DC-DC (B2B), MPPT and AC all-in-one?

[pat.kane]

Any solutions available other than the REDARC Manager30 for an all-in-one B2B, MPPT and AC charger?

To get best performance when switching from AGM to LiFePO4, I'm looking to replace the existing charger, battery isolator and PWM SCC in my step van RV. I'm accepting the tradeoffs of opting for an all-in-one instead of separate components to minimize bulk and complexity. The step van has 4x100W solar panels and will soon have 4x100A LiFePO4 batteries.

The major disadvantage I see with the Manager30 for my situation is the 30A rating as my 200A alternator can support a higher rating. I can solve that problem by adding a BCDC1225D in parallel which defeats the goal of minimizing complexity. If I end up with two components instead of an all-in-one, another option would be the
KISAE DMT1250 Abso 50A B2B/MPPT and an AC charger (recommendations for 30A shore power?).

My preference is for the all-in-one and your input and feedback is appreciated.


Existing components to be replaced are:
Inteli-Power PD2160
Cole Hersee Co. No. 48161 Schottky Battery Isolator Guard 250A 12-24V DC
non-op Morningstar ProStar-30 PWM SCC

 

[chevymike]

Be interesting to see what options there are. I have not really seen anything outside the Manager 30, which for me the problem was, it will not accept the 24v panels I have to use.

I am about sold on the KISAE DMT1250 to meet my DC-DC/Solar needs. Not sure if I need a AC charger (shore power) as I never used it on the road. I only used it right before a trip at home, to get things charged up but that was with a AGM battery. My LifePO4 batteries shouldn't need that.

 

[HaldorEE]

I just gave up looking and ordered a bunch of boxes for my Van.

Victron SmartSolar 100/20 (1 or 2 300 W panels)
Victron Orion TR Smart 12/24-15
Victron Multiplus 24/2000-50

I am using this 24V to 13.8V DC-DC converter to power my 12V loads from my 24V house battery. No load current spec is only 50 mA. I hope its not a POS. If it is, at least it was cheap.

Unique Bargains NEW BIG-SIZE Waterproof DC 24V to 13.8V 40A 552W Step-down Converter Regulator - Walmart.com

Buy Unique Bargains NEW BIG-SIZE Waterproof DC 24V to 13.8V 40A 552W Step-down Converter Regulator at Walmart.com

www.walmart.com

 

[redmessengerbag]

I am putting together a new system in my van. I bought all the components including a Kisae DMT-1250.

I am using a NOCO 26000 as my ac charger that I will carry with me. I will be running 280ah LiFePO4 and 400w solar.

Realistically, I don't think I'll ever really need to use it with solar and vehicle charging, but just in case.

 

[redmessengerbag]

Actually I take back what I sad about the Noco. it's too "smart" for it's own good. It charged about 25/26a for only a couple of hours from a fully discharged battery, now it's going at ~13a charge probably beacuse it sensed the voltage going up, the charging profiles are not really changeable. With the strange stable voltage of LiFePO4, this g26000 may not be the best, will start to look for alternatives. Will see what happens when it's done. Btw, this is using the Lithium setting, I will call Noco tomorrow, maybe I can use the regular lead acide profile, it might work depending on the built-in settings

 

[pat.kane]

I gave up looking for a different solution and went with the KISAE DMT-1250 B2B/MPPT and AC-1260 Smart Battery Charger as they should be close to drop-in replacements for what is there now.

The batteries arrived and are now installed, and I moved the solar panel wiring (the PWM was on the opposite wall of the battery isolator), so now it is a waiting game for the two chargers to arrive.

 

[Elias]

I am putting together a new system in my van. I bought all the components including a Kisae DMT-1250.

I am using a NOCO 26000 as my ac charger that I will carry with me. I will be running 280ah LiFePO4 and 400w solar.

Realistically, I don't think I'll ever really need to use it with solar and vehicle charging, but just in case.

Actually I take back what I sad about the Noco. it's too "smart" for it's own good. It charged about 25/26a for only a couple of hours from a fully discharged battery, now it's going at ~13a charge probably beacuse it sensed the voltage going up, the charging profiles are not really changeable. With the strange stable voltage of LiFePO4, this g26000 may not be the best, will start to look for alternatives. Will see what happens when it's done. Btw, this is using the Lithium setting, I will call Noco tomorrow, maybe I can use the regular lead acide profile, it might work depending on the built-in settings

Hi I also have a NOCO 2600. What did they say about using it with Lifepo4 battery?

 

[Saanko]

I am really confused about finding a solution here.
I have a 450W solar system (connected in series) and 3 100Ah AGM batteries with a generic MPPT regulator.
I’m driving long distances and I like to use my van generator also.
Basically charging using 2 sources at the same time (solar + DC-DC)

How can I add a smart DC-DC charger in this system?
Will they interfere each other when I’m driving in a sunny day?
Will they complement each other in a cloudy day?
If it’s ok how is the wiring?

There is an Australian company which does a custom assembly with claimed such capability but I don’t know how it works.

DIY Installation Kits - Enerdrive Independent Power Solutions

enerdrive.com.au

Take a look at this board:
K-AGM-BOARD-J

They have also the wiring diagram in download tab:

https://enerdrive.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/K-AGM-BOARD-J.pdf

 

[DerpsyDoodler]

Check out this thread:
Thread 'DC-DC charger (B2B) options and general discussion'
https://diysolarforum.com/threads/dc-dc-charger-b2b-options-and-general-discussion.17211/

 

[Reed Cole]

I am really confused about finding a solution here.
I have a 450W solar system (connected in series) and 3 100Ah AGM batteries with a generic MPPT regulator.
I’m driving long distances and I like to use my van generator also.
Basically charging using 2 sources at the same time (solar + DC-DC)

How can I add a smart DC-DC charger in this system?
Will they interfere each other when I’m driving in a sunny day?
Will they complement each other in a cloudy day?
If it’s ok how is the wiring?

There is an Australian company which does a custom assembly with claimed such capability but I don’t know how it works.

DIY Installation Kits - Enerdrive Independent Power Solutions

enerdrive.com.au

Take a look at this board:
K-AGM-BOARD-J

They have also the wiring diagram in download tab:

https://enerdrive.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/K-AGM-BOARD-J.pdf

You can charge from multiple sources at the same time without any issue as long as you aren't exceeding the maximum charge rate for your battery.

 

[Annie C]

I was looking at the Manager 30. I guess the other problem with having an all-in-one is repair. I am in a smaller city and if something goes wrong, it would be better to isolate the issue and replacement is easier. However, I want to smallest real estate taken up.

 

[chevymike]

I was looking at the Manager 30. I guess the other problem with having an all-in-one is repair. I am in a smaller city and if something goes wrong, it would be better to isolate the issue and replacement is easier. However, I want to smallest real estate taken up.

I have struggled with this at times but I couldn't go with the Manager 30 because it will not allow me to use the 24v panels I have. Since I don't normally use 120v AC input, I am going with a https://www.donrowe.com/KISAE-DMT1250-Abso-50A-DC-DC-Battery-Charger-p/dmt1250.htm for solar and DC/DC charging.

 

[bigredball90]

Is it possible to run 110 through an mppt using a power supply with suitable voltage and amps? I was thinking a renogy dcdc mppt 50amp with a 24v 30 amp power supply to power it off of 110 when at home or use the alternator and panels when driving. Simply use something like an xt60 connector to switch between the solar panels and power supply.

 

[Annie C]

Just thinking about a monitor now for the Renogy DCDC-MPPT 50 ( and any other combination unit). To add a monitor, other than the Renogy Monitor, would it read the loads correctly from the DC side and the solar side?

I will have the Victron IP22 so I can read the battery when on shore power.

 

[Kman]

Is it possible to run 110 through an mppt using a power supply with suitable voltage and amps? I was thinking a renogy dcdc mppt 50amp with a 24v 30 amp power supply to power it off of 110 when at home or use the alternator and panels when driving. Simply use something like an xt60 connector to switch between the solar panels and power supply.

Let me know if you get an answer to this. I've been wondering the same thing.

I was wondering if I could use my old 13.6v RV converter on the input of a DC-DC converter or into the PV MPPT input.

 

[interceptor3]

Let me know if you get an answer to this. I've been wondering the same thing.

I was wondering if I could use my old 13.6v RV converter on the input of a DC-DC converter or into the PV MPPT input.

I want to do exactly the same thing too. I have a 30 amp DC power supply (in my Vanagon) which I currently use to power LifePO battery warming pads (I live in Boston and can't charge most of the winter because it is below freezing.)

I want to use the same DC power supply, plugged in to 110, outputting 12V, with the Renogy DCC50S onboard battery charger with MPPT to charge while on shore power. Does anyone know if you can hook up a DC power source instead of the alternator input?

My other wish, is to divert the PV power on a cold day to the 12V battery warming pads. It would be great to have a single box like the DCC50S with the additional DC input and with a solar-only output to dump the power which can't be used in the cold batteries, instead of having to cobble something like that together.

Just a thought.
-Mark

 

[ffrree]

My only concern is, it is a single point of failure, if that goes, the whole system stops, no power, no charging, no nothing. When traveling into remote areas, this is a real issue.

 

[Rko133]

I currently have a Victron shore power charger on my group 31agm truck battery linked to my Victron smart solar and a 100w panel. I'm going to add a 12v lithium 100ah diy with overkill bms soon. Can I add in the Victron Orion dc-dc charger in the mix? Could I leave the shore power set to AGM charging the starting battery and have the dc-dc charger/mppt charge the lithium when the truck is off? Or do I need to disconnect the shore charger from starting battery and set it to lithium?

I'd like to have both batteries charged, of possible.

 

[time2roll]

All-in-one? I actually prefer separate components. If something separate fails, you fix it. All-in-one fails and 3 to 5 things stop functioning and you might be dead in the water.

 

[Rko133]

All-in-one? I actually prefer separate components. If something separate fails, you fix it. All-in-one fails and 3 to 5 things stop functioning and you might be dead in the water.

If that's a reply to my post,

I already have 2 out of 3 components, so they'd be separate.