Shore power battery charging

[OllieGBR]

I've not considered charging the leisure battery when on shore power. I have a 140W solar panel paired with 100A/Hr LiFePO4 battery.
I have a DC/DC charger for when the engine is running/ solar panel.

Do I really need a 240v battery charger also? My 12v power options are quite hungry, (fridge, water heater, lights etc) so during the non summer months this might be more challenging.

What Lithium battery chargers have you used and can you share any experiences of with/ without installation?

Cheers!
Ollie

 

[AussieMick]

If you keep your leisure battery on a smart charger when you're not using the van the battery should last years longer. Batteries are happier when sitting with a full charge. When they run down regularly it shortens the life, but I must tell you I don't know much about lithium batteries except they are bl**dy good. Other members will know more.

 

[flo.flowers]

Ollie, Dell gave me a steer on 2 Victron chargers over on the Battery Charger - How I Did It thread, maybe of use...

 

[OllieGBR]

Ollie, Dell gave me a steer on 2 Victron chargers over on the Battery Charger - How I Did It thread, maybe of use...

Cheers Flo, I’ll have another read of that thread.

 

[OllieGBR]

OK, I think I’ll stick with the same manufacturer Victron, meaning I can see all my juices flowing on the same app
Victron 12/30

 

[Dellmassive]

Victron
NOCO
CTEK

are all recognised charger brands.

my preference is Victron as it all works together with the same bluetooth app.


more info:

theirs a video to watch too.

Battery Chargers - How I Did It -

Battery Chargers - How I Did It - So its that time of year again, cold, rainy. . . . . . . flat battery =[ This time we look at Battery Chargers. Our vans will most likely come with a AGM style starter battery, for this type of battery we need a "Smart Charger" . . . . but what does this...

www.t6forum.com

.

 

[OllieGBR]

Thanks Dellmassive.

When connected to shore power and the Victron kicks in, what does the Victron DC-DC charger do with the power being channeled to it from the solar panels?
Who has priority?

 

[Dellmassive]

they will work in parallel with each other, neither will have priority.

they will wok stand alone running on there own internal programming . . .

There is the VE-Direct bluetooth local connection where Victron units can share data with each other, but im not 100% sure if they share charge stratergy.

you can obviously fit isolator switches on the EHU & Solar sides.

but normally they are all just fused and connected in parallel.


here is a schematic from victron that shows, dc-dc, solar & EHU all fused & connected in parallel at the MAIN DC DISTRIBUTION :

https://www.victronenergy.com/upload/documents/VE-direct-drawing-with-Phoenix-charger-12-50-3-inverter-800W-Bow-thruster-MPPT-100-30.pdf

 

[Dellmassive]

@travelvolts may be able to offer more detailed advice, & supply dedicated looms for your connections.

he has the Victron chargers too . . . . . .

Electrics | Travelvolts

Welcome to Travelvolts, the UKs premiere supplier of custom electrics for camper vans and work vehicles.

www.travelvolts.net

Battery chargers

Specialised chargers for camper vans

www.travelvolts.net

.


**************************************************
Support our trade Members :

(@travelvolts) Electrics | Travelvolts