CTEK SMARTPASS 120S and 250SE DC to DC charger basic features and install information

Karearea said:

Ok …
Another question ….
Is there a foldable or easily moved solar blanket system on the market now that has in built voltage regulator or MPPT system that could be attached to the jump start terminals on a dual battery vehicle fitted only with factory smartpass 120?
Or is this approach better suited to a direct connection to the aux battery?
I’m trying to be as simple as possible but retain the flexibility (quite literally) of a moveable blanket panel
I guess I’m trying to see what others might have done to “improve” the system they have already installed instead of just adopting an existing solution as detailed here and elsewhere
Cheers all

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160W Monocrystalline Folding Solar Blanket Kit

160W Solar Blanket Kit from REDARC features everything you need for camp charging.

www.redarcelectronics.com

Karearea said:

Ok …
Another question ….
Is there a foldable or easily moved solar blanket system on the market now that has in built voltage regulator or MPPT system that could be attached to the jump start terminals on a dual battery vehicle fitted only with factory smartpass 120?
Or is this approach better suited to a direct connection to the aux battery?
I’m trying to be as simple as possible but retain the flexibility (quite literally) of a moveable blanket panel
I guess I’m trying to see what others might have done to “improve” the system they have already installed instead of just adopting an existing solution as detailed here and elsewhere
Cheers all

Click to expand...

Karearea said:

Ok …
Another question ….
Is there a foldable or easily moved solar blanket system on the market now that has in built voltage regulator or MPPT system that could be attached to the jump start terminals on a dual battery vehicle fitted only with factory smartpass 120?
Or is this approach better suited to a direct connection to the aux battery?
I’m trying to be as simple as possible but retain the flexibility (quite literally) of a moveable blanket panel
I guess I’m trying to see what others might have done to “improve” the system they have already installed instead of just adopting an existing solution as detailed here and elsewhere
Cheers all

Click to expand...

Photonic Universe 100W Lightweight Folding Solar Charging Kit With MPPT Controller

100W lightweight portable, folding solar panel kit for 12V systems with high-quality solar cells & MPPT controller. For leisure applications.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

Logsplitter said:

I have two 100w suitcase style solar panels with inbuilt mppt controllers and I connect these to the jump start terminal under the bonnet. A bit bulkier than the blanket style solar panels but very tough, durable and efficient.

Photonic Universe 100W Lightweight Folding Solar Charging Kit With MPPT Controller

100W lightweight portable, folding solar panel kit for 12V systems with high-quality solar cells & MPPT controller. For leisure applications.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

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NoAge Hunter said:

I bought a solar blanket (130 Watt) and will use it exactly in the same way as you by installing it atvthe jump start controllers. Just to compensate the „drain“. I guess that is the easieat way. Hope that will work……will report after installation.
Logsplitter, do you have a system installed to the two batteries to check how much of the power is „delivered“ to the batteries?

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Karearea said:

Ok …
Another question ….
Is there a foldable or easily moved solar blanket system on the market now that has in built voltage regulator or MPPT system that could be attached to the jump start terminals on a dual battery vehicle fitted only with factory smartpass 120?
Or is this approach better suited to a direct connection to the aux battery?
I’m trying to be as simple as possible but retain the flexibility (quite literally) of a moveable blanket panel
I guess I’m trying to see what others might have done to “improve” the system they have already installed instead of just adopting an existing solution as detailed here and elsewhere
Cheers all

Click to expand...

Znarfgh said:

I was reading the Smartpass instructions again and found this CTek issued schematic of installation. It states that in the case of a smart alternator the red cable should be connected to an ignition feed - this is not the case in my Grenadier and the red wire simply has some shrink wrap over the end of the wire.

Usually, this would mean that when the smart alternator senses that the starter battery is fully charged it will stop producing current and (potentially) the second battery would not receive any current (charge). I had this in my hybrid camper recently where the DC-DC charger did not sense any current from the vehicle alternator and would stop charging the camper batteries. I remedied this by installing an alternator sensing relay which basically tricks the DC-DC charger into thinking the alternator is supplying current even when it's not and my problem was solved.

So, in theory, the second battery will only be charged when the alternator is running because the starter battery is not fully charged. Although this is probably academic as there are no loads on the second battery it does make me wonder.

View attachment 7858600

Anyone have any idea why the red cable is not connected to an ignition source in the Grenadier.

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Znarfgh said:

I was reading the Smartpass instructions again and found this CTek issued schematic of installation. It states that in the case of a smart alternator the red cable should be connected to an ignition feed - this is not the case in my Grenadier and the red wire simply has some shrink wrap over the end of the wire.

Click to expand...

Karearea said:

Thanks everyone for their great suggestions and I now have many options
I’m still pondering the intelligence of this as installed two battery system especially with regard to the auxiliary battery…
When static with no alternator running but with a solar panel providing positive charge to the whole system via the jump start connections. Will this charge one or both batteries to full capacity over time and how does it do whatever it does in terms of its “control systems”. I’m talking about the basic as supplied two battery and Ctek 120 setup.
Just thinking out loud and picking others’ brains.
I’m awaiting my @Jean Mercier chinese spy battery monitors to be delivered, so can not do insitu observations yet

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TheDocAUS said:

It is likely the solar panels will charge both batteries, as both batteries are connected and will equalise. I can see this on my solar panel thread here.

I also have more graphs, not posted, which strongly suggest the equalisation is going both ways, but I need more time in the field to conform this observation.

I have a CTEK120S and 250SE installed.

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Karearea said:

Thanks Doc, helpful as always
Just thinking again…
I guess an advantage of having either the 250se or similar solar regulator/ charge manager fitted to the system will enable a panel or blanket to be directly plugged into a Deutsche plug on the roof area or somewhere inside the vehicle. Is this correct?
Cheers

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nuclearmonkey said:

There was a recent thread (in French) where the guy was having issues getting a full charge of his main battery. IIRC, he hoodked up the red wire to ignition, and noticed much better charging of the main. I don’t remember if he monitored the second battery during this.

Never thought about the other way around on this, where the secondary battery has no way to ‘tell’ the system that it’s low and to keep charging

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das mo said:

Hi.

Has someone used the Ecoflow 160 panel to charge the Gren via the Ctek 250?

I know few out there use the 220, but the extra 10cm both dimensions drive additional storage complexity with my setup.

Dont think the bifazial design of the 220 is important in my camp setup, so the 160 might be enough to keep both batteries charged enough for few days whilst running the fridge in the back…

Or maybe using 2 of the 110W ones as those fit beautifully into my build.

Thanks

Timo

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das mo said:

Hi.

Has someone used the Ecoflow 160 panel to charge the Gren via the Ctek 250?

I know few out there use the 220, but the extra 10cm both dimensions drive additional storage complexity with my setup.

Dont think the bifazial design of the 220 is important in my camp setup, so the 160 might be enough to keep both batteries charged enough for few days whilst running the fridge in the back…

Or maybe using 2 of the 110W ones as those fit beautifully into my build.

Thanks

Timo

Click to expand...