Pete-B Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 Hi, I've got a new Besacarr E462 on order which is due for delivery May/June time. I know Swift fit a smart charger which is supposed to monitor both batteries whilst on charge, either mains or solar, if a panel is fitted. The company who are going to fit the solar panel say they will also fit a Battery Master which does the same thing as the smart charger but better. My question is, does anyone know why the Battery Master is better and also will it conflict with the fitted Swift charger which will I guess will be in use when on mains hookup? Thanks for any help for a lecky numpty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Joe90 Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 Can't answer the question directly, but I would be very cautious and ensure it would not in any way affect your warranty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
747 Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 Unless you are off-grid and a heavy user of power (inverter etc.) when using your van then you will not need anything extra fitted. Some additions (like a B2b system) can clash with manufacturer fitted systems, so do your homework. The Battery Master may be fine, I don't know for certain as I have never loaded my van with extras. We manage fine with a Solar Panel, with the luxury of a second panel I can setup for winter and bad weather occasions. It might help if you say how you normally use the van and what your power requirements are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maggyd Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 We have solar panel we don't have the Battery Master fitted, on our last van a kontiki the previous owner had had the Batery Master removed he said it was no good ! I'd make sure your not going to pay for something you don't need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete-B Posted February 8, 2015 Author Share Posted February 8, 2015 The battery master comes as standard at no extra cost it's just a case of saying fit it or leave it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lennyhb Posted February 8, 2015 Share Posted February 8, 2015 A Battery Master is about £70 retail so I would expect a reduction if not being fitted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolero boy Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 the Sargent PSU is prewired to take a solar panel connection upto 100w. the prewiring should terminate in one of the roof lockers (tho positions change with different models) where it can be connected to the panel via a gland and the regulator. this other end of the wiring goes into P14 socket in the rear of the PSU and this then allows a degree of control over the charging regime.....bias towards leisure, bias towards cab battery, smart bias based on charge levels. this is set up in the PSU control window, easy once you've has a play...... you will not need a battery master,(agree with Lenny, dont pay for it) just ensure the panel is connected via a regulator to the prepared prewiring.......everything else is already done. of you need more info on location of the wiring (ours was in the locker above and immediately behind the drivers seat) post a question on SwiftTalk and Sargent will answer pretty quickly, or call them directly, they are helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete-B Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 Thank you all for the replies which are all noted and I will go with the general advice and not have the Battery Master fitted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliffy Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Pete-B - 2015-02-09 2:07 PM Thank you all for the replies which are all noted and I will go with the general advice and not have the Battery Master fitted. I would say that is the wrong decision. We have a battery master fitted along with a solar panel. The batteries just look after themselves. In five years the only problem I have had was when there was a foot of snow on the roof whilst the an was in storage, the sun could not get through to the solar panel and all three atteries ran down. I just cleared the snow off the panel and the following week all batteries were back to normal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 A low current B2B charger can be very handy to keep the engine battery topped up by recycling the excess charge from the solar panels into the leisure batteries during winter or when the van is not in use for a week or three. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.