Installing 2 Battleborns, question about external solar panel hookup...

CCC
CCC Member Posts: 118
in Battery/Electrical & Solar
2022 320 S Boondock. I am having two 100 heated Battleborns installed inside with the battery cutoff also moved inside. My camper did not have the solar plug installed in the center box and they are putting that in also. So question is if I get some extra solar panels to hook up do I need another inverter or other device to use the extra solar panels?
2022 T@B 320 S Boondock  "UGA", Jeep Gladiator Overland
North Georgia
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Comments

  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,061
    You will need a second controller to pair with your new portable panels.  If you use a Victron MPPT controller, you can network with your current system using the VictronConnect app.  

    An inverter allows you to use the 12V battery with a 120V wired appliance.
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
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  • CCC
    CCC Member Posts: 118
    Sharon_is_SAM said:
    You will need a second controller to pair with your new portable panels.  If you use a Victron MPPT controller, you can network with your current system using the VictronConnect app.  

    An inverter allows you to use the 12V battery with a 120V wired appliance.
    I have the Victron Connect App. Are you saying that I need a second controller or that I can use the Victron in leu of a second controller?
    2022 T@B 320 S Boondock  "UGA", Jeep Gladiator Overland
    North Georgia
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  • Sharon_is_SAM
    Sharon_is_SAM Member Posts: 10,061
    I believe the installed controller will only handle a 15 Amp current.  You need a second Victron controller.  You can use a different brand controller, but you won’t be able to include it in the VictronConnect network.
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
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  • Denny16
    Denny16 Member Posts: 5,431
    Adding a second Victron 75/10 controller is easy, install it between the battery connection and the SAE plug connection.  Then you can network the two Victron controllers together to maximize your charging potential.
     Cheers 
    2018 TaB400 Custom Boondock,  Jeep Gladiator truck, Northern California Coast.
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  • Dutch061
    Dutch061 Member Posts: 765
    edited August 2022
    Based on my observations with a 2020 400 BDL, you will not need to have heated batteries. I installed the optional temperature sensor with my BMV-712 to keep track. If you are using your camper, it will never get cold enough to be an issue. Battleborn can be charged to 25 degrees and have a very intelligent BMS that will disable charging below that.

    I have 4 100 Ah BB's under the bed.

    Brad
    2020 400 BDL aka "Boonie"
    2022 Black Series HQ19 aka "Cricket"
    2021 F-250 Tremor with PSD aka "Big Blue"
    Concord, NC 
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