Ctek Smartpass 120 or other solution?

[Alanmh]

I have a 110Ah leisure battery and a Ctek D250SA, also a 150W solar panel, however on a run of dull days the battery can get pulled a bit low by the fridge that can pull 4 - 6 Amps.

I dont want to go to LiFeP04 yet, as its just not cost effective.

I guess the choice is:

1) Get a Ctek Smartpass 120 so the battery charges faster from the engine or a replacement leisure battery.

2) Get a better battery - maybe AGM?

3) Get a bigger solar panel

Any ideas / comments on the options?

Thanks in advance

Alan

 

[Dellmassive]

4-6A for the fridge . . . . ?

what fridges is it?



got any pics?

Fridges & Cold Beer -- How I Done It --

Fridges & Cold Beer -- How I Done It -- For Most Beer Lovers, Cold Beer is a Must. (especially Larger) and for Her-Indoors a cold wine or G&T will always help smooth the situation . . . . maybe even Cold POP for the kids (My nanas term) Then there is the necessities of camping and Fridges...

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Dellmassive`s -- "how I Done It" -- Thread
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Kit List And Stuff -- How I Done It & What I Use --
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[Alanmh]

It's a domestic top loader. Mine is slightly different to the one here, but I think it's the same model. Dometic CB40 Top Loading Compressor Fridge

 

[Dellmassive]

compressor fridge then,

once its down to temp those power usage numbers should drop . . . .

 

[Alanmh]

Not domestic Dometic. Yes. They do, quite a bit. My test was on a hot day with the fridge empty, so I might be being a little harsh on it. Will find out next week after a rainy week in Devon with no Hook up!

 

[Dellmassive]

well from your OP at top. . . .

id say if you have 150w solar . .

its about 6A per 100W (ISC) to 9A (ISC) max.

then if Lifpoe is not your thing then look at swapping out the SLA battery for a AGM . .


start there . . . .


you could add more Mobile solar . . . .

[Guide] Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It -

Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It - There is loads of background to this . . . . . but for now here is a vid for you all. =] Just remember W = V*A and as a general rule a good 100W panel will give you up to 6A charge with good sun. 25w = 1.5A 50W = 3A 100w = 6A 200w = 12A 300w = 18A...

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you could look at Lifpo4 (expensive upfront but cheaper in the long run)

Lithium LifePo4 12v Batteries - Time For An Upgrade?

Lithium Batteries are the future, (keep checking back for the latest news/edits) ************************************************** Dellmassive`s -- "how I Done It" -- Thread ************************************************** Kit List And Stuff -- How I Done It & What I Use --...

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you mentioned about a smart pass. . . . . but the 20A ctek is about the limit for 1x AGM 100ah battery anyway, so might not help much.


the 4th option is to just double up and add either a second battery and run in parrallel . . . . or just take a second battery and swap out once the first is flat . . . .


also look at some battery monitoring . . .

Battery Monitoring -- How I Done It --

Battery Monitoring -- How I Done It -- Part #1 Battery monitoring is a very important part of your 12v system . . . . whether its just the vans starter battery or your leisure setup keeping an eye on the power in your battery bank will keep you from breaking down and make sure your weekends...

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.

 

[Alanmh]

Thanks @Dellmassive the ctek is pretty fussy about Voc as you know, but I will take a look at your panels thread.

I got a smart shunt after reading your battery monitoring thread, which kind of identified the problem.

Spot on about the smartpass, I guess that was my real question.

Why does agm do so well? What are the advantages?

 

[Alanmh]

Just read your mobile solar panel thread @Dellmassive, and remembered that I have a 100watt folding rigid panel in the garage.
It has a pwm controller with the 2 x 50W panels in parallel. Voc is good for the ctek. But how best to connect?
1. Connection from pwm to ctek solar?
2. Bypass pwm and connect to ctek solar?

Seems obvious to go for option 2?

 

[Dellmassive]

you can do either . . .

start by adding it in with your existing 100w panel . .

so existing 100W + (50W + 50W) = 200W

in parallel the VOC will stay low, but the currents will addup.

but also note the weakest link as mentioned in my mobile solar post . . .


monitor the charge rate into your leisure system with your BMV battery monitor . . .


run it for 10mins and note the power . . . .


next disconnect the panels and connect to the included PWM and connect back into the Leisure battery system

use a body ground for the 0v so you dont bridge the BMV current shunt . . .


Again use your BMV to monitor the charge rate,

this time it will be the existing panels with the ctek mppt + the mobile PWM.


ill assume the ctek mppt will give you the most yeild - depending on the existing panel spec you have and how different all the panels and VOC/ISC ratings are . .


post your results back here . . . .


some more pics will help . . .

 

[Dellmassive]

Why does agm do so well? What are the advantages?

**


AGM is a massive improvement over standard SLA deep cycle batterys

thats why all stop/start cars have them over SLA batterys.

AGM has higher energy density, faster recharge, less volt drop under load etc etc . . .

**

you can see the effects over here when i started drawing 30A from a 2x100ah SLA battery bank . . .

AGM is far superior..

they also have a higher rest voltage . . . .

defo worth starting with a decent battery,

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I've just bought Travelvolts leisure battery, ctek, wiring bundle etc. What I'd like to ask some nice fellow, is what would be a good solid crimper/stripper set? Is this ok? Wire Crimper Stripper Set Meterk Multifunctional Crimping Tool With Carbon Steel Support 0.1-6mm² Adjustable Crimping...

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I've got two of these . . . . (they fit under the seat standing up too)

Leoch Xtreme AGM 110 ah battery | travelvolts

AGM low height battery. Suitable for use with smart alternator systems.354mm long x 175mm wide x 190mm high. 24 kg.Fits under single seat easily.

www.travelvolts.net

12V 110AH Xtreme AGM Leisure Battery (XR1750) NCC Class A - Alpha Batteries

12V 110Ah fit-and-forget AGM lead-acid battery for multiple applications (LOW-FIT). Also suitable for use as a starter battery (dual-purpose) – […]

www.alpha-batteries.co.uk

 

[Alanmh]

Looks like I would get a much better return on buying 2 of those than anything else! And actually not that much more that a smartpass and much cheaper than lifepo4.

 

[Alanmh]

I'll have a play with the 2 connection methods. The Victron will show me the difference nicely.
Not sure I will have or stable sun before we go though.

 

[Dellmassive]

two of those will give you a 220ah total.

Being AGM and subject to a usable 50% DOD Capacity you have to half it,

so 110ah uasable . . . .

so that 2x batterys at £160 each. @ £320


**


£320 divided by the 110ah usable amp hours = £2.9 per ah battery capacity.



**

dont for get lifpo4 has 100% DOD . . . .


so 1x lithium 100ah is equivalent to 2x100ah AGM`s


but agreed your still looking at £600 £700 for a new 100ah Lifpo4.

 

[Blitz]

If moneys tight replace your current battery with an AGM and keep the existing battery as a backup in the van.

 

[travelvolts]

Stay away from the Smartpass. It will not give you what you are looking for and could damage your leisure battery. I agree with Del, go for AGM for better performance.

 

[Alanmh]

Thanks @travelvolts. I admit it was niggling at the back of my brain that charging at 120 amps can't be good. And probably not achievable. Where would it come from? Can't be good for starter battery or alternator.

Can you do next day delivery for a Saturday?

 

[travelvolts]

On some items yes.