JonSue
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Hi all, the title says it all really! Should my solar panel revert from leisure to the main battery when the leisure is full, please
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Main battery not charging when leisure battery full on solar power
- Thread starter JonSue
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marchie
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We had a Battery Master [now removed] that never charged the Vehicle Battery ['VB'], even in the height of Summer when the Lithium Leisure Battery ['LB'] was sitting at 14.22v! We asked David @wildebus to fit an Ablemail AMT 12-2 Trickle Charger in January 2022, and it has performed magnificently and consistently! Our Motorhome has been sat for just over 4 weeks [whilst I recover from an accident involving a full cafetiere of fresh coffee ...] and the VB was sitting at 13.8v yesterday, and the LB at 14.22v. We have used the 'Manual Override' Option 9 on the AMT12 to force the LB to transfer 3 amps to the VB for 9 seconds in every 10 seconds and this ensures that the VB remains in tip top condition, whilst the LB can, in poor solar conditions, wait and play catch up for its recharge as the sun rises/weather improves. The AMT12 is probably the best upgrade we have made, it's a godsend!
Steve
Pudsey Bear
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wildebus
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'Regular' Solar Chargers will only charge one bank e.g. the Leisure battery.
You can get "duo" solar controllers that send a small current to the Vehicle Battery, but that is a very small current and may not actually be enough to maintain the battery (bearing in mind a parasitic drain on the vehicle battery is 24/7 and the solar will only do anything at all in daylight.).
How to tell? Have many sets of wires have you connected on the Solar Controller? if 2 pairs (Panel + Battery) then it will only ever charge 1 battery.
Lots of people love those "duo" controllers, but the best option IMO is the seperate Battery Maintainer as they will work if you are charging the Leisure Battery on Solar OR on Mains so much more flexible.
And without any doubt the best Battery Maintainer available IS the Ablemail AMT12-2. rather than operating on a simple voltage difference between the two batteries, it is microprocessor controlled and can be set to 8 different programmes, depending if you have a smart or dumb alternator, you have lead or lithium Leisure Batteries and if you are protecting against a regular or higher parastitic drain on the Vehicle Battery. (those 8 selectable programmes are 7 more options than any other Battery Maintainer as well
). There is also the '9th' programme, the override function as Marchie describes.And if that is not enough you can, via an optional bluetooth module, create your own bespoke programme to your own precise requirements.
May sound like an advert, but you can get the AMT12 from multiple sources apart from myself (including possibly via a forum deal from the manufacturer?), is very easy to install and to be frank, I would not recommend or install any other Battery Maintainer as the rest are truely inferior to the AMT12.
merl
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You really should get some commission from Votronic Trev
Snapster
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I can recommend the Ablemail too. I had a VB Battery master and it just didn’t work properly. The Ablemail works perfectly'Regular' Solar Chargers will only charge one bank e.g. the Leisure battery.
You can get "duo" solar controllers that send a small current to the Vehicle Battery, but that is a very small current and may not actually be enough to maintain the battery (bearing in mind a parasitic drain on the vehicle battery is 24/7 and the solar will only do anything at all in daylight.).
How to tell? Have many sets of wires have you connected on the Solar Controller? if 2 pairs (Panel + Battery) then it will only ever charge 1 battery.
Lots of people love those "duo" controllers, but the best option IMO is the seperate Battery Maintainer as they will work if you are charging the Leisure Battery on Solar OR on Mains so much more flexible.
And without any doubt the best Battery Maintainer available IS the Ablemail AMT12-2. rather than operating on a simple voltage difference between the two batteries, it is microprocessor controlled and can be set to 8 different programmes, depending if you have a smart or dumb alternator, you have lead or lithium Leisure Batteries and if you are protecting against a regular or higher parastitic drain on the Vehicle Battery. (those 8 selectable programmes are 7 more options than any other Battery Maintainer as well
And if that is not enough you can, via an optional bluetooth module, create your own bespoke programme to your own precise requirements.
May sound like an advert, but you can get the AMT12 from multiple sources apart from myself (including possibly via a forum deal from the manufacturer?), is very easy to install and to be frank, I would not recommend or install any other Battery Maintainer as the rest are truely inferior to the AMT12.
Pudsey Bear
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I searched for the exact description Trev and it doesn't exist on ebay.
High Efficiency 250W 12V Dual Battery Mppt Solar Charge Controller / Regulator Votronic for sale | eBay
Find great deals on eBay for High Efficiency 250W 12V Dual Battery Mppt Solar Charge Controller / Regulator Votronic. Shop with confidence.
www.ebay.co.uk
A search for Votronic brought up loads, but not that one so you really do need to stop going on about stuff if you can't provide a clickable link, surely if Linux is so good it should be as easy as it is in Windows.
Votronic for sale | eBay
Find great deals on eBay for Votronic. Shop with confidence.
www.ebay.co.uk
If you can only provide a screenshot then can you include the current item number too.
merl
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They've sold out on the back of all Trevs recommendations!
Richard Wasteney
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It's all too complicated for me to change from standard issue so fortunately my Swift mh came with wiring all ready to fit a solar panel. The control unit is Sargent so I rang them and they sent the appropriate solar controller. I've noticed it charges the leisure battery till its full then the vehicle battery. Hopefully if oth were full on solar charging it would shut off
trevskoda
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wildebus
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The link that appears on that post is a forum generated link and not actually specific to what that said, just a word match for "solar controller" or whatever.
It can be a bit misleading unfortunately as it does look like it is part of the discussion
TeamRienza
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Roadpro stock them.
www.roadpro.co.uk
However they wanted a ton of money for postage to N. Ireland, so I bought mine from Amazon though a German supplier.
Votronic MPPT Solar Regulators
In business since 1981, RoadPro is the UK’s leading supplier of high-quality products for motorhomes, caravans, trucks, special vehicles and boats.
www.roadpro.co.uk
However they wanted a ton of money for postage to N. Ireland, so I bought mine from Amazon though a German supplier.
merl
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The problem is Trev, the more you deny it the more suspicious you look! Admit it, you're just part of a massive anti windows conspiracy
trevskoda
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Always blame poor old paddy.The problem is Trev, the more you deny it the more suspicious you look! Admit it, you're just part of a massive anti windows conspiracy
merl
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Now he's playing the 'racist card'! The guy's a real pro I tell ya!Always blame poor old paddy.
Pudsey Bear
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What is it then if it isn't Linux Trev I'm intrigued mate
merl
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Deffo a combination of Linux and Trev being in cahoots with the anti windows/pro Votronic league. I bet Linus Torvalds lives next door to Trev and owns Vitronic too.What is it then if it isn't Linux Trev I'm intrigued mate
trevskoda
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Me im half daft.What is it then if it isn't Linux Trev I'm intrigued mate
Of to the vets for my meds.