CBE PC210 Power Management

[Pau1GTI]

Hi Guys,

Looking for a little help. I'm looking to install a CBE PC210 power Management kit in my T6. Here is the kit below:

CBE PC210 Complete Kit, CBE electircal, Caravan & Motorhome Electrical, CBE, Electrical Accessories - Grasshopper Leisure

I have a few concerns in relation to the charging part. Does anyone know if this kit is designed to charge both batteries or just the leasure battery?

The reason is ask is because I already have a Redarc battery to battery charger from Travel volts and don't want the CBE kit to interfere in any way with that.. My understanding is that the redarc b2b only works when the van is started therefore the CBE charger will not effect things as it only charges once hooked up to a 240v supply right?

I liked the idea of the CBE PC210 as it shows both B1 and B2 voltages. What I'm hoping is I don't have to disconnect the line to B1 if there is a possiabilty it effects the Redarc charger and then I lose the ability to see B1,s voltage.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Paul

 

[Obligedkarma]

Hi Paul,

Did you come up with a solution to this?? I’m trying to install a PC180 but I’m not sure if this works as a battery to battery charger or relayed split charge.

 

[Neilson]

I've fitted the PC210 kit. I just didn't use the charger and disabled the split relay. You need to use a smart charger to charge the leisure battery and I believe the battery charger supplied in the kit is a standard split relay version. The kit shows the leisure battery voltage but not the starter battery as it's not connected to it.

I use a CTEK B2B charger that works fine .

 

[Obligedkarma]

I see, that makes sense. Not that I would have any idea how to do this..... The kit arrived in a million different pieces. I have however ordered a Ctek B2B Charger so this should hopefully solve the problem.
I may need to get someone involved to wire it all up as it seems a bit technical. Not sure that it's a job for an auto electrician though or someone more specialist?

 

[Pau1GTI]

Hi Mate,

I have a Redarc battery to batter charger for on the move and use the cbe charger via my Power managemt when hooked up to the 240vac site hook up. I just never start the van while hooked up. Works perfect.

 

[Rob d]

Hi guys, Sounds like I’m just behind you trying to sort out my cbe unit on a t6 which is not going as well as I thought given the regen thing.
I think I’ve got it sussed, just going to get a cheap dc to dc charger for on the go direct to the leisure battery but I was wondering about how you disconnect the split charger facility on the cbe unit and if you have to?

Any comments on this install would be great.

 

[Neilson]

There is a resistor that the instructions say to cut out. Mines installed now so I can't get a photo of it. Also if you don't install the charger that comes with the kit it can split charge anyway.

 

[Rob d]

Morning Neilson, I found the resistor late last night in the handbook online for the 210 version but thanks for the offer to photograph, I am going to install the battery charger for the leisure battery whilst on hookup, I just won't have the van battery connected to the B1 terminal on the DS300, I assume I will need to cut out the resistor to stop it trying to charge B1?

 

[Rob d]

I guess that I wont be able to start the engine whilst on hook up due to then having both the hook up and the b2b charger trying to satisfy the leisure battery?

 

[Rob d]

Please can anybody confirm that by cutting out the resistor and still connecting the van battery to the cbe unit that I will then be charging the leisure battery whilst on the move but will not be charging the van battery On hook up?(or at any time other than on the move through the alternator) Last piece of the puzzle before buying a ctek dc to dc charger.

 

[Gord72]

Hi All,

I’m still trying to get my head around the installation of the CBE210 ? I’ve just purchased the full kit, my question is do you have to run a cable to the engine battery B1 & do you have to run the cable to the ignition, can you get away without them ie will it still work ?

 

[Rob d]

Hi Gord72,

Does your van feature regen braking/smart alternator? If it does then you can’t use the cbe unit to charge the van battery is my understanding from hours or trawling.

If it doesn’t, and you want to charge the van battery in parallel then yes, you will need to connect the van battery to B1.

If you are not charging the van battery or connecting to the van at all then I cant see why you need to connect to an ignition feed, (the unit will just work off the leisure battery) my understanding is that this just switches of certain circuits like awning and electric steps etc when the ignition is on.

Connecting the ignition feed is simple though, just fish a cable to the fuse box below the dash and plug in a piggyback mini fuse holder to the central row of mini fuses. (These are all ignition lives) Not everyone seems to like this route but it works fine and you’re not messing with any vehicle wiring.

I’m running a T6 and cannot split charge so although I’m using a separate dc to dc charger I still took a 6mm cable from the van battery to B1 so I could see the voltage of the van battery otherwise the cbe unit flashes at you which I couldn’t seem to stop. I did cut out the resistor on the fuse board to stop the parallel charging which it makes mention to in the instructions.

I hope this helps, I will keep an eye on the forum and help where I can as I found this installation seriously lacking in answers to some basic questions.

 

[Gord72]

Hi Gord72,

Does your van feature regen braking/smart alternator? If it does then you can’t use the cbe unit to charge the van battery is my understanding from hours or trawling.

If it doesn’t, and you want to charge the van battery in parallel then yes, you will need to connect the van battery to B1.

If you are not charging the van battery or connecting to the van at all then I cant see why you need to connect to an ignition feed, (the unit will just work off the leisure battery) my understanding is that this just switches of certain circuits like awning and electric steps etc when the ignition is on.

Connecting the ignition feed is simple though, just fish a cable to the fuse box below the dash and plug in a piggyback mini fuse holder to the central row of mini fuses. (These are all ignition lives) Not everyone seems to like this route but it works fine and you’re not messing with any vehicle wiring.

I’m running a T6 and cannot split charge so although I’m using a separate dc to dc charger I still took a 6mm cable from the van battery to B1 so I could see the voltage of the van battery otherwise the cbe unit flashes at you which I couldn’t seem to stop. I did cut out the resistor on the fuse board to stop the parallel charging which it makes mention to in the instructions.

I hope this helps, I will keep an eye on the forum and help where I can as I found this installation seriously lacking in answers to some basic questions.

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the informative reply. Mines like your with the euro 6 engine in my T6, so if I run a 6mm cable to B1 do I just cut the resistor out as stated in the manual?. I also wanted to run the fridge while driving but with the ignition wire this will stop it working? Can I ask did you run a 6mm cable for B2 also ? Thanks Gord

 

[Neilson]

You can run the fridge from the dedicated fuse which is a permanent live.

 

[Rob d]

Neilson is right, there is a list showing which fuses control which connection in the white block you use for various connections, the fridge goes to the one of the permanent live ones but depending on which fridge you have you may need to install the small link (bridge) using a small length of wire and a couple of spade connectors.

Definitely cut out the resistor or you will be sending a charge back to the van battery. (My understanding of it)

I ran 16mm cable to the leisure battery before I understood this isn’t necessary for charging, only for start up so if I did it again I would use 50a tri rated 6mm cable to do the job. I found 12voltplanet really helpful and they stock a Siamese cable fit for purpose. I had it within a couple of days having ordered it online.

Don’t forget your 50a in-line fuse whilst your ordering, you’ll need one between the leisure battery and your cbe kit. Might be wise to order 2 as if you end up like I did installing a dc to dc charger for on the move then it’ll be needed!

 

[Gord72]

Hi All,

I’m slowly getting with it now, just two things, what size cables do you use for B1 & B2 ? And what size cable do I need for the ignition feed.

Thank you Gord

 

[Rob d]

I would use 6mm cable for b1&2, 50a tri rated. You can just use some 5a cable for the ignition wire.


eBay, mini piggy back fuse

12vplanet 6mm 50a Siamese cable

 

[Gord72]

Rob d,

Your a star thank you for all your help, just need to pluck up the courage now to cut out the resistor

 

[Mccoatup]

I have the PC210 ST with the DS300 unit but because I am using the CTEK D250SA the Van battery voltage is not displayed on the PC210 display.
To make this happen is it just a case of connecting the van 12v to the B1 terminal? Bit concerned as to whether or not this will cause problems with current either going into or coming out of B1.

 

[Andy33]

Rob D can I pick your brains please, you might be able to help me!!