5. Installing Lithium compatible Victron IP22 Charger in our Elddis campervan
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ต.ค. 2024
- We replace the original charger/mains power supply with the Victron BlueSmart IP22 Charger which is Lithium compatible and can be managed via an app over Bluetooth. Installing in our Elddis CV20 Campervan all be it very similar in the CV40, CV60 and CV80 Compass and Elddis campervans and the same principals apply for other types also, all be it the connections may be different.
This increases the power output from 20A to 30A and is also configurable to be optimum for the lithium battery charging.
#victron #ip22charger
You can control various settings and get the status with an app on your phone or tablet.
This is part of a series of videos around my Lithium battery installation which covers each stage and component. I'd recommend watching the full series and the final video to get the most benefit before you embark on this type of project.
When working with electrics, please ensure you're confident in what you're doing and switch the power off before making any changes, make sure connections are secure and appropriate size fuses or breakers are used to protect your van and equipment. Be particularly careful when working with or around mains electric also.
If you decide to do this yourself, this video is just a guide on how I have gone about it to suit my specific purposes and may not be the best way of going about it. Any mods you undertake you need to personally assess the risk before going ahead and whether it's needed or right for you.
Victron Energy BlueSmart IP22 Charger:
www.victronene...
You can also find this on the LeisureBit Amazon Shop in the Campervan Electrical & Electronics list:
www.amazon.co....
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
For the connector for the power supply I used the male plug from the pack below:
1Pair AC250V 10A IEC C14 Male C13 Female, 3 Pins Terminals Inline Adapter Plug Power Socket Connectors
www.amazon.co....
Everything I purchased is a personal purchase and not sponsored in any way.
If you decide to do this yourself, this video is just a guide on how I have gone about it to suit my specific purposes and may not be the best way of going about it. Any mods you undertake you need to personally assess the risk before going ahead and whether it’s needed or right for you.
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Hi David. Interesting vlog, and although I'm not remotely technical, this will have been helpful to many CV owners for sure. Thanks. George and Trish
Thanks George and Trish, really appreciate the comment and support, all the best, David & Rachel 👍
Hi Dave thanks for the video, some great tips, timely reminder about not putting a 30A charger as a direct replacement! I'm going to use the 20A victron charger and a 230ah Lithium. Hope to see you at the next meet up.
Thanks Steve - sounds like a good setup and as you say it keeps it right doesn’t it.
Catch you soon, all the best, David 👍
Hi David, Thanks a lot for putting this series of videos together, very helpful. I'm currently upgrading our 2020 Eldiss CV40 (Waxy) to Lithium, not as complex a job, or as big a battery as yours, but more complicated than I expected originally! Using a 126Ah Ultramax which will just about fit in the existing battery box, and no inverter, etc. Just a 20A charger so I can reuse the existing charger wiring. Thought you (or other viewers) might be interested in current costs:
Ultramax 126Ah lithium battery: 446 from Batterymax, using an online coupon
Victron Energy Bluesmart IP22 20A charger: 138 on Ebay with an Ebay discount
Victron Energy Smart Solar 15A MPPT: 69 on Ebay
Like you, my van is stop/ start, so already has a B2B with dip switch to adjust.
Cheers Don
Thanks Don. Sounds like a great setup especially if you’re not using an inverter and not a bad price at all - you pleased with it? Imagine you will be getting more than twice the usable energy than the battery which came with it? Thanks again, All the best, David 👍
Hi David, just found your videos and they are really helpful indeed. I’m planning a Lithium upgrade in my motorhome shortly. What I was confused at in the video was when you say the issue with changing a 20amp supply to 30amp, you didn’t really explain that. Can it not be done or if it can what needs to be done. Many thanks.
Thank you - the original power supply (aka charger) is 20A and the power distribution unit is designed for that so for the Victron charger I ran separate wires so it safe and can use to the full 30A.
Does that help? Thanks again, all the best, David 👍
Things seem to happen other than in the order of the videos, so you show the app in use here though the battery hasn’t yet been installed. You mention in a previous video that the Elddis wiring is designed for 20A so needs changing for 30A but you don’t say what size and spec of cable you’re using or where you’re running it to. Also you cap a pair of wires towards the end without saying what they do.
I don’t have a CV yet because of the infernal delivery delays so I’m planning but can’t check.
Hi Simon, the ones I cap are the original connector, the reason for capping was just a personal preference as they then hand loose and it stops any risk of the plug contacts touching anything.
If it would be helpful happy to do another vlog in the next few weeks to cover cable sizing - on the one I have marked as number 11 I have some learnings on the high current side and changes I have made based on this. I sometimes assume folks will make a choice on sizing based on the current which is why I’m not specific (eg cable which will carry safely 30A for the charger to battery wiring ) but will include that in future to give a minimum size.
Nice for the compatable components being installed over a series of vlogs, have to say its confused me slightly wiring wise as you couldn't quiet see enough detail (that me though 😉). Maybe a simple wiring diagram when the series is complete ? Nice job though David 👍
Hi Tim, great idea ref the wiring diagram - I was planning to do the lithium battery and fuses/breakers, then the inverter and then bringing it all together (which would make sense to include in that one) and finally a ‘so what’ video which isn’t tech install type but what it enables you to do and how long different battery sizes would last, what power things consume etc - does that make sense? Thanks again, appreciate the feedback - have a great weekend - all the best - David 👍
@@LeisureBit that's sound great David, look forward to it and the next installment so to speak. Yes you to have a great weekend, Kind regards
Hi David, great video, I’m going to fit one to my two 110 batteries in my CV20. Do you have a video to show how I would wire them to my batteries. Cheers Eddie.
Hi Eddie, I think it would be principally the same, except you would use the settings for your two 110Ah batteries. Basically, I have a positive and negative from the charger via cable capable of over 40A continuous connected to the battery with a 40A fuse at the battery end (charger has one at the other end) to protect the cable. Assuming it’s 30A charger you were looking at?
Hope that makes sense?
All the best, David 👍
Hi David, thanks for this very instructive video. I'm planning to install a Fogstar 230AH Lithium battery and was about to order the 20A Victron Charger after watching your video when coincidentally I recieved a callback from my dealer who told me that the Schaudt Booster (WA121525) I have in the system negates the need to change the charger on my 2022 CV40. What do you think?
The Schaudt should be ok to charge as you drive but the CV charger which runs off hookup (mains) isn’t lithium compatible so wouldn’t fully charge the battery (or be warranted if used with Lithium I imagine) - unless it’s recently been updated. Again the Schaudt should be fine for drive n charge.
Hope that helps?
All the best, David 👍
@@LeisureBit Very helpful thanks David, I'm now the proud owner of a Victron Charger and will install it and the Fogstar over the weekend. As with your reply to someone else, I'm using the 20A version so should be able to simply plug in the 2 wires you capped off? I have an MPPT lithium compatible solar converter too, just need to adjust the settings. Thanks for all your videos, extremely informative.
@@timkent0905 thank you - really appreciate the comment 👍 all the best, David
Greetings David.
Did you know if you can couple one of this victron chargers with an exist solar on grid inverter system to charge battery? i mean i Guess technically is possible but as a daily stuff ... Thanks
Hi Abel, I’m not sure as would likely depend on the specifics of the existing system - do you have any more info on it? All the best, David 👍
@@LeisureBitdo you mean voltage and all that? Im aware of that. If i respect all the parameter can I just plug the charger to the home grid to the battery and It works then?
That’s right and what type - I don’t think they were designed for that type of thing but interested to see if you could do something (not suggesting you do though) and see if technically it would be possible with voltages etc.
Hi David love your videos I’m a wee bit confused but I noticed there were two red and two black. 1 pair goes back to battery where dose the other pair go ?
Hi thank you so much for your comment. Rachel here - David is currently @ a 2 day work event but I will flag your question and I’m sure he will reply as soon as he can x
Rachel & David x
Thanks for such useful videos - I'm slowly working through this project myself on an Elddis 275 motorhome. The charger on this model is also the power supply when you are on electric hook up so I will need two victron units or maintain the power supply side of the Elddis system. Just a thought though if you swap the charger using a kettle connector and plug it into where the old charger was are you not powering your charger when switched over to inverter? Or am I missing something.?? Many Thanks
Hi Don, I took out the old charger/power supply and replaced it with the Victron one which serves the same purpose all be it is the right type for Lithium batteries. Rather than using the Elddis wiring, I wired it back to the battery and then the Elddis unit is powered from the battery if that makes sense so everything works as it should.
Hope that makes sense, All the best, David 👍
Why have you used 2 red wires connected to the Victron unit and not 16 mm ?
Hi, thanks for the comment, the 2 red wires, one goes to the battery distribution point and the other goes to the Battery Maintainer. It’s 30A charger and the cable is rated for 45A which I used. Does that make sense - let me know if I’m missing something - all the best, David 👍
Good video! Could you please state the brand or model of the blinds/curtains/ window cover shown in the background? Cheers!
Thank you - let me check for you and will come back and confirm - all the best, David 👍
Hi David enjoying your videos! Just picked my cv20 up few wks back!
Quick question! I take it when on 240 hookup that charger you’ve upgraded charges the leisure battery along with the solar?
Hi Rebecca - hope you’re enjoying your new van! Yes you are absolutely right, if it’s daylight you get charge from both the solar and the mains via the charger, at night just the charger - hope that makes sense ? Thanks for the comment - all the best, David 👍
Hi David, what cable size did you run back to the batteries from the charger please?
Hi, I used 8mm2 for the short run I was using (all be it sizing depends on the cable quality and run) and it seems to work well without voltage drop or heating up. Hope that helps, all he best, David 👍
David does this trickle charge the starter battery as well? Do you loose the electric hookup sign on your master control panell? Mike
Hi Mike - yes the battery maintainer (sterling power one) trickle charges (up-to 3A) the starter / vehicle battery. There’s not any electric hookup sign on my control panel (it’s very basic). But he heater and water heater all detect mains fine so all working as it should in my van. All the best, David 👍
Hi David I'm new to your chanel, but the video on upgrading the mains charger is great. The existing one is just not coping with my new lithium battery. Just one question. We take our van overseas a lot and it coped well with the 110V supply. I notice the Victrpn charger you installed is only specced at 230V. Is there some other component which converts that I have not found yet?
Steve
Hi Steve, where are you going where it’s 110V? The voltage range on the on we have is 180-265V AC so covers most places except North America, South America and Japan.
Well, I had always assumed Europe ran on 110, but you're right it doesn't. So forget that stupid question!
Great info David, I also have a CV20 & looking to upgrade. On the Elddis mains charger, do you know the purpose of the extra red wire? Did you leave it disconnected? Thanks Ray
Thank you - let me check the old charger. I didn’t use the connections back as wanted to isolate from the system installed so it was always clear what it was doing so put a blanking plug on the connector.
I looked further & see that there are 2 red & 2 black wires from the charger to the white connector then only 1 red & 1 white wires, so its clear now. Thanks Ray
@@rayhind5504 Pleased you worked it out - I thought there were just the two in the plug but it had me intrigued. All the best, David 👍
David please excuse my ignorance here. Ok this new charger is better suited for your lithium battery, but what about the vehicle battery. Does the vehicle battery have its own mains charger, or does this victron charger charge the vehicle battery also.
For the vehicle battery I have a battery maintainer connected which routes any surplus power when the leisure battery is charged to the vehicle battery (Sterling Battery Maintainer) - I find it works pretty well at keeping the vehicle battery topped up - it’s a shame you can’t use the Orion in ‘reverse’ to top up the vehicle battery as that would save a component.
So the vehicle battery will charge when available capacity via hookup or solar.
Hope that makes sense?
All the best, David 👍
@@LeisureBit Thanks David
Hi David, only just watched your great video !, In your opinion will I need to change the wiring to bigger gauge for a 60amp b to b? Not sure if I’m honest ! I have a Cv40
Do you mean from the standard wiring or the one I did? Yes to both I suppose :) It depends on the cable length run and the quality of the cable but for 60A you would be best with at least 25mm2 but 32mm2 would be even better (depending on the length of run. Hope that helps, David 👍
@@LeisureBit Thank you for that David I thought as much and it will probably be buried within the floor I’m guessing!, might have to be routed underneath!!
Once again thank you 🙏
Hi. Can I ask what size cable you have from the charger to battery? I’m doing mine now and was going to use 16mm2 cable but it is awkward go get it to go where I need it (1m length but very curvy route!)
Hi, it’s 8mm2 I think (or 6mm, I had both at the time) - it was rated for 50A and charger is 30A - check the rating not just the diameter as quality cable can be thinner for same current - all the best, David 👍
Hi David would you still need one of these before fitting lithium batteries if you already have a dc to dc charger fitted
If you have a DC to DC from the vehicle that will charge when driving the van. I found the Elddis supplied charger wasn’t really lithium compatible- depending on the type of BMS on the lithium battery it can sometimes manage this though. Also wanted a little more ‘grunt’ so if off gridding can charge up with a night on a campsite on mains hookup (or nearly full if not full) - hope that makes sense? All the best, David
Hi David. Our BCA onboard charger has a signal wire.
Testing it, it seems to give 12v positive out. This goes to the control panel to give a signal of ‘mains on’
Could a simply piggy back off the 12v on the victron to replicate this signal?
I wonder if that’s to trigger the hookup alarm if you start the engine if yours has that or some indication of hookup? The 3 output one you could use a spare output but I believe if you just connected the 12v it would be always on (if that makes sense) - have you tried to see what happens if it’s not connected?
@@LeisureBit the control panel just doesn’t show I’m connected to mains and that’s all. It’s not the end of the world but didn’t want to bugger the control panel up.
Hi David
I've just recently picked up my CV80 and I'm looking to install a lithium battery too. My understanding is that the original BCA charger also acts as a 13.8V psu to the power distribution unit via the white connector. Did you bypass this feature? If so, is there a psu elsewhere that I've missed or are you just powering the 12V from the battery even when hooked-up?
Regards
Andy
Hi Andy, yes, that’s right I connected to the battery as wanted assurance of connection and also it’s a 30A charger and the Elddis setup is for 20A so keeps it simpler and safe. The victron charger charges it on hookup. Hope that makes sense, all the best, David 👍
I think his comment relates to something which is also confusing me. The PDU unit presumably has a relay within which diverts power from either the batteries or the PSU when on EHU? The charger, when on EHU, presumably not only charges the batteries, but supplies power to the 12v bus for the lighting etc via the fuse box? It seems now you have nothing powering the fuse box directly from the PSU as you disconnected the power cables, only a charger linked directly to the batteries via the new cables you installed. Is this correct, and is the PDU now fed via another route i.e. feeding back from your batteries, even when on EHU? In other words, are the cables you disconnected simply directly linked to the batteries and provide no other function, so are literally no longer used? Many thanks and nice series of videos.
Hi David,
Thank you for your interesting video. I have the same battery, a roamer 460AH, and same AC charger, a Victron IP22 12V/30A. May I ask a question, do you have to setup the charger using 'Custom' in order to charge the battery correctly or just use the default Li-ion option?
Thank you
Hello, thank for the comment - I currently have it set to The default Li-ion option which seems to work ok but sure there could be some optimisation in customising it.
Be interesting to see how you get on if you tune it up with custom settings.
All the best, David 👍
@@LeisureBit
Hi David, thanks for your reply. I just got the battery and everything. I found out that if I am using the default Li-ion setting, the charge is always in Bulk charge, even the battery gets to 99% full. I tried to change it to Custom settings and set everything according to the parameters Roamer gives, but it is still not going into Absorption. I don't know what is going on. Any ideas? Thank you.
Hi, my wife and I came across your channel recently and have found it very informative given our impending order for a Wildax Solaris XL. We're having the Volt Pack fitted given the increasing issues with LPG as well as aircon, wifi and the TV package. I noted on this video that you have a soundbar fitted underneath the TV. I would be interested to know if it is supplied with brackets to connect to the Avtex TV? Keep up the videos. KRs Sid and Nicola, Rugby.
Hi Sid, Nicola and Rugby, Thank you - appreciated. The Soundbar came with a bracket to mount it under the TV, I’ll be doing a vlog on the Avtex TV, Soundbar and FireTV stick soon (some point in June) which will cover some of fittings. Straightforward enough to install and very handy there too. All the best, David 👍
@@LeisureBit David, thanks for getting back to us. Look forward to seeing the video. Sid and Nicola.
Hi David. How are you charging your house battery when driving? Have you installed a B2B or just using the standard charger supplied with the elddis van conversion. Cheers Dave.
Hi David, I am about to drop in a lithium battery but don’t want to change too much of the original cv20 cabling. Couldn’t you just limit the charger to 15 amps and wire it in to the existing wiring?Can you charge the battery with this charger and draw from the battery at the same time? I’m not planning on upgrading to a b2b, would the existing charge coming from the engine battery be a problem for a lithium battery? Tia
Hi Tia, you would normally use a B2B to regulate the charge current to avoid an issue with engine charging (or potentially causing a fire if the cables overheated). Yes you could reduce the current to 15A or even 20A if you didn’t want to run extra wiring (you can get an 18A charger I believe which is slightly cheaper)
The Elddis BCA control box and wiring is set up for the installed battery (AGM/Lead acid type) so not optimised for Lithium hence the need to change to ensure everything works as it should and is safe as it’s a completely different battery type.
Hope that makes sense.
All the best, David 👍
@@LeisureBit Hi David and thanks for the reply. Until I determine that I really do need a b2b charger do you know how to disable the engine charging/split charge relay in a cv20 if its going to cause problems?
Great info, however I am lost with the white socket? You have blanked it off? Do you have some extra wiring going on? Would you normally have to remove that socket to use those wires? Thanks
Hi Steven, the power output from the upgraded Victron charger is more than the wiring is safely rated for which was originally installed (30A vs original 20A) so the connection I blanked off to avoid it short circuiting it it came in contact with anything and wired the 2 cables (+ / -) via a breaker/fuse to the leisure battery directly.
Hope that makes sense, all the best, David 👍
@@LeisureBit ok, so the white socket is the normal route back to the battery?
Sorry for the questions, but if just upgrading to lithium is the b2b required?
Yes, that’s right but via the Elddis electrics it feeds through to the battery.
You need a suitable charger comparable with lithium which is normally a B2B - the reason for this is the battery will draw too much power otherwise and the b2b regulates this - so most probably you will need one if you don’t already have one (I had one already with it being a start/stop smart alternator)
Hi David, one question, if you connect the Victron to the existing feeder to the leisure battery, It's going to the electrical panel and bypass with a 20A fuse. Should be enough to replace the 20A fuse with another 40A fuse and use same cabling or will be it dangerous?
I have replaced the 20A fuse in the control panel for a 30A fuse and I have turned on to see if I can detect overheating or any other issue, the cable don't seem to have overheating, they are almost cold and the charger indicate a stable 24.4A charging to the AGM batteries at the moment
I wouldn’t put a 40a on a 20a circuit - Will the 20a not suffice for the solar or is it the main feed back?
Hi David
Do these modifications affect your van warranty?
Hi Robert, great question, I would assume that the modified parts would impact warranty if there was an issue given it’s a change to the manufacturers spec - I would expect common sense to apply so if the roof light started leaking it shouldn’t be an issue but if electrical stuff broke down as a result of the mods it could be an issue (hence calling out in the video and description to make sure you understand implications) - where it can get tricky is indirect but related changes - such as the control unit breaking down following mods to power supply etc, hope that makes sense? All the best, David 👍
Hi David. If I take out my original 20amp charger and replace it with a 20amp victron IP22 then I assume I can use the white connector rather than running new cables to the battery. Rgds Steve
I think you should be fine so long as it’s not over the original 20A - that said it may charge more efficiently directly but might be worth giving it a go and make sure you are getting somewhere near the full 20A to the battery. The reason I changed mine was it is a 30A charger so beyond the power of the original.
@@LeisureBit .Thanx again
@@LeisureBit Hi David. Me again. Apologies for being such a pain. But the more I look into a lithium set up the more it seems to grow arms and legs. If I install a 20amp IP22 charger (or 30 amp if I can run new cables) why would I need a B2B charger as well ? 🤔. For info I have a 2019 Bailey Autograph 79-4 / Peugeot Boxer. Rgds Steve.
Hi Steve - the B2B is for charging from the van battery as split charge relays are generally not suitable for lithium (as they can draw many amps beyond their capability) so the B2B regulates the charge flow if that makes sense?
@@LeisureBit Hi David . That makes sense. So if I install a B2B do I still need to install a IP22. That’s my last question. Thanks for everything.
Who did you purchase the battery charger off
I got it from Amazon I think at the time but plenty of places had them but think it was the best price I could find at that time - hope that helps, David 👍
Thanks for replying can't find them for £160
Looks like they have gone up to the £180 mark on average now - it was 2021 when I purchased - doesn’t look like there are any decent offers at the minute in the 30A one - sure there will be some coming up but at the moment seems they have gone up 10-15% (like so many things) ☹️
Is this to charge leisure battery or both leisure & starter battery
This is to change to a charger compatible to optimally charge a Lithium battery. there’s another vlog on adding a battery maintainer which then keeps the vehicle battery topped up from the leisure battery when there is any surplus energy available. Hope that helps, all the best, David 👍
@@LeisureBit ok thanks I noticed when you unplug your charger the wires you just block off
Won’t they do something like attach to your control panel or something
Surly those wires are plugged in your charger for a reason
I ask because I have the nord charger which is connected to my control panel while on ehu I can switch to leisure or starter battery but I’m wanting a Victron charger
I only use lead acid batteries tho
X2 110ah leisure and 110 starter
Just very unsure if I can just take out my charger tho and place in the Victron lol
@@LeisureBit and yes I did see your battery master video I also have one thanks
I’m looking into just changing my onboard charger to Victron
@@Elites-asthetic They were for the original charger those wires, but the new charger was rated at 30A rather than 20A so I connected directly to the leisure battery with some cables capable of taking put 40A to avoid overloading the existing wiring and blanked off to make sure nothing touched anything it shouldn’t. Hope that makes sense? All the best, David 👍
@@LeisureBit I get it now lol after a good think and watching this a few times no matter the van these all work the same
Mine Sargent px3000 charger … few questions tho if you can help? When your driving doesn’t this charge your leisure battery not just on ehu so that plug you left out from the charger goes to your mains breaker box to tell it your charger is connected is that right ?
So now how you have set this up charges your leisure battery on ehu that’s what the ip22is a power source and a charger
Hi David, We bought a 2021 Chatsworth CV20 last October and then returned to New Zealand. We return to the UK in May this year and will remain until the end of October. Whilst we've been away Ive been doing a fair amount.of research and amongst other things am considering installing ( or having installed) a lithium battery, Ive been looking at the Fogstar Drift 230ah battery with BMS, heater, app and 10 year guarantee. I would change the present solar controller for a Victron MPPT, the van has a b2b and I was interested to read here that there is a 20amp Victron Charger. I am not electrical savvy at all so was wondering if the 20amp charger would plug straight in without having to worry about the Elddis electrical system. Also we will living in Newcastle upon Tyne do you know of any electrical installers that would be able to do a good job?. Otherwise I could ask Tyne Valley Motorhomes to do the installation as we bought the van from them.
My wife Janey comes from Marske by the Sea so she had a great time watching you videos of the area.... Cheers David.
Hi David, thanks for the comment - sounds like a good choice. With regard to the charger I would imagine so, however I don’t know if the Elddis unit is doing anything with the power output (assuming they aren’t then I think it would be fine as it’s same power as original) - the reason I connected directly to the battery was for simplicity if ever there was a problem.
It’s a lovely area isn’t it.
Let me see if I can find any recommendations- all the best, David 👍
Thanks David….. I had a great reply from Fogstar this morning…. they say their batteries are designed to be a direct replacement for the standard battery installed, and that they should be ok with the installed charger. I still think a more lithium compatible charger would be a better way to go. What I do not understand from your video is the wires with the white box that you unplugged from the original controller….. which were part of the Elddis system….. what would I do with them if I use a 20amp charger?
@@DavidBridgman-e1f Hi David, you could use the wires to connect it up - I blanked them off for safety so I could reuse in the future if I wanted.
Ref the battery company saying it should be ok and as a direct replacement - that’s a bit worrying - the Elddis “charger” is more of just a power supply so isn’t right voltages / design for Lithium (this has been confirmed by the manufacturer) - whilst it may work it’s not going to be optimal unless they have an extremely clever BMS which raises the voltage and can smartly regulate the current. I think you do the right thing to replace it with a proper charger for the job for sure to be safe and get the most out of it.
All the best, David 👍
Thanks David….. I’ll go for the Victron 20amp charger…. and use the Elddis wiring….. cheers David
just re read your reply….. re changing things back should you require to….. that’s a good idea if you want to sell
your van and replace the original equipment. So I may go direct to the battery