C-Tek

[Debs]

When I built my previous van, I opted for C-Tek batt to batt charging as it also has an mppt solar controller built in, I also had 2 cheap leisure batts to get by with. Then I started converting my next van, stripping the previous coach built of parts (sold that chassis) For this van I added a 100w solar panel, and all was well....ish, then I replaced the old leisure batts with 2 110w explorer batts and things were better, but, I also run a Waeco compressor fridge and I have had to be careful with my electric usage. After much inter-web research, I have now installed a separate solar charge controller and although it's early days, things seem to be a lot healthier. Had the fridge on for 2 days and by 10.00am I am showing 13.5volts. It has been bright but not much sun in the morning, so its fingers crossed and hope that things will be better.c::hammer:

 

[Deleted member 35703]

So do you think the Ctek was not up to the job had a t5 with that controller and seemed to work ok but did not make a lot of use out of wilding mostly towing caravan and hook up

 

[shortcircuit]

I had a Ctek and had no problems with it. Not sure if I understand how a different solar controller will make a difference? Does it use different technology? With the Ctek I had the confidence that once the leisure batteries were charged it then supplied charge to the starter battery which I assume you have now lost?

 

[Tezza]

We have a ctek and use it’s mppt controller and have had no problems with it. I think the controller in it is rated at 20 amps , might be wrong on that . And we have a 150 watt solar panel. All seems ok to me.

 

[Nabsim]

I am not sure yet either but one more question are any of these set up so you are charging your leisure batteries from the engine alternator?

 

[shortcircuit]

The Ctek unit is connected to the alternator and the leisure battery. Once the starter battery is charged it manipulates the alternator to continue a high charge to the leisure battery, on its own up to 20A. I had the Ctek Dual which also had an input for a solar panel which would charge the leisure battery and the starter battery

 

[Nabsim]

The Ctek unit is connected to the alternator and the leisure battery. Once the starter battery is charged it manipulates the alternator to continue a high charge to the leisure battery, on its own up to 20A. I had the Ctek Dual which also had an input for a solar panel which would charge the leisure battery and the starter battery

Thanks for that I wasn't aware, I thought the C-Tek was like the Optimate mains charger I have for bikes. Not used to a lot of the names and terminology yet

 

[Debs]

It is early days, but the the new Votronic solar controller does seem to be keeping my batts in better fettle, checked the voltage this morning at 9.00am, 12.9v and the panel is covered in snow. I've still got the fridge switched on, but not using any other power as I am at home. I am going to be putting a meter in soon, which will give me a lot more information about the state of the batts. In previous vans I have used Sterling batt to batt chargers and I like them, but I wouldn't say one was better than the other.

 

[Nabsim]

I did a reply asking what a B to B unit was but realised I already had a link to some info so deleted my post. After reading through my link then checking back here I am wondering if this is what you are getting (performance degrading over time).

If you haven't read it before have a look it isn't that long, it only the first half really that could apply to you

B2B, Battery to Battery chargers : Fast, Safe Motorhome Alternator charging

 

[Debs]

I did a reply asking what a B to B unit was but realised I already had a link to some info so deleted my post. After reading through my link then checking back here I am wondering if this is what you are getting (performance degrading over time).

If you haven't read it before have a look it isn't that long, it only the first half really that could apply to you

B2B, Battery to Battery chargers : Fast, Safe Motorhome Alternator charging

Interesting article, and just to throw a bit more into the mix, my Votronic has two settings for AGM batts, one charges at 14.4v, and the other at 14.7v, I have mine set on 14.4. It would seem that not all AGM's are created equal!

 

[Nabsim]

I have found a lot of useful info on that site Debs. Before purchasing our mh a month ago my nearest experience of this was split charge relays to additional batteries on sidecar outfits. I have done a bit of 12volt electrics but its a whole different ball game by the looks of it on mh so I have much to learn

 

[maxi77]

I did a reply asking what a B to B unit was but realised I already had a link to some info so deleted my post. After reading through my link then checking back here I am wondering if this is what you are getting (performance degrading over time).

If you haven't read it before have a look it isn't that long, it only the first half really that could apply to you

B2B, Battery to Battery chargers : Fast, Safe Motorhome Alternator charging

Interesting article though what exactly is the system they recommend, and also I expect that the big boys in battery charging technology like Sterling may just disagree with them.

 

[maxi77]

Interesting article, and just to throw a bit more into the mix, my Votronic has two settings for AGM batts, one charges at 14.4v, and the other at 14.7v, I have mine set on 14.4. It would seem that not all AGM's are created equal!

Indeed the latest Sterling chargers have 7 lead acid charging regimes plus an ability to create a custom regime and for those with deep pockets a lithium regime. It seems that either to differentiate themselves from the pack or to squeeze the most out of a given box makers are finding more ways to may our lives more complicated

 

[Nabsim]

Interesting article though what exactly is the system they recommend, and also I expect that the big boys in battery charging technology like Sterling may just disagree with them.

The bottom half of the link is where something new has come out I think, in any event they are talking about vans that have some type of Schaudt EBL fitted. They are then saying to use the Schaudt WA121525. The bottom half of the link does not apply to Debs and I posted it for the first part where it says about degradation.

I have been doing a lot of reading up on this as I have an EBL and am trying to get all the Pro's and Con's of what or how to fit things together to avoid overcharging. For me with an EBL it looks like it is sensible to link everything through the EBL as that handles distributions ops solar, mains, alternator to battery bank and starter battery. Not sure but I think from what has been said so far Debs does not have a central unit like the EBL.

I am very interested in all posts that are to do with 12v power as I see this as an area that may well give me problems wilding for more than a couple of days at a time without resorting to hookups or extended engine running or dare I say generator haha I am trying to learn here rather than saying anything I put is right, just sharing what I have read

 

[Admin]

I have fitted lots of CTEK D250S and now I tend to favour the Ring RSCDC30. You get 50% more output and lots of programmable features. The unit is twice the size.

Some of the things that I like about it is the wider voltage input ranges:

Battery input 12.6v - 50v
Solar input 10v - 50v
Charge 30A

This means it allows for use of a wider range of solar panels, The CTEK units max voltage is 23v.

It is also cheaper.

The only issue I have had is the voltage drop on a long cable run (7m) caused the unit to cycle in and out as the load caused a voltage drop below the threshold. This was cured by installing a thicker cable.

RSCDC30 | DC/DC Battery SmartCharger | SmartChargePro

 

[maxi77]

The bottom half of the link is where something new has come out I think, in any event they are talking about vans that have some type of Schaudt EBL fitted. They are then saying to use the Schaudt WA121525. The bottom half of the link does not apply to Debs and I posted it for the first part where it says about degradation.

I have been doing a lot of reading up on this as I have an EBL and am trying to get all the Pro's and Con's of what or how to fit things together to avoid overcharging. For me with an EBL it looks like it is sensible to link everything through the EBL as that handles distributions ops solar, mains, alternator to battery bank and starter battery. Not sure but I think from what has been said so far Debs does not have a central unit like the EBL.

I am very interested in all posts that are to do with 12v power as I see this as an area that may well give me problems wilding for more than a couple of days at a time without resorting to hookups or extended engine running or dare I say generator haha I am trying to learn here rather than saying anything I put is right, just sharing what I have read

Yes there are links on the bottom of the page but no suggestion by the author why one should follow them and one is all in German not my best language. Poor presentation which does not make one that confident. They offer no kit for this in their socialist so all in all not impressed. I for one would be more likely to give my hard earned cash to Sterling

 

[barlicker]

I have been researching battery to battery charging for use on my next van and was going to use the c-tec system however having looked at the Ring charger I am impressed. Not sure about the Sterling stuff as the appearance of their control units look very cheap. I have in the past lived on canal boats and most boaters would not use Sterling products as they have had reliability problems.