A coupla quick questions: My Victron 30 amp DC to DC charger user manual show's two types of set-up...Convertor mode and Charger mode.
Being a Dummy I am having some difficulty understanding the difference, or what the convertor mode does. The set-up procedures for the two are identical except that in the Convertor Mode the final step is to connect to the load, in the Charger Mode the final step is to connect to the aux battery.
I don't understand why convertor mode connects to a load...'load' I understand might be a portable fridge/freezer or similar, why would you not simply connect directly from the tow vehicle battery via an isolator to prevent the starter battery dropping too far...what exactly does the Victron DC 2 DC do in this instance?
Also, if my Victron DC to DC charger is connected to my caravan lithium battery as per the user manual instructions can I also connect a 100w portable solar panel to the input positive terminal either directly or via a solar regulator?
Thanks
Paul
dorian said
10:16 AM Aug 31, 2024
I have some observations, but they relate to a different device. Can you provide a link to the user manual?
TimTim said
02:02 PM Aug 31, 2024
Paul and Pam on Tour wrote:
G'day Dudes, dudesses.
A coupla quick questions: My Victron 30 amp DC to DC charger user manual show's two types of set-up...Convertor mode and Charger mode.
Being a Dummy I am having some difficulty understanding the difference, or what the convertor mode does. The set-up procedures for the two are identical except that in the Convertor Mode the final step is to connect to the load, in the Charger Mode the final step is to connect to the aux battery.
I don't understand why convertor mode connects to a load...'load' I understand might be a portable fridge/freezer or similar, why would you not simply connect directly from the tow vehicle battery via an isolator to prevent the starter battery dropping too far...what exactly does the Victron DC 2 DC do in this instance?
Also, if my Victron DC to DC charger is connected to my caravan lithium battery as per the user manual instructions can I also connect a 100w portable solar panel to the input positive terminal either directly or via a solar regulator?
Thanks
Paul
Hi Paul,
We all have different knowledge in different fields and the point of these forums are to help each other.
The converter mode is to provide a constant voltage to an appliance but yes you can just connect to your battery set it on charger mode and then run any appliance off your auxiliary battery.
Switched-mode converters are DC/DC converters, dedicated to the supply of DC loads with a regulated output voltage and protections against overcurrents and short circuits.
No you cannot connect your solar directly to the DC to DC charger input. The input voltage is 8V-17V and your solar panel will produce more than this. You need to use a solar charger and connect it directly to your battery so that it can determine the battery voltage. Again do not connect the solar charger to the DC/DC charger input.
Guru is the classification given to members based on the number of posts. Tim Tim and Dorian and myself are all considered Gurus according to this site. Even the Webmaster is a Guru.
dorian said
03:08 AM Sep 1, 2024
I can't understand why you would ever select power supply mode when a house battery is connected to the output. Does the device have a battery sensing feature that prevents this from happening?
TimTim said
03:29 PM Sep 1, 2024
My pleasure.
I should add, just so not to confuse people, some DC to DC chargers do have a solar input whereas Victron have decided not to design them this way. There are many other manufacturers that produce them without solar input. Then of course they are less expensive than those with it.
If you have LiFePO4 batteries then having seperate components can be an advantage as they can be charged with higher currents. So in effect you can charge with a high amp DC to DC charger as you drive along and at the same time a high amp solar controller. We are all different in our camping styles, travelling styles and power usage so there are very few systems that are the same. Some travellers may not need that much charging power.
G'day Dudes, dudesses.
A coupla quick questions: My Victron 30 amp DC to DC charger user manual show's two types of set-up...Convertor mode and Charger mode.
Being a Dummy I am having some difficulty understanding the difference, or what the convertor mode does. The set-up procedures for the two are identical except that in the Convertor Mode the final step is to connect to the load, in the Charger Mode the final step is to connect to the aux battery.
I don't understand why convertor mode connects to a load...'load' I understand might be a portable fridge/freezer or similar, why would you not simply connect directly from the tow vehicle battery via an isolator to prevent the starter battery dropping too far...what exactly does the Victron DC 2 DC do in this instance?
Also, if my Victron DC to DC charger is connected to my caravan lithium battery as per the user manual instructions can I also connect a 100w portable solar panel to the input positive terminal either directly or via a solar regulator?
Thanks
Paul
Hi Paul,
We all have different knowledge in different fields and the point of these forums are to help each other.
The converter mode is to provide a constant voltage to an appliance but yes you can just connect to your battery set it on charger mode and then run any appliance off your auxiliary battery.
Switched-mode converters are DC/DC converters, dedicated to the supply of DC loads with a regulated output voltage and protections against overcurrents and short circuits.
No you cannot connect your solar directly to the DC to DC charger input. The input voltage is 8V-17V and your solar panel will produce more than this. You need to use a solar charger and connect it directly to your battery so that it can determine the battery voltage. Again do not connect the solar charger to the DC/DC charger input.
Good luck
Tim
Guru...a link to the Victron Set-up.
www.victronenergy.com/media/pg/Orion-Tr_Smart_DC-DC_Charger_-_Non-Isolated/en/victronconnect---orion-smart-dc-dc-charger.html
Paul.
Guru is the classification given to members based on the number of posts. Tim Tim and Dorian and myself are all considered Gurus according to this site. Even the Webmaster is a Guru.
My pleasure.
I should add, just so not to confuse people, some DC to DC chargers do have a solar input whereas Victron have decided not to design them this way. There are many other manufacturers that produce them without solar input. Then of course they are less expensive than those with it.
If you have LiFePO4 batteries then having seperate components can be an advantage as they can be charged with higher currents. So in effect you can charge with a high amp DC to DC charger as you drive along and at the same time a high amp solar controller. We are all different in our camping styles, travelling styles and power usage so there are very few systems that are the same. Some travellers may not need that much charging power.
Safe travels
Tim