C
CaliA
VIP Member
Hi all. I have a T6 Beach and after reading lots of recommendation on this lovely forum I am going to have a solar panel installed by Roger at camper solutions. As I am rather paranoid about my starter battery going flat when I am somewhere isolated I have decided on the Epever dual battery charger (ie charges both leisure and the starter battery). Thought if going to expense and effort of having the solar fitted why not cover all bases? Because I have a Beach Roger recommended the Victron 75/15 MPPT charger as it fits easily in the jack compartment; can use Bluetooth and most people don’t need to worry about the starter battery as they are driving enough to keep it topped up. He tells me if I want the Dual charger it will be a squeeze but he can fit the Epever in the jack compartment. Though some of the tools will likely need to come out. Plus I’ll need a separate LCD reader thing somewhat in the cabin as no Bluetooth app with this charger. It also costs more for the kit and installaction (all together about £110 more). As I have now sold my house and for a period will be relying on the van far more and may be leaving it for longer periods without capacity easily to hook it up I had decided on the dual charger for peace of mind. In Jan this year I was away for just under 3 weeks and was surprised that the van wouldn’t start on my return with nothing plugged in at all. fortunately at that time it was parked at home so could hook up EHU and there was enough trickle to top up the starter motor for it to start. But in future may not have that luxury so I decided on the dual charger for peace of mind..more worried about getting stranded somewhere inconvenient then the fridge/lights not working. Though I freely admit I am very likely to be driving it a lot so is probably a more theoretical concern….
However after speaking to a friend today I am beginning to question this-they feel no need to have a solar connection to the starter battery and indeed it is safest to not mess with that. They feel I can easily carry a battery charger for use in emergencies to use on the starter battery and keep that charged via the solar powered leisure battery or when I’m on campsites with hook up option (or indeed when I’m using airbnbs….). I’m booked in with Roger tomorrow for installation so thought I’d use today to test views from the experts on this forum. I know many of you use the Victron charger (ie leisure only). Do any of you regret not going for the dual charger originally..have you ended up tweaking it to have a charge going to the starter battery? Does anyone have the Epever charger and if so how is it working..no problems caused with the Starter battery? I am useless on any sort of DIY so if it is worth having the trickle maintenance charge to the starter battery then I’d like to get it done now (am happy to pay the extra) when Roger is doing the installation so I know it will be done properly….
Apologies for such a long waffly message from an indecisive poster! I’d really appreciate any and all views/thoughts. Many thanks all!
However after speaking to a friend today I am beginning to question this-they feel no need to have a solar connection to the starter battery and indeed it is safest to not mess with that. They feel I can easily carry a battery charger for use in emergencies to use on the starter battery and keep that charged via the solar powered leisure battery or when I’m on campsites with hook up option (or indeed when I’m using airbnbs….). I’m booked in with Roger tomorrow for installation so thought I’d use today to test views from the experts on this forum. I know many of you use the Victron charger (ie leisure only). Do any of you regret not going for the dual charger originally..have you ended up tweaking it to have a charge going to the starter battery? Does anyone have the Epever charger and if so how is it working..no problems caused with the Starter battery? I am useless on any sort of DIY so if it is worth having the trickle maintenance charge to the starter battery then I’d like to get it done now (am happy to pay the extra) when Roger is doing the installation so I know it will be done properly….
Apologies for such a long waffly message from an indecisive poster! I’d really appreciate any and all views/thoughts. Many thanks all!