Looking for 20-25a combined DC-to-DC / Solar MPPT controller

Van Living Forum

Help Support Van Living Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

AntiGroundhogDay

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 1, 2016
Messages
203
Reaction score
0
Found some, but thus far no magic bullet for various reasons.

25a, but I only see it listed on AUS websites, pricey?
https://www.australiandirect.com.au...3g74QIBqZUTodYpkc7qMdC3KgMEJlhUHXWpNYZePHDPbY

25a, but pricey?
https://www.etrailer.com/Battery-Chargers/Redarc/331-BCDC1225D.html

Renogy "coming soon", unknown specs/price:
https://www.renogy.com/products/battery-chargers/

25a, but I only see it listed on AUS websites, pricey?
https://www.mygenerator.com.au/proj...VX1tCA1EvlLS89mxDDDdHFWALwoUg_JmoId9enyCnze7w

10a, cheap, but slow charge rate for a 60-80ah battery I am considering:
http://www.westmountainradio.com/product_info.php?products_id=epic-pwrgate

Any other players out there?  Due to space and complexity in my RAV4 Hybrid buildout, I'd really love to have a charge controller that can regulate the output of a smart/variable alternator and supply 20+ amps constant and also handle my ~85w solar panel on top at the same time.  I realize I could have an MPPT controller and a DC-to-DC controller but that would add, cost, complexity, space, and I'd need to have a switch to manually kick the charging source back and forth all the time...meh.

Thanks!
 
What about the Cmax? I put one in for Bob. It had input for the alternator and solar.
 
I have a CTEK D250S and the corresponding SmartPass. The D250S will only put through 20 amps from the alternator. The SmartPass will add another 100 amps to that, I think. I got them both through Amazon. The first D250S was defective. After an email exchange with the rep in Europe, they sent me a new one. We have two systems, one in each van. Simple to install and use. You can only use about 400watts of solar with it and it is non-programmable. It is idiot proof, though-that's what I was looking for.

We ended up putting more than 400watts on the vans, so are using other charge controllers. I have SAE plugs attached to the CTEK units so that we can hook up the portable panels. We use that in situations where we have been parked under trees, which is unavoidable as we're in higher altitude forests in the summer.

When it has been cloudy and using the microwave and coffee maker/hot water pot, we turn on the engine and the CTEK works well to reduce the Peukart effect.

I guess I could have gotten a Redarc unit in retrospect, but only found them for sale in Australia and UK. I think that CTEK has a new model for lithium batteries.

Ted
 
WalkaboutTed said:
I have a CTEK D250S and the corresponding SmartPass. The D250S will only put through 20 amps from the alternator.  The SmartPass will add another 100 amps to that, I think. I got them both through Amazon. The first D250S was defective.  After an email exchange with the rep in Europe, they sent me a new one.  We have two systems,  one in each van. Simple to install and use. You can only use about 400watts of solar with it and it is non-programmable.  It is idiot proof, though-that's what I was looking for.

We ended up putting more than 400watts on the vans, so are using other charge controllers.   I have SAE plugs attached to the CTEK units so that we can hook up the portable panels. We use that in situations where we have been parked under trees, which is unavoidable as we're in higher altitude forests in the summer.

When it has been cloudy and using the microwave and coffee maker/hot water pot, we turn on the engine and the CTEK works well to reduce the Peukart effect.

I guess I could have gotten a Redarc unit in retrospect, but only found them for sale in Australia and UK.  I think that CTEK has a new model for lithium batteries.  

Ted

Yes, Ctek has the D250SE coming in the Fall I believe.  I will only have a 100w panel charging an 80ah lithium battery.  So 20-25A max charging is what I'm gunning for.
 
A word of caution shopping on Australian websites. I was ordering something for a friend there once and I went thru a jillion sites before I finally got one to take a US credit card. Via Paypal. Maybe because I use prepaid cards for safety for online purchases, maybe cuz many of them had an additional field for Zip code that only accepted Aus zip codes, maybe cuz many of them had an additional field for Bank Name.

Just something to consider.
 
XERTYX that is very true and kinda a shame because the Aussies have some really cool stuff. I know it can be done because Mine Lab has their metal detectors over here, you can buy them all over the place no problem. highdesertranger
 
Top