A little advice on my solar/battery system

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Deleted member 88570

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Hi :)

I need to replace the 2 batteries I have in my CI Riviera motorhome, they were last replaced 5 years ago. I have 1 solar panel that I don’t think is more than 100w, it was fitted when I had it on reserve at a dealer over 11 years ago. I asked for a 2nd battery and a solar panel because a friend had similar. I don’t seem to have a solar controller of any kind, I only have a Sunwise voltage display next to my main control panel. Recently, I was off-grid during latest lockdown, the display would go from showing 10.8v - 13.1v when the sun came up. The confusing part about this was the main control panel battery display would tell me that it was full, which obviously it couldn’t be.
The current batteries are 75AH and are housed under the driver and passenger seats. I would like to replace them with at least 100AH AGM batteries, but I know it’s not as simple as swapping the batteries over like was done when they were changed last time

Thanks
Mads
 
You should have a regulator either built in or sep, it should be a mppt type and you should get at peak 14.4 volts for l acid, it will drop to around 13.4/13.7 v and cycle or float.
Wildbus is you man here as he knows the setup of most vans, second i would say get another 100w panel up there and two batts at 100ah each.
 
I will take a photo of what I have, I searched it recently with the name on it and it is just a monitor/ display.
 
These are the displays I have, there isn’t anything else.
BDDEFC7E-A51A-4C6E-9CA9-57FCA94F4429.jpeg
1740E868-7850-41AB-B8EF-51565ED2ACE3.jpeg
 
You probably do have a solar charge controller somewhere.
Have you tried tracing the wires down from the solar panels?
It's quite likely that there will be a controller near your mains power and 12v supply unit.
With an additional solar panel and MPPT controller (preferably close to batteries) you should be able to increase the capacity if they are decently connected.

I take it that the silver wires are just your xmas decs?
 
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Solar panel is probably 20v on output which is reduced by a regulator to give correct voltage at battery you really need to find the regulator and the amp rating

And i do struggle with electrics so someone will correct me if i am incorrect here
 
Markd said:
You probably do have a solar charge controller somewhere.
Have you tried tracing the wires down from the solar panels?
It's quite likely that there will be a controller near your mains power and 12v supply unit.
With an additional solar panel and MPPT controller (preferably close to batteries) you should be able to increase the capacity if they are decently connected.

I take it that the silver wires are just your xmas decs?
Click to expand...

The solar panel is on the same side as the displays (passenger side ), the 12v fuse box is behind the driver’s seat next to 1 of the batteries and the mains power comes in halfway along the driver’s side.
Yes, the wire is from AA powered LED lights, they were stuck on the ceiling but came down. I have several around the van, they were very useful when I didn’t have power in batteries for lights.

D938BCE6-487D-4058-9EAB-818CA88ED7C8.jpeg

I can try and get this panel out, there is wiring going behind the cupboard on the left towards the displays.
 
As Trev said I would get in touch with Wildebus and get him to do the work for you, I'm sure he'll do a neater job than the one you have :unsure:

Regards,
Del
 
I had one brought to me and some d--k had just put the wires straight to the battery as he was told it was diode protected. :(
 
@Mads
The 12v fuses you mention are probably the van's factory fit.
You need to find the motorhome power supply unit that contains the on-board battery charger, mains switch and mcbs, and fuses for 'domestic' 12v circuits.

If you have a solar controller (likely as you don't mention ever seeing very high battery voltages) it will probably be near this PSU.

It won't be behind the control panel as it needs to be readily accessible - they are often in a wardrobe or other cupboard and probably quite close to EHU hook up point.
 
Markd said:
@Mads
The 12v fuses you mention are probably the van's factory fit.
You need to find the motorhome power supply unit that contains the on-board battery charger, mains switch and mcbs, and fuses for 'domestic' 12v circuits.

If you have a solar controller (likely as you don't mention ever seeing very high battery voltages) it will probably be near this PSU.

It won't be behind the control panel as it needs to be readily accessible - they are often in a wardrobe or other cupboard and probably quite close to EHU hook up point.
Click to expand...
Think you may find a maxi fuse is fitted between solar regulator and the battery
 
@Markd @Wooie1958
I can’t see where the cables come in on the inside, but I know where it goes in from the outside. In working out where that is on the inside it has to be behind the false panel.

E22947C1-8FA7-4C02-B42D-3646240D1520.jpeg

This is in a locked hatch under my dinette table, the wires top left go off towards the batteries and main fuse box (this is where the domestic fuses are. The vehicle fuses are either side the dash, not to cab doors. The white cable out of the bottom of that unit goes off to the right into the next photo.

0F619698-B6BF-4392-91EF-0F7BEDE3CC5D.jpeg

This is where the EHU socket is on the outside, it is inside a pullout food larder cupboard which also has gas cutoff valves to different appliances.
 

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Very old hat charger,first thing to dump, I will bet there is no control unit, or its knackered.
 
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