Solar panel add on

Before people go through the pain and expense of fitting additional panels it's worth looking at the root cause of the problem there may be a simpler and much cheaper solution.

The root cause of my problem is the EC500 itself matchlessman which is a drain on the battery just sitting there with nothing else being used.
I’m in the process at present of designing a 12v system that will bypass the EC500 completely (not the solar controller mod which I’ve already done) when off grid but it’s not going to be simple or cheap. It would actually be easier to fit a second panel but I enjoy a project.

When you say "off grid" is that when camping or when laid up?
When laid up definitely shut down the controller which should stop all drain and let the panel and regulator charge both batteries.
When camping off grid, unless not moved for several days  the ec500 drain shouldn't be a major problem. Compared to lights , pump, tv, etc it isn't a lot.

matchlessman wrote:When you say "off grid" is that when camping or when laid up?
When laid up definitely shut down the controller which should stop all drain and let the panel and regulator charge both batteries.
When camping off grid, unless not moved for several days  the ec500 drain shouldn't be a major problem. Compared to lights , pump, tv, etc it isn't a lot.

I agree, when laid up at home I turn the EC500 off at the main button and both batteries are kept fully charged by the solar panel.
However, when camping off grid without moving the van, which I frequently do for 2 or 3 days at a time, the EC500 seems to have a definite impact on battery drain. 
I’ve done tests on a few trips which involve turning the EC500 off for long periods, for example when we are out walking for the day and also at night. Battery drain is vastly improved when I do this.

Here are my opinions based on having an EC700, it probably applies to those with an EC500.

Parked up over winter without EHU, get a separate solar dual controller that's independent of your Sargent system, such as a Votronic Duo or Epever Racer (or single controller with vehicle battery fix such as a battery Master for the vehicle battery charging, but why?). You avoid the current drain from the Sargent system being on, either of these independent solar controllers are smart enough to charge both vehicle and leisure batteries without having the Sargent system powered up, that's means off at the PSU and LCD. You maximise the value of having a solar panel whose power output isn't being eaten up by having a Sargent system being like a parasite being.

Parked up at home with EHU, you can use the Sargent's Smart feature to charge both batteries. If you use a separate hi-tech charger such as a CETEK charger, the smart one has to be you, swapping over your charger between batteries, rather a lot of extra manual work perhaps. With EHU and a Sargent system they are made for each other, though perhaps not as smart as a high tech battery management system such as a CETEK offers, or probably having a separate solar controller. Our previous van's PWM solar controller was rather smart.

Parked on a green field site off-grid in warm weather and away from the van, keep the Sargent PSU on but all off at your LCD, with this the electronic step and fridge are still active. You've mostly minimised the power that the Sargent system consumes.

Parked up on a green field site off-grid in cold weather, put on warm clothing, read books, use the toilet block and hope you've got lots of LPG onboard. Think of those camping in a tent. When we camped without EHU we used a Tilley lamp which gave out plenty of light but heat too, which I once read was about 500W of heat.

Another panel question, I have a factory fitted 80w solar panels on the roof, which is not really man enough for offsite in winter, I have a briefcase style 80w solar panel kit which we used with our old van, it was wired directly to the leisure battery with a quick release plug, Question, can I wire these extra panels directly to the leisure battery and not upset the existing system (sargent 700) to give me approx 160w

Reading these posts about solar panels really shows how much help and advise comes from forum members. Any one thinking of making improvements to there existing system can’t  go far wrong by asking. 
I am lucky to have an older Rienza that came with a 130W solar panel and two leisure batteries,110/100 amp. The wiring is direct to the controller and batteries with a battery master linked to the vehicle battery. Access to all the wiring is fairly easy to get at. Yes it’s an older system but I wouldn’t have the nerve to start pulling a newer system apart and altering the wiring. 
The only thing I have been thinking of updating on mine is the controller and fitting matching batteries but after re wiring with the right size cables I left as fitted for the last four years. 
Good luck with you’re improvements.

Hello--is there a simple description on here anywhere which describes the installation of a single solar panel on a Warwick Duo please? I particularly would like to know where to bring the wires from the panel through the roof and their route to the batteries etc from that point. I understand that I have to avoid the Sargent box but what does the wiring exactly connect to and where please? Thanks, Paul

Hello Ian H , thanks for this. How do I pm you on here please. I'm poor at this ! Thanks, Smithee.