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

 

[LJS]

Further to this post, I received a further email from Renogy in relation to their battery and the Sargent PX300 charger compatabiity. As I started this post, I thought it fitting to add the additional information for those who may be interested.

Dear Customer,

Regarding your Sargent PX300 charger, we would like to clarify the following:

1. The Sargent PX300 charger is only designed for standard lead-acid leisure batteries (as shown in the image below), and is not compatible with 12V LFP batteries (our RBT100LFP12S battery is a 12V LFP battery). Therefore, the Sargent PX300 charger is not suitable for use with our RBT100LFP12S battery.

2.We recommend that you choose a charger that is compatible with 12V LFP batteries, and ensure that the charging current of the charger is lower than the maximum continuous charging current of the RBT100LFP12S battery, which is 100A (we suggest a charging current of 20A (0.2C)). The charger should also include protection features such as reverse polarity protection, overcurrent protection, and high-temperature protection. Once you have a suitable charger, you can safely use it to charge the RBT100LFP12S battery.

Finally, we would like to recommend our AC-DC 20A battery charger (SKU: RBC20A1P) as an option for charging your RBT100LFP12S battery.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact us. We are happy to assist you!

Best regards,

Renogy

 

[Dustydog]

Thanks for the update Les.

Have you asked Sargent for their comments on Renogy’s latest letter? Particularly their comments in para 1.?

 

[LJS]

Thanks for the update Les.

Have you asked Sargent for their comments on Renogy’s latest letter? Particularly their comments in para 1.?

No Dustydog, I haven’t taken this any further at this time, I’ve only just received this latest information.

Regards, Les

 

[Oscarmax]

How strange I contacted Fogstar prior to purchasing our Drift ECO 100Ah lithium battery, Fogstar informed the Sargent PX300 is compatible.

 

[otherclive]

Thanks for the update Les.

Have you asked Sargent for their comments on Renogy’s latest letter? Particularly their comments in para 1.?

Sargent’s own data sheets specify the charger as suitable for lead acid batteries, and “ most” AGM batteries. This advise aligns with Renigy,s comments in #6. But Sargent do recognise possible applicability with some “non standard” battery types. They recommend contacting the battery manufacturer.

 

[Dustydog]

Sargent’s own data sheets specify the charger as suitable for lead acid batteries, and “ most” AGM batteries. This advise aligns with Renigy,s comments in #6. But Sargent do recognise possible applicability with some “non standard” battery types. They recommend contacting the battery manufacturer.

Are we reading the same sheets? Renogy say no to the Sargent?

 

[otherclive]

Are we reading the same sheets? Renogy say no to the Sargent?

See Sargent link and Data sheet, and User Instructions

PX300 Charger | Shop | Sargent Electrical

 

[Dustydog]

See Sargent link and Data sheet, and User Instructions

PX300 Charger | Shop | Sargent Electrical

I don’t understand why the two manufacturers are still in disagreeent? Have I missed something🤔

 

[otherclive]

I don’t understand why the two manufacturers are still in disagreeent? Have I missed something🤔

I think it depends on what a “ non standard” battery is, and if it’s compatible with the charging graphs shown. But trying to have a battery manufacturer to commit could be a problem. Not being an expert in these things I think I’d opt for a charger designed for the proposed battery.