Tracer current monitor wiring?

[st3v3]

I'm all questions tonight lol. I have the tracer MPPT solar controller with the separate MT 50 monitor:

As I added this to the existing wiring I have connected it to the battery, and left the feed for all of the van lights etc. also connected direct to the battery.

The controller has load terminals that I could connect everything to so that I can see what current is being drawn. Just wondering if there is any reason why people don't do this? All of the diagrams I can find seem to be as I have it now...

How many of you have one of these that shows the amount of current you are currently using?

 

[st3v3]

This is what I mean. If you connect a load where they have drawn a lightbulb the current it's drawing will be displayed on the monitor. Primarily I think it's aimed at turning a light on when it gets dark and then off again when light - but you can change the settings so it's on all the time.

If I disconnect all of the 'stuff' inside the van from the battery where it currently is, and connect it in place of the bulb in the picture, I will be able to see the current.

I think lol.

Makes the Nasa redundant.

 

[st3v3]

It gives a visual of the remaining charge in the battery

Battery icon
The battery capacity is dynamically displayed based on the SOC value
calculated by the controllers.

SOC = state of charge I think

That side seems to work ok.

http://stratosol.dk/Resources/Files/Datablade/EP solar/BN/Manual eng. MT50.pdf

MT50 manual - just in case it's not in your box...

I'll hook it up and see how it goes I think. Also more reading

 

[Canalsman]

The load terminals are intended for use, typically, in a simple system with just battery, regulator and panel.

The regulator will protect the battery from excessive discharge and damage.

In a motorhome with a power distribution system already installed, I would advise that you ignore the load terminals and use the regulator to charge the leisure battery as you have already done.

 

[st3v3]

I would advise that you ignore the load terminals.

Cheers, but - genuine question - why?

Edit to add - I would be disconnecting the mains charger from the Zig unit, and split charge is currently (and staying) direct to the battery.

 

[st3v3]

The problem is that most motorhomes have a system that is designed to be used mainly on ehu the modern control panels are power hungry just turned on.
The chargers are normally more of a power supply and not a really good battery charger,motorhomes are built to a price and sold to a market that uses campsites.

Yea, that makes sense. My control panel (zig) is now essentially switches and fuses, so I don't think I'll have a problem but can see why they leave the load terminals unused.

 

[Canalsman]

Cheers, but - genuine question - why?

Edit to add - I would be disconnecting the mains charger from the Zig unit, and split charge is currently (and staying) direct to the battery.

I thought I had already answered the question ...

There is no benefit disconnecting the Zig charger. You can continue to use that when on hook up. Alternatively you could replace the charger with a more sophisticated and capable device from a company such as CTEK ...

 

[st3v3]

I thought I had already answered the question ...

I've missed something then. What would be wrong with using the load output from the solar controller to feed my zig (which will be just switches and fuses?)

I think it's worth doing because the solar charge display will tell me how much current is being consumed in the van.

The only problem I could see is when on EHU the zig's internal charger would be supplying current to the output terminals of the solar controller hence the need to disconnect that.

Alternatively you could replace the charger with a more sophisticated and capable device from a company such as CTEK ...

As per my other thread that is my intention as I want the 3 stage charge when on EHU.

 

[sparrks]

I've missed something then. What would be wrong with using the load output from the solar controller to feed my zig (which will be just switches and fuses?)

I think it's worth doing because the solar charge display will tell me how much current is being consumed in the van.

The only problem I could see is when on EHU the zig's internal charger would be supplying current to the output terminals of the solar controller hence the need to disconnect that.



As per my other thread that is my intention as I want the 3 stage charge when on EHU.

What is the max load that you can draw from those terminals?

 

[st3v3]

what is the max load that you can draw from those terminals?

20a.