question

Well I don't know all your gear but replacing with even the most basic Smartsolar MPPT 75-15 will work. I'd get that first. If you are 12v dc it can handle the 2 PV's -possibly 4 100-120w if you are 24vdc (check the calculator app) which would get you started.

Also the Smart BLUE IP67 AC charger goes up to 25a -and- you can chain them for more amps into your LifePo4's (the limiting factor being your mains input to the BLUE IP67 and how much amps your lifepo4 set can handle max -probably at least 100a). Do that 2nd. You can ad more BLUE ip67's if needed to get faster charging to your lifepo4's -again the limiting factor being the amps they can handle and their BMS's.

You can also add more MPPT 75-15 if you get more solar (I have a spare for adding portables into my setup when I'm parked) which is a cheaper solution if you could have more solar but do not have more panels YET (vs a 150/30 MPPT which allows a lot more PV's down the road and not yet needed as the 75-15 will be fine) and the 75-15 and 100-15 are quite small (vs the 150-30 and up sizes) which is nicer in my opinion for tiny spaces and possible upgrades down the road!

I would aim for the "smart" (Bluetooth) versions and consider the BMV712 as well when you can. It's no more difficult to set up than any other monitor and comes with the shumt and all the cables needed (ad last if money is tight as you can go without by using the Bluetooth monitoring on the phones and tablets really)!

I started with the 75-15 smartsolar MPPT and the BMV712 and added the BLUE ip67 25a and then 2x more of each and another 100/20 smartsolar MPPT for my various systems.I don't have their inverter but hear it's also Bluetooth and quite a lot of features (i have samlex inverters). The Smartsolar MPPT's in the smaller sizes also have a irect-oit

Everything works together (shunt included for the BMV712 by the way) and can network and "talk" to each other and iphones and android phones/tablets and many laptops which is really nice for setting everything up to the same charging parameters and minitoring the system.

Make sure you get the 220vac versions if that is what you need for the AC side.

Super easy. I' so glad I did the upgrades.

Amidships, did you manage to do what your were hoping replacing sargent kit with victron? I have the same sargent setup in our Autotrail v line V600 and am looking to do exactly the same as your post set out.

Sorry for joining the conversation so late, just wondering how the install went. I’m yet another Sargent EC 500 owner wanting to change to Victron. I have the MTTP smart charge controller BMV 712 installed and want to add a DC to DC Charger and IP22 Bartery Charger. I’m told I need to fit an Isolation relay from the D+ signal wire to the DC to DC charger. Not quite sure where to connect the Wire to on the DC to DC Charger. Does it connect to the remote on of bridge.

sorry if its a stupid question but I’m a bit new to all this tech. Or does anyone know a knowledgeable Motorhome auto electrician that can install the update in the Cambridgeshire Suffolk area.

If you want to have a look at our modification, check out this thread:

https://www.autosleeper-ownersforum.com/t36957-warwick-xl-off-grid-modifications

Unfortunately, we have not implemented and DC to DC Orion solution (Yet?). The way the EC500 is able to charge the leisure battery seems to work.

This is an interesting thread for me as it touches on a lot of the things I have done on my own Motorhome. I won't address any specific questions but post what I did and why, which may be of interest to those who wish to have a better setup ....

For those who are not familiar with them (only UK, New Zealand and Australian folk may have come across Sargent?), Sargent is a British Company that make Power Distribution Units for Caravans (Travel Trailers) and that also get used in Motor Homes and Campervans. These provide all-in-one AC Distribution, DC Distribution, Battery Charging from Alternator and Mains, switch control for things like water pumps, outside lights, overall Habitation power, selection of DC supply, etc. So similar in many ways to many other brands such as the Schault Electroblocks and the like.

Overall they are quite a nice range of units, and some have more features than others but a fairly common thing for the great majority is their charging capabilities are mediocre and limited in capability and capacity.

The following is the additions and changes to my own Motorhome which is fitted with a Sargent EC325 PDU.

1. Installed EasyPlus 12/1600/70. (Could have used a standard Multiplus as well). This adds much more capable Mains Charging in both current and configurability
2. The Shore IN was changed to go to the EP rather than direct to the Sargent, and then from one of the EP Breaker outs on to the Sargent. This lets all AC sockets to work on both Grid or Inverter.
3. Installed 60A Battery to Battery Charger. This adds much more capable Charging via Alternator (configurable Smart Charger compared to a basic relay)
4. Installed Victron MPPT 100/20 Solar Controller. My Sargent did not have the optional solar, but if it did , it would have been a basic low -power PWM unit, so I would use the Victron unit anyway
5. Installed BMV-712 to monitor Battery
6. All the above are connected to the Leisure Battery as if the Sargent was not present, using sutable gauge cabling, etc.
7. I turned off the Sargents Built-in Mains Charger (just a simple switch on the panel).
8. I disabled the Sargents Built-in Split-Charge System so only the new B2B would operate. There are a few ways to do this. I did it by disconnecting the D+ Signal into the Sargent.

Obviously I have done other things in addition (I have a Cerbo GX, Additonal controls, etc) but the above list is essentially a way to bring a Sargent-equipped Motorhome or Campervan into the 21st Century, removing the limitiations it has, but keeping the nice (IMO) features it does have. I needed to make improvements as I wanted greater Battery capacity than the Sargent supports - I have 300Ah of Lead Carbon Battery fitted permanently, plus a Lithium Bank of between 100-200Ah depending of what I am doing.

In my Motorhome, I repurposed one of the lockers to house the Victron Kit.

Our van is equipped with Sargent EC500 Power System, EC480 Control Panel, PX300 Charger, 10amp Solar Regulator, 90W solar panels

These products are not suitable for our needs, so we decided for the following products as replacements/modifications:

• 200Ah LiFeP04 battery
• inverter charger Victron EasyPlus (https://www.victronenergy.com/inverters-chargers/easyplus-12v-1600va) + Smart Dongle (https://www.victronenergy.com/accessories/ve-bus-smart-dongle) + Interface MK3-USB (https://www.victronenergy.com/accessories/interface-mk3-usb)
• solar charge controller Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 (https://www.victronenergy.com/solar-charge-controllers/smartsolar-mppt-75-10-75-15-100-15-100-20)
• Temperature sensor (https://www.victronenergy.com/accessories/temperature-sensor-for-bmv-702)
• MRBF Terminal Fuse Block (https://www.bluesea.com/products/5191/MRBF_Terminal_Fuse_Block_-_30_to_300A)
• DC Distribution Board with Battery Switch and Victron SmartShunt - 5 Position (https://www.outbackmarine.com.au/dc-distribution-board-with-battery-switch-and-shun~99059)
• MRBF Fuses (https://www.bluesea.com/products/category/15/42/Fuses/Marine_Rated_Battery_Fuses)

Connections:

New battery +/- connected to the battery terminal of the DC distribution board

+ Cable connected to Terminal Fuse block on + pole

EasyPlus +/- cables connected to +/- of the DC Distribution Board (+ Fused with MRBF)

EC500 +/- battery connection connected to +/- of the DC Distribution Board (+ Fused with MRBF)

EasySolar +/- battery connection connected to +/- of the DC Distribution Board (+ Fused with MRBF)

SmartDongle glued on top of the battery and connected to EasyPlus with RJ45

Temperature Sensor connected to battery + pole and to SmartShunt on DC Distribution Board

AC IN (orange cable) Disconnected from the back of EC500 and connected to AC IN into EasyPlus

AC OUT 0 from easy plus into AC IN of EC500

AC OUT (microwave/plugs/and so on) disconnected from the back of EC500 and distributed among AC OUT 1,2,3 of EasyPlus

Ground wire from EasyPlus to DC Distribution board -

Ground wire from DC Distribution board - to chassis of the VAN

Replacement of solar panel with 2 x 105W semiflexible glued on the roof

New solar panel wire from roof to the solar controller

A note to all people looking to upgrade their Sargent based system.

The existing wiring and circuits are limited in their DC current rating. They are designed for the installation as it comes out of the factory (i.e not very high capacity), adding additional equipment such as more solar and higher capacity chargers that increases the current could well cause overload problems, particularly the existing wiring and circuit board tracks on the main board.

I've linked below a copy of the schematic that highlights the current handling limitation warnings.
I understand the desire to retain the existing current metering and SOC features of the Sargent system, but in order to do this all current must pass through the system board and this is where the problems may come.

From the schematic "Maximum solar panel power is 120W as PSU PCB is limited to 6A"
Have a look through the system schematic for further information.

Sargent EC500 Schematic