Sargent EC30 Control Panel

[PJOC56]

Hi

Have this control panel in camper van. Just wanted to know what function each of the battery select switch achieve.

I know that when van parked up I switch to leisure to power fridge etc. I also sometimes have the leisure switched on when driving to keep the fridge on.

I don't really understand what the vehicle option is supposed to do when put in that position. If switching to the vehicle option is simply to display the battery voltage level on the gauge OK. But nothing else?

Also, what is the purpose of the middle option?

Also when driving what position should this switch be in? Does the position affect the charging of engine battery, the leisure battery, or both.

I only ask as engine battery now replaced as did not seem to be holding charge. So just curious about the role of this control system.

Thanks

PJOC

 

[Sasquatch]

Scroll to the link bottom/right to download instructions.

Sargent EC30 12v Control Panel With Battery Voltage Gauge - Magnum Motorhomes

Sargent EC30 12v control panel with incorporated battery voltage gauge Gives you a reading on both the Leisure battery & Vehicle battery Also has 3 fused switch with 12v outputs Pump output – Fused at 25amp Lights output – Fused at 10amp Aux output- Fused at 5amp You could of course change the...

magnummotorhomes.co.uk

 

[PJOC56]

Thanks for this, I had seen this info but still not quite clear what it means esp the sentence...

"The battery select switch is used to select which battery will be used (and which battery will be charged if a charger is fitted and it is operating)."

I presume the vehicle battery will not be 'used' for running leisure stuff nor the leisure 'used' for starting engine or running lights and window wipers. So what is used when the vehicle option is selected. Re charger, not sure if referring to EHU does that mean if switched to vehicle is will charge the engine battery?

Also not sure what position switch should be in when driving, i.e. when alternator is charging both engine and leisure or whether it does not matter what position the switch is in.

Just checking.

Regards

Pierce

 

[CAB]

Thanks for this, I had seen this info but still not quite clear what it means esp the sentence...

"The battery select switch is used to select which battery will be used (and which battery will be charged if a charger is fitted and it is operating)."

I presume the vehicle battery will not be 'used' for running leisure stuff nor the leisure 'used' for starting engine or running lights and window wipers. So what is used when the vehicle option is selected. Re charger, not sure if referring to EHU does that mean if switched to vehicle is will charge the engine battery?

Also not sure what position switch should be in when driving, i.e. when alternator is charging both engine and leisure or whether it does not matter what position the switch is in.

Just checking.

Regards

Pierce

Charger = on EHU.
Plug it into the mains; the voltage display should rise above 13-14v.

If you have a charger attached, then the manual says it should charge either Leisure or Vehicle (but not both at the same time).

Confirm this by switching from Leisure to Vehicle while on EHU; if the voltage on both goes to 13 - 14v then you have the charger as described.

So yes, the charger can charge the Vehicle battery, if fitted.

Usage
The Sargent controls what 12v is used in the conversion (the back of the van). Normally this will be run from the leisure battery, but if you run that down then the 'Vehicle' option can be used in an emergency.

Driving
It shouldn't make any difference which is chosen when driving; it depends on what is running, while you drive; there is no mention of fridge so presumably that is connected (and fused) directly to the leisure battery and so is not controlled by the Sargent, although you have mentioned it.

Does the fridge switch off when in the middle position? Then best to leave it on the Leisure.

The switch does not affect charging while driving; the alternator (via the split relay) will charge the Leisure battery regardless of the Sargent.

Switch
Many panels have a switch like that; I suppose it is a failsafe to turn all electrics off if you forget to turn off the three individual circuits. It should be switched off if you are not using the van, not using any electrics and not charging the batteries.


Hope that helps, and welcome to the forum.