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Post by Kaytutt on Dec 10, 2016 9:57:47 GMT
We had the dealer to add a solar panel to the van we bought in August, in my naivety I didn't bother to tell them that we wanted the controller to be able to top up the vehicle battery too so they fitted one that didn't we never had to think of vehicle battery drain on the old van as the solar controller just kept everything topped up so, battery master or change our controller? I'm not so bothered about price, I just want the most efficient
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Post by tugboat on Dec 10, 2016 12:22:10 GMT
Battery Master is easy to fit but, in your position, if I was happy with what I had before, it was reliable and lasted the course, I'd probably fit the same again.
Whenever BM is mentioned on Fucts, there are always people who come out of the woodwork and bang on about the price and how there are cheaper alternatives.
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Post by nicholsong on Dec 10, 2016 13:15:57 GMT
Battery Master is easy to fit but, in your position, if I was happy with what I had before, it was reliable and lasted the course, I'd probably fit the same again. Whenever BM is mentioned on Fucts, there are always people who come out of the woodwork and bang on about the price and how there are cheaper alternatives.Like probably the cheapest, which is Cive Mott's system of connecting the vehicle and leisure batteries via a cable with a spade fuse in - the fuse is in-line for when either battery set is being charged by the alternator , EHU or Solar, but is removed and 'parked' in a spare fuse holder to isolate the vehicle battery to preserve its charge. If anybody thinks it sounds 'noddy' Clive is anything but that. It does require a human memory though, so may not be suitable for a lot of FCs Kay that does not include you of course. It is a very cheap way to do it, so you could try it and if it does not suit you, go later for one of the routes you are considering now. Geoff
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Post by Kaytutt on Dec 10, 2016 15:41:54 GMT
I've got a memory like a fish so probably not the right choice for me 😉 I am tempted to change the controller based on previous experience, the only difference being we had a Sargent thingie on that one and they supplied a cable to link the controller to their panel making it all very easy. We've got a Nordellectronica system on this van and I've not read much positive feedback so I imagine wiring will be more complicated. I'll have to rope my Son in to do it, Phill and electrickery are not a good combo
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Post by cookie on Dec 12, 2016 7:48:28 GMT
I hear they do sheep powered Gennys in Wales . Bit like an hamster wheel .
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Post by 747 on Dec 12, 2016 15:42:34 GMT
I've got a memory like a fish so probably not the right choice for me 😉 I am tempted to change the controller based on previous experience, the only difference being we had a Sargent thingie on that one and they supplied a cable to link the controller to their panel making it all very easy. We've got a Nordellectronica system on this van and I've not read much positive feedback so I imagine wiring will be more complicated. I'll have to rope my Son in to do it, Phill and electrickery are not a good combo I would be careful about your Nordellectronica system Kay. They had a reputation for blowing up when extra batteries were added in the past. A simpler solution is to add a split charging relay, an easy job. here is a link to one but there are lots on the web. www.12voltplanet.co.uk/voltage-sensitive-relay-12v-140a.htmlAs for your Nordellectronica, there is more information here. www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk/nordelettronica.phpThe owner (Allen) is very helpful if you need more information. He can sort you out but you need to visit him. He has recently closed his workshop but is mobile within his home area. You would need to go on a local (to him) Site and he would do what is needed. Alternatively, he will recommend what you need and send you the parts. I would recommend him as I have bought from him and also visited his old Unit.
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Post by GB584 on Dec 12, 2016 16:03:29 GMT
Another vote of confidence for aandcaravanservices, Allen spent ages on the phone with me talking me through a fix when I had an Electrolock problem even though he knew he wasn't going to sell anything to me. Should point out that he was bang on with his advice and saved me a shed load of money and inconvenience.
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Post by Kaytutt on Dec 12, 2016 20:11:30 GMT
I've got a memory like a fish so probably not the right choice for me 😉 I am tempted to change the controller based on previous experience, the only difference being we had a Sargent thingie on that one and they supplied a cable to link the controller to their panel making it all very easy. We've got a Nordellectronica system on this van and I've not read much positive feedback so I imagine wiring will be more complicated. I'll have to rope my Son in to do it, Phill and electrickery are not a good combo I would be careful about your Nordellectronica system Kay. They had a reputation for blowing up when extra batteries were added in the past. A simpler solution is to add a split charging relay, an easy job. here is a link to one but there are lots on the web. www.12voltplanet.co.uk/voltage-sensitive-relay-12v-140a.htmlAs for your Nordellectronica, there is more information here. www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk/nordelettronica.phpThe owner (Allen) is very helpful if you need more information. He can sort you out but you need to visit him. He has recently closed his workshop but is mobile within his home area. You would need to go on a local (to him) Site and he would do what is needed. Alternatively, he will recommend what you need and send you the parts. I would recommend him as I have bought from him and also visited his old Unit. Thanks for the advice Jim, at the moment the Nordelettronica system is working fine and we are under dealer warranty until next August but we are heading to North Wales after Boxing Day so I may give him a ring for advice about solar charging
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Post by Kaytutt on Apr 18, 2017 11:16:59 GMT
Resurrecting this old thread as I've bought a battery master and having trouble finding anyone local with the knowledge to fit it, we've even had a very competent auto electrician who just sucked in his breath and shook his head when he looked at it
People say they are easy to fit but anything to do with anything electrical is beyond my capabilities (and Phill's) so can anyone point me in the direction of an idiots guide?
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Post by 747 on Apr 18, 2017 11:52:36 GMT
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Barry B'stard
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Post by Barry B'stard on Apr 18, 2017 13:00:09 GMT
Resurrecting this old thread as I've bought a battery master and having trouble finding anyone local with the knowledge to fit it, we've even had a very competent auto electrician who just sucked in his breath and shook his head when he looked at it People say they are easy to fit but anything to do with anything electrical is beyond my capabilities (and Phill's) so can anyone point me in the direction of an idiots guide? This is exactly why ive never gone this route. People say "Oh its dead easy". Is it? I wouldnt know where to take it either. I hate mechanics messing around with my van aft of the steering wheel.
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