MPPT chargers

[Foggy51]

Hello all, I have a question regarding the three options of MPPT chargers available on Solar Camper Solutions website. I’m about ready to pull the trigger on a two panel set up.
What I’m stuck on is which MPPT charger to buy. Do I get a dual charger to keep my starter battery in good condition?
There’s three options:
Victron, Epever and Dometic.
Victron is the cheaper option but won’t charge the starter battery.
The Epever will trickle charge the starter battery at 1amp
The Dometic will charge the starter battery at 10amps once leisure batteries have reached a certain charge.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

 

[colintfcolintf]

my temptation would be the new Dometic Option, something that i am thinking about retrofitting (or asking Roger to retrofit for me - he fitted my three panels a couple of years ago)

 

[Perfectos]

If I were going to do it again , I would go for the new Dometic version.

 

[dspuk]

As everyone else says, Dometic. The 1A works for me as a driveway top up over a long period, for camping use it’s quite useless.

 

[fantasque]

Currently have two panels and the Victron charge controller, I am very tempted to trade up to the Dometic. If I was purchasing new I would definitely go for the Dometic.

 

[Foggy51]

Thanks all.
Yes that’s the way I was leaning. I think I might have made up my mind.
I also like that it’s good for a third panel should I decide to add more in the future.

 

[arklife]

Morning.

I had 3 panels and the Dometic MPPT charger & optional display screen fitted by Roger at Solar Camper Solutions about a month ago. I have yet to use the van in anger since but the installed setup is keeping both the leisure and starter batteries fully charged all the time, so very happy on that front. I am off to Portugal for two weeks over Easter and will fully test and assess the setup then but all looking good so far.

The Dometic unit is considerably smaller and neater than the Epever unit and it comes with an app which is not the case for the Epever unit. The info available in the app is basic (and mirrors the information on the optional screen (with the exception of the history information)). I had some initial issues with connecting to the app but Roger had the solution (which should not occur for any new installations) and it is working well now. The Dometic unit is also rated for 330W whereas the Epever unit is only rated for 260W (and therefore discards any power over that produced by the panels) so for a 300W 3 panel setup is the most efficient option.

For me, it was a no-brainer – the Dometic wins.

Roger also has a thread on the Dometic charger on this forum which is worth checking out: https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/new-dometic-dual-battery-solar-mppt-charger.61133/

Also, as others on this forum, I can’t recommend Roger highly enough: great service and very knowledgeable and helpful.

Cheers.

 

[colintfcolintf]

Morning.

I had 3 panels and the Dometic MPPT charger & optional display screen fitted by Roger at Solar Camper Solutions about a month ago. I have yet to use the van in anger since but the installed setup is keeping both the leisure and starter batteries fully charged all the time, so very happy on that front. I am off to Portugal for two weeks over Easter and will fully test and assess the setup then but all looking good so far.

The Dometic unit is considerably smaller and neater than the Epever unit and it comes with an app which is not the case for the Epever unit. The info available in the app is basic (and mirrors the information on the optional screen (with the exception of the history information)). I had some initial issues with connecting to the app but Roger had the solution (which should not occur for any new installations) and it is working well now. The Dometic unit is also rated for 330W whereas the Epever unit is only rated for 260W (and therefore discards any power over that produced by the panels) so for a 300W 3 panel setup is the most efficient option.

For me, it was a no-brainer – the Dometic wins.

Roger also has a thread on the Dometic charger on this forum which is worth checking out: https://vwcaliforniaclub.com/threads/new-dometic-dual-battery-solar-mppt-charger.61133/

Also, as others on this forum, I can’t recommend Roger highly enough: great service and very knowledgeable and helpful.

Cheers.

Please keep us posted

 

[hirsty]

interesting thread, I’m going to be fitting panels shortly & was about to contact Roger myself - the new Dometic seems the obvious choice of those three.

as I have a Beach (single leisure battery) I’m considering leaving that to run internal lights + Webasto heater, and separately adding a portable power station / removable battery for fridge & charging phones and tablets etc.

that’s led me to look at Bluetti Charger 2 (which could act as both split charger from alternator and as a solar MPPT ?)

 

[DGB99]

interesting thread, I’m going to be fitting panels shortly & was about to contact Roger myself - the new Dometic seems the obvious choice of those three.

as I have a Beach (single leisure battery) I’m considering leaving that to run internal lights + Webasto heater, and separately adding a portable power station / removable battery for fridge & charging phones and tablets etc.

that’s led me to look at Bluetti Charger 2 (which could act as both split charger from alternator and as a solar MPPT ?)

Just a comment: there is a discussion on the Bluetti support board at the moment about an issue with this. The Charger 2 switches itself off when the engine is off so the solar input only works when driving - perhaps Bluetti will update this. I keep my Charger 2 and solar separate so that I can use solar to charge both the leisure batteries AND power station when parked and switch manually to use the Charger 2 to charge the power station when driving while still using solar to support the leisure batteries.
You can turn the Charger 2 on via the app so that could work if you remember to do it each time?

 

[hirsty]

wow - sounds like a big oversight on their part, thanks for sharing. I wonder if it was the same with Charger 1? (which still seems to be available).

I guess I’m happy with the existing VW OEM split charger charging the leisure battery from alternator whilst engine running & likely 200W solar would be enough for a supplemental portable power station (which would have built-in solar MPPT functionality) …

 

[DGB99]

T

wow - sounds like a big oversight on their part, thanks for sharing. I wonder if it was the same with Charger 1? (which still seems to be available).

I guess I’m happy with the existing VW OEM split charger charging the leisure battery from alternator whilst engine running & likely 200W solar would be enough for a supplemental portable power station (which would have built-in solar MPPT functionality) …

The same issue does not arise with the Charger 1 as it does not support additional solar charging. Alternator charging only works when the engine is running so it does switch off when the engine is not running (as designed) but this is not a problem.

 

[Foggy51]

Well, I took the plunge. I bought a two panel kit from Roger with the curly cable (seemed a sensible upgrade) and the Dometic charger. I installed it yesterday including the cable to the starter (that was a bit of a faff to thread through) and it’s all up and running.
I’ve had a couple of questions due to my own ignorance of solar and Roger has always been quick to respond. Really helpful chap. As you can see on this nice sunny afternoon we’re charging perfectly..

 

[colintfcolintf]

Is your starter battery a bit low at 12.1V ?

 

[Wannabecamperman]

Well, I took the plunge. I bought a two panel kit from Roger with the curly cable (seemed a sensible upgrade) and the Dometic charger. I installed it yesterday including the cable to the starter (that was a bit of a faff to thread through) and it’s all up and running.
I’ve had a couple of questions due to my own ignorance of solar and Roger has always been quick to respond. Really helpful chap. As you can see on this nice sunny afternoon we’re charging perfectly..View attachment 145175

I'd be happier if the starter battery was nearer 12.6 - 12.8v. Is it definately getting a trickle not that the leisure are on float?

 

[Foggy51]

Is your starter battery a bit low at 12.1V ?

Yes indeed. I wondered the same but It ended the day at 12.7

 

[Foggy51]

I'd be happier if the starter battery was nearer 12.6 - 12.8v. Is it definately getting a trickle not that the leisure are on float?

I know nothing about the solar jargon. Absorption, Float etc. it’s all new to me. My solar appears to be working correctly. I had originally thought that the starter wasn’t getting any juice but it does look that way now. Today was the first day of solar use and it was pretty sunny here…

 

[Wannabecamperman]

I know nothing about the solar jargon. Absorption, Float etc. it’s all new to me. My solar appears to be working correctly. I had originally thought that the starter wasn’t getting any juice but it does look that way now. Today was the first day of solar use and it was pretty sunny here…

All's well that ends well. Anything north of 12.6v is golden, as per my comment.. Just keep an eye that the starter battery doesn't go below 12.1v or you might find it needs replacing sooner rather than later as it will be lead acid or gel and shouldn't go that low too often.

 

[Foggy51]

All's well that ends well. Anything north of 12.6v is golden, as per my comment.. Just keep an eye that the starter battery doesn't go below 12.1v or you might find it needs replacing sooner rather than later as it will be lead acid or gel and shouldn't go that low too often.

Thank you .
I will continue to monitor it.
I think it’s probably the original battery (2019). I have already replaced the two leisure batteries recently.

 

[capt kirk]

I have been looking at the dometic to replace my epever duo but they are hard to come by. Roger has thm but is reluctant to sell without the other kit understandably. Anyone know where to get them. Road pro have the older models or the bigger 480 watt version but thats all ive found.

 

[pjm-84]

Watching.....I have a panel on my Burstner and an L1218....I've run the cable to the EBL (leisure route is direct by Burstner) but I not really receiving a trickle charge to the starter (even though it should be in this weather)

 

[Perfectos]

Roger obvs has a deal with Dometic.

If Roger won't (can't) realise numbers to the market it may be a supply issue.
If on the other hand Dometic see a bottleneck in the supply chain created unnecessarily, Roger's USP will be very short lived !

Dog wags the tail !

Roger has a good company, speak to him (email)