Viktron Blue Power IP22 Battery charger as power supply

Terra-Loon

Terra-Loon

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I have a Viktron Blue Power IP22 charger on board which was installed by a local professional marine electrician.

While thinking about upgrading my electrics so that the 12v system could be run off shore I started looking into introducing a relay into the scheme. That's when I noticed that my charger spec says that it can also be used as a power supply.

Does this mean I can do without introducing a relay and if so, how would I connect the charger up differently? It currently feeds directly to the batteries rather than to the negative and positive bus bars.
 
I can't really follow your logic I'm afraid. If you've got 12V batteries and a mains charger then you've already got an offshore 12V system.

All you need to do is install a few 12V cigarette lighter sockets with a suitable fuse (usually 10A) to the bus bars, or whichever socket type suits your needs, and that's it.

Most inverters, transformers and USB chargers have a cigarette lighter input so that's very common on boats.

Richard
 
Gobes said:
I have a Viktron Blue Power IP22 charger on board which was installed by a local professional marine electrician.

While thinking about upgrading my electrics so that the 12v system could be run off shore I started looking into introducing a relay into the scheme. That's when I noticed that my charger spec says that it can also be used as a power supply.

Does this mean I can do without introducing a relay and if so, how would I connect the charger up differently? It currently feeds directly to the batteries rather than to the negative and positive bus bars.
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Leave it connected as at present. Close the isolator and run 12 equipment in the normal way

Surprised you have only opted for IP22 protection rather than IP65 or IP 67
 
Gobes said:
Sorry Vic, can you expand on that. I don't know the difference.
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The IP numbers indicate the degree of mechanical protection ( against probing objects and dust) and waterproofness. The first number indicates the mechanical / dust protection. The second the degree of waterproofness.

Google will find you precise details
 
VicS said:
The IP numbers indicate the degree of mechanical protection ( against probing objects and dust) and waterproofness. The first number indicates the mechanical / dust protection. The second the degree of waterproofness.

Google will find you precise details
Click to expand...

Thanks again Vic. Google did indeed provide the details. The electrician suggested the system, I have to confess ignorance about the protection. I assumed that the unit he installed would be suitable for the conditions.

Re: "Leave it connected as at present. Close the isolator and run 12 equipment in the normal way"

Closing my isolator currently shuts down the entire 12v system, except for the auto bilge pump. I am I misunderstanding something?
 
Gobes said:
Thanks again Vic. Google did indeed provide the details. The electrician suggested the system, I have to confess ignorance about the protection. I assumed that the unit he installed would be suitable for the conditions.

Re: "Leave it connected as at present. Close the isolator and run 12 equipment in the normal way"

Closing my isolator currently shuts down the entire 12v system, except for the auto bilge pump. I am I misunderstanding something?
Click to expand...

Yes probably. " Closing" a switch means switching to "on"
 
Gobes said:
It doesn't work on or off, open or closed but thanks anyway.
Click to expand...

what exactly does not work?

If you are connected to shorepower and the battery charger is on ( presumably your electrician has wired it in to the shorepower system with a switch in the supply so that you don't have to plug it into a socket) , you then switch the main domestic services isolator on and start using 12 volt equipment what happens? Or rather, what does not happen that you were expecting to happen?

There not much in the manual about using it as a power supply.
 
Gobes said:
I have a Viktron Blue Power IP22 charger on board which was installed by a local professional marine electrician.

While thinking about upgrading my electrics so that the 12v system could be run off shore I started looking into introducing a relay into the scheme. That's when I noticed that my charger spec says that it can also be used as a power supply.

Does this mean I can do without introducing a relay and if so, how would I connect the charger up differently? It currently feeds directly to the batteries rather than to the negative and positive bus bars.
Click to expand...

I think we're all rather confused by your post, as it's not clear what you're trying to achieve. Your 12v system can be run offshore, as long as the main switch is on. Your Victron battery charger, when connected to shorepower, will charge your batteries. You don't need a relay to achieve this.

The Victron charger can be used as a power supply - this merely means that it will output 12v without having to be connected to batteries. For most purposes, it has no relevance.
 
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VicS said:
It may well be the model number but it is also the degree of prtection according to the data sheet!
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But what's the problem? We can perhaps assume that the OP's "local professional marine electrician" didn't install it on deck or in the cockpit.
 
pvb said:
But what's the problem? We can perhaps assume that the OP's "local professional marine electrician" didn't install it on deck or in the cockpit.
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There's no problem. I just expressed surprise that the Op had opted for a charger with such a low IP protection rating. IP44 would be the minimum I would choose . I did not notice any Victron chargers to IP44 although they offer some to IP65 and 67
IIRC all the Ctek marine chargers are either IP44 or 65

More to the point what is the OPs problem with the operation of his charger as a power supply. You seem to be suggesting that he believes that it can be used as a 12 volt power supply, independent of the battery, when off shore. I am lost for words if that is the case.
 
VicS said:
There's no problem. I just expressed surprise that the Op had opted for a charger with such a low IP protection rating. IP44 would be the minimum I would choose . I did not notice any Victron chargers to IP44 although they offer some to IP65 and 67
IIRC all the Ctek marine chargers are either IP44 or 65
Click to expand...

Most chargers aren't rated for waterproof operation. My Cristec charger is only IP22. The "world's best seller" charger - Sterling Pro Charge Ultra - is only IP22. If you need more than that, your boat must be incredibly wet inside.

VicS said:
More to the point what is the OPs problem with the operation of his charger as a power supply. You seem to be suggesting that he believes that it can be used as a 12 volt power supply, independent of the battery, when off shore. I am lost for words if that is the case.
Click to expand...

I haven't suggested that at all! The charger can be used as a power supply, ie it can power appropriate 12v loads, without being connected to a battery. But it obviously needs mains power input.
 
pvb said:
I haven't suggested that at all! The charger can be used as a power supply, ie it can power appropriate 12v loads, without being connected to a battery. But it obviously needs mains power input.
Click to expand...

So, setting aside the red herring of IP ratings, what is the OPs problem. He knows that it should operate as a power supply . it says so in the spec. The manual also says a load can be connected while charging

When i suggested that all he had to do was close the isolator he said, "it doesn't work", open or closed ??
 
pvb said:
I think we're all rather confused by your post, as it's not clear what you're trying to achieve. Your 12v system can be run offshore, as long as the main switch is on. Your Victron battery charger, when connected to shorepower, will charge your batteries. You don't need a relay to achieve this.

The Victron charger can be used as a power supply - this merely means that it will output 12v without having to be connected to batteries. For most purposes, it has no relevance.
Click to expand...

I'm certainly confused, as you can tell from my reply to the OP. :(

Now that the OP has clarified that he is not asking how to wire in a 12V outlet, I can only assume that he already has a suitable 12V outlet. The question we are all asking, in one way or another, is what does that 12V outlet actually do when he is not connected to shore-power at the moment? :confused:

Richard
 
RichardS said:
I'm certainly confused, as you can tell from my reply to the OP. :(

Now that the OP has clarified that he is not asking how to wire in a 12V outlet, I can only assume that he already has a suitable 12V outlet. The question we are all asking, in one way or another, is what does that 12V outlet actually do when he is not connected to shore-power at the moment? :confused:
Click to expand...

We shouldn't be surprised; this happens over and over again on these forums. Many people are seemingly incapable of explaining their question clearly. Maybe he'll come back and give more information.
 
Hi everyone. Sorry for the confusion. I thought I'd made it clear with my second post in the thread that there was an omission of a word from the initial post.

In that "Off shore", was missing "power" and was meant to mean as in "want it to work off shore power", I.e independently of the batteries but using shore power as the sole means.

Not as in , I expect a battery charger to somehow run the system at sea, unconnected from the power points at the pontoon.

So, to clarify.

I would like to know. Can I use my charger as a power supply (when connected to shore power, naturally) independantly of the batteries? And if so, how is that wired up. Directly to the - and + buses or via the batteries?
Regards
Rich
 
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