Sargent E328 charging - confused

[Nigel W]

Converter who built my T6 camper installed the Sargent unit before all the issues of charging on the Euro 6 engines became known.
Good as gold when he saw all the articles on the subject he took it back into his workshop and retro fitted a Sterling BtB charger which now runs together with the Sargent.
My concern is that I now have two devices putting a charge into my battery when the engine is running which doesn’t seem right.
I have located the fuse which sends the engine running signal to the Sargent and I am wondering if I should pull this out? - this would, I believe, stop the Sargent split charge relay from engaging and as a bonus the 12v system would then work in the back when engine running.
Your thoughts appreciated

 

[Loz]

I would disconnect the relay purely to stop the reverse current flow when the alternator has been set to idle. Here is an example of this behaviour on my Cali with the factory relay..

 

[Nigel W]

Thanks Loz, I did ask Sargent if it was ok to disconnect the run signal but they said if I did I would be breaking all sorts of regulations, it could cause electrical damage and they wouldn’t recommend it.
I am tempted to give it a go, but will hang on for a while in the hope a ‘Sargent’ specialist is on the forum.

 

[Loz]

Thanks Loz, I did ask Sargent if it was ok to disconnect the run signal but they said if I did I would be breaking all sorts of regulations, it could cause electrical damage and they wouldn’t recommend it.

What a load of B0llock$, more like they didn't want it coming back for a refund..

@travelvolts, Martin what do you think?

 

[Nigel W]

Sargent seem to be very reluctant to advise/admit that their system in not really very friendly with the T6 ( I’m being polite here) and when confronted they become very defensive and/or stop replying.
The last bit of advice they gave before they just ignored me said, and I quote

“Yes this may cause a problem.
Just use a normally closed automotive relay (5pin) to disconnect the vehicle battery connection. You can power the coils of this relay from the ‘engine run’ feed.
This will disconnect the vehicle battery when driving.”

Well I’m not capable of doing this so my thought is just to disconnect the ‘run’ wire.

 

[travelvolts]

Yeah, load of testicles! Self builds and after market conversions are not subject to the EMC regs that they are alluding to. Sargent have always been well behind the curve. Disconnect the run wire. A lot of converters never used to connect it anyway when they fitted a proper split charge system alongside it.

 

[Nigel W]

Thankyou travelvolts I owe you a pint, I know where I will be going when I have saved up for my solar panel!

 

[VdubVirgin]

Hi,
Know this is an old thread but just running into this issue now.

i am fitting the Sargent and have a CTEK dc dc charger. Do I need to other with this relay and run wire nonsense?

the new Manual shows power from starter battery going through a 5 pin relay, with run wire and going into harness into the Sargent? Not even sure what this would be needed for?