I have read thru many posts but cant find one that relates to my situation.
If this has been answered in another post or thread please direct me to it.
I have a 96 ford transit that I think had a dual battery system from the factory with what I think is an isolater. I think it was called a smart charger, perhaps. The label is long gone off it.
I draw power for leds, laptop and portable fridge (12V-3/6A) from the second battery and the start battery remains the same voltage and the second battery goes flat and then recharges either from solar or the alternator when Im driving. Cloudy days I simply let the diesel engine idle and do what I need to do on the laptop or to get my fridge down to temp and then turn everything off overnight.
The lead acid is most likely quite damaged as I have accidental run it down to under 10 V several times by not paying attention to the volt guage.
The second battery is a lead acid, unsure of size as no labels visible. I'd hazard a guess probably 25ah-40ah.
I am awaiting the arrival in the next few days of a new lithium ion 150ah battery. Being as the van is short wheelbase and limited roof space I have just one solar panel that is about ten years old and (open circuit) middle of sunny day putting 33v and 8.5A.
It also has fitted one of those blue $20 10A solar chargers that Will says "looks like a toy" in one of his videos. I have a mppsolar unit coming in the mail.
My question is the charging of the 150A LI.
I am on the road (stealth van life) and have no access to mains power to use via the inbuilt charger in the mppsolar unit at this sime so I would like to simply run a B2B dc-dc charger from the second lead acid battery straight to the solar inputs connections going into the mppsolar.
My thoughts being the existing lead acid battery and smart isolater will protect and manage the alternator side of things and the power going into the mppsolar unit via the same connection as the power coming from the solar panel will be managed by the mppsoalr unit and charge the 150A li battery safely.
Is this correct?
and if so will any B2B charger do the job?
I dont do a lot of miles but it would be great if the few miles I do help top up the Li battery.
Thanks in advance.
P.S. I'm willing to spend $200 to $800 for a viable working easy drop in solution.
If this has been answered in another post or thread please direct me to it.
I have a 96 ford transit that I think had a dual battery system from the factory with what I think is an isolater. I think it was called a smart charger, perhaps. The label is long gone off it.
I draw power for leds, laptop and portable fridge (12V-3/6A) from the second battery and the start battery remains the same voltage and the second battery goes flat and then recharges either from solar or the alternator when Im driving. Cloudy days I simply let the diesel engine idle and do what I need to do on the laptop or to get my fridge down to temp and then turn everything off overnight.
The lead acid is most likely quite damaged as I have accidental run it down to under 10 V several times by not paying attention to the volt guage.
The second battery is a lead acid, unsure of size as no labels visible. I'd hazard a guess probably 25ah-40ah.
I am awaiting the arrival in the next few days of a new lithium ion 150ah battery. Being as the van is short wheelbase and limited roof space I have just one solar panel that is about ten years old and (open circuit) middle of sunny day putting 33v and 8.5A.
It also has fitted one of those blue $20 10A solar chargers that Will says "looks like a toy" in one of his videos. I have a mppsolar unit coming in the mail.
My question is the charging of the 150A LI.
I am on the road (stealth van life) and have no access to mains power to use via the inbuilt charger in the mppsolar unit at this sime so I would like to simply run a B2B dc-dc charger from the second lead acid battery straight to the solar inputs connections going into the mppsolar.
My thoughts being the existing lead acid battery and smart isolater will protect and manage the alternator side of things and the power going into the mppsolar unit via the same connection as the power coming from the solar panel will be managed by the mppsoalr unit and charge the 150A li battery safely.
Is this correct?
and if so will any B2B charger do the job?
I dont do a lot of miles but it would be great if the few miles I do help top up the Li battery.
Thanks in advance.
P.S. I'm willing to spend $200 to $800 for a viable working easy drop in solution.