DIY installation tutorial: Enerdrive DC2DC+ charger + Sprinter van + Lithium house battery

[@ketomuscle2174]

Thanks for the video

[@ComfortablyLost]

thanks for watching Keto

[@richardhertz9011]

Thanks for the video. In the instructions for this is states that for a 'smart alternator', the negative going into the charger needs to be connected to the vehicle side of the 'battery sense module'. Is it just to the negative on the Start Battery or does it need to be elsewhere?

[@ComfortablyLost]

Yep, just needs to be attached to the neg terminal on the starter battery. I also had the same confusion and had to email Enerdrive for clarification. Could use some clearer wording for sure!

[@dperry3enc]

Wondering if you had to get a new connection clamp for the starter batteries negative terminal. I believe I have the same vehicle as you, and am noticing that there is no easy way to stack an additional lug on the negative terminal for the starter battery.

[@ComfortablyLost]

There's a factory negative mounting bolt underneath the driver's seat to use. Don't worry about connecting the negative directly to the battery. The bolt is specifically designed for upfitters when installing aux batteries and other accessories for easier access. I show the negative mounting point in this video at 5:46. Hope that helps!

[@Grammapama]

Thanks but ... I still might have to hire some help with this. Love the accent!

[@ComfortablyLost]

Good luck. Hopefully you have it all working nicely once finished!

[@Scrambler85]

Very well done

[@ComfortablyLost]

thanks JG

[@mtc580522]

thanks . Can you tell me what year sprinter van? and the sprinter alternator max current is 220 A?

[@ComfortablyLost]

It's a 2014 model (constructed in October 2013) with a 3 phase 14V/180A Valeo alternator according to Mercedes-Benz AU when I contacted them about it with my VIN.

[@linz_in_NZ]

Curious as to why you have this and not just a Voltage Sensitive relay - Do you have to have this type of unit as you have Lithium batteries? Does it also allow you to charge the vehicle battery from the solar too?

[@ComfortablyLost]

Yes it is required as our house battery is lithium and the starter battery is lead acid. They each charge with different algorithms / voltage stages and if we used a VSR it would damage the lithium battery. The Enerdrive DC2DC is one-way only, so no, it cannot charge the starter battery from the solar panels. If you have an all-lead acid system you can get a product from Enerdrive which is a dual volt sensing VSR which CAN charge both ways. But that doesn't have programmable outputs and isn't compatible with the smart alternator or the lithium battery.

[@linz_in_NZ]

Comfortably Lost Thanks, I have an older Sprinter than you, with AGM house battery, so looking at options to utilize the solar to keep the starter battery topped up too. Mine is a weekend and short trip van, without heaps of electrics, so lower battery usage, so I think the solar will be plenty for both batteries.

[@ComfortablyLost]

Definitely have a look at the Enerdrive option then if it's still on the market! Ours worked great in our last van.

[@ozjado]

@@ComfortablyLost but what if you had the starter battery hooked up to another output channel on the enerdrive with the solar panel plugged in... wouldn't it start to charge via solar when the ignition is off

[@dperry3enc]

Thanks for sharing this info. I noticed that you connected your unit to the ignition lead (black/yellow wire) instead of the starter battery (red wire). I believe you prob did this to not deplete the starter battery when engine is not running? Just wanted to see how that is working out as I am trying to figure out how to connect a bb charger myself. Does the ignition lead still provide power after ignition? Thanks

[@ComfortablyLost]

Hi Devin, actually both sources are connected to the Enerdrive DC2DC charger. The main power source is from the starter battery positive terminal, and there's also a cable connected to the ignition terminal under the seat which acts as a signal cable to the DC2DC charger so it knows when the vehicle is on or not. The DC2DC charger doesn't get its main power source from the ignition terminal. The instruction manual provided with the charger will explain it more. Regards

[@dperry3enc]

Comfortably Lost thank you for the clarification. Watched your video again and that makes sense. Appreciate the help!

[@ComfortablyLost]

No worries. Hope it helped make your install easier!

[@DattaGroover]

Are the circuit breakers in your battery box magnetic or thermal?

[@ComfortablyLost]

They are thermal breakers. Standard issue for this sort of application and usage.

[@DattaGroover]

@@ComfortablyLost Thanks. I have used magnetics in similar applications, but they are more expensive (though protect equipment better).

[@paulystp]

Do not install this unit under the bed as the mppt makes a very loud click first thing in the morning when it’s looking for sun and in the afternoon when the sun is going down , so it clicks on and off sometimes for 30 minutes very loud , also the alternator charges for 3 minutes then it shuts down and does a 5 second check of the solar and the starter battery and then back to the alternator for another 3 minutes and continues like that ,so it’s not a constant charge

[@ComfortablyLost]

We don't use the MPPT function of ours, but did not notice any audible clicking sounds when using it as an alternator to battery DC-DC charger. Could it be a defect in your model, or is it well documented?

[@paulystp]

@@ComfortablyLost it’s the mppt that makes a click on and off ,and I thought it was defective, I rang enerdrive and they said it was normal

[@paulystp]

@@ComfortablyLost the mppt has moving parts apparently that’s the clicking and the 3 minute charge by the alternator and a 5 second turn off is in the manual

[@ComfortablyLost]

Sounds annoying! Our Victron MPPTs are silent, which is nice, but they have really bright blinking lights.. which isn't so nice if it isn't properly contained.