Makes sense. As a real non electrician - how do i check whether the PDU battery charger is working? I need too find out if the fault is with the PDU charger itself, or somewhere further down the line with fuses tripped maybe?
Installing a Powerpart PDU
- Thread starter FactionRaptor
- Start date
I'm a complete novice myself so won't be good for advice. But I have a 12v socket on the van that displays the LB voltage. When I turn the charge on (while plugged in) I can see the battery voltage go up. You could do the same with a multimeter on voltage setting on the leisure battery, press the switch and see if the voltage on the LB goes up
Yeh i have the same on my panel. I can see the voltage go up on the LB when the engine starts. but it doesnt rise when the engine is off and the 240v ehu is then plugged in and switched on, was wondering whether a clamp meter around one of the cables coming out the back of the pdu would determine if the pdu charger is working? If so, what cable.? Thanks.
Also, looking at all the comments here, i'm wondering if another problem could be the pin 10 feed from the starter battery has not been reset and is turning off the EHU charger.
When I put the multimeter on the red wire behind the 25amp LB fuse on mine (right hand side of the 8pin) I get the same reading from my LB
When I can plug in I'll try that with the charge on and expect it will go up if that's the charger connection
It does look to me like on my picture my 8 pin is wired all in a straight line but yours is is stacked?
But I know absolutely nothing this is my first van and just trying to learn as I go so definitely let someone else weigh in lol
Thanks for your help. I'll look again atthe weekend.
Sorry to jump in, but does anyone know if the Power Part PDU which is the same as mine, can charge LiFePo4 leisure batteries when on EHU?
I have a very similar setup to you @Pidsley, and I've just changed my LB (eventually) to a Fogstar 105ah, documented here. Leisure battery failed?
Lithium charges differently to lead acid so the charger needs to have a profile that can do that. The last thing I want is to ruin or reduce the life of my new battery.
Cheers everyone
Generally no and I would not recommend charging a LiFePo with anything that isn't lithium specific, disable the 240v charger function if you have to.
One of the Victron 240v chargers is the usual choice here to solve the issue
Thanks @roadtripper Im glad I asked. So I emailed the manufacturer Home - BCA Group for clarification and their response is below.
The Power Part PDU BC21001, comes with a 13.8v power supply fitted inside.
You need to have a BSM (Battery system management) fitted between the lithium leisure battery and the connection to the power supply.
Regards
Would the BSM be our Sterling BB1230? Or does that only deal with the 12v side?
Thanks
They seem to be deliberately obtuse using the term "BSM"...
You are correct the Sterling handles the DC to DC charging from the van electrics only, it's essentially an independent battery charger just powered by 12v not 240v
With a basic lead acid battery you can get away with just powering the leisure electrics on hook up (240v) with a power supply at about 13.8v which is the reference voltage for a running vehicle. The lead acid will charge and self regulate - it's not an optimal charge but it's simple and robust so was the norm for many years. So this is what these all in one systems "charger" is.
With lithium batteries they do not self regulate and have a BMS (battery management system) built in. To charge them effectively you need a dedicated charger that understands the different stages of charge a lithium battery needs to go through.
So folks with these all in one systems will generally remove the fuse (ideally) or just turn off (less ideal) the built in charger and replace it with something like the Victron IP22 or IP64 chargers, there is usually a 240v fridge supply or similar on the system that can be used. They don't need to be particularly high power as they are on all the time you are on hook up, not just a short burst of driving, so something like a 15A is fine.
In the interim it's best to turn off the built in charger at the switch or fuse. You'll probably be fine most of the time with the increased capacity of the lithium battery.
You are correct the Sterling handles the DC to DC charging from the van electrics only, it's essentially an independent battery charger just powered by 12v not 240v
With a basic lead acid battery you can get away with just powering the leisure electrics on hook up (240v) with a power supply at about 13.8v which is the reference voltage for a running vehicle. The lead acid will charge and self regulate - it's not an optimal charge but it's simple and robust so was the norm for many years. So this is what these all in one systems "charger" is.
With lithium batteries they do not self regulate and have a BMS (battery management system) built in. To charge them effectively you need a dedicated charger that understands the different stages of charge a lithium battery needs to go through.
So folks with these all in one systems will generally remove the fuse (ideally) or just turn off (less ideal) the built in charger and replace it with something like the Victron IP22 or IP64 chargers, there is usually a 240v fridge supply or similar on the system that can be used. They don't need to be particularly high power as they are on all the time you are on hook up, not just a short burst of driving, so something like a 15A is fine.
In the interim it's best to turn off the built in charger at the switch or fuse. You'll probably be fine most of the time with the increased capacity of the lithium battery.
So just take out the 25a leisure fuse on the front will prevent it from attempting to charge the LB when on EHU? That’s great news if that’s all that’s needed.
Like you said, I’ll probably be okay just on the lithium LB, but sometimes we will need to use an induction plate or hairdryer etc, that’s when we would use EHU.
I’d probably take our Noco charger with us and give the LB a boost that way if solar and engine aren’t keeping up.
I’ll get one hardwired in eventually but I’m happy with this option for now.
Thanks for your help.
Happy camping everyone
No on your version there isn't a dedicated fuse for the charger, that 25A fuse would disconnect the Leisure Battery entirely.
Looks like for yours you turn off the 6A mains circuit breaker to turn off the internal power supply.
If you already have a lithium capable maintenance charger then that's ideal, see how you go and if topping up gets annoying you can look to have a more permanent install. Theoretically you might be able to remove the 240v feed to the internal power supply on the 6A breaker and use it to power an external charger, but if you're not confident there get advice or an electrician to help.
Thanks @roadtripper
I'll get a Noco eyelet terminal connector which I can leave under the seat and when needed, plug the charger in there.
Happy dayz
