We installed a Volvo D1 30 which was commissioned a few months ago. An electrician did the electrical work. He installed a 240v charger for the 4 batteries. Prior to that I had dismantled the solar with a view to upgrade. Earlier this month I installed the new solar panels along with a Renogy charger. The 240v and Renogy are connected to the same terminal thing, then with a common wire to the batteries. The problem is they "talk" to each other and get confused in what they should do individually. Eg when the sun goes down the 240v charger takes over to charge the batteries, then when the sun comes up the Renogy charger shows that there is a problem on its screen and does nothing. If I turn the 240v one off the Renogy then goes into charge mode and does what it's supposed to do. We have a caravan with the same setup but there is no problem like on the boat. Is there some devise that can stop the problem I have?
I have a similar situation on one vessel it has a small panel to maintain charge whilst not in operation, but when the engine is running neither the engine alternator nor the PV puts out an amp. As you say they talk or more to the point they confuse. I simply put a switch on the PV much the same as you have described, all is good. On the other one I have the redarc dc to dc charger with a mppt solar function, it just does it without me doing anything. But back to your situation if you have the same combo working in a van then it maybe something as simple as a diode ?
Unfortunately I'm illiterate when it come to electrical stuff. I'm hoping that there's a simple fix thingy that I can buy off the shelf and install!
