I am from the sunny coast too and looking at the enerdrive, just confirming that means you are able to hook up 2 solar panels to it, I am wanting a moderate size flexi (160W ish) on the roof always wired in and an additional solar blanket to save me starting the car if I ever need a top up. It will be running lithium 100Ah battery, with fridge, camp lights etc
Ok comparing the Enerdrive and Redarc, i have a Prado 120 series , what will be the better unit, Redarc mounted up front with dual batteries , taking into account Voltage drop to run a rear fridge and accessories from a 100Ah ( Biggest i can fit ) battery under bonnet , or Enerdrive mounted in the rear cargo area, with 170a/h battery in the rear also ?
Under bonnet is good because it keeps the system out of the way and doesn't take up cargo space, but you are limited with battery size. You won't get voltage drop if you use correct sized cabling from an under bonnet dual battery system. An Enerdrive system in the rear cargo area will usually allow for a larger battery, but then you are sacrificing storage space. The decision really comes down to personal preference.
You didn't really cover the limitations in full, otherwise excellent information. Redarc = unlimited solar input Enerdrive = limited input Redarc = Simultaneously charging from Solar and alternator. Enerdrive = only one charging source at a time. The redarc 1250D is worth the extra money any day of the week.
Why is the 1250D worth the extra money any day of the week? it's horses for courses really. A 50amp draw from your alternator to a battery that recommends a 40amp charge would mean you've stressed your alternator more and over fed your battery in which case the 1240D would have been more suitable. Lets add some driving at night with spotties that pull about 30amp and now your system for example Nissan GQ (80amp alternator) is maxed out. I'm not saying you're wrong as perhaps you have a larger alternator and you run lithiums that can handle a larger charge rate but i am saying that the extra money for a 50amp charger whether it is worth it or not is not always garanteed.
We usually prefer Redarc due to their high quality, reliability and the fact they are Australian Made. However, everyone's budget and lifestyle are different so we will recommend whatever suits best.
Great information. I believe with this Redarc BCDC1225D and projecta IDC25L chargers you can use solar and alternator inputs at the same time, with solar input taking precedence. If solar does not provide enough energy the units will draw power from both alternator and solar panels. The enerdrive is either alternator or solar. What main advantages then would going for the two first mentioned over the Enerdrive? I have an 100ah lithium battery and 250w panel.
Can u suggest a battery box with 240v AC socket n other outlets such as cig socket USB merrit Anderson plugs that I intent to put 100ah Lifepo4 inside the box. The box has inverter where I can charge the battery by plugging in 240v. It had pure sine wave similar to arkpak 730p. Secondly your thoughts on arkpak 730p please as portable battery box?
Due to an issue with our Google Brand Account we recently lost all of our responses to viewer comments (all responses prior to July 19, 2020). We apologise that the comments previously made by our channel are no longer visible. If you wish for us to respond to your question again, please feel free to comment again with the question or contact our office direct on 1300 227 353 or info@amae.net.au
Thanks for your comment! If you have a 24v truck charging a 12v Auxiliary battery system the Enerdrive Dc2Dc will be able to handle this application as it can handle up to 32v in for a 12v output.
I'm curious to find out how many amps these thing draw .. I have a bc-dc25 to deep cycle under the bonnet of a Prado and I have a battery box with Powertech 20a dc-dc to LifePo4. The battery box continually switches on off on off on off .. I assume it is trying to draw more than the Redarc can produce ..?
It sounds like you have a 25Ah BCDC fitted in your under bonnet set up. When running 2 auxiliary battery systems it is recommended to run them as independent systems and have their own input off the start battery.
@@accelerateoffgridtouring I am planning on running either the victron bm712 or the enerdrive equivalent as a gauge to give soc, as I'll be running a lithium battery.. Just want a decent lithium charger, these seem good as they have a high volt input for solar, and there really programmable which I like . But they seem confusing at the same time
None of the DCDC chargers listed in this video have the capability of charging the start battery once the auxiliary battery is full. Due to the different chemistry and battery types this is hard to achieve.
@@accelerateoffgridtouring I don't know much about their internals but some units already have Lithium and LA/AGM modes so why not program the unit to auto switch to LA type when sending any excess watts back to the starter battery on a sunny day? I know a deep-cycle AGM is not the same as a starter AGM but it shouldn't need much anyway. Even a small 2A or 5A current would be great to ensure that the important battery under the hood remains in tip-top shape.
Had numerous problems with the BMPRO miniboost pro version - specifically its solar regulation on a normal 200w solar blanket. Let’s surges above through which made my waeco cut out. Checked multiple Dcdc, blankets, batteries, fridges and ended up swapping miniboost out with a Redarc 1225 worked like a champ 👍
Hi Tim, Thanks for your comment! Yes, they aren't cheap but it is also the product we have done the least amount of warranty claims on since we have been installing 12v gear and the after sale support you receive from them is not like any other supplier we have access to. Thanks for watching, Accelerate Off-Grid Touring
Solid review mate!
Glad you liked it
I am from the sunny coast too and looking at the enerdrive, just confirming that means you are able to hook up 2 solar panels to it, I am wanting a moderate size flexi (160W ish) on the roof always wired in and an additional solar blanket to save me starting the car if I ever need a top up. It will be running lithium 100Ah battery, with fridge, camp lights etc
Enerdrive DC2DC charger can handle up to 500w with panels
just watched,good video,informative without a bias
Glad you enjoyed the video!
Agree
Fantastic video. Very informative and just what i needed to choose between the everdrive and redarc option. thanks.
Thanks for doing this video guys, much appreciated
You're welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.
Hi Ben
@@phista1840 hahaha, hi
Thanks great Vid. Any comments about the Redarc not temperature compensating and drying batteries from the continued high voltage. Dave
We have not experienced issues with the units. If you have any concerns, we would suggest contacting the manufacturers direct.
hey are you saying the enerdrive can input 24v and charge 12v ?
Ok comparing the Enerdrive and Redarc, i have a Prado 120 series , what will be the better unit, Redarc mounted up front with dual batteries , taking into account Voltage drop to run a rear fridge and accessories from a 100Ah ( Biggest i can fit ) battery under bonnet , or Enerdrive mounted in the rear cargo area, with 170a/h battery in the rear also ?
Under bonnet is good because it keeps the system out of the way and doesn't take up cargo space, but you are limited with battery size. You won't get voltage drop if you use correct sized cabling from an under bonnet dual battery system. An Enerdrive system in the rear cargo area will usually allow for a larger battery, but then you are sacrificing storage space. The decision really comes down to personal preference.
I would be looking into what effect the heat has in the charger, and the battery....from what I understand, it is very negative for both.
You didn't really cover the limitations in full, otherwise excellent information.
Redarc = unlimited solar input
Enerdrive = limited input
Redarc = Simultaneously charging from Solar and alternator.
Enerdrive = only one charging source at a time.
The redarc 1250D is worth the extra money any day of the week.
Thanks for your feedback and input. Glad you liked the video.
Why is the 1250D worth the extra money any day of the week? it's horses for courses really. A 50amp draw from your alternator to a battery that recommends a 40amp charge would mean you've stressed your alternator more and over fed your battery in which case the 1240D would have been more suitable. Lets add some driving at night with spotties that pull about 30amp and now your system for example Nissan GQ (80amp alternator) is maxed out. I'm not saying you're wrong as perhaps you have a larger alternator and you run lithiums that can handle a larger charge rate but i am saying that the extra money for a 50amp charger whether it is worth it or not is not always garanteed.
Very informative, thank you! Wondering what you think of the Project DC stuff in comparison with the Redarc model?
We usually prefer Redarc due to their high quality, reliability and the fact they are Australian Made. However, everyone's budget and lifestyle are different so we will recommend whatever suits best.
Great information. I believe with this Redarc BCDC1225D and projecta IDC25L chargers you can use solar and alternator inputs at the same time, with solar input taking precedence. If solar does not provide enough energy the units will draw power from both alternator and solar panels.
The enerdrive is either alternator or solar. What main advantages then would going for the two first mentioned over the Enerdrive? I have an 100ah lithium battery and 250w panel.
@@accelerateoffgridtouring Redarc comes in 40A also
@@accelerateoffgridtouring Also 50A for the Redarc
Can u suggest a battery box with 240v AC socket n other outlets such as cig socket USB merrit Anderson plugs that I intent to put 100ah Lifepo4 inside the box. The box has inverter where I can charge the battery by plugging in 240v. It had pure sine wave similar to arkpak 730p. Secondly your thoughts on arkpak 730p please as portable battery box?
Thank you. Have you tested the iTechworld DC-DC chargers?
Hi Paul, no we haven't. We do not stock or install them.
Due to an issue with our Google Brand Account we recently lost all of our responses to viewer comments (all responses prior to July 19, 2020).
We apologise that the comments previously made by our channel are no longer visible. If you wish for us to respond to your question again, please feel free to comment again with the question or contact our office direct on 1300 227 353 or info@amae.net.au
24V SYSTEM IN TRUCK WHICH ONE USE ?
EVERDRIVE DC2DC 40+ UNIT OUT MY DEAD LANDROVER LIKE USE IN MY ISUZU CREW CAB ON 24V POWER WITH 24V 90AMP SUPPY ?
Thanks for your comment!
If you have a 24v truck charging a 12v Auxiliary battery system the Enerdrive Dc2Dc will be able to handle this application as it can handle up to 32v in for a 12v output.
thank you for detail video
what 24v truck system where want 12v power system like high power witch
I'm curious to find out how many amps these thing draw .. I have a bc-dc25 to deep cycle under the bonnet of a Prado and I have a battery box with Powertech 20a dc-dc to LifePo4. The battery box continually switches on off on off on off .. I assume it is trying to draw more than the Redarc can produce ..?
It sounds like you have a 25Ah BCDC fitted in your under bonnet set up. When running 2 auxiliary battery systems it is recommended to run them as independent systems and have their own input off the start battery.
So the enerdrive is the winner for in the back of a wagon?
@@accelerateoffgridtouring I am planning on running either the victron bm712 or the enerdrive equivalent as a gauge to give soc, as I'll be running a lithium battery..
Just want a decent lithium charger, these seem good as they have a high volt input for solar, and there really programmable which I like . But they seem confusing at the same time
Hi would it matter if this unit is about 1m away from the batteries?
So the Enerdrive and the Redarc are both Start Battery isolators as well ?
Hi Annette,
That's correct, they both isolate the starting battery from the auxiliary battery to ensure your start battery never goes flat.
Which ones can also charge the engine's start battery from solar once the aux. battery is full?
None of the DCDC chargers listed in this video have the capability of charging the start battery once the auxiliary battery is full. Due to the different chemistry and battery types this is hard to achieve.
@@accelerateoffgridtouring I don't know much about their internals but some units already have Lithium and LA/AGM modes so why not program the unit to auto switch to LA type when sending any excess watts back to the starter battery on a sunny day? I know a deep-cycle AGM is not the same as a starter AGM but it shouldn't need much anyway. Even a small 2A or 5A current would be great to ensure that the important battery under the hood remains in tip-top shape.
Check out the Renogy 30 & 50a dc dc chargers with MPPT
@@accelerateoffgridtouring The Ctek charger D250SE will do this
Whats a VSR ?
Voltage Sensitive Relay
Had numerous problems with the BMPRO miniboost pro version - specifically its solar regulation on a normal 200w solar blanket. Let’s surges above through which made my waeco cut out.
Checked multiple Dcdc, blankets, batteries, fridges and ended up swapping miniboost out with a Redarc 1225 worked like a champ 👍
The biggest problem with the redarc is their price.. they cost 2 arms and a leg...
Hi Tim,
Thanks for your comment!
Yes, they aren't cheap but it is also the product we have done the least amount of warranty claims on since we have been installing 12v gear and the after sale support you receive from them is not like any other supplier we have access to.
Thanks for watching,
Accelerate Off-Grid Touring
BCDC READARC IS 36V SOLAR
32V