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Well parts for the solar install have started arriving, so at this rate the install could go ahead this weekend. I have been looking at the sargent ec225 that is fitted in the van and kind of hopeing to take the feed from the solar regulator to the battery outputs on the unit. This would cut down on the amount of wire i have to run and might even possibly charge both leisure and vehicle batteries with built in switching. Has anybody any experience of this? is it practical?or better just to run the feed from the regulator directly to the leisure battery (with appropriate fuses)?
i have attached the photo of the ec225 schematic with a crude line of what i think might work. I havent opened the 225 yet to see what im dealing with. Anybody with experience of this unit with advice would be appreciated. Thanks robin.
My apache 700 is a 2005 model so totally different..
I am not 100% certain but there may be a dedicated input connection for a solar panel (marked E) and using this you dont need a seperate regulator..!"! BUT CHECK FIRST
______________________________________________________________ Steve Tonks...
My apache 700 is a 2005 model so totally different..
I am not 100% certain but there may be a dedicated input connection for a solar panel (marked E) and using this you dont need a seperate regulator..!"! BUT CHECK FIRST
from what ive read only the 325 has the solar input and regulator built in and it only supports upto 100w, mine is the 225 but was hoping someone has done something similar to what I plan and could let me know the pitfalls
If you read my solar panel thread via the link in my signature you will see I started off like you asking questions and getting answers that culminated in my current system.
I did connect my regulator output effectively across the mains charger but at convenient points. I connected the -ve to the common negative terminal block of my 12 volt distribution board and the +ve to the common terminal of my battery selector switch. So yes my charge goes to whichever battery I select manually. If the mains charger is on the solar regulator will still stop adding charge once 13.7 volts is realised just like it will without mains charge.
P.S. just make sure to NEVER leave the selector switch in the mid position or the regulator will go mental
If you read my solar panel thread via the link in my signature you will see I started off like you asking questions and getting answers that culminated in my current system.
I did connect my regulator output effectively across the mains charger but at convenient points. I connected the -ve to the common negative terminal block of my 12 volt distribution board and the +ve to the common terminal of my battery selector switch. So yes my charge goes to whichever battery I select manually. If the mains charger is on the solar regulator will still stop adding charge once 13.7 volts is realised just like it will without mains charge.
P.S. just make sure to NEVER leave the selector switch in the mid position or the regulator will go mental
Yeah i have read your thread and must admit i like the inverter setup (nice work) which i may attempt at a later date. I realise that it is possible to do this (connecting accross the 230v charger) and your thread made me prefer this setup. The thing im trying to fined out is to do with this particular power unit. The charger is not switched by a physical rocker switch but a digital one above the door. Im wondering if it is as straight forward as your setup or if there are some fancy electronics involved. hopefully the switch above the habitation door just flicks a relay over in the power unit from leisure to vehicle and wiring would be a doddle but if there is some logic involved then it my be a different story
If you connect directly across the charger the method of switching should not matter. Both sources of charge will react directly to the resultant voltage of the batteries. The only problem would be if the control panel had a battery off position that would cause a problem to the regulator
What year is your 700 ??
My friend has a 2008 model and did his own install using the same kit as myself.. I will check with him tomorrow on how he did it and advise..
______________________________________________________________ Steve Tonks...
What year is your 700 ??
My friend has a 2008 model and did his own install using the same kit as myself.. I will check with him tomorrow on how he did it and advise..
hi its regestered 2007 but its the 2008 model (has the black countertops etc) that would be much appreciated. As i said I haven't opened up the unit yet to see what im dealing with so it may be simpler than i think. Must say thanks again to all you helpful folk on here
Well a little more digging and it seems that sargent supply a cable
( http://sargentshop.co.uk/epages/eshop328964.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/eshop328964/Products/WB1021 )
for connecting a solar panel to the ec225 or ec325 but you can only use a 100w panel. The ec325 has its own regualtor so here I can see the need for the 100w limit because thats all there regulator can take. The ec225 (which i have) doesn't have a built in regulator and requires you to use your own and according to a phone conversation with the sargent tech support still has a 100w limit. My thinking as of now is that if using this cable and my own regulator it will be fine, from what I have read the reguator is likely to only ever output around a maximum of 75w and surely this is pretty irrelevant as it is the maximum current that will be considered the danger?
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