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Old 05-24-2018, 01:05 PM   #1
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Solar Charger/controller

Posted this issue with my last Fusion problems., but thought I'd better post it separately, too.

Discovered Airstream's Sun Explorer charger/controller waits until the batteries are as low as 11.2 before kicking in. This didn't me much good when it starts charging at 4:45 p.m. So, I'm in the market for a new charger/controller as well as possibly rewiring the wires from the panels to the batteries if they are too small.

Looking for recommendations. So far, from the amazing info I have gleaned from this forum, many like the Blue Sky and Morning Star charger/controllers. I'm still looking for anyone near me who installs either of those. Any others you can recommend? One installer near me used Go Power. Any info about this brand?

Also, what size wire is best to use? I know if wiring is too small it would be like shoving an elephant down a rabbit hole. I need all the power my panels can give me.
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Old 05-24-2018, 01:17 PM   #2
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Yes... Victron Blue Solar 100/30 has been working great in ours...

https://www.victronenergy.com/solar-...rs/mppt-100-30

That would be my recommendation... along with their smart battery monitor with Bluetooth instead of just the Bluetooth dongle...

https://www.victronenergy.com/panel-.../bmv-712-smart
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Old 05-24-2018, 01:48 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wachuko View Post
Yes... Victron Blue Solar 100/30 has been working great in ours...

https://www.victronenergy.com/solar-...rs/mppt-100-30

That would be my recommendation... along with their smart battery monitor with Bluetooth instead of just the Bluetooth dongle...

https://www.victronenergy.com/panel-.../bmv-712-smart

I would change this answer to be an even simpler solution and go with the Victron SmartSolar 100/30. This has BT built in so the dongle isn't needed. The 712 can always be added later if necessary.
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Old 05-24-2018, 01:55 PM   #4
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Red face

Quote:
Originally Posted by FlyFishinRVr View Post
I would change this answer to be an even simpler solution and go with the Victron SmartSolar 100/30. This has BT built in so the dongle isn't needed. The 712 can always be added later if necessary.
Mine is dated ... sorry... yes... what he ^ said.

You can have it now with built in Bluetooth... the monitor is not really necessary unless you do not want to monitor via your phone or tablet...

https://www.victronenergy.com/solar-...-100-30-100-50
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Old 05-24-2018, 06:27 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dena m View Post
Posted this issue with my last Fusion problems., but thought I'd better post it separately, too.



Discovered Airstream's Sun Explorer charger/controller waits until the batteries are as low as 11.2 before kicking in. This didn't me much good when it starts charging at 4:45 p.m. So, I'm in the market for a new charger/controller as well as possibly rewiring the wires from the panels to the batteries if they are too small.



Looking for recommendations. So far, from the amazing info I have gleaned from this forum, many like the Blue Sky and Morning Star charger/controllers. I'm still looking for anyone near me who installs either of those. Any others you can recommend? One installer near me used Go Power. Any info about this brand?



Also, what size wire is best to use? I know if wiring is too small it would be like shoving an elephant down a rabbit hole. I need all the power my panels can give me.

Dena m - that Atkinson Sun Explorer is junk. Can't believe Airstream is still installing them. With your solar and battery upgrades you should have no issues running out of power on a sunny day.

I don't know much about the Go Power controllers, but I know several B-van builders are using them. I think Winnebago has it in their new B-vans.

I have a Blue Sky MPPT controller I got from AM Solar before they switched to the Victron systems. If your panels are wired with the typical 12AWG that Airstream has used in the past it would a be good to upgrade to a larger gauge wire. Check out the recommendations for AM Solar they are one of the best for RV solar installation guides and systems.
https://amsolar.com
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Old 05-24-2018, 08:07 PM   #6
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I also upgraded to the Victron 100/30 and love it. Today I just had a professional complete the picture by adding the Victron BMV-712 Smart and I love it as well because now I can see actual state of charge (SOC) instead of being mislead by the report of a battery voltage being influenced high due to a charging situation, or influenced low based on a drawdown happening.

The guy also installed the battery temperature sensor that came with the Victron BMV-712... the new ones can now talk to the Victron solar charge controller which now benefits from the same battery temp reading and can adjust it's charging algorithm.


Another cool feature of the BMV-712... I didn't have to pay for the readout module to be mounted in my electronics cabinet... we just stuck into the cavity where the inverter lives and the Bluetooth keeps me informed on the Victron app on my phone. Probably saved $200+ on that installation thanks to BT.



Also, it shows actual net current going in or going out so I can judge how well the solar is doing at any given time.


Happy. Happy.


Happy.
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Old 05-25-2018, 08:16 AM   #7
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Since I posted in the other thread...





I did mine... here is the link where I documented some of it:

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f240...ml#post2047788

And a photo of both items installed... Blue Sea ACR that replaced the BIM and the Victron that replaced the solar controller...





And updated links...

Blue Sea ML-ACR 7622
Victron SmartSolar 100/30 MPPT Solar Charge Controller (the Smart version is the newer one with built-in Bluetooth... go with that one).
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Old 05-25-2018, 10:49 AM   #8
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Thank you for the photos. Very helpful. Just when I thought I beginning to understand the system, a few confusing but, I guess, related components have muddled my mind.
Apparently, the Magnum inverter has been replaced with the smart Victron read out. Then what about an inverter? I'm sure I need one. How does the Victron charger relate to an inverter?
Did you just unhook the Sun Explorer and leave it in place?
Would it be better/easier to go with a charger that fits where the Sun Explorer is?
Sorry I'm slow to understand all of this. Appreciate your patience.
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Old 05-25-2018, 11:05 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dena m View Post
Thank you for the photos. Very helpful. Just when I thought I beginning to understand the system, a few confusing but, I guess, related components have muddled my mind.
Apparently, the Magnum inverter has been replaced with the smart Victron read out. Then what about an inverter? I'm sure I need one. How does the Victron charger relate to an inverter?
Did you just unhook the Sun Explorer and leave it in place?
Would it be better/easier to go with a charger that fits where the Sun Explorer is?
Sorry I'm slow to understand all of this. Appreciate your patience.
All batteries should be disconnected when doing the install... solar panels should be covered...

BIM is replaced with the Blue Sea ML-ACR 7622 - Easy swap. Only gets a bit complicated if you want to have a remote switch in front... This will help you avoid all batteries going dead as it will effectively disconnect the engine battery from the coach/house batteries. Or connect them together while charging, or... you get the idea...

Here is a photo (not my install... mine is installed in a different location) of the stock BIM vs ACR



Solar Controller gets swapped by the Victron Smart Solar controller... again, easy swap. The challenge is making room for it... a few things need to be moved around and some additional (longer) cables made. But not rocket science.

Here is what the stock solar controller looks like next to the Victron... yes, I know - stock is that tiny black box...





There is no need to mess with the inverter/charger (well... only to move it a bit to make space for the ACR, that is it)... unless you are looking to installing a larger inverter/charger. The inverter/charger is that big black box with Magnum Energy on it...
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Old 05-25-2018, 11:09 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dena m View Post
Thank you for the photos. Very helpful. Just when I thought I beginning to understand the system, a few confusing but, I guess, related components have muddled my mind.
Apparently, the Magnum inverter has been replaced with the smart Victron read out. Then what about an inverter? I'm sure I need one. How does the Victron charger relate to an inverter?
Did you just unhook the Sun Explorer and leave it in place?
Would it be better/easier to go with a charger that fits where the Sun Explorer is?
Sorry I'm slow to understand all of this. Appreciate your patience.
The Magnum inverter stays. The Victron replaces the Sun Explorer and it gets removed.

The job of the Magnum is to 1) charge the batteries when the van is connected to shore power or the generator is on, and 2) "invert" the voltage from the batteries from 12v DC to 120v AC to run what ever you plug into the one outlet in your coach that it's connected to (where that is differs by model).

The job of the Victron (or Sun Explorer) is to take voltage/current from the solar panels and charge your batteries. This can happen at the same time the Magnum is also charging your batteries, say, for when you're parked in the sun and also plugged into shore power or running your generator.

I hope that helps.
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Old 05-25-2018, 11:40 AM   #11
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Mind is moving forward. Can you please send a photo of what your nav station looks like? Perhaps I'm confusing operating systems with displays.
I have no desire to monitor with my phone, but I do want displays to keep me informed.
What happens to the Magnum display? Does the Victron charger have a separate display that replaces the Sun Explorer one? Does the charger and inverter work/display together?

Next week I'll be visiting with the pro who will be installing. I want to be armed with as much knowledge as possible.
Have any idea as to how long this install would take?

Promise I'm teachable. Anything with wires is challenging for me. Plumbing is easier.
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Old 05-25-2018, 11:55 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dena m View Post
Mind is moving forward. Can you please send a photo of what your nav station looks like? Perhaps I'm confusing operating systems with displays.
I have no desire to monitor with my phone, but I do want displays to keep me informed.
What happens to the Magnum display? Does the Victron charger have a separate display that replaces the Sun Explorer one? Does the charger and inverter work/display together?

Next week I'll be visiting with the pro who will be installing. I want to be armed with as much knowledge as possible.
Have any idea as to how long this install would take?

Promise I'm teachable. Anything with wires is challenging for me. Plumbing is easier.
Nav station?? To me that means the front radio/head unit in the dash

If you are talking about the house control panel... here...

Stock (this is my 2018 AI Tommy Lounge so please forgive the nasty finger prints all over the screen... it was wings night )



And a bad photoshop attempt to show you what it would look like with the optional Victron display (if you do not want to use your phone to look at the solar info...)

Solar display becomes obsolete... Victron sells a housing to insert the display. Similar to what I attempted to show with the modified photo.

Magnum display is not touched... continues to work as it was before...



With the phone, connected via Bluetooth... you get to see all this information (image from my phone):

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Old 05-25-2018, 12:06 PM   #13
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Oh... and remote display requires a wired connection to the Victron controller... folks here have been able to use the old wiring and just installing the correct connector (terminal) to match what the Victron is using... saves a lot of time and labor on having to run a new harness...
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Old 05-25-2018, 01:35 PM   #14
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If you are talking about the house control panel... here...

Stock (this is my 2018 AI Tommy Lounge so please forgive the nasty finger prints all over the screen... it was wings night )

Magnum display is not touched... continues to work as it was before...
WACHUKO - why do I have an extra display in my cubby, not to mention that SEELEVEL II display hidden behind all these (which I know is not related to these displays, but just blurting out some discrepancies from your unit). Does that mean my PCS display is really useless anyways?

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Old 05-25-2018, 01:39 PM   #15
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Thank you! Now I think I'm getting it.
Sorry about the wrong term. I'm a sailor. We call the area with all the controls a nav station.
The photos of the phone readout is making me reconsider not wanting the Bluetooth add. Gotta say, those charts are pretty nice.
Glad a housing is available if I keep with my original plan.
I'll share your photos with the tech who will be installing the charger if it's alright with you.

Thanks for your input. Learning about rv systems would be difficult without the kindness of those on this forum. Saved me a few times already. Not learning much from AS.
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Old 05-25-2018, 01:55 PM   #16
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Ask away... look at the several threads available as well.

Folks here are willing to help. Just ask.

Do share outcome of visit with the shop.

Cheers!
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Old 05-25-2018, 02:09 PM   #17
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WACHUKO - why do I have an extra display in my cubby, not to mention that SEELEVEL II display hidden behind all these (which I know is not related to these displays, but just blurting out some discrepancies from your unit). Does that mean my PCS display is really useless anyways?

Someone must have been in a hurry when they built mine??

I have that missing panel, but it was installed inside of one of the cabinets... If I remember correctly, I think that it is in the one right next to it...
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Old 05-25-2018, 06:13 PM   #18
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Yup... it is in the cabinet next to the control panel...
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Old 05-25-2018, 07:40 PM   #19
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I didn't realize AS delivered us fully customized "one-of" units
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Old 05-25-2018, 11:23 PM   #20
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I didn't realize AS delivered us fully customized "one-of" units


Yeah, like “Hey boss what I’m gonna do with this?” then came the answer “Oh just stick it wherever” [emoji38]
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