How to Replace The PWM Solar Charge Controller In An Elddis CV20 Campervan With An MPPT One
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- čas přidán 28. 08. 2024
- In this video we swap our basic dealer supplied PWM (pulse width modulation) charge controller with a more efficient MPPT (maximum power point tracking) to get the best from our solar panel, this is the first step in upgrading the base installation and will determine if it keeps the battery sufficiently charged for our needs, if not we will expand the solar array and maybe add a second battery. This is really a basic guide to try to “dumb down” on some of the over technical videos out there, it’s only based on my experience over the years not science so do your research if you’re spending your money before you know what you need. Charge controllers are fairly cheap, batteries aren’t, if you can effectively get your battery charged quicker it may be cheaper than adding an expensive second battery, my plan is change controller then test, add panel then test, and if needed add battery capacity.
I got the 4215 BN controller with the MT50...works great
Hi Rick, thanks for the tip, charge controller now changed for the 20amp Epever, much happier with it than the cheaper item that was previously fitted, just checked on an unusually sunny day in the Lake District, 20v coming in and battery showing 13.5v. I really didn’t have much confidence in the cheaper one as it seemed to be overcharging the battery on really sunny days, I suppose that the old saying “that you only pay for” and your tip are 100% correct.
Many thanks
Paul
Glad to help!
Started to look at your blog yesterday and found it very interesting. Although we have bought our last 3 vans from Brownhills, we hope to buy a CV40 in a few months time from another dealer. We will use your comments when we collect it to go over it in a fine tooth comb for any defects. Looking forward to seeing more blogs from you.
Thanks for watching glad we’re assisting and you’re enjoying the Vlog 👍
Nice installation and information!
With the temp sensor installed the MPPT could handle the charging even better, I use two sensors, one for my B2B charger and one for the MPPT, works great on a flat mounted 100Wp module and a 100Ah AGM battery...
Thx for the vid!
:-D
Thanks, the temp sensor is a ball ache routing wise but agreed, I’m only saying it simply in this video through experience rather than knowledge from books, there are many in depth videos out there for that, as I say I know what works for me, change controller, add a panel, then add a battery if needed.
@@RickandHeather have a read up about the temp sensor. I’ve added one. Something about charging a warm/hot battery is not good so the mppt stops charging over a certain temp. Worth having imo but your right, probably a ball ache.
Thanks for doing the video guys. Very informative and nicely done. Loving your Chanel.
Happy new year Graham and Ellie
Thanks both we like doing them. Looking forward to your van videos too.
Happy new year guys :-)
Nice video of your controller change over. I'm considering changing to a MPPT
The PWM I have worked fine, but sometimes I could do with a tad more from the panels to keep my batteries topped up. I'm usually off grid so need all the help I can get..
That’s exactly why I change the cheap bits 1st, people add batteries but if you can keep your existing one full it saves space and cash. Happy new year to you too 👍
Happy New Year, really enjoyed this video and looks like a good little upgrades to keep a check on voltage.
Thanks 🙏 happy new year to you too!
One think to bear in mind is when you disconnect solar stuff to do panel, accessory then battery and vice versa when connecting back up. (I think that was right order). I’ve found it easier to either have inline fuses or switches. From memory it’s better to disconnect either the live or negative. Think it was the live iirc
Brilliant videos Rick keep them coming I’d be interested to see if the tv aerial work to what it’s like.
Ahhh the tv aerial 😂 we haven’t been away anywhere yet but can’t get a signal on the drive between the houses, in fairness the omnidirectional aerials are rubbish imo... we usually watch dvds so will report back once on a site!
@@RickandHeather I’ve bought a status 580 but don’t look there is going to be room for it because the one now comes down inside the secret cupboard
@@atlastaxispontypridd3058 I had a little magmount one on the T5 no bigger than 6inch never failed! I’ll probably get one of those if it’s no good.
@@RickandHeather , the one trip we managed in our CV20 before the most recent lockdown hit we managed to get a really strong signal and an excellent picture using the stock aerial - we were up in the peaks though with a nice clear view around the van so no obstructions. Definitely considering upgrading the solar controller too, thanks for the video :-)
Thanks for the video Rick. Very helpful and a good MPPT controller should produce between 20-30% more power than the PWM controllers. But I have to disagree regarding blue tooth connectivity. I use a Victron 20a controller with Bluetooth and find this a useful feature. It allows me to fit a temperature sensor connected to the controller via Bluetooth to the batteries further improving the performance of the controller. This also helps with increasing the lifespan on the batteries. Also I like to compare what’s happened in the history section. But using Bluetooth on the phone simplifies the whole process and offers more features than would be available directly on the panel. Sorry but I don’t think this is a gimmick, but an extremely useful feature. Of course if it’s not what you want that’s absolutely fine, but I don’t reckon it can be defined as a gimmick. But thanks for the video.
Hi no problem I’m happy if you’re doing it differently and it works for you, I’m no expert anyway and I’m always happy to hear other people’s experiences 😊
@@RickandHeather happy Christmas and hope you enjoy your travels in 2023 Rick.
Hi Rick, happy new year. Finding your videos very informative. I’m new to this, looking to hire a PVC this summer and see if we like it!
In mean time I’m looking at options. We would rather keep the van exactly like you , on the driveway. Our st up is very much like you re Drive and set back garage. We have very similar gates too. Looks like we may go for a 6m Ducato based PVC. Little worried Drive will be too narrow 🤔.
Can I ask what are the dimensions of your driveway? Thinking if you can fit yours on it we should. Size matters apparently 😉
Cheers
Neil
Our drive is about 3metres wide but there is an overhang from next doors house eves so when we had a motorhome it was a bit tight with it having square sides.... this van is a lot easier to get on! Cheers for watching, anything else just ask 👍
@@RickandHeather 👍
Hi, very interesting videos and helper guides. So other than ensuring the power from the battery is disconnected and making sure the solar panel is covered to prevent it being live, there are no other steps needed ie inline fuses or does it just use the existing ones
I’m quite happy how I did it basically just replaced a cheap one for a quality one, I’d always say if you’re not sure get it checked but I’ve done it this way on the last 3 vans I’ve had with no issues 👍
Great video will think about doing this on my CV40 question how do you keep the van battery charged? A trickle charger?
If it sits a while yes, I added a connection in a video, but we’re using it weekly now
Great vid, I am just about change a PWN for a MPPT controller on my motorhome so found this useful. Based on your experience how important is the small earth wire to the controller case? I noticed you didn't fit one and I was hoping that I would get away without having to run another cable in to the cupboard.
Not sure what you mean about Earth, I just straight swapped the wires as was same as I did in my last van, works ok…. Sorry if that’s confusing but I don’t know 🤷♂️
The PWM doesn’t have a casing earth but the MPPT one has a small earth peg with nut and washer. Instruction says to connect to a common ground but I wasn’t sure where I should take it from.
Are you using the same Mppt as me? I don’t think mine has one, the main “Earth” to the habitation battery would be your common anyway as you don’t use chassis Earth in the hab area
@@RickandHeather yes, same controller except mine is the 10 amp one. If you look at 9.21 it is the small earthing point just below the bottom left mounting screw.
Ahh ok! I should read instructions 🤣 well it works…..
Been watching loads your video is far simpler to follow - thanks. Going to get myself an MPPT next month. I've got a 100w panel at the moment so will benefit immediately from efficiency of MPPT. If at some point in the future I want to increase solar panel capacity or have 2 new leisure batteries installed will the existing cabling will manage that? Also would I be able to wire up my Van battery (not currently on the PWN unit) would the MPPT cope with that too?
Adding a second battery is ok for the panel/controller but obviously if you added a second panel you’d need to be sure the wiring was suitable from the controller to the batteries, as for if the controller will charge your van battery too that depends if the controller has dual outputs mine doesn’t so I can only charge the leisure batteries.
@@RickandHeather ta. No intention of adding another controller just replacing pwm with mppt. Will look at mppt with option for van battery. Will also leave existing cables when i get the 2nd battery.
Just been looking at a few of your other videos - really pitched at the right level for me. Ta
@@peterdavies2922 thanks Peter glad we can help 👍
Decent Rick swapping mine out this weekend, unfortunately in CV 60 they have tv booster rammed up against solar controller ??
Hi, just saw this video and noticed that your Truma SDC 10 battery was connected to Battery 2. Looking at my controller it states that Battery 1 is for the leisure battery and Battery 2 is supposed to be for the starter battery. Was wondering if yours was connected correctly in the first place. Thanks
No idea sorry, I changed it within days of getting the van…. PWM controllers are not great.
@@RickandHeather thanks for getting back to me, I have the same Truma setup that you had. And can only get 4 or so days out of my new115ah battery with minimal use. Your video has helped me make the decision to switch over to MPPT. So thanks for the help.
@@bernarddemel8789 you’re welcome 👍
Hi there
I have just watched your video and I am in the process of changing the charge controller to the Epever 20amp unit, my question is should there be an inline fuse fitted and if so, does there need to be one at both the battery and the feed in from the solar panel, there seems to be a lot of conflicting ideas knocking about on the internet.
Many thanks Paul
I don’t have a fuse on the input side from the panel (if you want no voltage coming in cover the panel with a blanket) I fuse the output to the battery though. In theory a fuse either end won’t hurt and it makes a decent on/off if you want to “mess” with the wiring.
@@RickandHeather
Thanks for the reply, I was being a bit stupid when I asked the question as it is already fused at the battery side, as you say it will work as a good on/off so will add one to the panel side as it well. Enjoying your vlogs
Thanks
Paul
Hi Rick what’s the green light for on the solar panel! Mines is not illuminated! Is that because the battery is fully charged?
I don’t know, I changed my solar controller, can’t remember sorry! Google the model maybe?
I think you are a bit optimistic getting 7A out of a 100watt panel 🤔 Theoretically you could get 5A out of a 100watt panel, before losses through a controller. 20v divide by 100watts =5A. Assuming you have the panel at the right angle for the time of year. 😀
But when you calculate with the charging voltage of 14.4V you come to near 7Amps, that's what a MPPT does...
;-)
What he says... down there.... 😂 I’ve seen 7a on a really good day as you say angled correctly with Mppt. All relative anyway as it only takes in the amps it needs, if fully charged it dumps all of it bar a float voltage.
@@horstszibulski19 correct! I did say best case and Mppt obviously delivers best case.
I can agree you may see 7A in your display, your battery won’t see it, as you will lose some current as heat, through your heat sink, as your MPPT is maintaining your 20v down to the 14.4 charging voltage, that’s why I said theoretically before losses through a controller, most people seem to have too high expectations of Solar, I’m just playing devils advocate 😄
@@paulhall672 agreed! All I’m saying is in the video I’m currently running a 100w panel and it had the supplied 10a controller, for most people it’s adequate and you can leave alone, my experience is it’s just not enough for 2 days off grid with heat and light and fridge on, changing to Mppt helps, 10a was about £60 20a about £70, so for future expansion 20a was a no brainier, I will probably add a 75 or 100a panel next so 10a charge controller is on its limit.... any more and we’re into wiring resize as well.... I’m just trying to “dumb down” on my videos to help people make choices based on my experience, I see loads of people adding £300 worth of batteries and all types of tech and never use it.