getting a reverse current of 1.94A will damage the SBP.

The source of the 1.94A is from the 643 relay. I've disconnected the wire and there is now no charging when on EHU, but I'm sure that wire must be there for a reason.

Any ideas?

 

[Loz]

I now have a DC clamp meter and can confirm that the yellow circled 30A fuse is for the on board EHU charger. I also have a SBP65 to protect the battery bank and it is input to output only. Getting a reverse current of 1.94A will damage the SBP.

The source of the 1.94A is from the 643 relay. I've disconnected the wire and there is now no charging when on EHU, but I'm sure that wire must be there for a reason.

Any ideas?

What colour is the wire?

 

[lydart]

The wire is plain red with a white tape collar.

 

[egena]

I've just installed 2xRenogy 100Ah Lifepo4 to replace my two aging AGMs and they too are charging with an Orion 12-12-30 and MPPT 75/100 via 3x100w roof panels.
I haven't disconnected the EHU charger as the Renogy have over-charge protection BMS etc. Should I be disconnecting the EHU as you have and can I ask the reason you've chosen to? Worried I will kill my batteries if there is something serious I've missed!

 

[lydart]

I've just installed 2xRenogy 100Ah Lifepo4 to replace my two aging AGMs and they too are charging with an Orion 12-12-30 and MPPT 75/100 via 3x100w roof panels.
I haven't disconnected the EHU charger as the Renogy have over-charge protection BMS etc. Should I be disconnecting the EHU as you have and can I ask the reason you've chosen to? Worried I will kill my batteries if there is something serious I've missed!

I was concerned that the EHU charger may damage my batteries. I use a Victron charger with Lifepo4 profile when on EHU. Why spend so much money and take a risk on the built-in charger?

 

[egena]

I was concerned that the EHU charger may damage my batteries. I use a Victron charger with Lifepo4 profile when on EHU. Why spend so much money and take a risk on the built-in charger?

Yes i agree, definitely!
I really appreciate you letting me know your reason from this thread. I wasn't able to see which batteries you chose at the time - they will undoubtedly be utterly brilliant at 110ah but I was wondering if they were without their own battery management electronics being 2020 offerings? I'm late to the game and I haven't followed LifePo4 very closely and I'm unsure when BMSs were added as standard.
Renogy have (now) plonked a BMS inside each battery which may assist in continued use of the VW EHU charger negating the historic issues of unregulated charging profiles etc.
I'm currently on hookup and the two batteries are charging at 13.6v averaging a gentle 15amps and I think both of those are within limits although ibthink lifepo4 prefers 14.4v for charging.
Do you have any further thoughts that might be significant?
Thanks again for your input

 

[lydart]

Yes i agree, definitely!
I really appreciate you letting me know your reason from this thread. I wasn't able to see which batteries you chose at the time - they will undoubtedly be utterly brilliant at 110ah but I was wondering if they were without their own battery management electronics being 2020 offerings? I'm late to the game and I haven't followed LifePo4 very closely and I'm unsure when BMSs were added as standard.
Renogy have (now) plonked a BMS inside each battery which may assist in continued use of the VW EHU charger negating the historic issues of unregulated charging profiles etc.
I'm currently on hookup and the two batteries are charging at 13.6v averaging a gentle 15amps and I think both of those are within limits although ibthink lifepo4 prefers 14.4v for charging.
Do you have any further thoughts that might be significant?
Thanks again for your input

My batteries have BMS, but I wouldn't rely on one layer of protection. What if there are problems with the BMS? I don't feel it's worth the risk. Why spend ~£2000 on a Lifepo4 batteries, chargers etc and use a cheap VW charger? So, my view is to protect my investment with the proper charger.

 

[egena]

Thanks for this. I think I will consider disconnecting the on-board and fine a cubby for and EHU alternative. Thanks again

 

[stim]

Sorry to resurrect this old thread but I am also looking at replacing the AGM on my T6.1 Cali Beach with a LifePo4 but I cannot really find all the info I need, too many unanswered questions. To keep this thread on topic, I will ask just about the EHU charger.

It has been suggested to me that it should be changed. I understand that it is hidden behind some difficult to remove panels and so maybe a big job. @lydart you said you disabled your stock EHU charger and now use a Victron instead but did you just install a whole new EHU setup (so not using the external plug in the body work)?

Thanks a lot.

 

[Ads_Essex]

Sorry to resurrect this old thread but I am also looking at replacing the AGM on my T6.1 Cali Beach with a LifePo4 but I cannot really find all the info I need, too many unanswered questions. To keep this thread on topic, I will ask just about the EHU charger.

It has been suggested to me that it should be changed. I understand that it is hidden behind some difficult to remove panels and so maybe a big job. @lydart you said you disabled your stock EHU charger and now use a Victron instead but did you just install a whole new EHU setup (so not using the external plug in the body work)?

Thanks a lot.

This thread may help -

How to fit a DC-DC / battery-to-battery charger kit

This guide takes you step by step through fitting DC-DC charging kit for leisure batteries on factory California. Why fit this kit: VW are still installing their standard split charge relay on vehicles fitted with leisure batteries, however, the latest Bluemotion technology has a few...

www.t6forum.com