Upgrade to lithium battery, what do I need to change on my Sargent EC155 mains charger?

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banksey88

Member
My current battery (flooded) is knackered and I’m looking to replace with with either AGM or lithium. Lithium is obviously the better option but just trying to understand what work is in involved to achieve this.

My leisure battery is located under my driver seat, I have a Sargent EC155 unit for my mains charger (located in back cupboard), Sterling BB1230 B2B charger and a Victron MPPT solar charger. I believe I can change settings on the B2B charger and the MPPT, but I don’t believe the EC155 is adequate to charge a lithium battery fully.

I’m looking to add Victron IP22 or IP65 charger to replace the charge function on the EC155… but just wondering what wiring mods I need to do on this? Can I just take a 230V feed from EHU to power the Victron charger and then take the current output wires (from the EC155 to the leisure battery) and connect to the output of the Victron charger?

Any advise on this would be appreciated.
 
I had a similar scenario in my van, in the end I just disabled the EC155 charger function by removing the fuse, and fitted a Victron IP65 charger that's powered from a plug socket on a separate MCB in my 230v box. I used the charging cables supplied with the IP65 unit and just left the Sargent wiring to the leisure battery as it was.
If your battery is under the driver's seat, if you have room I would try and mount your charger there or as close to as possible, it's far easier and cheaper to extend the AC power supply needed for the charger. Victron do sell an extension for that charger also if you can't mount under the seat.
 
Fishinbrine said:
I had a similar scenario in my van, in the end I just disabled the EC155 charger function by removing the fuse, and fitted a Victron IP65 charger that's powered from a plug socket on a separate MCB in my 230v box. I used the charging cables supplied with the IP65 unit and just left the Sargent wiring to the leisure battery as it was.
If your battery is under the driver's seat, if you have room I would try and mount your charger there or as close to as possible, it's far easier and cheaper to extend the AC power supply needed for the charger. Victron do sell an extension for that charger also if you can't mount under the seat.
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Thanks for your reply.

So you removed the bottom right fuse (charger) and powered the Victron IP65 from a socket close your battery? I’d not considered doing that as I don’t have a socket near my battery, but something I could look to do as an option.

I think I was hoping to use the output wires from my Sargent unit to the battery, but not yet sure if that is feasible and if the cable sizing is correct etc.
 
Well from what I understand, you need to keep the Sargent connections to the leisure battery regardless of using the charger or not, when I took the wire away from the LB the Sargent control panel did not operate.

On your Sargent you will likely have 3 mcb's in it for the 240v side. Are all 3 used? On mine I have 1 for the microwave and 1 for the 240v sockets.

The unused MCB I have added a single socket that I have the charger plugged into.

The great thing about the IP65 Victron charger for me, is the portability of it, I have the wall mount in the van for it and the charger wiring bolts to the positive battery terminal and the earth busbar (through the shunt) but can unplug the charger and then use in the garage or on another vehicle as needed with the crocodile clips provided with it.

I haven't yet gone lithium, but the Sargent charger is not really suitable for AGM batteries either and is very low output really, with a lithium upgrade pretty much imminent for me, I upgraded the charging side in preparation.
 
I have a similar setup with a battery and victron b2b charger under the passenger seat and a victron MPPT under the drivers seat and a Sargent in the back. My AGM battery is now 6 years old and needs replacing, I wanted to go lithium as well as is almost the default now but was recommended to replace the existing 1 AGM battery and add another under the drivers seat. After some thought this does make sense to me as it uses the functionality on the Sargent, doesn’t require getting a 240v feed to a charger and is quite cost effective
 
Last edited:
banksey88 said:
My current battery (flooded) is knackered and I’m looking to replace with with either AGM or lithium. Lithium is obviously the better option but just trying to understand what work is in involved to achieve this.

My leisure battery is located under my driver seat, I have a Sargent EC155 unit for my mains charger (located in back cupboard), Sterling BB1230 B2B charger and a Victron MPPT solar charger. I believe I can change settings on the B2B charger and the MPPT, but I don’t believe the EC155 is adequate to charge a lithium battery fully.

I’m looking to add Victron IP22 or IP65 charger to replace the charge function on the EC155… but just wondering what wiring mods I need to do on this? Can I just take a 230V feed from EHU to power the Victron charger and then take the current output wires (from the EC155 to the leisure battery) and connect to the output of the Victron charger?

Any advise on this would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
banksey88 said:
My current battery (flooded) is knackered and I’m looking to replace with with either AGM or lithium. Lithium is obviously the better option but just trying to understand what work is in involved to achieve this.

My leisure battery is located under my driver seat, I have a Sargent EC155 unit for my mains charger (located in back cupboard), Sterling BB1230 B2B charger and a Victron MPPT solar charger. I believe I can change settings on the B2B charger and the MPPT, but I don’t believe the EC155 is adequate to charge a lithium battery fully.

I’m looking to add Victron IP22 or IP65 charger to replace the charge function on the EC155… but just wondering what wiring mods I need to do on this? Can I just take a 230V feed from EHU to power the Victron charger and then take the current output wires (from the EC155 to the leisure battery) and connect to the output of the Victron charger?

Any advise on this would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
I have sargent ec155 also, and upgraded to twin Agm 100a batteries. I pulled the sargent charging fuse and fitted a Sterling Dc Dc charger unit with Solar input. The Sterling unit allows to set battery profiles, agm, lithium etc. It also manages the Solar input and alternator charging. I use a portable folding solar panel. I also have +ve and -ve tails from battery to allow a domestic mains charger which can be used from the Sargent mains outlet when usin Electric hook up on sites.
 
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Jarvie.I said:
I have sargent ec155 also, and upgraded to twin Agm 100a batteries. I pulled the sargent charging fuse and fitted a Sterling Dc Dc charger unit with Solar input. The Sterling unit allows to set battery profiles, agm, lithium etc. It also manages the Solar input and alternator charging. I use a portable folding solar panel. I also have +ve and -ve tails from battery to allow a domestic mains charger which can be used from the Sargent mains outlet when usin Electric hook up on sites.
Click to expand...
We have charged our AGM battery through the Sargent on EHU for 6 years, they took the charge no problem. We are getting 2 batteries fitted next week (one to replace the current battery under the passenger’s seat and one additional one under the drivers seat). Do you find the 2 AGMs give you enough time off grid?

Edit: just realised I said most of this in an earlier post! Nevermind, I’ve had a lovely day 😁
 
cgtmiles said:
We have charged our AGM battery through the Sargent on EHU for 6 years, they took the charge no problem. We are getting 2 batteries fitted next week (one to replace the current battery under the passenger’s seat and one additional one under the drivers seat). Do you find the 2 AGMs give you enough time off grid?
Click to expand...
i am only away for long weekend mostly for park up- batteries hold ok for 3 or 4 nights- compressor fridge and Diesel heater are the big drain. Just recently got the Solar hook up wired up- still to try out in summer
The Sergent Ec155 spec says mainy for Lead acid- it might charge the agm's but not be doing it most efficiently or possibly restrict their full capacity from my understanding- i am no battery expert.
 
Yeah, with a victron dc-dc to charge on the move and a mppt and solar it lasted off grid ok but not great hence doubling up but no problems charging on EHU from the Sargent whatever it said
 
I have the same set up as you banksey88, Sargent EC155, sterling B to B1230 and solar mppt. I changed over to a lithium battery before last summer. I changed the charging profile of the Sterling B to B and the mppt. I left the Sargent as it is . The lithium leisure battery charges up fine. I guess the solar is helping the Sargent when I'm on electric hook up. I spent two weeks in France last Summer driving to different sites and the battery never really went below 50%. I'd just try it and see how you get on before swapping anything out.
 
Jarvie.I said:
Doing a quick google on differences ( between agm and lead acid battery types ) and charging agm battery with lead acid charger shows some concerning results.
Click to expand...
You wouldn't think it would differ much with such similar chemistry, but you live and learn!
 
Aye, mine has a sterling B2B, already plumbed for solar.
 
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