REDARC BCDC2410 24V 10A in-vehicle DC-DC charger24V 10A in-vehicle charger with MPPT solar input for lead-acid batteries

Overview

The BCDC2410 is REDARC's 10A, 300W charger for 24V lead-acid auxiliary batteries. It runs from a 12V or 24V vehicle on fixed-voltage or temperature-compensating alternators, or alternatively from unregulated 12V solar panels through its MPPT regulator, selected with the blue wire. Profiles A, B and C cover AGM, gel, calcium and standard lead-acid batteries, with a 26.6V float. Fusing is 30A/20A on the input and 15A on the output, and the sealed 150×120×37mm housing can be mounted under the bonnet.

• 24V output at 10A (BCDC2410) or 20A
• Charges from a 12V or 24V vehicle, or 12V solar
• Built-in MPPT regulator for unregulated 12V panels
• BCDC for lead-acid, LFP for LiFePO4 batteries
• LV versions for 12V variable-voltage alternators
• Sealed, fan-free, 150×120×37mm

How it works

These chargers boost or reduce the input to deliver a 24V three-stage charge, so a 12V vehicle can charge a 24V auxiliary bank, or a 24V truck one at the end of a long cable, and they isolate the start battery. Each has a single power input on the red wire: the blue source-select wire tells the charger whether that input is a vehicle battery or an unregulated 12V solar panel, which is then handled by the internal MPPT regulator.

Boost runs at constant current up to the absorption voltage; absorption ends after a set time or when current falls below 4A for 30 seconds, then float maintains the battery. Automatic timeouts restart the cycle if a battery has not completed charging.

Models and battery types

BCDC2410 (10A, 300W) and BCDC2420 (20A, 600W) charge lead-acid, calcium, gel and AGM batteries with profiles A (29.2V), B (30.0V) and C, set with the orange wire, and float at 26.6V. LFP2420 charges LiFePO4 batteries at 28.8V absorption and 27.2V float, with no profile wire. The LV versions, BCDC2420-LV and LFP2420-LV, have lower turn-on thresholds (on at 12.0V, off at 11.9V) for 12V variable-voltage alternators and are not suitable for 24V vehicles.

Installation and compatibility

Mount the charger on a flat surface close to the auxiliary battery, away from heat, with four M6 fasteners; the output cable must not exceed 1m. Output derates above 55°C. For 20A models REDARC specifies at least 13.56mm² cable for 1–5m and 20.28mm² for 5–9m, and MIDI bolt-down fuses: 60A input from a 12V vehicle, 40A from a 24V vehicle, 30A on the output. The BCDC2410 uses 30A/20A input and 15A output fuses.

For alternator charging, connect the blue wire to ignition (12V only on BCDC2420) or permanently to the input positive on non-LV models; never connect it to ignition in a 24V system on the BCDC2420. For solar, leave the blue wire open or earthed, and use unregulated 12V panels with an open-circuit voltage of 17.5–28V (17.5–32V for LFP2420).

Status and protection

Front LEDs show charge mode or profile and charge status; the status LED blinks with a duty cycle that rises with current and stays on at full output. A green wire can drive an external dashboard LED without a resistor. All LEDs flash numbered codes for internal faults, over-temperature, high output voltage or reversed solar polarity, input under- or over-voltage and reverse polarity.

Questions and answers