REDARC SBI concerns - opinions please

[Gruffid]

As the subject says, I have an REDARC SBI212 (not the D - dual sensing version). I bought it several months ago, but procrastinated on the install until last weekend. I followed the installation instructions and put the 40 amp fuse in-line between the starter battery and the SBI. The SBI is then connected to a custom made battery box with a 100 AH Battle Born 12v battery (with two circuit breakers and a main switch between the SBI and the battery)

Here’s the issue, our gladiators have a computer controlled alternator that ramps up and down output depending on engine load and starter battery voltage. I very rarely see the voltage above 13.8v which is the minimum connecting voltage for the SBI. As a result, my Battle Born battery rarely gets charged.

Am I missing something? Does everyone deal with this? Is there a way to force the alternator to produce peak power? Currently, I have the SBI Force-connect wire (blue wire) connected to AUX-4 switch and I use to activate the SBI if I want the battery charged. But the alternator still only produces excess power (I.e. more than 12.8v) if the computer tells it to.

The only consistently connected power draw is an ARB 37qt fridge that I have set at mid-battery protection and 36*F.

Do any of y’all have any ideas about how to make the SBI/alternator work better? Or are my expectations too lofty for this setup and I just need to go to a battery to battery charger?

Thanks!

Jay

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[chorky]

First thing is first.

what type of battery is your battle born 100AH battery???

If it is lithium you had better go disconnect it immediately. Lithium and AGM (which is what the Gladiator has) cannot be on the same circuit at all! They are not compatible. If it is lithium you are required to use a DC/DC charger or it is risking some very bad things to happen….


Now if its AGM then well you probably need to use a different device anyway because if the relay isnt closing to charge the house battery then not much will change that. I dont think there is any override. But, you could possibly find an override for the relay to force it to close and connect.

 

[darkhorse13]

So I am just taking a stab at this for you and I can delete this post if it's false, but the SBI12 is NOT designed to work with Lithium batteries (which I ASSUME is your Battle Born)

I think you'd either need the SBI12-LLD or a designated charger like the BCDC1225. It doesn't seem that the SBI12D supports lithium either... but at least it's designed for true dual battery heavy duty application.

 

[darkhorse13]

First thing is first.

what type of battery is your battle born 100AH battery???

If it is lithium you had better go disconnect it immediately. Lithium and AGM (which is what the Gladiator has) cannot be on the same circuit at all! They are not compatible. If it is lithium you are required to use a DC/DC charger or it is risking some very bad things to happen….


Now if its AGM then well you probably need to use a different device anyway because if the relay isnt closing to charge the house battery then not much will change that. I dont think there is any override. But, you could possibly find an override for the relay to force it to close and connect.

^^ THIS ^^

 

[TreyK42]

Hey there! I think you need a Redarc BCDC instead. It supports lithium batteries. I run a BCDC 1225D and an Antigravity 100 ah battery in the bed in a battery box box and it works flawlessly. Runs my fridge and all kinds of scene lighting on my bed rack.

Also gives you the option to add a solar panel into the mix if you’re into that kind of thing.

 

[Steven_B]

Same as mentioned above, go with BCDC. Plus this gives you the option of running solar panels. The BCDC has dual inputs (alternator and solar). For variable voltage alternators, you are required to wire an ignition hot trigger so the BCDC knows the vehicle is running. If I remember right (may be wrong) but the BCDC will somehow trick or apply a load to the alternator to trick it into upping the voltage.

I personally went with the 40 Amp version feeding my 200AH lithium in my Alu-Cab Canopy Camper with dual 105W panels mounted to the roof.

https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/...-dual-input-40a-in-vehicle-dc-battery-charger

 

[Gruffid]

First thing is first.

what type of battery is your battle born 100AH battery???

If it is lithium you had better go disconnect it immediately. Lithium and AGM (which is what the Gladiator has) cannot be on the same circuit at all! They are not compatible. If it is lithium you are required to use a DC/DC charger or it is risking some very bad things to happen….


Now if its AGM then well you probably need to use a different device anyway because if the relay isnt closing to charge the house battery then not much will change that. I dont think there is any override. But, you could possibly find an override for the relay to force it to close and connect.

Damn! You know, I think I remember knowing this years ago and forgot that you can’t put two batteries of different chemistries. Yep the BB battery is LiFePo.

I guess I need to get a dc/dc charger. I’m thinking of saving up for the manager anyway, but now I have reasons.

 

[Gruffid]

So I am just taking a stab at this for you and I can delete this post if it's false, but the SBI12 is NOT designed to work with Lithium batteries (which I ASSUME is your Battle Born)

I think you'd either need the SBI12-LLD or a designated charger like the BCDC1225. It doesn't seem that the SBI12D supports lithium either... but at least it's designed for true dual battery heavy duty application.

you’re right. It’s not intended for lithium.

“1. Only use the Battery Isolator for charging Standard Automotive Lead Acid, Calcium Content, Gel, AGM, SLI or Deep Cycle type batteries.”

thanks for that!

 

[chorky]

Damn! You know, I think I remember knowing this years ago and forgot that you can’t put two batteries of different chemistries. Yep the BB battery is LiFePo.

I guess I need to get a dc/dc charger. I’m thinking of saving up for the manager anyway, but now I have reasons.

hey excuses to buy more toys is never a bad thing lol. IMO tho the battery manager system is pretty excessive. Maybe if your living out of the rig…. But if your just running a couple things then the standard 30a DC/DC should fulfill your needs at half the cost

 

[Gruffid]

While I have your attention, my BB 100 AH battery fails to survive the night before the ARB disconnects to protect the battery. I have the battery protect set to medium and the temp set to 36*F. Any idea if this is normal? I thought 100 AH would last longer.

 

[chorky]

Well what are you running off of the battery and for how long?

 

[darkhorse13]

While I have your attention, my BB 100 AH battery fails to survive the night before the ARB disconnects to protect the battery. I have the battery protect set to medium and the temp set to 36*F. Any idea if this is normal? I thought 100 AH would last longer.

That's not normal IMO. I have a dual battery setup with only small Group 25 Full Throttle AGM's and I run a big ARB Elements 63qt. My temp is set at 28*F and MED. I've survived nights in Moab during the summer. Maybe something happened to the BB with the Redarc?

 

[PlayfulBird]

Lithium and AGM (which is what the Gladiator has) cannot be on the same circuit at all!

Yeah you can, the Lithium battery will drain into the AGM as the resting voltage for AGM is lower than the lithium, would take several weeks but if charged and used weekly the two types of batteries can be put in parallel
+
Or set up a proper smart system that connects and disconnect as well as charges them correctly

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