VSR with manual override ?

B

Boo2

Well-Known Member
Joined
13 Jan 2010
Messages
8,606
Visit site
Hi,

I already own a BEP 710-300A-12V which is faulty. This is a VSR with a built in switch that can be set to force it to connect or alternatively disconnect in addition to the normal VSR function which is the switch in the 3rd "auto" position.

Unfortunately BEP no longer make this VSR and I am looking for an alternative. I need the continuous current to be able to cope with a 100A alternator and the peak current to cope with the engine start load (say 300A). I do need the on/off/auto functionality as this is built into the wiring I have already installed.

Any suggestions or pointers gratefully received.

Thanks,

Boo2
 
Boo2 said:
Unfortunately those do not support the on/off/auto functionality I need. Also, I want to be able to start the engine from the house bank if needed.

Thanks anyway,

Boo2
Click to expand...

A VSR is not intended to pass starter current.It merely parallels your bat. banks AFTER the start bat. has been charged sufficiently.It should never carry more than full alternator output,& this would only happen if your start bat was fully charged & you house bank was "flatter than P on a platter".
If you want to use your house bank to start the engine,you must install a manual On/Off battery switch in parallel to VSR. You could use a 1 Both 2 switch wired correctly for this function.
In fact,I can't conceive of a multi bank setup that wouldn't req. a manual Bat "bridging" swx just for emerg. start,in the event the start bat goes bad.
Since VSR can't pull in unless the start bat. is near full charge(if wired correctly),I can't see it ever getting damaged by start current.
If VSR "sense" wire is somehow (incorrectly) seeing a charged house bat.,while start bat. is dead,then it would fry.

Cheers/Len
 
Len Ingalls said:
A VSR is not intended to pass starter current.It merely parallels your bat. banks AFTER the start bat. has been charged sufficiently.It should never carry more than full alternator output,& this would only happen if your start bat was fully charged & you house bank was "flatter than P on a platter".
If you want to use your house bank to start the engine,you must install a manual On/Off battery switch in parallel to VSR. You could use a 1 Both 2 switch wired correctly for this function.
In fact,I can't conceive of a multi bank setup that wouldn't req. a manual Bat "bridging" swx just for emerg. start,in the event the start bat goes bad.
Since VSR can't pull in unless the start bat. is near full charge(if wired correctly),I can't see it ever getting damaged by start current.
If VSR "sense" wire is somehow (incorrectly) seeing a charged house bat.,while start bat. is dead,then it would fry.

Cheers/Len
Click to expand...
The Victron vsr is also a "combiner" allowing manual combining for staarting
 
Len Ingalls said:
A VSR is not intended to pass starter current.
Click to expand...

Mine is.

So is the OP's.

Len Ingalls said:
In fact,I can't conceive of a multi bank setup that wouldn't req. a manual Bat "bridging" swx just for emerg. start,in the event the start bat goes bad.
Click to expand...

How about one where the relay is beefy enough to carry the current, and has a manual switch or button to engage it? Like, say, the one the OP currently has. Or the one, by a different manufacturer, that I have.

Just because you can't conceive of it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

Pete
 
I took a normal VSR, but wired the ground reference wire via a 3-way switch and a relay energised by the ingnition. In my normal mode, the VSR only energises when the voltage is above the threshold AND the ignition is on. Using the switch I can also turn it off, or remove the requirement for the ignition. I also have a simple manual switch to join the batteries for emergency starting, as well as a jump lead, to allow me to use half of the 24V bank.
 
Boo2 said:
I already own a BEP 710-300A-12V which is faulty. This is a VSR with a built in switch that can be set to force it to connect or alternatively disconnect in addition to the normal VSR function which is the switch in the 3rd "auto" position.

Unfortunately BEP no longer make this VSR and I am looking for an alternative.2
Click to expand...

I did a quick google search and found a couple of places which still claim to sell 'em. Could you use the BEP replacement, http://www.marinco.com/en/701-mdvs
 
A smartbank advanced system would do what you want. It does the VS part of a VSR and is connected to a seperate high current relay. The electronics allows emergency paralleling of the batteries whenever required. You would need a spanner to bypass the starter battery completely though.
Will set you back about £200 though
 
Thanks to all who replied, I am quite taken with the BEP 701-MDVS, pricey though it is. Actually, since I posted, the existing one seems to have started to work again and until I know what the issue is/was I will stick with that as it may just have been me being dumb.

Thanks to all who replied,

Boo2
 
Boo2 said:
Thanks to all who replied, I am quite taken with the BEP 701-MDVS, pricey though it is. Actually, since I posted, the existing one seems to have started to work again and until I know what the issue is/was I will stick with that as it may just have been me being dumb.

Thanks to all who replied,

Boo2
Click to expand...

There is not that much in a VSR. Just the sensing circuit and drive to a relay. If the sensor has an indicator indicating operation that might give you a clue as to what the problem is. The relay contacts can take a lot of current especially if used for emergency start. They may have been burned. First thing you need is a way of telling if it is working. A multimeter on low volts semi pernanently connected between the 2 batteries should go to zero when VSR operates. Of course a check on actual voltage as sensed would confirm that voltage has risen to a point where VSR should operate. good luck olewill
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top