Solar charging of primary battery

[Dawid Potgieter]

Wow. Did you mean roof rack or you mean all the welds broke on the actual roof. It’s a welded on roof right?

The roof on the inside. Not the roof rack.

 

[Dawid Potgieter]

I need some help with my battery setup. I have a Trialmaster with the Ineos factory dual battery system. I have a Victron MPPT connected to the secondary battery. My fridge is connected to run directly off the secondary battery. My roof outlets powering my camp lights still run off the primary battery. The guy who did the installation for me told me that once the secondary battery is fully charged via solar, it will also charge the primary battery via the solar input. I don't see any charge going into my primary battery even though the second battery is full. From what I can see on the Internet, the Smartpass completely disconnects the 2 batteries when the engine is off. So it seems unlikely that primary battery will get charged. When I connect my AC charger to the primary battery however, it does look like the Smartpass allows charging of the secondary battery. Is that correct? I don't have much time before my next trip, and is looking for a quick and simple solution to allow charging of my primary battery as well with solar while in the bush, as the camp lights draw a lot of power from my primary battery.

So from my discussion with Ineos technical this morning, it sounds like they are not only dropping the option of the second battery in new models, but you will also no longer be able to see battery SOC or voltage on the screen.

 

[Logsplitter]

So from my discussion with Ineos technical this morning, it sounds like they are not only dropping the option of the second battery in new models, but you will also no longer be able to see battery SOC or voltage on the screen.

That’s a shame. I find that quits useful. I suppose it’s down to owners to do their own thing as regards second batteries and battery monitoring.

 

[Dawid Potgieter]

That’s a shame. I find that quits useful. I suppose it’s down to owners to do their own thing as regards second batteries and battery monitoring.

The reason given was that the system is too inaccurate and is leading to too many queries from owners.

 

[LabRat]

Battery monitoring is a cheap fix if they do pull it from the software. I always hated having to start the engine to check SOC anyway.

 

[Logsplitter]

Bit of advice needed. So I’ve got the Alucab lifting roof conversion and I’d like to add solar to the roof. Cabling with an Anderson connector at the roof end is already there and cable down to the battery box.
I’m considering a 270w semi flexible solar panel on the roof linked to a Victron 100/20 mppt solar controller connected to the main battery. I’m happy with the current dual battery system of the Grenadier and no plans to change that. I also still have the option of using my 2 x 100w suitcase style solar panels when parked up and camping for extended periods.
Any thoughts welcome please.

 

[TheDocAUS]

Bit of advice needed. So I’ve got the Alucab lifting roof conversion and I’d like to add solar to the roof. Cabling with an Anderson connector at the roof end is already there and cable down to the battery box.
I’m considering a 270w semi flexible solar panel on the roof linked to a Victron 100/20 mppt solar controller connected to the main battery. I’m happy with the current dual battery system of the Grenadier and no plans to change that. I also still have the option of using my 2 x 100w suitcase style solar panels when parked up and camping for extended periods.
Any thoughts welcome please.

I am not sure exactly what feedback you want, but ensure the voltage and combined amps of the two solar panels do not exceed the ratings of the Victron solar regulator.

My setup is similar. I have a CTEK 120S mated to the 250SE, with a 180W solar panel on the roofrack feeding into the 250SE, plus I can use an extra solar panel at the rear of the car, again feeding into the 250SE. Solar is the Red Anderson plug. Grey is the output to any trailer or caravan. The 13 pin Euro plug was also changed.

My system is slightly different, as the aux battery is charged first, then the main battery. In the real world, the main battery gets charged most days. I can leave the car for weeks and both batteries remain in a good state of charge. The 250SE properly charges the aux battery.

Towing pack details here. Solar panel performance here.