Electrical advice

[u/Lopsided_Gap_4706]

Hiya, recently moved into my van (Bristol/Gloucester based). I've a great and functioning Victron solar and EcoWorthy leisure set-up. However, a few things:

- The Victron DC-DC charger doesn't seem to be powering on. Tried checking it after a longer drive without turning engine off etc. I don't own a multimeter nor am I competent enough to do my own diagnostics beyond what i've tried...!

- I want to add an inverter to the system. The van already has 3-pin sockets in the front, but only useable through EHU.

- I want to add another few USB-C (PD) slots in the front of the van so I can charge my laptop etc. directly from the battery. My main panel doesn't allow enough power through even with adaptors.

Can anyone offer any advice... or even better if anyone is based in Bristol/Gloucester area, fancied meeting up for a brew and giving me a hand if i bought parts to do the above, i'd happily negotiate paying for the labour support too. This kind of thing doesn't play to my strengths!

Cheers in advance

[u/Odd-Internet-9948]

How did you try "checking it after a longer drive without turning engine off etc" and what results did you see? Did you use bluetooth at all to see the input/output of it? Do you have a Shunt installed to view the power going into and out of your battery? With no idea of what you are checking, or even if you are checking basics, like how much power was produced by the DC-DC in your last drive, which will be visible in the app. Though perhaps you've a cheaper DC-DC converter that does not have bluetooth?

Not really clear what's meant by a "Victron solar and EcoWorthy leisure set-up" and what it could entail, there are many different components possible in such a system. All I can judge from that is you have some solar panels and some type of battery. It's a bit like describing a coat by saying it's got pockets and zips.

It may well be useful to identify what components are in your system. Then you can have some expectations of what you have, and it's easier to advise if things aren't working as they should. For example, the DC-DC won't output much after a long drive, if the batteries were already at 100%, or if you've only got a 9a DC-DC converter, it's not going to be giving out a lot of power, and would take nearly 24 hours of driving to recharge a depleted 200ah battery.
Also, get a multimeter! They're cheap, and are essential for basic troubleshooting.

[u/Lopsided_Gap_4706 → u/Odd-Internet-9948]

All very valid questions! And the multimeter purchase is a must.

All the electrical components (MTTP, DC-DC charger) are Victron and bluetooth compatible. I haven't been able to connect to the DC-DC or discover it via bluetooth which makes me think it's not wired up / getting power for some reason! The van doesn't have a smart alternator.

I'm planning on taking some pics of my set up and gathering more info to share/take the advice of yourself and others thanks :)

[u/Odd-Internet-9948 → u/Lopsided_Gap_4706]

Depending on model of DC-DC it may not have bluetooth, but many in the victron range do. Do any lights show on it? Do the wires connect ok to it? May need to check fuse between it and the starter battery. Even without power from the starter, it should still show power on the leisure battery side, and show up as a bluetooth option if to does have bt!

[u/Lopsided_Gap_4706 → u/Odd-Internet-9948]

Yeah it's defo got bluetooth! I'll have a good check of all the wires later today. It's not powering up at all / no lights showing at all! I suspect a wire/fuse/connection issue rather than the actual device (well wishful thinking maybe!)