Thread: Lithium Battery & Traxide DBS

My BIL is quite impressed with his recently purchased Korr MPPT regulator, but his panels are different to yours.

Originally Posted by rocket rod

Perhaps I'll go out and buy a can of worms instead. I think it will be simpler?

One thing that I haven't put to the test fully is a recently purchased Projecta folding 120W solar blanket to see if that can keep up with the camp power generation duties. On this issue and I know I'm hijacking my own thread but, has anyone swapped out the PWM controller that comes with the blanket for a MPPT type and if so what improvement did you notice?

I can't give you a comparison, but when I set up my system (Traxide/Optima) about 18 moths ago, I bought a 120W folding "blanket" charger from JayCar and never bothered with the PWM that came with it. Having done a lot of research via reading and talking to outfitters, I went straight to a Victron MPPT and just have the PWM as an emergency spare. I figured if the el-cheapo folding panel ever fails, or as solar panels become more efficient, I'll always have a quality and very efficient regulator.

I find my Kings 200 watt folding blanket never goes even close to the 15 amp limit of the PWM regulator. If the battery is flat I can just plug it straight to the battery. But just have to remember to disconnect before the battery is fully charged or it will cook.

Originally Posted by Redtail

I can't give you a comparison, but when I set up my system (Traxide/Optima) about 18 moths ago, I bought a 120W folding "blanket" charger from JayCar and never bothered with the PWM that came with it. Having done a lot of research via reading and talking to outfitters, I went straight to a Victron MPPT and just have the PWM as an emergency spare. I figured if the el-cheapo folding panel ever fails, or as solar panels become more efficient, I'll always have a quality and very efficient regulator.

Thanks Redtail. I've looked at the Victron and agree with you it's probably the way to go as it has Bluetooth as well. Where do you mount it? The pocket on my panels that houses the existing PWM is too small for the new controller so it would have to "flap in the breeze"

Interestingly, these guys Attention Required! | Cloudflare are promoting their "KickAss" brand (stupid name) and I know it's just a generic Chinese unit re-badged but is affordable and would accommodate an upgrade of battery setup to lithium in the future.

I have a Kickass 120 amp AGM and it has been fine for three years, if that helps.

Originally Posted by rocket rod

Thanks Redtail. I've looked at the Victron and agree with you it's probably the way to go as it has Bluetooth as well. Where do you mount it? The pocket on my panels that houses the existing PWM is too small for the new controller so it would have to "flap in the breeze"

Interestingly, these guys Attention Required! | Cloudflare are promoting their "KickAss" brand (stupid name) and I know it's just a generic Chinese unit re-badged but is affordable and would accommodate an upgrade of battery setup to lithium in the future.

Usually the fold out solar panel lays on the windscreen with the cable running back along the drivers side on the edge of the roofrack and down to the tailgate. The regulator isn't mounted per se, I just sit it where it's convenient, usually on the window shelf above the jack hatch where the Traxide power connector is. Given it's a very fat cable (6G?) back to the battery, I'm not concerned about voltage drop.
Like that, I can lock the car, and the only thing easily nicked would be the panel.

It gives me flexibility to mount the solar panel anywhere else it may be convenient, or charge a third battery box. All connectors are Anderson types, much like LRD414's setup.
(See https://www.aulro.com/afvb/l319-disc...ml#post2700895)

The Victron bluetooth is excellent, as are the bluetooth monitors I've put on on each battery. I don't have to get out my chair to check the state of any of it. :-)