Temporary solar advice

[roadtripper]

Best stick to basics then. You can get a fused SB50 loom quite easily to add a solid connector to use.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anderson-SB50-line-Plated-300mm/dp/B0CDCFFFQ3

Normally I'm wary of electrics from Amazon but that's from a vendor that specialises in them elsewhere but delivery is included via Amazon.

Anderson SB50 | Fused link | A.T Leads & Looms Ltd

Anderson SB50 with in-line fuse "fused link" from A.T Leads & Looms Ltd. Call us today on 01922 325445

atleadsandlooms.co.uk

 

[EdH]

Can somebody please advise if I can connect my SB into the existing Victron solar mttp that's supplying my LB for charging/top-up purposes when off-grid camping? LB is already hardwired (with appropriate fuse) and can be charged via mobile solar panel. There is an empty slot on the mttp marked as Load. Can I take excess solar supply from there into the SB?

 

[TallPaul_S]

Can somebody please advise if I can connect my SB into the existing Victron solar mttp that's supplying my LB for charging/top-up purposes when off-grid camping? LB is already hardwired (with appropriate fuse) and can be charged via mobile solar panel. There is an empty slot on the mttp marked as Load. Can I take excess solar supply from there into the SB?View attachment 250745

No, you can't just wire in the SB straight to the load outputs. That output is designed for your low amp DC loads like lights etc.

The SB doesn't actually pull any power from a source without something to request that power and then feed it to the SB. Which, is exact what the Ablemail AMT12-2 trickle charger does.

You can wire this in either directly to the LB or the MPPT load output, and then to the SB, with a ground connection. That will then keep your SB voltage at around 12.3v.

 

[EdH]

No, you can't just wire in the SB straight to the load outputs. That output is designed for your low amp DC loads like lights etc.

The SB doesn't actually pull any power from a source without something to request that power and then feed it to the SB. Which, is exact what the Ablemail AMT12-2 trickle charger does.

You can wire this in either directly to the LB or the MPPT load output, and then to the SB, with a ground connection. That will then keep your SB voltage at around 12.3v.

Aha, ok. Many thanks for the clarification.

 

[EdH]

No, you can't just wire in the SB straight to the load outputs. That output is designed for your low amp DC loads like lights etc.

The SB doesn't actually pull any power from a source without something to request that power and then feed it to the SB. Which, is exact what the Ablemail AMT12-2 trickle charger does.

You can wire this in either directly to the LB or the MPPT load output, and then to the SB, with a ground connection. That will then keep your SB voltage at around 12.3v.

Hi Paul,

Another thought, can two cables be connected to a BATT output on MTTP (one feeding SB and another LB) to trickle charge them that way? As a temp solution during the camping trip until more permanent solution such as Ablemail is sorted out. Both batteries are 70ah (LB is AGM, while SB is EFB). Thanks

 

[ginkster]

Hi Paul,

Another thought, can two cables be connected to a BATT output on MTTP (one feeding SB and another LB) to trickle charge them that way? As a temp solution during the camping trip until more permanent solution such as Ablemail is sorted out. Both batteries are 70ah (LB is AGM, while SB is EFB). Thanks

That doesn’t sound like a good idea and not something I’ve heard anyone doing. The MPPT may average the received battery voltage, flip flop between them or take one over the other meaning it will not charge correctly. The charge current will also be equally confused!

I’d just get the AMT on express delivery. It takes no time to fit with just 3 wires to the DC-DC / SCR. Sorted.

 

[roadtripper]

Hi Paul,

Another thought, can two cables be connected to a BATT output on MTTP (one feeding SB and another LB) to trickle charge them that way? As a temp solution during the camping trip until more permanent solution such as Ablemail is sorted out. Both batteries are 70ah (LB is AGM, while SB is EFB). Thanks

If you do that you are permanently connecting both batteries together as a bank. Cables are not "one way"

You'll drain your starter battery with your camping loads and you may really throw the vans own charging process by suddenly doubling the capacity of the battery.

So you're likely to cause really bad starter charging rather than improving it.