Sargent PF200 charger replacement

[Maarten1]

Hi,

I’m currently on a site and I’m having problems with the leisure battery not charging from the electric hook-up. The leisure battery is down to 11.5v and still dropping. I’m guessing I have a fuse blown somewhere or the charger is faulty. I haven’t really liked the Sargent charger since I’ve bought the camper and everything else has been changed to Victron. Does anyone know what Victron charger would be a good replacement for the Sargent unit? Thanks.

 

[Salty Spuds]

If it’s just a mains charger you’re looking for, you won’t go far wrong with the Victron IP22 15A.

 

[Maarten1]

I’m a bit confused what to buy as I have a mains charger at home already but I don’t know if it carries out the same purpose as the Sargent. As far as I know the Sargent allows the 240v plugs to be used when on hook up but also charges the leisure battery. Would a bluesmart ip22 30A be the same, or better, than I have now.

 

[Sasquatch]

I keep my starter battery on a Norco charger when the van is not in use and was delighted to discover that this also charges the leisure battery via the B2B charger. If id ever thought about it I should have expected that, but had never done so.

 

[airhoguk]

The Sargent PF200 only has a dc output, there should be a consume unit with rcd and mcb’s for the mains sockets. By the description on the Sargent website when connected it can act as a 12 volt power supply as well as charging the leisure battery.

 

[Maarten1]

The Sargent PF200 only has a dc output, there should be a consume unit with rcd and mcb’s for the mains sockets. By the description on the Sargent website when connected it can act as a 12 volt power supply as well as charging the leisure battery.

Thanks for making it a bit clearer. I do have a consumer unit with Rcd’s. So I can get it straight in my head does the shore power connect directly to the Sargent which feeds the RCD’s and from the RCD’s there should be a feed that charges the battery?

 

[CAB]

Best put a picture up.

I think the other way round? Sargent unit takes 240v and charges battery, but also distributes the 12v from the battery?

 

[airhoguk]

As CAB said your Sargent charger is connected to the output side of your consumer unit. From there it only feeds the leisure battery but also supports any 12 volt consumption. There is no connection to 240 volt other than the connection to power the charger. However, depending on who built the van the charger may be on the same circuit as the mains sockets hence the confusion

 

[Stay Frosty]

That Sargent unit is for lead acid so the Victron with the ability to charge lithium too makes more sense long term, especially if your present leisure battery has carked and whether a new, more efficient, lithium Black Friday bargain/Christmas present is in the mix.

 

[Maarten1]

I have had the van in pieces since getting home and think it may be starting to click (it might not be but hopefully you can let me know). So, while away I was on hook-up and the 240v sockets worked along with the 12v fridge. The only thing that wasn’t working was the leisure battery charger. I have got home and pulled all the fuses and they were ok so I got a car charger and connected it to the wires which would connect to what would be the Sargent output. At this point the battery was charging so I’m guessing the Sargent might have died unless there isn’t any power to that which I guess from your comments is the consumer unit.

I’m also trying to learn the electrical side of the camper, please could you correct me if I’m thinking of this wrong. The power comes in the van to the consumer unit where the Sargent is there to charge the leisure battery only. Im thinking all 12v runs directly from the leisure battery and all 240v is directly from the consumer unit when hooked up on shore. If this is correct I could replace the charger with any good Victron IP22 charger?

 

[airhoguk]

I have had the van in pieces since getting home and think it may be starting to click (it might not be but hopefully you can let me know). So, while away I was on hook-up and the 240v sockets worked along with the 12v fridge. The only thing that wasn’t working was the leisure battery charger. I have got home and pulled all the fuses and they were ok so I got a car charger and connected it to the wires which would connect to what would be the Sargent output. At this point the battery was charging so I’m guessing the Sargent might have died unless there isn’t any power to that which I guess from your comments is the consumer unit.

I’m also trying to learn the electrical side of the camper, please could you correct me if I’m thinking of this wrong. The power comes in the van to the consumer unit where the Sargent is there to charge the leisure battery only. Im thinking all 12v runs directly from the leisure battery and all 240v is directly from the consumer unit when hooked up on shore. If this is correct I could replace the charger with any good Victron IP22 charger?

View attachment 308455

Yes your description is correct

 

[Maarten1]

Yes your description is correct

Thanks, it’s starting to all make sense.