Projecta IDC25 DC DC charger
Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 14, 2020 at 18:10
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Trevor G5
Hi, thinking of getting one of these to charge my 2 120ah AGM house batteries. Going to get power from the alternator and a 250W solar panel. Ive read pretty good
feedback but would like to hear from actual users of this brand, thanks.
Reply By: RMD - Tuesday, Jan 14, 2020 at 19:06
Tuesday, Jan 14, 2020 at 19:06
Trevor.
I have one of those, just not the latest version. It charges from the engine alt, via a heavy constant duty solenoid which can be selected to be ON when desired, or off. That function of supply is either the solenoid/relay or a battery isolator switch which locks the battery to the Projecta if need be. I fitted 3 Anderson plugs to it's cables for easy removal or alternate connections as I require sometimes. The Solar has a dual (4th) Anderson to it so I can connect a portable panel to the solar input when needed.
If you can possibly avoid it, don't fit it in the engine bay. Radiant heat and general high ambient will see the Projecta already at elevated temp inside and it will derate itself so it doesn't burn up. That means a limited output although good inputs are connected. Think Cool, and if cool it can put out it's intended current as required. I have measure
mine with 8amps of solar input and high panel voltage and slightly more than 10 amps going to the battery from it's output. That means it IS taking advantage of the solar panel ability and using the MPPT feature of it's design.
Mine is on a 100ah with an additional 40ah attached sometimes.
There are other good brands too, I also have a Enerdrive 40 amp unit if needed, just more $$$$'s.
If you buy a panel which has a maximum OC voltage near to the max solar voltage input, that unit will then take maximum advantage of the amps and peak loaded voltage of the panel to provide it's maximum performance. Doesn't sound like much difference but a couple of solar volts higher at it's input than a lesser panel, will equate to more energy to battery and shorter charge times to float voltage. Just a bit of matching.
AnswerID:
629523
Follow Up By: Trevor G5 - Wednesday, Jan 15, 2020 at 07:10
Wednesday, Jan 15, 2020 at 07:10
Thanks for the information. It’s going in the van behind the front
seat in a “battery area”. I’ve got an Iveco daily.
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Follow Up By: RMD - Wednesday, Jan 15, 2020 at 09:09
Wednesday, Jan 15, 2020 at 09:09
Even so, if the place the DC unit is in doesn't allow full cooling air supply, when charging a large AH battery bank will mean the IDC25 will create it's own heat internally and if it can't get rid of the internal heat while working hard, then it will also derate it's output to some degree which lengthens the charge time as mentioned below.
COOL is good. Some add a switchable computer fan to gently blow airflow over the unit. A very small milliamp draw keeps it cool. Works for fridges and most electrical gear subject to elevated temps.
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904487
Reply By: Phil G - Tuesday, Jan 14, 2020 at 23:32
Tuesday, Jan 14, 2020 at 23:32
I have two of the IDC25 - one for the 130Ah caravan battery and one for the 105Ah second battery in the Troopy. They both work
well and I've used them for a couple of years. I selected the Projecta because it takes the
solar power first and because it has a probe you stick to the battery for temperature compensation. At the time i bought, Redarc did not have those features but I think they may have caught up.
But you have 240Ah of batteries which is a lot for a 25A charger if you are likely to cycle them heavily - it will take all day to do a recharge. Projecta have a 45A version called the IDC45 which might be a better option for you but you would need to run nice thick cable in both vehicle and caravan.
AnswerID:
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Follow Up By: Trevor G5 - Wednesday, Jan 15, 2020 at 07:08
Wednesday, Jan 15, 2020 at 07:08
The main drain will be the fridge which is an Engel 40ltr eclipse. I have 3 lights, a fan, a laptop and will probably be charging a couple of phones. I’m in an Iveco daily van. 2 batteries were suggested as I like to stay remotely. Thanks for your information.
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Follow Up By: Phil G - Wednesday, Jan 15, 2020 at 09:31
Wednesday, Jan 15, 2020 at 09:31
Trevor, OK that's a bit different to what I was thinking.
240Ah of storage and 250W of solar is heaps for what you are running in the Daily. IDC25 will be fine because I don't believe you'll be running down the battery much at all. In fact you could easily get by with a single battery but its nice to have plenty of power in reserve.
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904489
Reply By: swampy - Wednesday, Jan 15, 2020 at 20:29
Wednesday, Jan 15, 2020 at 20:29
hi
Theory
available capacity to us =120ah [50%DOD]
Peak Sun Hours 5.5hrs per day [mainland ozzy in spring summer and autumn] . PSH is solar at 100%
200watts generates 48ah per day
400watt gen. 96ah per day
Mppt and sun out side of PSH is unreliable to measure . Although in reality both of these contribute to power production .
Reality
MAX input is 40amp to charger with max 25 amp output to battery
200watts max output is approx. 11 amps. With mppt 14amps
400watts 22amps and mppt is 28amps
NB
remember to wire alternator to DC2DC with 25mmsq /3 B&S cable
25mmsq over 9mtrs 36amps at .4 volt drop …..This is ideal
13mm sq over 9mtrs 18amps at.4 volt drop Using this will starve the dctodc and may run hotter
AnswerID:
629537
Follow Up By: Trevor G5 - Wednesday, Jan 15, 2020 at 21:08
Wednesday, Jan 15, 2020 at 21:08
thanks for the information but I don’t really understand much of what you have written. I’m not being disrespectful but I have very little technical knowledge on this. Thanks anyway.
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