Portable panels through vans 1250 dc dc

[RobertNotBob]

Simple yes or no please have a Redarc 1250 dc dc in the van this handles the tug power to the van when travelling and the two 100w panels on the van roof.

When parked up and tug disconnected can I run my portable 160w solar blanket through the same line into the 1250

or do I need to run it through a separate line to the battery using a MPPT controller. Cheers Robert

[BruceS]

I'd say separate line & it probably doesn't matter if MPPT or not with minimal solar.
MPPT sometimes will take longer to "start" & "stop" a bit earlier as well.

[Noggins]

If the Redarc is in the van then connect the solar into that, but if it's in the ute then you would have to be connected to it at all times, so having a separate input to the van battery would be good for when the ute and the van are in different places.
But,
I had a similar situation and connected the portable into the ute and then when I went out I'd have to disconnect the van and the portable panel, but the advantage was that I got the power from the solar on the ute as well as the portable all feeding to the van batteries
The Redarc will feed the batteries from the solar first , then the ute ( if it's running )



Ron

[RobertNotBob]

Ron Redarc is in the van thinking of much the same as you. Do have a separate line to the batteries but have been told I need a lithium compatible MPPT if run on the separate direct line. If I can save a quid by going through the Redarc then so be it.

Bruce thank you for your reply cheers to you both Robert