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I've just taken the plunge and bought an 80w panel off E-Bay which comes with a free 10amp charge controller. I'd like to connect it to the Electroblok unit (EBL 99 I think) so that the starter battery is kept charged too. Is this possible or do I need to buy the Schaudt unit? The control panel I have only has an analogue voltmeter to show charge state so there won't be any info on charge rates etc. but I am assuming that connecting via the EBL will be a better solution than connecting direct to the battery bank (2 off 110ah)
Can anyone tell me where I can get the correct 3 pin plug to make this connection and whether they are suitable for home assembly?
Thanks for help.
Steve
p.s. I plan to add a second 80w panel when funds allow, will 6mm squared cable be adequate when both panels are fitted?
Hi Steve, I have the elb99 but did not feed my solar panels throu the unit i found it simpler to connect it directly to the leisure battery, looking at the circuit diagram of the elb99 there seem to be no conection to the main battery when charging from the solar system, the 6mm cable will be fine at best you'll only get 5 amps out of the panel, I fact I used 4mm cable... I have 2 x 120 panels on the roof and have a twin control unit feeding the leisure batteries and to the main battery the control takes care of all the relevant charge rates... just my view.. you can get the plug assy, from Hymer agents, the manaftures of the elb99 or places like RS components...
The Elektoblock through solar will not put any charge into the engine battery if used with a generic solar controller. If you use the Schaudt solar controller it will keep the engine battery topped up.
I use a non-Schaudt controller and have made a little electronic box that puts some charge into the vehicle batteri when the leisure reaches a certain voltage. Current and voltage are adjustable.
There are ready made solutions that do the same (or similar) thing.
I strongly recommend connecting any solar system direct to the leisure battery if it's easily achievable and use either a van bitz battery master or the CBE BCM12 available from CAK tanks to split the charge over to the starter battery during storage.
I strongly recommend connecting any solar system direct to the leisure battery if it's easily achievable and use either a van bitz battery master or the CBE BCM12 available from CAK tanks to split the charge over to the starter battery during storage.
Hope this helps.
Justin
Hi Justin why do you recommend that connecting direct is better? Im wanting to connect via ebl 99 why is this not as good as hook up charges my engine battery also??
The EBL99 has a 3 pole connector for accepting an output from a solar panel and regulator. The pictures below will give you a clue how it all goes together.
A generic regulator can be pugged into the EBL99 (but not some of the more recent EBL models - for those you have to use LRS1218 regulator I believe). You need the relevant connectors, or a ready-made lead - see here:
http://www.aireandsun.co.uk/index.php?category=Electroblock%20Cables
When the regulator is connected to the EBL, the Schaudt analogue charge gauge (above the door?) will show the amps being provided by the solar panel.
I have a similar system but mine has a Schaudt LRS1218 regulator, connected to an EBL99. As mentioned by Pieter, you need a double battery controller such as the LRS1218 in order to charge both leisure and starter batteries, or a bit of additional electrical trickery.
I have a 120 panel connected to the El Block via a cheap regulator. Made up a lead to the El Block. - to the number 1 connection and + to the number 3 connection on the solar input. Fit a 10 amp fuse on the solar fuse holder.
All has worked well for the past couple of months in Spain.
I have a 120 panel connected to the El Block via a cheap regulator. Made up a lead to the El Block. - to the number 1 connection and + to the number 3 connection on the solar input. Fit a 10 amp fuse on the solar fuse holder.
All has worked well for the past couple of months in Spain.
As explained in the earlier posts, a generic regulator will not charge the engine battery. It beats me why there is this strong need to charge the engine battery. I have never had a problem for donkeys years (cars mostly) with batteries mysteriously going flat.
A motorhome can be different if you leave it for very long periods. Mine has stood through the winter for more than a month without going flat and it starts first time. Normally I keep using it and find that is the best way to avoid flat batteries.
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