And a bit more soot in their DPF
Solar ONLY to charge a Leisure battery
- Thread starter JamesD27
- Start date
Very nice
I read that as your solar controller is trying to charge both batteries (which are low) but there is not enough Voltage to do it ?
I'm no expert
Make sure the van is parked where the panel/s get to see some sun, the longer duration the better and make sure the panels aren't covered in snow.
Saying that you don't want to be charging a lithium battery around freezing as that will degrade the battery, down to 3C and you're probably ok, if the leisure battery is an AGM or simple lead acid no low temperature charging problems.
I've got a lithium leisure battery so have turned off the solar panels and isolated the battery so it doesn't charge while driving the van and leave the battery fully charged for weeks/months which again can be detrimental to battery life on lithium types in particular.
If you're leaving the camper parked unused for any length of time it might be worth putting a battery conditioner charger connected to the van starter battery and a smart charger on the leisure battery to bring it up to a recognised safe voltage value... it also might be worth looking into whether there is a drain on your batteries from an alarm, tracker or other accessory dragging power down while the van is parked.
Saying that you don't want to be charging a lithium battery around freezing as that will degrade the battery, down to 3C and you're probably ok, if the leisure battery is an AGM or simple lead acid no low temperature charging problems.
I've got a lithium leisure battery so have turned off the solar panels and isolated the battery so it doesn't charge while driving the van and leave the battery fully charged for weeks/months which again can be detrimental to battery life on lithium types in particular.
If you're leaving the camper parked unused for any length of time it might be worth putting a battery conditioner charger connected to the van starter battery and a smart charger on the leisure battery to bring it up to a recognised safe voltage value... it also might be worth looking into whether there is a drain on your batteries from an alarm, tracker or other accessory dragging power down while the van is parked.
Very late to this, but I’m not sure I understand the logic here?
You say that going solar would mean recharging without the need for a “good drive” but then your usage is so low that you wouldn’t *need* that much of a drive to recharge? And you will surely always drive somewhere? Especially since you say it’s a day van???
And are you saving by buying a solar panel and solar charger vs a DC-DC charger?
The only way I see this making sense is if you regularly drive somewhere (and with only a short drive at that!) and then STAY somewhere (camping) without driving for a fairly long time (ie there is a need for extended “off-grid”)…?
Apt username
Precisionautomotive
New Member
I too am thinking of solar, but also want split charging. Do you need a special split charger for lithium batteries?
A Renogy DCC50S will charge the leisure battery from solar and the vans smart alternator so an MPPT and DC to DC charger in one unit and provide up to 50A charge to the leisure battery which can be lead acid, AGM or Lithium.
It's a cheap enough unit too but probably best to set the charger output a bit lower to 30A output as they can get warm/hot bunging out that 50A if you've run your battery down a bit far.
It's a cheap enough unit too but probably best to set the charger output a bit lower to 30A output as they can get warm/hot bunging out that 50A if you've run your battery down a bit far.
jaywil4
Member
This is what i think too. Im getting a new leisure battery fitted thursday so im hoping it may reset it all and clear the errors
thanks for tsking the time to reply .. appreciate itSimilar threads
