Leisure Battery

[Jollyvan]

Well here goes.
I converted my van a couple of years ago mainly doing the work myself but using 'specialists' for some work - Hi-Lo roof etc.
One converter offered advice on the electrics and helped me source components. However he was fitting split charge relays and from this forum I knew this was wrong.
At the time there was little information and I went for a Ring DC-DC charger.
This has been a nightmare and again following the forum I sent it back to Ring for the latest software update.

It still shows error messages and when the leisure battery drops to a very low voltage the supply fuse blows. It does however work very well with my portable solar panel!

So I think that its time to upgrade. A lot of you recommend the Redarc ( Loz) unit but I note Martyn now recommends the Ablemail unit.

Will either of these be a suitable replacement?

Secondly I have a PMS3 which I how see is not recommended as it has only single pole circuit breakers. What are folks using instead as it seems to work well and cover all the functions I need.

I don't just want to throw money at the problem but when you have a vehicle of these values it seems wrong to have a second rate electrical system.

 

[Davenjo]

I think the best advice you will get on this subject here will be from the 2 people you have mentioned - @Loz and @travelvolts

 

[Jollyvan]

Thanks Davenjo

 

[travelvolts]

Well here goes.
I converted my van a couple of years ago mainly doing the work myself but using 'specialists' for some work - Hi-Lo roof etc.
One converter offered advice on the electrics and helped me source components. However he was fitting split charge relays and from this forum I knew this was wrong.
At the time there was little information and I went for a Ring DC-DC charger.
This has been a nightmare and again following the forum I sent it back to Ring for the latest software update.

It still shows error messages and when the leisure battery drops to a very low voltage the supply fuse blows. It does however work very well with my portable solar panel!

So I think that its time to upgrade. A lot of you recommend the Redarc ( Loz) unit but I note Martyn now recommends the Ablemail unit.

Will either of these be a suitable replacement?

Secondly I have a PMS3 which I how see is not recommended as it has only single pole circuit breakers. What are folks using instead as it seems to work well and cover all the functions I need.

I don't just want to throw money at the problem but when you have a vehicle of these values it seems wrong to have a second rate electrical system.

Either the Redarc BCDC1225-LV or Ablemail AMS1230 will do a good job for you. The main difference being that the Ablemail is solar ready but the Redarc would need an additional controller for the solar or use a relay to switch inputs. If you have two leisure batteries you could use the Redarc BCDC1240D which is also solar ready.
Check your PMS breakers as I have recently discovered that later ones are now being fitted with RCBO types which are fine. If they have two wires in top and two wires in bottom they are the RCBO type. If only one wire they are the older single pole type.

 

[Jollyvan]

Thanks. Not looked at the PMS breakers yet but suspect due to the age of the unit they will be single pole. Can they be up graded or can I put a new breaker in line ? Don't really want to modify the big hole that the PMS would leave.

 

[travelvolts]

If they are singles they can be upgraded with a bit of modification to the internal wiring.