Swopping Sargent PX300 for a Victron IP22 Charger

[LJS]

Hi everyone,

I have a 2013 Swift Challenger caravan and want to swap the Sargent PX300 charger over for a Victron IP22 as the former is not compatible with my Lifepo4 battery.

I know this topic has possibly come up many times in the past and to be honest, I think I have read them all but, still remain confused.

I don't wish to make a mountain out of a mold hill but I am looking for a straight answer from those that have successfully installed a Victron IP22 replacing the Sargent PX300 charger.

I'm fine with every step of installing the IP22 right up to and when it comes to that brown third wire that runs parallel with the battery positive and negative wires that as I understand goes to the control panel above the door indicating shore power connection with the lightening bolt icon. I could just disconnect this wire however, I would really like to maintain the visual on the control panel. If anyone can advise me how to go about his I would be eternally grateful. The situation is compounded by the fact that the Victron does not have a port that I could connect this wire to. I could bite the bullet and engage a sparky but figure it can't be rocket science.

Many thanks, Les

 

[Dustydog]

Hi everyone,

I have a 2013 Swift Challenger caravan and want to swap the Sargent PX300 charger over for a Victron IP22 as the former is not compatible with my Lifepo4 battery.

I know this topic has possibly come up many times in the past and to be honest, I think I have read them all but, still remain confused.

I don't wish to make a mountain out of a mold hill but I am looking for a straight answer from those that have successfully installed a Victron IP22 replacing the Sargent PX300 charger.

I'm fine with every step of installing the IP22 right up to and when it comes to that brown third wire that runs parallel with the battery positive and negative wires that as I understand goes to the control panel above the door indicating shore power connection with the lightening bolt icon. I could just disconnect this wire however, I would really like to maintain the visual on the control panel. If anyone can advise me how to go about his I would be eternally grateful. The situation is compounded by the fact that the Victron does not have a port that I could connect this wire to. I could bite the bullet and engage a sparky but figure it can't be rocket science.

Many thanks, Les

Can’t help, sorry.
Have you spoken to the technical people at Victron?
Or Apuljack.

 

[littlebasher]

I know someone who used a plug in mains adapter to send power down that wire when the caravan was connected to EHU.

Guess you measure the voltage on the wire when on EHU and then get one to suit

 

[IanB1485]

I can't help but to say the LiFePo4 battery isn't compatible with a PX 300 is a myth, most LiFePo4 batteries have an internal battery management system which can accomodate the set voltage the PX300 gives out, which actually can be trimmed up to accommodate the slightly higher voltage the battery requires. Having said that you could always contact Sargent electrical services on 01482 881655 and ask for tech support , they are a great family run firm and always willing to help

 

[LJS]

Hi,

Thank you both for for your responses.

I did contact both Sargent and Renogy by email in relation to my question relating to compatibility of the Sargent charger with the Renogy Lifepo4 lithium battery.

Renogy are advising against using my current charger. Whilst Sargent are having two bob each way by saying the charger is compatible with various lithium batteries ( various being the operative word). So you can probably see why I am confused! Renogy of course could be just trying to drum up business.


(RENOGY REPLY)

"Thank you for the response. As what I can see here on your Battery Charger Manual, the Lithium battery falls to non-standard batteries. If you are going to check on the float charge, the voltage is decreased at stage 3 to 13.6V (Vflt)."

"For Renogy Lithium Batteries, on the parameters, the float voltage is disabled. If you are to use the Battery Charger on the Renogy Lithium Battery, it may fall under misuse. Thus, I suggest not to use the battery charger for the battery that you have."

(SARGENT RESPONSE)

"As far as we are concerned, our PX300 charger is suitable for various lithium-ion battery types ( leaving the door open a bit here). However, we recommend contacting the battery manufacturer and providing them with the technical sheet attached to this email. They should be able to clarify the compatibility."

At this stage I think I will just sit on it. The worst case scenario is if the charger is not compatible, it will eventually destroy my battery (an expensive exercise). If that brown/yellow MS wire wasn't in the equation, there wouldn't be a problem.

Regards, Les