New SC Relay or B2B ?

[wildebus]

No I didn’t see that post. Very interesting figures wildbus and thanks for the taking the time to post. I sold that vehicle in April, I’d extensively kitted it out with Victron gear (apart from the 200ah smart Polinovel lifepo4 battery). I was more than happy with the overall performance of Victron gear apart from the dc to dc charger. We occasionally needed hook during the deepest darkest months, but not that often because of a 40ah mains lithium charger. Fortunately the new owners are very happy with overall performance, but I suspect they are less inclined to wildcamp during the winter months and they have hook up where they keep it, we didn’t.

With our new van, as mentioned I decided to self install Renogy whole hog (mainly for continuity). For me, the 50amp mppt solar controller/dc to dc charger has completely solved our previous solar deficit and information provided via Bluetooth is spot on. No overheating whatsoever and so far no need to add more solar. The self switching 2000watt inverter is faultless. I swapped out the old mains charger for a comparatively cheap 20 amp lithium compatible charger which was a considerable saving given that our needs now don’t require hook up, but if for some reason we are forced to be static for a while on hook, 20 amps/hr is more than adequate.

Have to say I like Victron, but as long as Renogy keeps performing as it has, for the price I’m a convert.

The key benefits of Victron for me are:
1) 5 Year Warranty (provides good peace of mind as a reseller as I can pass replacement issues to Victron to provide; Also an indication of quality)
2) Connectivity of products for an 'holistic' view of the electrics

For 1) it means I am willing to pay a bit extra over an equivalent product
And 2) satisfies my desire to keep an eye on the setup

But .... 1) and 2) is not enough for me to buy Victron Batteries as I don't think they are any better than good quality other brands for a hefty premium. If Victron say they are worth the premium I would be more than happy to them some evaluation ones to swap out my existing batteries with to test and compare

And for a B2B, 2) is totally missing (a major ommision for them). The Orion-Tr is actually a decently priced product, but the Ablemail AMC is a similar price and is a higher quality and has just as good a warranty, PLUS it is designed, supported AND built in the UK.
This last point is important IMO and something that Renogy will never provide as they are 100% generic Chinese products in design and manufacture with the aftermarket backup to match that history.

 

[Deleted member 86180]

Yes to most of what you say wildebus, but…… actually Renogy is an American company started in Louisiana, ok their products are produced elsewhere but where do you think Victron products made exactly - the Netherlands

Plus my warranties are equal?

 

[Deleted member 86180]

Please don’t say that you sell or install the Ablemail AMC yourself wildebus?

 

[wildebus]

Please don’t say that you sell or install the Ablemail AMC yourself wildebus?

I do. And your point?
I also sell Victron kit.
I don't sell Renogy kit as the backup support is not there.

 

[wildebus]

Yes to most of what you say wildebus, but…… actually Renogy is an American company started in Louisiana, ok their products are produced elsewhere but where do you think Victron products made exactly - the Netherlands

Victron is made all over the place, a bit like IKEA stuff.

Renogy may have possibly been started in Lousiana but EVERYTHING about them now is Chinese. They are white-box drop-shippers. Every single Renogy product can be found with a different name on on various websites

For example , the Renogy Battery Monitor .....

Or maybe get a "dollatek" Battery Monitor, or any other company who rebrand the TF03K Monitor?

Hey - get the IGOGOGO maybe?

Not owning the IP means no control over the product when it comes to updates, changes, fixes or anything.

Plus my warranties are equal?

Renogy have 5 year unlimited warranties? I was not aware of that. Most of their kit is one year I think? Any warranties over 1 year are prorated and you have to contribute to any replacement/repair costs on an increasing scale.
You were correct to put a question mark after the "equal".

 

[Deleted member 86180]

That’s admiral wildebus, we are realistically only able to argue reliability (and true warranty) very much later. What concerns me right now is that you advertise, extol and fit Ablemail AMC products and advertise them on this platform. No mention of guarantee or price comparison?

You don’t sell Renogy kit as “the backup support is not there”. That is contrary to my experience, can you evidence this claim?

 

[Deleted member 86180]

Victron is made all over the place, a bit like IKEA stuff.

Renogy may have possibly been started in Lousiana but EVERYTHING about them now is Chinese. They are white-box drop-shippers. Every single Renogy product can be found with a different name on on various websites

For example , the Renogy Battery Monitor .....

Or maybe get a "dollatek" Battery Monitor, or any other company who rebrand the TF03K Monitor?

Hey - get the IGOGOGO maybe?

Not owning the IP means no control over the product when it comes to updates, changes, fixes or anything.



Renogy have 5 year unlimited warranties? I was not aware of that. Most of their kit is one year I think? Any warranties over 1 year are prorated and you have to contribute to any replacement/repair costs on an increasing scale.
You were correct to put a question mark after the "equal".

Please indulge me wildebus, what is the difference between “Victron is made all over the place, a bit like IKEA ‘stuff’” and “Everything about them (Renogy) now is Chinese”. Have you interacted with Renogy U.K. at all, or made any comparison tests on their equipment or claims?

 

[wildebus]

Please indulge me wildebus, what is the difference between “Victron is made all over the place, a bit like IKEA ‘stuff’” and “Everything about them (Renogy) now is Chinese”. Have you interacted with Renogy U.K. at all, or made any comparison tests on their equipment or claims?

Some companies design their products and own the IP for them, but decide to have them built in low-cost locations. In terms of electronics, that includes the majority of PC makers, most Smartphone brands and of course Companies such as Victron.
Same with Auto makers ... you may think you are buying a German car if you buy a Mercedes, BMW or VW, but there is a very good chance that it was made anywhere but. But Mercedes, BMW, VW, etc, own the design and control the production.
A compamy that buys in a product does not control anything about the product and what you buy from them today is likely to not be the same as what you buy next year or maybe even next month - and the key thing is they are unlikely to know it is different - or what is different, or why it was changed as they have no control over the product.
Renogy UK is a marketing office. They will know little detail about the products and will pass any enquiries to the main facility in China. Renogy brand and sell pretty decent stuff and I have no axe to grind about them but I have no interest in evaluating them for the reasons given.... what I might test today may have zero bearing on what I might get a month later in the same box with the same model name, so that previous test would be null and void.

I am very happy you have a beautiful Renogy setup and good for you. But while I might consider the occasional Renogy bit of kit for myself (the Inverters look quite nice), it is not something I would personally ever resell, and if you read this far you will know why

 

[wildebus]

That’s admiral wildebus, we are realistically only able to argue reliability (and true warranty) very much later. What concerns me right now is that you advertise, extol and fit Ablemail AMC products and advertise them on this platform. No mention of guarantee or price comparison?

I don't advertise anything here. I am just telling you what I have used and my experience of that. You want a price comparision? Go and do some searching. nothing to stop you checking out the prices for anything is there?
(If I was advertising something, I would be doing a pisspoor job of it by advertising something with no prices or even links to where you can buy whatever it is I was advertising?)

You don’t sell Renogy kit as “the backup support is not there”. That is contrary to my experience, can you evidence this claim?

 

[Deleted member 86180]

I’m more than happy to respect your ‘IKEA’ trumping all analogy, I’m also able to respect your ‘reluctant’ Victron installation as being a good personal choice.

However, despite saying “I don't advertise anything here. I am just telling you what I have used and my experience of that”. You openly advertised Ablemail AMC products on this platform and offer their installation. Is this a free service or do you expect payment? It all appears inequitable to me particularly on this platform.

Finally, you said “ the backup support is not there” (Renogy) and I replied, “that is contrary to my experience, can you evidence this claim?”, you didn’t evidence anything??

 

[wildebus]

I’m more than happy to respect your ‘IKEA’ trumping all analogy, I’m also able to respect your ‘reluctant’ Victron installation as being a good personal choice.

However, despite saying “I don't advertise anything here. I am just telling you what I have used and my experience of that”. You openly advertised Ablemail AMC products on this platform and offer their installation. Is this a free service or do you expect payment? It all appears inequitable to me particularly on this platform.

Finally, you said “ the backup support is not there” (Renogy) and I replied, “that is contrary to my experience, can you evidence this claim?”, you didn’t evidence anything??

I RECOMMEND the Ablemail products on 'this platform' as in my experience they are very good bits of kit.
If someone asks me to install something, be it Ablemail, Victron, or Renogy for that matter, I would consider doing so and would charge for the work. why would I do professional work for free?
I am not trying to knock Renogy products and have nothing against them anymore than any other mid-range brand that resells generic kit. This conversation is way off topic for this thread and I for one do not intend to continue it. feel free to start a new thread on the ethics of if it is right for anyone with experience of a product to discuss it (lik you have with Renogy and I have with Ablemail and various other products I have used,.

 

[trevskoda]

To many battery watchers on here, me id charge them put in a cell and feed them on one plate a day until its termanal.

 

[Robmac]

To many battery watchers on here, me id charge them put in a cell and feed them on one plate a day until its termanal.

NOooooooooo Not again Trev!

 

[Robmac]

To many battery watchers on here, me id charge them put in a cell and feed them on one plate a day until its termanal.

I do know what you mean though, I just want a fit and forget.

I'm lazy though.

 

[mark61]

I do know what you mean though, I just want a fit and forget.

I'm lazy though.

Same here. Mates has my van at moment, seeing as I can't drive for a few more weeks. He is doing some mods, lithium battery, invertor more solar and a few other upgrades, I said you can fit all the fancy diagnostics you want, I won't be looking at them, , well I might, but don't tell anyone.

Fit and forget sounds good to me.

 

[merl]

To many battery watchers on here, me id charge them put in a cell and feed them on one plate a day until its termanal.

What would you put on the plates Trev? Currents?

 

[1 Cup]

Come say ! Come zar.

 

[trevskoda]

What would you put on the plates Trev? Currents?

I have been lead to that thought.

 

[trevskoda]

I do know what you mean though, I just want a fit and forget.

I'm lazy though.

Im with you Rob, fit work and forget, i have 2 voltage meters on the dash, one left les batts right one starter, if around 12.7 ish & 14.4 running im happy.

 

[Robmac]

Im with you Rob, fit work and forget, i have 2 voltage meters on the dash, one left les batts right one starter, if around 12.7 ish & 14.4 running im happy.View attachment 123502

Yep, I've got 2 in the habitation bit Trev.

I glance at them once in a while or sometimes get Julie to if I can't be bothered.