Re: Sargent Technical Support

by Sheppy Mon Sep 30, 2024 8:47 pm

CC
Just a couple of things to consider while you are still there.
Not sure of the age of your van, but if it does not have a Smart alternator then it would have just used the split charge system to charge the leisure battery-be it LA,Gel or AGM. You would not normally have a DC-DC charger in use for these type of batteries with a normal dumb alternator as was in most vans prior to the smart alternator.
DC-DC chargers were then fitted as the split charge system did not give any/enough charge output to the leisure battery’s.
You defo do not want a DC-DC charger and a split charge system running together.
I can’t remember if I mentioned some of this in your other post. I do remember speaking to Sargent for my own van and the split charge system on their system could not be easily disabled and needed a relay to do it before the updated panels included this option.
I mention this, as going back to your lithium installation this should have been done if your DC-DC charger was fitted for the lithium upgrade which I suspect it was otherwise you would have been running with that loop energised at same time.
As you have just had the upgraded panel fitted with the more up to date features and firmware updated to both panel & ECU, I would be confirming that these features are actually working/doing something - the service centre/sargent tech support should be able to confirm this for you.
If you don’t have the smart alternator I would be disconnecting the DC-DC charger for now and confirming the split charge is working while you have the AGM battery in - as that will probably be set for lithium, and although the natural resistance of the AGM will limit current input, lead acid type batteries do not like high current charging.
Understand you don’t want to feel like bothering them but even some beer tokens and maybe 1/2 hr max of time with the technician again will easily complete these checks with a DC clamp on meter/AVO or even the AS APP while engine running to see state of charge of leisure battery.
Then you can follow up with dealer and off grid about the lithium
Cheers Craig

by CC Tue Oct 01, 2024 8:55 am

Yes you are correct Craig, My Broadway has a smart alternator unfortunately, when the Lithium was fitted the split charge relay was disabled by the installer, when they fitted the B2B charger. The previous control panel didn’t have these options like selecting battery type or enabling or disabling the split charge relay like the new panel does.

Really tempted to connect back up the lithium & see how it goes…

by breakaleg Tue Oct 01, 2024 10:47 am

I had two years of similar 12 volt problems with my van.

in the end it was recommended that the 25 amp fuses be replaced by 30 amp fuses which has been done.

At Year two Auto sleeper fitted (at my expense) a b 2 b as i have a smart alternator.

Still blowing fuses, were advised by the service center that the only way to stop the fuses blowing was to replace the lithium battery with a lead acid or keep changing fuses.

phoned Sargent, you need a b 2 b? already have one.

Sargent did they disable the relay?

No Idea

Sargent, go to control panel and select battery.

Not on my panel

Sargent, you need a software update.

Phoned the service center

Service center, pop in and we will update the software.

Luckily they are about forty miles from me.

Went over, Tim updated both the panel and box, selected Lithium it then asked if you wanted to disable relay, yes.

Haven't had a blown fuse all this season so far.

Pete

Will send you a pm with my phone number if you would like chapter and verse otherwise I will be typing to January.

by gassygassy Tue Oct 01, 2024 11:00 am

breakaleg wrote:............

Still blowing fuses, were advised by the service center that the only way to stop the fuses blowing was to replace the lithium battery with a lead acid or keep changing fuses.
............

Oh groan, reading all these problems puts me right off lithium batteries and smart alternators and controllable panels. My idea of a controllable panel is one with rocker switches labelled 'Lights'. 'Water level'. 'Water pump'. 'Fridge'. 'Heater'. I can't think of anything else that needs a switch. And as for 'heater' all I need is a knob. If it's too cold, turn the knob clockwise. If it's too hot turn the knob anticlockwise. It it's just right, leave the knob alone. I can't see why you need to set it to 22 degrees if your current temp is 21 degrees.

Then there is the other problem that I am wondering about. I too fancy fitting a lithium battery but I have read that my solar regulator, as well as my bank might not like it . . . .. . But someone has fitted a diesel heater to my Pollensa, which I know will take more power which is why I was thinking lithium. . . . . . tap_fingers

. . . . but at least it has an alternator that has only passed its 'O' levels and hasn't got a Cambridge degree, and it doesn't have a touch screen panel with multitudinous pits to fall into. Just a regular alternator and electrical switches that go 'click'.

by Sheppy Tue Oct 01, 2024 11:07 am

Pete
Pretty much sums up the 2 main parts.
Most UK manufacturers got caught out with the smart alternator shift, and customer issues with leisure charging via split charge systems until DC-DC chargers fitted, albeit small systems with majority still with LA batteries.
Then the initial AS switch to lithium before the above was put in place and the updated way of disabling the split charge system, from what I’ve read of customer issues initially. Cheers Craig

by Caraman Tue Oct 01, 2024 12:20 pm

CC wrote:.... My Broadway has a smart alternator unfortunately, ...

I wonder when Peugeot started fitting smart alternators? My Boxer was built at the very end of 2018 / beginning of 2019 and doesn't have a smart alternator.

by breakaleg Tue Oct 01, 2024 12:36 pm

my Fiat is a 21 reg

by gassygassy Wed Oct 02, 2024 10:38 pm

Not exactly technical support (actually it is) but today I returned to Willersey to collect my Bourton from a repair job. I was seriously pleased with the work they had done - a bodywork repair and damp drying-out from an outside locker accidentally left open in the rain. A few things the guy told me really impressed me with his knowledge. I told him I also have a Pollensa with a diesel heater someone has fitted, much to my disappointment they had removed the original Carver gas one. My diesel heater has an error code E10. On Ebay you can see exactly what E1 is, what E2 is, what E3 is and so on . . .. but E10 is "Any of the above nine" hugegrins

Anyway he said it will be a low fuel supply level. I said I have got a new fuel pump for it and he said it has to be fitted at an angle of 35 degrees to the horizontal. Anyway I was impressed that a) he helped me and didn't just dismiss it with "can't help you with that, we don't fit those" and b) he knew that it has to be fitted at 35 degrees and it objects if your fuel supply tank goes less than 1/4 full and c) that if you want to run the heater off the main vehicle tank you have to drop the tank and get a special probe and adhesive to fit from the top of the tank.