Can't find the solar regulator/controller on my brand new van?

SpikeyPoo

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Iv'e just taken delivery of my new Chausson 640 Titanium Ultimate.
Iv'e had a look on the roof and there is definately a solar panel (looks like a 100w) but for the life of me I can't find the solar controller.
In the 2022 model it was in the cupboard above the fridge (which is where the solar panel lead seems to come in from the roof)
The guy at Lowdhams in Nottingham seems to think that the solar panel goes straight to the Battery Duo Sytem BDS-180 (see pic) which is located under the passenger seat? Iv'e never seen the battery duo system before so havn't a clue whether thats true or not. Googling the Battery Duo System says that its just a electronic device that can manage two service batteries during the charging phases. The manual says that one of its inputs can be from a solar regulator.
If anybody has this years model please give us some advice.
ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED :)

BDS180.png
 
"The new BATTERY DUO-SYSTEM is an electronic device that can manage two service batteries during the charging phases (with alternator, battery charger and photovoltaic module)"

Sounds feasible that the solar panel cables to there.

One handy visible check ... look at the cables - are they the same style coming through the roof as going to the CBE unit? that is one way to find where cables go in and come out.
 
wildebus said:
"The new BATTERY DUO-SYSTEM is an electronic device that can manage two service batteries during the charging phases (with alternator, battery charger and photovoltaic module)"

Sounds feasible that the solar panel cables to there.

One handy visible check ... look at the cables - are they the same style coming through the roof as going to the CBE unit? that is one way to find where cables go in and come out.
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Good thinking wildebus - I'll have a look - still.......the output from the solar panel must go to regulator? if its a 100w panel?
 
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SpikeyPoo said:
Good thinking wildebus - I'll have a look - still.......the output from the solar panel must go to regulator? if its a 100w panel?
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absolutely must go to some kind of regulator. Given the time of year, I wouldn't worry too much about it until the factory is back and can answer :)
 
SpikeyPoo said:
Iv'e just taken delivery of my new Chausson 640 Titanium Ultimate.
Iv'e had a look on the roof and there is definately a solar panel (looks like a 100w) but for the life of me I can't find the solar controller.
In the 2022 model it was in the cupboard above the fridge (which is where the solar panel lead seems to come in from the roof)
The guy at Lowdhams in Nottingham seems to think that the solar panel goes straight to the Battery Duo Sytem BDS-180 (see pic) which is located under the passenger seat? Iv'e never seen the battery duo system before so havn't a clue whether thats true or not. Googling the Battery Duo System says that its just a electronic device that can manage two service batteries during the charging phases. The manual says that one of its inputs can be from a solar regulator.
If anybody has this years model please give us some advice.
ANY HELP IS APPRECIATED :)

View attachment 65272
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Got mine 640 today (in sweden) and ended up with the same question, following the answers you will get. And allso starting the webasto all the LED lights is flickering for a minute??
 
Pomac said:
Got mine 640 today (in sweden) and ended up with the same question, following the answers you will get. And allso starting the webasto all the LED lights is flickering for a minute??
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Yup - same thing with the lights here - its a bit disorientating - its a good thing I don't suffer from epilepsy!
Also I can't seem to find any english videos on youtube regarding the BDS-180....strange, it must be brand new?
 
@SpikeyPoo
There is absolutely no Solar controller function in this unit because it does not have dedicated PV input (see page 18-19 in the manual)
So hopefully your panels will have to be going via some from of charge controller, ideally not one of those dire cheap and nasty PWM things or maybe (with a big emphasis on maybe) the panels is directly connected to pin 11.

I hope not because that would be a rather daft thing to do from an efficiency perspective, however the manual does not say what the max input voltage is on that connection so who knows, they might be able to get away with it!

Semi off topic I had a van here a few days ago for a quote.
The owner had three solar panels on the roof, each one was individually and directly connected to a single USB socket!
No fuse or anything and amazingly all three had been working for ages, fortunately most so called 12v USB sockets can handle 20V + but again a bit of a daft thing to do!
 
The other way to find it would be to follow the thick positive leads from the leasure battery/s
 
CriftinsCampers said:
@SpikeyPoo
There is absolutely no Solar controller function in this unit because it does not have dedicated PV input (see page 18-19 in the manual)
So hopefully your panels will have to be going via some from of charge controller, ideally not one of those dire cheap and nasty PWM things or maybe (with a big emphasis on maybe) the panels is directly connected to pin 11.

I hope not because that would be a rather daft thing to do from an efficiency perspective, however the manual does not say what the max input voltage is on that connection so who knows, they might be able to get away with it!

Semi off topic I had a van here a few days ago for a quote.
The owner had three solar panels on the roof, each one was individually and directly connected to a single USB socket!
No fuse or anything and amazingly all three had been working for ages, fortunately most so called 12v USB sockets can handle 20V + but again a bit of a daft thing to do!
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Hi i think after many hours search found my unit. It is an REDARCBCDC1225 and its placed under the BDS 180, so hard to see. But yes it´s there :)
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Pomac said:
Hi i think after many hours search found my unit. It is an REDARCBCDC1225 and its placed under the BDS 180, so hard to see. But yes it´s there :)
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This device seems quite expensive to be just a solar charge controller device? - £340 on amazon
This looks like the same device (or similar) as the Battery Duo Sytem BDS-180
Surely a cheap MPPT charge controller would do if its just feeding the BDS-180?
Are you 100% that yours is this device?
I can see a metal box underneath my BDS-180, but can't make out what's in it - mine's under the passenger seat and really difficult to access - I would probably have to remove the passenger seat and possibly the electric table.
 
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FWIW, that Redarc unit is a quality bit of kit. 25A Battery to Battery Charger and MPPT Controller in one.

It is a bit cleverer than the typical B2B/MPPT Charger as it gives priority to the Solar and then makes up the difference to the output rating with Alternator power, so uses both inputs simultaneously when driving which should give the alternator less to do. (Most Combo units, including the previous Redarc BCDC would just switch between the inputs with a relay.)
Redarc kit in their native Australia is revered in the same way as Victron kit is in the UK and is the product of choice for outback campers. I would think it is unusual to find them fitted as a standard item by a Motorhome manufacturer, but it is certainly not a poor or budget choice so a good result there :)

I used to sell the Redarc chargers but didn't do many as they were rather pricey. Switched to the Ablemail range of B2Bs which were better value, made in the UK and actually a better product truth be told.
When I did some comparison testing between a Redarc BCDC1240 (40A output) and an Ablemail AMC12-12-30E (30A Output), I found the Redarc was limited to 36A (so 10% less than rated) and it's output was slightly noisy

BT - Redarc V_C by David, on Flickr

The Ablemail on the other hand actually ran at over its rated output by around 7% (32A rather than 30A) and the output was incredibly stable over 4 continuous hours. I was very impressed with this.

BT - Ablemail V_C by David, on Flickr


Something that is VERY important to note with the Redarc BCDC .... the solar input voltage is limited to 32V. This will suit any "12V" panel around, but you must never connect a "24V" panel or "12V" panels in series as this will take the input above 32V and will destroy the Charger - and Redarc will not cover repairs or even offer it as a service (these units are encapsulated and so virtually unrepairable)/
So if an additional solar panel is fitted, connect in PARALLEL ONLY.

(The above comments about being destroyed were certainly true of the older BCDC without the "D" but I see no reason to expect the newer model has introduced protection against overvoltage damage. Talking Ablemail, the AMS 30A B2B/MPPT Combo unit DOES have protection and disconnects the input if it exceeds 36V)
 
trevskoda said:
Im not a fan of these all in one boxes of tricks, best keep each thing a single unit.
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I agree, get them all in one box and they can organize a gang attack while you sleep.
 
trevskoda said:
Im not a fan of these all in one boxes of tricks, best keep each thing a single unit.
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there are some useful economies to be had though. For example, the Ablemail AMS - which has a 30A MPPT Controller built into it as well as the B2B - is only £40 more than the AMC which is a B2B alone. You'd be very hard pushed to get a genuine MPPT for close to that.
 
I take the Mick but I'm with Trev on this one, it costs more until it goes wrong, also you stand half a chance of getting a new standalone device almost in any large town but to replace a combined unit you could be stuck for ages unless you have the skills to repair the fault, assuming you could diagnose it in the first place.
 
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