Renogy 500A and CTEK DC to DC unit

[boxer750]

Hi all
been having some issues with a Renogy 500A, and thought we had it cracked... but not so...

First issue was that the head unit of the 500A was not showing the drain at all, although it was showing battery voltage changes.

We sorted that out.. (slight mis-wire) and I went away last week and the LB supported the fridge and diesel heater and lights. All seemed good. But, running the engine shows no charge from Alternator to LB. However, over a 3-4 hour drive home.. the 500A still was saying no charge into the LB, but it did.. it was fully charged, although not according to the 'battery capacity pic on the 500A, and it doesnt show a positive charge. Had to reset to 100% manually, after checking it.
I have checked the fuses, and all are good.

One thing I have found. The lead that comes out of the D250SE (bottom one) goes to the front fuse panel (red lead) and according to the CTEK manual the black should go to vehicle earth. It is connected to the top right CTEK terminal, which IS the earth connection on there.. but knowing how fussy it is where the earths are connected. I am wondering if thats a mistake?

Be grateful if anyone has run these devices together could advise how theirs is done??

Thank you

Pete

 

[Dellmassive]

the Renogy 500A - are you refering to the shunt?




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post some pics of your install and well see if anything stands out . . .

of the shunt and battery wiring.

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The shunt needs to be the ONLY thing connected to the battery NEG terminal. - every other NEG needs to be picked up from the vans chassis side of the shunt.


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[boxer750]

Its a bit of a birds nest.. but I'll sort some tomorrow when I can get some daylight in...

Thanks

 

[boxer750]

Sorry for the delay.. was trying stuff after I thought I had a brainwave...

I have done a diagram of the system in paint.. thought would be useful, and hopefully the pics show something too..
Note.. the earth with a bolt in the middle was checking the original wiring (explained on the diagram by dotted line) bodgetastic huh?

I am sure I've done something stupidly and basically wrong. Feel free to take the p....

 

[boxer750]

PS.. the renogy reading was like that as I left Hayling Island for a 3-4 hour drive.. and exactly the same when I got home. Everything in the Leisure circuit was turned off

Pete

 

[Dellmassive]

ok first off the green is correct,

the red is wrong.

so thats a good start:


the ONLY thing connected to your leisure battery should be the shunt. - nothing else.

 

[Dellmassive]

have you got the shunt installed the correct way round?





ie-

B- needs to be the battery terminal side,


P- needs to be the chassis ground or NEG bus bar side. . .


like this . . .

 

[Dellmassive]

whats this bit for?

NEG link back to the NEG busbar?

 

[jimc91]

whats this bit for?

NEG link back to the NEG busbar?


View attachment 152694

I think thats the CTEK black wire that should go to a body earth?

 

[boxer750]

In the first diagram the dashed line is no longer connected..
Second one is connected correctly

 

[boxer750]

(-) on Ctek to earth
Earth for all this is a right angle bracket that is bolted into one of the rear seat halt holes which would be used for a kombi I believe
Can take pic if you like

 

[Dellmassive]

FYI -

this like should be fused . . .




i kn ow the Renogy install guide doesnt show it . . .





but its good practice to fuse at 5A or below for the cable as the CTEK has 25A of charge power . . .

BUT...


the battery its connected too is capable of 300A + . . . so id add a fuse at some point.

its connected to the battery. . .

 

[Dellmassive]

(-) on Ctek to earth
Earth for all this is a right angle bracket that is bolted into one of the rear seat halt holes which would be used for a kombi I believe
Can take pic if you like

yes please . .

can take a pic of the battery connections as well . .

 

[Dellmassive]

 

[Dellmassive]

this CTEK main NEG should really be the same gauge cable as the main starter and leisure battery . . .


id swap that link out for a better fatter cable.....

and double check the connection is around 0 ohms to chassis . . .

 

[boxer750]

whats this bit for?

NEG link back to the NEG busbar?


View attachment 152694

Sorry , that was what CTEK call the 'battery select lead' to tell the CTEK its an AGM battery. The installer originally connected it to the -ve terminal of the ctek unit. Its a short lead and I wanted it right onto the batter neg, and that was my ad hoc 'extension'. It made no difference, so removed it

 

[boxer750]

this CTEK main NEG should really be the same gauge cable as the main starter and leisure battery . . .


id swap that link out for a better fatter cable.....

and double check the connection is around 0 ohms to chassis . . .

View attachment 152700

Cant do that.. it comes out of the unit through a sealed molded flange/grommet thing. Two wires a red and black.. described as smart alternator lead(to front fuses to a switched live)and battery select lead (to earth). Its not connected to any terminal on the ctek unit ..

 

[Dellmassive]

have you got a new pic of the main CTEK NEG connection?

 

[Dellmassive]

Cant do that.. it comes out of the unit through a sealed molded flange/grommet thing. Two wires a red and black.. described as smart alternator lead(to front fuses to a switched live)and battery select lead (to earth). Its not connected to any terminal on the ctek unit ..

sure, sorry i ment this lead . . .


The main NEG for the CTEK should be the same gauge cable as the main battery POS IN / OUT for the CTEK.

 

[boxer750]

What do you want to see ?? I need to go visit a grieving relative for a while .. but can do it quick