Solar and DCDC charger question

[Neilfenstein]

Hi,
I am getting a flexible solar panel fitted on the roof in the new year and have the option of a solar charge controller included in the fitting. I have a Redarc 1240D DCDC charger and leisure battery set up installed. Other than monitoring the charge details is there any other reason to get a separate solar charge controller eg victron smart Bluetooth? Do they work better or other things I haven’t considered?
I was hoping the DCDC charger would be ok as it favours the solar over alternator etc and get a BM2 monitor if I need it.
Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated.

 

[mmi]

The Redarc has built-in solar charge controller - so another one is not needed nor beneficial. Actually it probably wouldn't even work with Redarc - as Redarc wants "unregulated solar panel input" per instruction manual

BCDC Classic Under Bonnet 40A DC Battery Charger

The REDARC BCDC1240D is a 12V, 40A 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

 

[t0mb0]

Mind whatever panel you get is below the max voltage specified by the redarc - looks like 32v from the manual?

If you want a panel that’s above this, and some if the bigger ones are, you’ll need a separate mppt solar controller.

 

[Pete C]

I would just go with what you have, the Redarc. It's designed for what you want, and you have made the investment in that device already.
Only once you start to use it will you know if you need better monitoring etc.

Pete