Running Multiple Battery Charging Devices - Setec & Redarc BMS

[burnsie]

What are the 12V minded members thoughts on the below proposal.

Wanting to run multiple battery charging devices in the van, mainly the inbuilt Setec and also a Redarc BMS1215S2 simultaneously..............(mainly for remote monitor but also solar integration)

I understand that each of these units is sufficient and can run standalone but was wondering if there are any reasons why you couldn't run them side by side and get up to 15amp max output into the batteries from each unit to a total max output being 30amps.

There is the newer model Redarc which does 30amps by default but from a cost point of view the slightly older model has many of the same features and is a bargain at the moment, plus it has the remote screen providing real-time status of the batteries and where things are charging from etc. There are also the BCDC versions but was after something that displays whats going on.

Any thoughts or comments on the proposed dual charging option?

 

[Dobbie]

I'm trying to get my head around what you're trying to achieve....sorry I'm dim!

I'm guessing.....better faster charging of battery itself while on 240?

Better more reliable charging while chugging ...via vehicle?

Reliable monitoring of solar charge?

Ability to remotely monitor the above?

 

[NoWorries]

Not sure on the twin 240 volt but if you want Car to Caravan DC-DC with MPPT solar and a display I just put one of these in my car
it seems pretty bloody good.

http://www.intervolt.com/product/in-vehicle-battery-chargers/
I paid $449 for it

 

[burnsie]

I'm guessing.....better faster charging of battery itself while on 240?

Better more reliable charging while chugging ...via vehicle?

Reliable monitoring of solar charge?

Ability to remotely monitor the above?

yeah all of the above, had a chat to Redarc and they don't really recommend it as it will be using two different charge profiles etc, might look at the BMS1230 and remove the septic all together.....or just leave the Setec and run both batteries off that and just wait a bot longer for it to charge.

Not sure on the twin 240 volt but if you want Car to Caravan DC-DC with MPPT solar and a display I just put one of these in my car
it seems pretty bloody good.

Will have a look at this one as well thanks

 

[NoWorries]

yeah all of the above, had a chat to Redarc and they don't really recommend it as it will be using two different charge profiles etc, might look at the BMS1230 and remove the septic all together.....or just leave the Setec and run both batteries off that and just wait a bot longer for it to charge.



Will have a look at this one as well thanks

I got it from Challenge Batterys in Osborne Park, everyone else wants $550 for it.
If you are around Ossie Park or Duncraig you can have a look at mine in action if you want.

 

[Dobbie]

yeah all of the above, had a chat to Redarc and they don't really recommend it as it will be using two different charge profiles etc, might look at the BMS1230 and remove the septic all together.....or just leave the Setec and run both batteries off that and just wait a bot longer for it to charge.



Will have a look at this one as well thanks

Interesting.

I'm wondering if the two charge profiles are similar principles to putting extra solar on with roof solar....needing two separate controllers and blocking diodes. (Just trying to improve my understanding of principles)

So....a good dc to dc charger with good solar input would effectively replace the Setec?

I seem to remember there's a good Ctek model that does this. I'll dig through my notes to see if I can find it, but it's probably common knowledge. (And I seem to remember it was about the $280 mark.....will check)

 

[Dobbie]

Ctek 250S was the model.

Not sure if it would suit your needs....but my memory is improving.

 

[Bellbirdweb]

The Setec manual says that you should not connect the 12v input from a generator directly to the battery with the Setec connected.

Not sure how this is any different to connecting a solar input to the battery, but it may have an issue with 2 supplies simultaneously connected.

If you were to run via a Ctek D250S with the extra 240v charger connected to the alternator input and the solar to the solar input it would control the input, but you'd still need the 12v connection to the Setec.

I find with solar and the Setec I have never had a problem with charge capacity.

 

[Dobbie]

I agree.

Never ever had a problem with rate of charge, either from Setec or from solar.

I'm just trying to understand the dc to dc technology, in case I ever need to use it. The things that work now can always go pear shaped as they age so I may need to use it sometime, but hope not.

 

[NoWorries]

IMO leave the Setec and put in as much solar as you can fit.
DC-DC charger is better for the car to van or in car for a twin battery setup if you have a "Smart" (read dumb) alternator.

The old Setecs seemed to have issues but from what I have read the newer ones are fine.

 

[Dobbie]

So... If it all works fine now, no need to even think of upgrading?

We don't charge battery from car...on board solar does that so we left it.
Our 12 pin just keeps fridge ticking over while moving...not great but adequate.
Dual battery system in car with usual isolator....redarc.

And battery charging, as said, fine. Setec is 2014.

Thanks.

 

[Bellbirdweb]

So... If it all works fine now, no need to even think of upgrading?

We don't charge battery from car...on board solar does that so we left it.
Our 12 pin just keeps fridge ticking over while moving...not great but adequate.
Dual battery system in car with usual isolator....redarc.

And battery charging, as said, fine. Setec is 2014.

Thanks.

I have the same setup at you Dobbie, except I had an Anderson plug installed by the dealer with intent of charging the house batteries from the tug whilst we are driving.

I was looking at fitting the Ctek D205S to manage the charge between the car and the solar, however it's coming up to 2 years now and I still haven't got around to fitting the Anderson plug to the car or the D205S.

The solar alone seems to do a good job at keeping the batteries charged without it, so I haven't rushed to fit it as yet.

 

[Crusty181]

I find with solar and the Setec I have never had a problem with charge capacity.

*Try posting a bit more so your post isn't boring*.

We have only 1 x 160w panel on the van, works fine as is.

Ive got a portable 100w to use on the Engel in the car, and top up the van if necessary but have never needed it yet on the van

 

[burnsie]

We have only 1 x 160w panel on the van, works fine as is.

Hey @Crusty181 do you have 2 x batteries or just the one?

Also saw ur other post, roughly when r u hitting the GRR, we will be on there around mid June a couple of weeks b4 @Smirke

 

[Crusty181]

Hey @Crusty181 do you have 2 x batteries or just the one?

Also saw ur other post, roughly when r u hitting the GRR, we will be on there around mid June a couple of weeks b4 @Smirke

2 x 120 batteries. Not sure when we'll be up there, but June'ish sounds about right.

Sitting in Lancelan at the moment. We may well cross paths

 

[burnsie]

Sitting in Lancelan at the moment. We may well cross paths

Yeah possibly, we are leaving Perth mid May and hugging the coast all the way up....well that's the plan atm....

 

[Crusty181]

Yeah possibly, we are leaving Perth mid May and hugging the coast all the way up....well that's the plan atm....

Cool. Youll have to pass us somewhere ... hopefully not in crisis in the middle of the GRR

 

[Drover]

Never had problem with the setek, if you want to add another 240/DC charger then remove the setek.........The battery will only charge at a certain speed no matter how many amps you try to shove in it, someone posted an interesting peice with a link to it recently, might have been in my cooking the battery thread.
Big Mal has a Redarc all singing, all dancing unit with remote display fitted but it's turned off and the whole show is run by the solar panel as no need to use the other except on exceptionally cloudy days or if in a shed. The solar unit has a display which I look at sometimes but mainly check the $10 led volt meter I got from Jaycar and mounted inside, it will show when things aren't working.

 

[expanda]

Back onto cteks, chargers and the like.

For dips, marital issues and the like see here -

http://www.expandasdownunder.com/threads/banter-me-this.8518/

 

[burnsie]

Never had problem with the setek, if you want to add another 240/DC charger then remove the setek.........The battery will only charge at a certain speed no matter how many amps you try to shove in it, someone posted an interesting peice with a link to it recently, might have been in my cooking the battery thread.
Big Mal has a Redarc all singing, all dancing unit with remote display fitted but it's turned off and the whole show is run by the solar panel as no need to use the other except on exceptionally cloudy days or if in a shed. The solar unit has a display which I look at sometimes but mainly check the $10 led volt meter I got from Jaycar and mounted inside, it will show when things aren't working.

Thanks @Drover thinking the dual charging option is getting a bit too complex and don't really want to re-wire the entire van. Will probably stick to the Setec for now and run the two batteries off that, might upgrade the solar regulator to support more than the 240W it currently has but sounds like the solar for charging in combination with the Setec is the way to go....for now anyway.