COMPONENT BUILD

As part of the electrical work I was doing over the last few weeks I was working on the main switch component for the 12V supply. The main reason for such a switch component is the goal to minimise power consumption. Each control component like a valve control, dmx control unit, slide-out controller and any other component use power even on standby. Audio PC, video PC, cameras, NVR and other 12V units add significantly to an idle current which could amount to 3-5 Amp, which is almost as much as a small 12V fridge would use when running continuously, […]

The touch screen is mounted in its bezel, the connection cable for the screen is made and the components are in their box. I use two step down power supplies, one for the Arduino and one for the display. I found the display to be unreliable when powered from the Arduino, it draws too much power and with the Ethernet shield in the stack, which also draws a fair bit of power it would be a bit too much for the Arduino internal power supply. I run 7 V to the Arduino, if I power it directly from 12V […]

After finishing the replacement for the Digital Multi Control screen functions I wanted to add the Modbus communication and test the connection, but it was not as easy as I expected from the Java experience.

The information about Modbus TCP for Arduino is a total mess on the web. Lots of pages for serial communication but not much on TCP, and the stuff you find is dated, unfinished, too big for an Uno and none of the three library attempts were working with the CCGX. I just could not get a proper response. The CCGX received but I always got […]

Amongst other things I have been mainly working on the Java application for my central system. One main part of the new functions was the integration of the Victron devices via Modbus/TCP. Had a few minor hurdles but all good in the end. Still a few open questions with some of the functions of the Victron components but that is for a later stage. I have not yet connected both solar controllers and battery monitors. The chassis battery is not yet in place, also working on that one. I have tested the BMS and the CAN bus connection to […]

I thought I post some information about Lithium batteries. Since the most frequented forum about caravans gets moderated to death I have seen an increase in emails I receive about Lithium batteries. Half information, scare mongering and totally inflated prices have confused a lot of people in the market. Caravan manufacturers go even that far to refuse warranty when somebody wants to install their own battery system.

I have built my own BMS (Battery MANAGEMENT System) as opposed to a Battery MONITORING System. The difference is that it actually balances the cells actively if something goes wrong or switches of […]