system 4-50 Posted April 19, 2016 Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 I want to use my SmartGauge to enable the domestic 12V electrics and disconnect them if the SoC gets below 50%. For this I need a relay. This relay has got to be reliable or I will have no lighting etc! I like the sound of the relay that Gibbo provides with the SmartBank. Is this suitable? He refuses to sell it except as part of a SmartBank. Annoying, but it is his call. If I buy one with a SmartBank, is there any market for the unwanted SmartBank? Or is there an alternative available anywhere? Any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickhlx Posted April 19, 2016 Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 (edited) I bought the same or a very similar one for another use - I think it is / was called a contactor, rather than a relay, and it is rated at 200A continuous (British amps not Chinese amps !) Its a pretty big and chunky device with huge contacts - I will see if I can find where I got it / more info and edit this. ETA - This was what mine looks like http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Albright-Contactor-SW200A-16-12V-CO-/391356924556?hash=item5b1eb0c28c:g:SngAAOSwgQ9VzfdU As Giant says, you need to know what the max current it will need to pass is, fuse accordingly, and get a relay / contactor that will more than handle that current.... Nick Edited April 19, 2016 by Nickhlx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giant Posted April 19, 2016 Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 I wouldn't have thought there's anything special about that relay.In order to find a suitable part the main thing you would need to know is the maximum current it will have to carry and switch. How much current can your domestics collectively draw? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknorman Posted April 19, 2016 Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 (edited) Bearing in mind this relay is going to be energised all the time the domestics are on, I would be concerned about the power consumption of a big relay like that. It might be better to get a bistable (latching) relay ie it is powered to switch it on, powered to switch it off again, and in the mean time not powered. Something like this: http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/non-latching-relays/6900808/ Edited to mention that if you want it controlled by a SB you might have to add some electronics to briefly apply the switching power when the SB changes state, but I'm sure that is within your capabilities! Edited April 19, 2016 by nicknorman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nickhlx Posted April 19, 2016 Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 Yes - I agree with Nick that a bi-stable relay would be better.. The current consumption of mine at 12 volts is 160 mA which is significant at nearly 4 Ah per day Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigste Posted April 19, 2016 Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 So he will not sell you one on it's own. Not much use if you buy a boat with a smartbank fitted with a failed relay. One to be avoided. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
system 4-50 Posted April 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 I wouldn't have thought there's anything special about that relay. So why did Gibbo go to so much trouble to create/organise it, and why would he be so protective about a run-of-the-mill relay? So he will not sell you one on it's own. Not much use if you buy a boat with a smartbank fitted with a failed relay. One to be avoided. The whole point of it is that it is NOT cheap chinese rubbish and doesn't fail. I'm sure they would sell you a replacement on production of a failed one if that ever happened. Nick & Nick - thanks, I will follow it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknorman Posted April 19, 2016 Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 Nick & Nick - thanks, I will follow it up. What is slightly confusing is that the relay I linked to is in RS' "non-latching relay" section and the description is a "non-latching relay" but that is pants, it is a latching relay as the datasheet and connections shows Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robbo Posted April 19, 2016 Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 Victron do a all-in-one device as well for disconnecting the battery on low voltage.. https://www.victronenergy.com/battery_protect/battery-protect Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chalky Posted April 19, 2016 Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 (edited) The obvious answer is a big FET or an IGBT. You wouldn't be switching it fast so the gate drive wouldn't need to be anything special. Edited April 19, 2016 by Chalky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUMPY Posted April 19, 2016 Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 The relay is available from the manufacturer, only problem is I can't remember the makers name. think it begins with B.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyTuesday Posted April 19, 2016 Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 (edited) Infineon make an eval board to show their super low Rds mosfets http://www.infineon.com/cms/en/product/evaluation-boards/DEMO_BATT_SW_V3/productType.html?productType=5546d4624d6fc3d5014dfb19422468c4#ispnTab1 Looks out of stock though Edited April 19, 2016 by RubyTuesday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nicknorman Posted April 19, 2016 Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 Infineon make an eval board to show their super low Rds mosfetshttp://www.infineon.com/cms/en/product/evaluation-boards/DEMO_BATT_SW_V3/productType.html?productType=5546d4624d6fc3d5014dfb19422468c4#ispnTab1 Looks out of stock though That looks the biz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris G Posted April 19, 2016 Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 The relay is available from the manufacturer, only problem is I can't remember the makers name. think it begins with B.... I think it's Albright http://www.albrightinternational.com/ . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GUMPY Posted April 19, 2016 Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 (edited) I think it's Albright http://www.albrightinternational.com/ .yes that's it I was only one letter out I think that SW180 is the one. They do make some nice contactors. Edited April 19, 2016 by Loddon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain_S Posted April 19, 2016 Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 (edited) The relay is available from the manufacturer, only problem is I can't remember the makers name. think it begins with B.... I think it's Albright. Also available from Warn winch distributers. (Although, for this application, a latching one might be better) e.t.a Beaten to it!! Edited April 19, 2016 by Iain_S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WotEver Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 What is slightly confusing is that the relay I linked to is in RS' "non-latching relay" section and the description is a "non-latching relay" but that is pants, it is a latching relay as the datasheet and connections shows Yup, I noticed that and brought it to their attention. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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