Looking for the best set up , to charge this 200ah AGM Leisure Battery

[Dellmassive]

@sasha123

has this fitted to his: T6 204 dsg euro6 2018 (and it looks like has has some impressive kit, so ill move this thread here)

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@sasha123 says : i am looking for the best set up , to charge this 2000w inverter off grid and/or from engine bay using solar panels and the alternator
The pull from the invertor can be up to 200amps so the battery will drain quickly

the system is independent and charges from hook up at present
1 220ah AGM battery
1 2000w invertor
1 battery charger

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@sashrigh ok.

Is that in a T6? What spec? Year?. Eu5. EU6? Etc.
You will need a dc-dc charger for alternator charging.
And a solar array and solar controller for sun.
I'll offer some options when I get more info.

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so i think he needs a LARGE current DC-DC charger to charge from the engine while driving:

[Guide] DC-DC Charger (for leisure battery) -- How I Done It --

DC-DC Charger (for Leisure battery) -- How I Done It -- ************************************************** Dellmassive`s -- "how I Done It" -- Thread ************************************************** Kit List And Stuff -- How I Done It & What I Use --...

www.t6forum.com

maybe the Renogy Dc50

DCC50S 12V 50A DC-DC On-Board Battery Charger with MPPT

Introducing the RBC50D1S, harnessing MPPT solar charging and starter battery charging to provide rapid replenishment for house batteries. Equipped with multiple electronic protection mechanisms, it ensures optimal energy utilization without compromising the vehicle's starter battery.

www.renogy.com

or the Redarc, BCDC1250D

BCDC Classic Under Bonnet 50A DC Battery Charger

The REDARC BCDC1250D is a 12V, 50A In-vehicle DC to DC Battery Charger designed to keep your auxiliary battery charged when driving or with portable solar panels when parked.

www.redarc.com.au

and:
for Solar panels: look into the Victron MPPT solar controller :

Solar Charge Controllers - Victron Energy

Get the highest attainable efficiency from sunlight, even if it is limited, with the solar charge controllers from Victron Energy. Find a dealer nearby.

www.victronenergy.com

maybe this one . . . .

SmartSolar MPPT 100/30 & 100/50 - Victron Energy

Maximize the energy-harvest, driving it intelligently to achieve full charge in the shortest possible time using the SmartSolar MPPT. Learn more now.

www.victronenergy.com

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[Dellmassive]

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SOLAR:

Solar Pwm & Mppt Controllers - How I Done It -
.
Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It -
.
What Solar Panel & Controller ?
.
Solar Panel Cutting Hole In Roof !!!
.
300w Solar Club -- How I Done It --
.
Solar Sheds & Other Non-t6 Solar Projects - How We Done It -
.

*****************************************************

 

[Dellmassive]

have a look here for panels:


Volkswagen VW T4 or T5 Camping vans/bus install flexible solar panels guide. How many ways to install the flexible solar panels on the camper’s or caravan’s roof? | Lensun Solar Panel – Lensunsolar

Lensun Solar Energy Store

12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine

Renogy Official Site | All-in-one Solar Kit | Portable Solar Generator

ACOPower Official Site | Solar Panel Kits | Portable Solar Generator | Solar Charge Controller | Solar Inverters - ACOPower.com

Flexible Solar Panels & Solar Panels for Caravans & Motorhomes (bad link)

 

[hoggle]

Excellent information. And I'm thinking about fitting a permanent Solar panel, but don't fancy sticking to the Vans roof.

 

[sasha123]

thanks, some bedtime reading there to be getting on with ,
first question- i am defo leaning towards redcar DC-DC 50A, can these be run in parallel or would that be to much pull for the alternator
would i need a solar charger aswell ,as these are dual input or is it your preference to have separate controllers

 

[Dellmassive]

They can be paralleled yes.... BUT your battery is 200ah AGM chemistry and will charge at 0.1C/0.2C (10%-20% of battery capacity @ 20A-40A) best.
So more than 50A dc-dc will not benefit you charging that battery.
But more than 50A may help power the 2kw inverter when the engine is running.....
But you need to ask VW what size alternator you have..so you don't cook it by drawing too many amps.
I have a 180A alternator fitted as I had a factory leisure battery. But the standard alternator is much less.
.....

You can start with solar being added to a dc-dc charger.
But you will soon find that the solar capacity is limited on most dc-dc chargers to around 50-150w. (3-9A)
For you to start pushing 200-600w (12-36A) you need a dedicated solar controller that can handle the increased voltage and current.
The shortlisted items above are in line with the kit you have...... but 2kw is a large load in a T6.
Mind me asking what is the 2kw inverter used for?
And can you post more pics if the van inside and out . . . For some context.

 

[Farnorthsurfer]

Excellent information. And I'm thinking about fitting a permanent Solar panel, but don't fancy sticking to the Vans roof.

Go on you know you want to
We can have a Highlands solar panel glue party. Mines not on yet as the pop top needs work before the panel gets bonded on.

 

[hoggle]

The Van is still under warranty, so don't want to be doing things like Sikaflexing a solar panel to the roof. Though, when the Vans warranty has run out, i still don't want to Sikaflex a solar panel to the roof!

 

[Ads_Essex]

The Van is still under warranty, so don't want to be doing things like Sikaflexing a solar panel to the roof. Though, when the Vans warranty has run out, i still don't want to Sikaflex a solar panel to the roof!

Stick down some PPF/vinyl and Sika it to that.

 

[hoggle]

Stick down some PPF/vinyl and Sika it to that.

Ah, now that seems like it would be better. And i take it you have done this? And the Vinyl doesn't move or start to peel?

 

[rover220]

got to be redarc bcdc1240?

 

[Ads_Essex]

Ah, now that seems like it would be better. And i take it you have done this?
And the Vinyl doesn't move or start to peel?

No, I haven’t - but plan to.

just come accross this on the Lensun website,
looks like the vinyl wrap idea has been done before . . . .

Lensun Install Flexible Solar Panels for RVs and Marine | Lensun Solar Panel – Lensunsolar


Volkswagen VW T4 or T5 Camping vans/bus install flexible solar panels guide. How many ways to install the flexible solar panels on the camper’s or caravan’s roof? | Lensun Solar Panel – Lensunsolar

 

[sasha123]

They can be paralleled yes.... BUT your battery is 200ah AGM chemistry and will charge at 0.1C/0.2C (10%-20% of battery capacity @ 20A-40A) best.
So more than 50A dc-dc will not benefit you charging that battery.
But more than 50A may help power the 2kw inverter when the engine is running.....
But you need to ask VW what size alternator you have..so you don't cook it by drawing too many amps.
I have a 180A alternator fitted as I had a factory leisure battery. But the standard alternator is much less.
.....

You can start with solar being added to a dc-dc charger.
But you will soon find that the solar capacity is limited on most dc-dc chargers to around 50-150w. (3-9A)
For you to start pushing 200-600w (12-36A) you need a dedicated solar controller that can handle the increased voltage and current.
The shortlisted items above are in line with the kit you have...... but 2kw is a large load in a T6.
Mind me asking what is the 2kw inverter used for?
And can you post more pics if the van inside and out . . . For some context.

oh I forgot about the limit of the charging capacity of the battery -so no parallel just now but maybe increase the battery bank at a later date
I have a standard alternator so dont want to cook it
The 2Kw inverter is used to power a heat plate which welds plastic material and I move from site to site
the engine bay cannot power the inverter whilst idle as this contravenes the clean air act in Scotland so i was looking at maximizing charge using dc-dc and solar panel

dc- dc charging the aux battery when driving and the solar panel charging when idle

so thats the dc-dc charger sorted and the solar controller , now what would be a good scenario for the solar panels to maximize current input
ill be putting the panels on a pop top ,

 

[sasha123]

oh I forgot about the limit of the charging capacity of the battery -so no parallel just now but maybe increase the battery bank at a later date
I have a standard alternator so dont want to cook it
The 2Kw inverter is used to power a heat plate which welds plastic material and I move from site to site
the engine bay cannot power the inverter whilst idle as this contravenes the clean air act in Scotland so i was looking at maximizing charge using dc-dc and solar panel

dc- dc charging the aux battery when driving and the solar panel charging when idle

so thats the dc-dc charger sorted and the solar controller , now what would be a good scenario for the solar panels to maximize current input
ill be putting the panels on a pop top ,

UPDATE
had a look at your threads for solar panel thanks
can i just check something with you to get the best charging capacity from the solar panels , I will need to put them in parallel or series
to get the max current , im thinking ill need 3 times 200watt solar panels , goodness know where i would fit them though

 

[boopzz]

I'm going flexible panels for my pop top. Got some glass ones but think they'll be far too heavy on the pop (even tho within the weight limit).
Looking at the lensun ones but can't find a warranty for them. Renogy don't look as nice but have 5 year manufacturing warranty!

 

[Dellmassive]

UPDATE
had a look at your threads for solar panel thanks
can i just check something with you to get the best charging capacity from the solar panels , I will need to put them in parallel or series
to get the max current , im thinking ill need 3 times 200watt solar panels , goodness know where i would fit them though

100w with a decent panel should give you 6A.

A decent panel setup is around £2 per watt.

So 500w should give you 30A

I've seen 300w on a T6 roof.

Maybe add some mobile solar to add to the floor?.

Basically space on the roof will be your next problem.

 

[Dellmassive]

I'm going flexible panels for my pop top. Got some glass ones but think they'll be far too heavy on the pop (even tho within the weight limit).
Looking at the lensun ones but can't find a warranty for them. Renogy don't look as nice but have 5 year manufacturing warranty!

Lensun...

24mnths up.

Warranty Policy

www.lensunsolar.com

 

[sasha123]

100w with a decent panel should give you 6A.

A decent panel setup is around £2 per watt.

So 500w should give you 30A

I've seen 300w on a T6 roof.

Maybe add some mobile solar to add to the floor?.

Basically space on the roof will be your next problem.

Thanks @Dellmassive appreciated
Space on the roof is defo a problem to get the right number of panels and max the watts additional mobile may at be the way to go I'll dig deeper for solar panel options
Do you have a preference on fixed or flexible panels in terms of cost or robustness for the roof

 

[travelvolts]

If you only need to use the solar when on site look at using semi flexi ones in a hinged arrangement, with one folding on top of the other until you pitch up and then unfold them. I reckon you might achieve 600 watts by using 4 x 150 watt. Use a victron 75/50 controller.
You should also consider this DC-DC charger Ablemail AMC 12 12 60 | travelvolts

 

[sasha123]

If you only need to use the solar when on site look at using semi flexi ones in a hinged arrangement, with one folding on top of the other until you pitch up and then unfold them. I reckon you might achieve 600 watts by using 4 x 150 watt. Use a victron 75/50 controller.
You should also consider this DC-DC charger Ablemail AMC 12 12 60 | travelvolts

Thanks I like that idea . Are you talking about putting the hinged arrangement on the pop up roof . I did have my eye in the ablemail . And British made do you have website travelvolts