I use the Orion DCDC Charger 12V30A while running the engine off the alternator. Works great. I have introduced a solar panel connected through a MPPT 75V 15A Controller. Can I use these two units together at the same time?
asked
Is it OK to run MPPT Solar 75 15 and Orion Smart 12 DCDC Charger at the same time?
Hi @andrewoliv
Yes, you can do that. They can't be networked together though, so will work independently.
I would love to know how you have this wired up
I, too, have the Orion DCDC Charger 12V30A, and it does a great job!
I have just got off Facebook a Victron 170w solar panel and an MPPT 75V 15A Controller.
As mentioned above, they can't be networked, but they can work independently. Does this mean that once the engine is off and the Orion stops charging, the MPPT will start charging when the battery gets below a set level?
My fear is that I could possibly overcharge the battery. I don't want to overcharge the battery.
Any answers are greatly appreciated.
Les
Make sure that the absorption and float settings on both devices have the same voltage and absorption duration and that they are correct for your battery type. Then it is safe to have both running together and you can not overcharge your batteries.
During a typical day, the batteries have discharged overnight, the sun starts some solar charging and later you run the engine and the Orion provide s more charge. If the batteries are very discharged you may find both solar charging and Orion charging together, otherwise if not as much current is required, one of them will back down the charging. Once you turn off the engine the solar will take over any charging left otherwise it will go into float and run your house loads. With this set up you find that you discharge the batteries less overnight because the solar helps out after the engine is off.
