DC-DC Charger Test/Review . . .
REDARC BCDC1250D Sn-00035 =]
( first in UK when i got it from
@travelvolts )
( i got the Victron Orion 12/12/30 from there too)
(
Electrics | Travelvolts )
This time we have the Redarc BCDC1250D, now I've already got a BCDC1240LV and love it to bits . . .
in fact it might be my favorite DC-DC charger yet, due to its small compact size, rugged design and simplicity.
So why change ? (Redarc> Orion> Renogy> Redarc)
well this one is 50A where as the old one was 40A and this new one is the "D" version meaning it can take Solar input too. Oh and it can do Lifepo4 Lithium now as well =]
so better all round.
The design is the same with a slight change to the front panel LED arrangement.
..
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Heres what the Redarc has to say about it:
The REDARC BCDC1250D In-vehicle Battery Charger is a 12V 50A In-vehicle DC to DC battery charger. It is the latest variant of the award-winning BCDC Dual range and features REDARC’s Smart Start technology.
Styled with a red line running down its back tells you there’s something different about this dual battery charger. A 50-amp charging output makes it the most powerful in REDARC’s BCDC range.
The BCDC1250D has been developed to provide a higher current output, it features an additional charging stage known as SoftStart which has been engineered to handle more demanding applications.
Featuring a Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) solar regulator, the BCDC1250D will charge from both solar and the alternator simultaneously. And, with built-in
'Green Power Priority' it will select solar charging first, meaning less load on the alternator.
Suitable for 12 or 24-volt vehicle systems, the unit will also work with either standard or variable/smart alternators.
It is compatible with all common types of batteries used in automotive and recreational vehicles such as AGM, Gel, standard lead acid, Calcium and LiFeP04.
As a guide, the BCDC1250D is used for battery bank sizes over 200AH. For smaller batteries of 75-200AH REDARC recommends the
BCDC1225D.
Proven and Tested
The award-winning technology in the BCDC has been independently verified and tested to ensure battery life is maximised, charging your battery to a proven 100%.
Built in Australia and tested for our unique conditions, the DC to DC battery charger will work in the extreme heat of the Simpson Desert, up to 80°C and can handle deep water crossings at Cape York – water, dust and vibration are no match for this charger.
If you’re heading out into the bush and want to get there and back again safely – you can trust REDARC.
Features
- 50amp output makes it the most powerful in REDARC's BCDC range
- Separate DC and solar charging inputs
- Maximises the performance and life of your auxiliary battery
- Simultaneous DC and solar charging with Green Power Priority
- Suits 12V/24V standard and variable voltage/smart alternators
- Suitable for AGM, GEL, standard lead acid, calcium and LiFeP04 batteries
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The REDARC BCDC1250D is a 12V, 50A In-vehicle DC to DC Battery Charger designed to keep your auxiliary battery charged when driving or with portable solar panels when parked.
www.redarc.com.au
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here is the standard setup for AGM . . . . . .
And here is the Lithium setp:
and specs . . .
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So lets see it in action . . .
I "again" have fitted 50A Anderson connectors so i can easily swap these units in & out.
I've fitted a blue bullet connector for the IGN/BCM RUN . . . . and thats it - just plug and play.
i haven't connected any solar in this example. (i prefer a separate solar controller)
you can see how small it is compared to other dc-dc units, which is great if you are short on space.
... the Anderson plugs are labled. . .
you can see it tucks away niceley in front of the AUX battery . . .
the front panel readout is slightly different . . .
and the rear has a handy wire chart . . . . .
.
The first test was, standard engine running . . . . which gave us a nice 14.6v (upto 50A) and a Bulk,Abs,Float charge . .
the charge profile look like this . . .
.
.
Next up was the "Auto VSR" mode, where by the starter battery was connected to a EHU (Victron 12v/15A charger)
You canb see that same as other DC-DC chargers the Redarc started chargeing the AUX battery even though the igniotion was OFF. - which is nice.
here you can see when the EHU was switch on . . . then off.
Now i know it has a MPPT solar input, but im not sure yet if the Solar will reverse charge the starter battery as well as the AUX battery. (ill upodate this when i find out, untill then well assume it does not)
You can run upto four of these units in parellel.
The box comes with a couple of crimp/solder ends and bits,
The install guide calls for fitting MIDI fuses (60A) and holders . . . The unit its self is basically water proof and as such comes with 9" wire loom.
So you have to crimp/solder you own cables/midi fuses/rings on yourself. . . . . but that no problem.
shown over here:
Dc-dc Charger (for Leisure Battery) -- How I Done It --
and here :
Dc-dc Charger (for Leisure Battery) -- How I Done It --
.
Edit:
Auto VSR test with Victron EHU 12v/15A charger . .
The redarc kicks in then it sees the starter battery voltage rise, due to the victron charger.
so same as the other dc-dc units, the EHU charger on the starter battery will charge both the battery's.
for the test below the charger was connected at 8am and disconnected at 3pm. . . . .
this is the BM2 readout for the starter battery.
#
you can see the 3 stages boost, abs, float from the victron charger.
this is the BM2 readout for the AUX battery.
#
here you can see an initial boost stage . . . then 13.2v float stage. (battery was charged already)
this is the combined BM3 readout.
......
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edit: 1/6/20
email to Redarc Technical:
what is the max MPPT solar input spec/range for the unit on the yellow wire?
Isee that the VOC Max range is 9v-32v which is great.
but whats the max amps that can be drawn.?
If the unit is 750W, is it (w=v*a or 750w/32v=23A or 770w/22v=34A)
So basically what is the MAX I can go up to with solar arrays in series or parallel.
Can I use 4x 100W in parallel . . . . . (4x100w, 4x22v voc 4x6A isc) so 400W, 22v voc, 24A isc?
If I parallel up say 800W of panels bellow the 32v input max, what amps will be drawn?
Many thanks
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Reply:
The BCDC1250D (or any of the BCDC “D” range) do not have a limit as to how much solar can be CONNECTED to the BCDC. The limiting factor is how much it can draw from the solar panels. The BCDC’s can have as much solar wired into them as you like (below32v) without harming the product, but will only draw what they are able to produce at the other end. In the case of the BCDC1250D, 750w is the technical maximum amount that can be utilised fully, but 750w of solar panels rarely, if ever, produce 750w.
So long story short: Put as much as you like, not much point going over about 800-850w for the BCDC1250D.
Feel free to reply with any questions.
Best regards
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