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Timwhy
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Joined: January 01, 2009
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Location: Maine
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HackAl
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Joined: March 12, 2016
Posts: 343
Location: Bergen County, NJ
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 Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2021 10:20 pm Post subject: Re: Solar, Twin Aux Batteries, Battery Tender and Alt. Charging. |
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Hoping this is the right thread.
I have a battery tender SAE cable, hooked up to my auxiliary battery, hanging out from under the driver's seat. I use it to charge the battery on shore power. (Using GW aux battery kit).
Considering solar. Instead of using the alligator clips as shown below, I want to connect right to my existing SAE cable.
This schematic comes from Dokio, but I'm just using for illustration. I'm looking for a comparable set-up. Can't seem to find the cable I would need. Not sure if the controller-end is proprietary or universal.
Will most controllers allow me to connect to the battery via this SAE plug? Is the polarity right?
Thanks.
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91 Westy.
Ever consider temporarily trading your van? Join the list. |
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gtinseth
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Joined: July 25, 2019
Posts: 77
Location: NW California
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2021 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Timwhy wrote: |
| Your reply from a quote almost ten years old really shows how times have changed. The new Gen 3 Prostar with the meter gives you that info as well. |
Doh! Not paying attention. Just reading and responding. It's pretty cool that so much information is archived here. Funny to look back at what we were thinking then. Much is the same stuff, but in other ways, we've moved on at lot.
Happy New Year (2020 I mean!) |
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Timwhy
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Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 4101
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2021 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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| gtinseth wrote: |
| wolfsburg4x4 wrote: |
The Load terminals can power all your accessories up to 15 amps which is quite a lot, this what i did in my van. so just wire your fuse panel which supplies power to your accessories through the Load terminals.
The Morningstar read out will scroll showing aux battery voltage, solar amperage coming in ( if any ), and load amperage being consumed. |
At least on my Epever MPPT charger, the load terminals are really only intended for turning a warning light on for low voltage or some such thing. Why not install an inexpensive coulomb counter with a shunt to know exactly what is flowing into and out of your battery. For example the one that Will Prowse likes: https://www.amazon.com/AiLi-Voltmeter-Ammeter-Voltage-Motorhome/dp/B07CTKYFTG Victron makes a $170 version that does basically the same thing. A little too rich for my blood.
This makes it so you can have the load fuse box hooked up to the positive bus bar instead of the solar charger and know exactly what is happening with your batteries even if the solar side is disconnected for some reason. |
Your reply from a quote almost ten years old really shows how times have changed. The new Gen 3 Prostar with the meter gives you that info as well.
_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS
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gtinseth
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Joined: July 25, 2019
Posts: 77
Location: NW California
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2021 11:40 am Post subject: |
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| wolfsburg4x4 wrote: |
The Load terminals can power all your accessories up to 15 amps which is quite a lot, this what i did in my van. so just wire your fuse panel which supplies power to your accessories through the Load terminals.
The Morningstar read out will scroll showing aux battery voltage, solar amperage coming in ( if any ), and load amperage being consumed. |
At least on my Epever MPPT charger, the load terminals are really only intended for turning a warning light on for low voltage or some such thing. Why not install an inexpensive coulomb counter with a shunt to know exactly what is flowing into and out of your battery. For example the one that Will Prowse likes: https://www.amazon.com/AiLi-Voltmeter-Ammeter-Voltage-Motorhome/dp/B07CTKYFTG Victron makes a $170 version that does basically the same thing. A little too rich for my blood.
This makes it so you can have the load fuse box hooked up to the positive bus bar instead of the solar charger and know exactly what is happening with your batteries even if the solar side is disconnected for some reason. |
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Timwhy
Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 4101
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2021 4:55 am Post subject: Re: Solar, Twin Aux Batteries, Battery Tender and Alt. Charging. |
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It's been a few years since I last posted to this thread. Many changes between that time to my solar/charging set up.
Took Jay's advice and a while back added a Blue Seas ACR between the batteries and got rid of the stock relay.
Many changes of batteries too. Now just running two flooded Marine batteries under the sink and vented thru
the unused city water connection.
New higher wattage panel waiting to be mounted come better weather. Prices on panels sure have dropped in ten years
and they stay pretty much the size footprint.
Lastly a new CC. Prostar PS-30M gen 3 went in this weekend. Best function for me is its back lit.
_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary
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singler3360
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Joined: February 25, 2009
Posts: 1191
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 10:43 am Post subject: |
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| Nice TimWhy. I thought this was the case with the aux panel connected through the CC, but the confirmation is good for future reference. |
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Timwhy
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Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 4101
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 10:37 am Post subject: |
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Even when the panel is not sending a charge, the power from the batteries to the fuse panel remains.
The power from the fuse panel will always be on unless you turn the CC off. At that point there is
nothing from the solar panel, or from the fuse panel.
You can just connect the
fuse panel directly to the batteries but I'd rather be able to see what the load is of things being used.
The CC gives you the draw in amps from various things that I use in my Westy. For instance my fridge
will at start up cycle draw about 5.5 amp and slowly decrease to about 2.2. It's this kind of info
that lets you see what you are using for electricity.
_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary
http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee |
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hans j
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Joined: May 06, 2006
Posts: 2745
Location: Salt Lake City UT
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 10:28 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the diagram Tim! It helps me visualize what I need. I have been looking into doing this on mine and have been looking into that controller. I haven't looked deep into the wiring diagram of the controller but have a question about the load connection on the controller...
Does the aux battery still pass through the controller when the panel is not producing current? Will things connected to that load connection only operate during solar charging? Would it be the same as just connecting the fuse box to the aux box?
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Timwhy
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Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 4101
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 9:12 am Post subject: |
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I have the standard relay from the starter battery to the aux battery. The panel can be turned off
and yes it does show what the charge in amps from the panel to the batteris is. There isn't
any problem with having the maintainer charging along with the panel at the same time. The CC
monitors the batterys' condition constantly. It will shut down the charging from the panel if it has
enough voltage as to not need any more. There is no back draw from the CC either at night or when
the CC is turned off. The CC will even show you the voltage of the batteries getting a charge
from the maintainer.
_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary
http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee |
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luVWagn
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Joined: February 21, 2008
Posts: 1342
Location: Snoqualmie (WA)
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 7:59 am Post subject: |
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| Timwhy wrote: |
Hope this helps! |
Definitely!
1. I assume you don't have an ACR/combiner between starter/aux battery banks, but instead an isolator/solenoid type setup?
2. Any issues with doing solar charge and 120v based charging at same time?
3. Does the charge controller monitor current draw at your panel? If so, can this be turned off so you don't drain the batteries over a week or two while parked in a garage?
Cheers.
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Timwhy
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Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 4101
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 6:34 am Post subject: |
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| luVWagn wrote: |
Tim, did we miss pics of the actual interior parts of the install? ie. which MPPT charger are you using, how you wired it up (just like PDXWesty?), whether you have any 120V-based battery conditioners/chargers in the circuit anywhere, etc. etc.
I've been wondering if i could get away with a roof-rack mounted panel as a charger (mainly for fridge drain if/when i go to a non-Dometic solution), but if i do end up with a larger roof-mounted version, this thread was very helpful! |
Yes, I guess we did!
This is the third Werker wired in paralell with the Werker under the drivers seat.
This pic shows where I mounted the Morning Start Prostar 15 amp charge controller. This is wired to the aux battery bank as well as the load going to my Blueseas 12 position
aux fuse panel.
This pic shows the battery maintainer for the aux battery bank, I have one for the starter battery as well.
Here's a crude diagram of my charging system when I had only two aux batteries.
Hope this helps!
_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary
http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee
Last edited by Timwhy on Sun Jan 27, 2013 10:47 am; edited 1 time in total |
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luVWagn
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Joined: February 21, 2008
Posts: 1342
Location: Snoqualmie (WA)
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| Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2013 12:09 am Post subject: |
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| Timwhy wrote: |
Picked up the new Werker tonight after work and wired that sucker into the battery bank.
Alot easier this time around as I had cleaned up my wiring over the weekend in advance
of picking up the new battery. Hopefully with the new battery maintainer and everything being
wired correctly, I'll get the desired results. |
Tim, did we miss pics of the actual interior parts of the install? ie. which MPPT charger are you using, how you wired it up (just like PDXWesty?), whether you have any 120V-based battery conditioners/chargers in the circuit anywhere, etc. etc.
I've been wondering if i could get away with a roof-rack mounted panel as a charger (mainly for fridge drain if/when i go to a non-Dometic solution), but if i do end up with a larger roof-mounted version, this thread was very helpful!
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Timwhy
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Joined: January 01, 2009
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Location: Maine
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Timwhy
Samba Member
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Posts: 4101
Location: Maine
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Timwhy
Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 4101
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 11:28 am Post subject: |
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Its been a while since I posted to this thread. Since March of '11, I added another Werker 44 ah
battery to my setup. Everything I thought was working correctly, I am thinking that it hasn't!
After a trip to Vermont this summer, in 90+ heat for the entire trip. I thought that I should
increase my battery capacity and add that third Werker. Just two weeks after getting it installed
I was back out on another week long camping trip. The battery bank couldn't keep up with the
demand of lights and fridge. Weird, yes? Well over the past month and a half, I have watched my
battery bank struggle to get to proper voltage. This is with my solar panel and a battery maintaineer
as charging sources.
Today I took out the new Werker from the battery bank. Over a couple of hours I tested the voltage
of the battery and saw that it was decreasing. Down to 12.3v, I took it back to Batteries+.
Not sure how many folks have dealings with their local Batteries+, but I feel that my local stores'
owner/manager is really only interested in the sale and not the service. I left the battery with him
to do what Voodoo he will on the battery, I think its a lemon and on the way out. I'll find out the results
on Monday.
The other two batteries seem to be doing fine, now that the parasitic battery is out of the loop.
The manager Richard, I'll just call him DICK! Said to me without having any knowledge of my
solar setup, that I didn't increase my panels size when I added another battery and that is why
he would think the battery would be failing! Wow, holy Crystal Ball.
Just needed to vent a bit,
I will not be buying a fifth battery from this business in the future. Did I mention my first battery
failed and they said that I was out side of warranty.
_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary
http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee |
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Timwhy
Samba Member
Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 4101
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 10:13 am Post subject: |
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| singler3360 wrote: |
Panel setup looks nice TimWhy. I was looking at the rear hatch yesterday and noticed the grommets in the upper corners for the rear defrost. I'm curious if you had looked at those as a possible way to route the solar panel wires. If so, what may have stopped you? Has anyone tried this route?
**I'm a ways off from installing a panel but am thinking ahead as I get my Yakima bars mounted and the Skybox moved over from our other car. With the box up there, I'm looking at the maximum width of the solar panel that will fit next to it.** |
Thank You!
Yes I thought about the defrost grommet but didn't want to go that route as I thought it was going
to require a few more holes in the poptop like WhynotVW has his set-up.
I think the way I have it mounted (wires) will work out better for me and my use of the GW
wasser stopper. I didn't want anything else to get in the way of securing the back of the rainfly.
Where I have the wires routed, they are really close to the Charge Controller. Also thought
about how they were going to enter the closet from above but the left side grommet has
an opening just behind it so routing there will work. If I find that this entry point doesn't
work out I guess I can change it but I'll have to wait and see.
Keep us posted on your install!!......................Tim
_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary
http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee |
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singler3360
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Joined: February 25, 2009
Posts: 1191
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
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| Posted: Sun Mar 13, 2011 9:09 am Post subject: |
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Panel setup looks nice TimWhy. I was looking at the rear hatch yesterday and noticed the grommets in the upper corners for the rear defrost. I'm curious if you had looked at those as a possible way to route the solar panel wires. If so, what may have stopped you? Has anyone tried this route?
**I'm a ways off from installing a panel but am thinking ahead as I get my Yakima bars mounted and the Skybox moved over from our other car. With the box up there, I'm looking at the maximum width of the solar panel that will fit next to it.** |
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Timwhy
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Joined: January 01, 2009
Posts: 4101
Location: Maine
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| Posted: Sat Mar 12, 2011 12:27 pm Post subject: |
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Got my panel mounted and all cables routed into the van. It's up and working great!
I went through the side vent for the cables. I drilled two holes and inserted two grommets.
From there into the rear closet and then into the main closet and through to the controller.
Alittle unnerving drilling into the top but it's fine, just had to take a deep breath and start
drilling. The rubber seal nuts are also kind of scetchy, hope that they don't leak.
After the next rain storm I'll make sure that they don't before I trim the excess off. Not a
sunny day here and installed in the shadow of my next door neighbors
home the panel was still charging at almost an amp sometimes. Anyways I couldn't be
happier!
_________________
'15 Audi A3 Quattro
'09 VW Tiguan (dead)
'87 VW Westy
'91 Tin Top
'90 Cabby
What the Westy wants the Westy GETS
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/album_search.php?search_author=Timwhy&show_results=summary
http://www.youtube.com/user/TIMWHY2?feature=mhee |
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singler3360
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Joined: February 25, 2009
Posts: 1191
Location: Corvallis, Oregon
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| Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 8:35 am Post subject: |
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TimWhy,
Good luck with your install. Post pics when you can. |
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