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.

 

[ProfJohnL]

I cannot see the point of discussing in detail the responses from these two companies. The fact that one of the parties has expressly declared their products are not Product is not compatible should be enough for the OP to look for alternatives that are compatible.

Consider the consequences under warranty conditions if the OP ignores the negative advice and proceeds with the ill-advised combination, and a failure occurs. The evidence of prior contact with the OP could be enough for the supplier to decline a warranty claim as the OP failed to take specific advice about the partnering equipment.

 

[LJS]

I think it is safe to say that we have pretty much exhausted this topic.

I started this thread to glean as much information as possible in drawing upon the experiences and knowledge of those who have gone down this track in converting away from the Sargent PX300 and electing to swop out for a Victron IP22. and the results thereof. The answer to this was answered many replies ago.

I just want to finish off this thread with my findings and what initiated my thread in the fist place.. During my initial readings and research some time ago, I became suspicious that I was not receiving the desired charge through my PX300. I have been running my Renogy 100ah Lifepo4 coupled to the PX300 for approximately 3 years without incident. The Sargent PSU, PX300 and battery as a result, have not suffered any adverse effects as far as I am aware. Therefore my tests are conclusive in proving that the lithium battery can run off the PX300 albeit not being under ideal conditions and am confident if I were to charge my battery with a dedicated lithium charger, I would receive better results.

I propose to conduct one a further test before I make the decision in going with the Victron. I will leave the PX300 in situ however disconnect both positive and negative wires and run them directly to the battery leaving the brown MS (mains supply) wire attached to the charger. I should in theory only lose the battery state of charge information from the control panel above the door. By doing this, the PSU is bypassed and again, in principal, should provide a better charge. This procedure has been done by another owner with positive results although he disconnected the MS wire as well.

My warranty is way out of date hence I don't have to be concerned about voiding warranties.

The responses from both Sargent and Renogy , well, I'll leave that up to you.

If all goes well, I'll leave it at that. If not I'll go with the Victron.

Safe travels, stay safe.

Regards, Les

 

[Oscarmax]

I have always found Victron to be excellent products a 20amp Victron 12v charger approximately £110 or a 30amp approximately £130, both will provide better performance than the over priced Sargent charger.