Solar Advice

[WestyK]

Hi all

Over the summer i finally got around to installing a solar set up using a 130w panel and Vicron MPPT 75/10

I have been very pleased with it and was planning leaving it on all winter just to keep the battery topped up rather than me having to remember to charge the LB every 3-4 weeks or so.

I expect the MPPT should be intelligent enough to work like a maintenance charger but am not 100% sure on this.

What are you thoughts will this be ok or should I be switching of the solar off when I am not using the van.
I don't want to prematurely kill the battery with constant charging.

Thanks

[g8dhe]

Yes the charger is intelligent and will drop down thru various states till its Float charge where it is just maintaining the current state of the battery. Mine just stays on full time no need to play with it at all, even when I'm at home and plugged into EHU the EHU charger works in a similar manner. If you really want to keep an eye on things then fit a Coulomb Meter like these https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=Coulomb+Meter that way your watching the complete state of the LB at all times I have mine stuck in the passenger glove box full time so always know what state the LB is in.

[WestyK]

Thanks Geoff

That's reassuring.
I thought it would be ok but wanted to get a second opinion.

I like the look of the meter. Been using the Blue Tooth App of the MMPT but that looks better for tracking the actual charge state.

Plus everyone likes a gadget

Thanks

[g8dhe]

Indeed! You can get a BlueTooth linked version of the Coulombmeters as well saves running additional wiring into the van from the bonnet area.