CBE PC180KIT Camper Conversion Power Management System image 1 CBE PC180KIT Camper Conversion Power Management System image 2 CBE PC180KIT Camper Conversion Power Management System image 3 CBE PC180KIT Camper Conversion Power Management System image 4 CBE PC180KIT Camper Conversion Power Management System image 5 CBE PC180KIT Camper Conversion Power Management System image 6

CBE PC180KIT Camper Conversion Power Management System

£374.99(inc VAT) £475.00
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  Product Description
The CBE PC180KIT brings together everything needed for a reliable electrical setup in one integrated package, making it particularly suited for first-time converters who want proper power management without the complexity of piecing together individual components. This Italian-manufactured system combines a microprocessor-controlled LED display panel with a 16-amp battery charger, 12-volt distribution box, and monitoring capabilities for both vehicle and leisure batteries. The PC180 sits between entry-level panels and the more expensive PC210, offering similar core functionality but with LED indicators rather than a full colour LCD screen.

What sets this apart from basic control panels is the twilight sensor that adjusts the display brightness automatically as natural light fades, keeping the panel readable without being intrusive in the evening. The plug-and-play wiring looms come pre-terminated with multi-plug connectors, which speeds up installation considerably compared to systems where every wire needs individual termination. The split-charge relay handles charging from the alternator whilst driving, the 16-amp CB516 charger looks after mains hookup charging, and the DS300 distribution box provides nine fused circuits for lights, pumps, fridges and other 12-volt loads. One thing to note though is this kit's designed specifically for lead-acid batteries and vehicles with conventional alternators. If your van has a Euro 5 or later smart alternator, you'll need to add a separate battery-to-battery charger and disable the built-in split charge facility following CBE's instructions.

The control panel dimensions are 190mm by 130mm, which fits neatly into most dashboard or overhead locker locations, and the modular components allow the distribution boxes and charger to be tucked away out of sight behind panels or under seats. The system monitors fresh water levels through an optional probe (sold separately at around 500mm length, which can be trimmed to suit your tank depth), includes screw probes for waste water high-level alarms, and provides voltage monitoring for both batteries with LED bar displays rather than precise voltage readouts. The battery monitoring shows charge levels as a percentage display, though it's worth understanding this actually reads voltage rather than true capacity, so the display will fluctuate more than dedicated battery monitors with shunt-based measurement. For the money though, the PC180KIT delivers a complete power management solution that's been fitted as standard equipment in countless professional conversions across Europe.

CBE PC180KIT Camper Conversion Power Management System Features


  • LED display panel with automatic twilight brightness sensor
  • 16-amp switching mode battery charger for mains hookup charging
  • Monitors vehicle and leisure battery voltage with LED indicators
  • Nine fused 12v circuits for lights, pumps, fridges and sockets
  • Pre-wired plug-and-play connectors speed up installation

Specifications
  • Control Panel Dimensions : 190mm W x 130mm H for dash mounting
  • Battery Charger Output : 16A maximum current at 14.3V (lead-acid)
  • Distribution Box Model : DS300 with 9 fused circuits, 180x140x85mm
  • Water Tank Compatibility : Waste probes included, fresh probe separate
  • Cable Lengths Supplied : 6 metre control panel cable plus probe cables

Key Features


Microprocessor LED Display : Shows battery levels and water status with button-activated readouts.
Twilight Brightness Sensor : Automatically dims panel LEDs according to ambient light conditions.
16A Switch Mode Charger : High-frequency technology for efficient lead-acid battery charging.
Electronic Battery Separator : Split-charge relay connects batteries when alternator charging detected.
Plug-and-Play Wiring : Pre-terminated multi-plug connectors simplify installation process.

What does the CBE PC180 Kit include?
LED Display Control Panel (190mm x 130mm) :
Quick View     CBE PC180 Control Panel

Switch Mode Battery Charger 16 amp :
Quick View     CBE 12V/16A Switch Mode Battery Charger CB516-3

12v Distribution Box (and fuses) :
Quick View     CBE DS305-UK Distribution Box CBE

Circuit breaker 25 amp RCD, 2 x 13 amp MCB :
Quick View     CBE DS123-UK 230Volt Distibution Box

Couple screws, connections and pins
*Fresh water probe is not included in kit. (These are available to purchase seperately.)

Associated Products
Quick View     CBE PC180 Control Panel


Frequently Asked Questions

What comes included in the CBE PC180KIT package?
The kit includes the PC180 LED control panel, DS300 12-volt distribution box with protection fuses, CB516 16-amp switching mode battery charger, screw probes for waste water tank monitoring, 6-metre control panel cable, and a 50-amp fuse with holder for battery connections. The fresh water tank probe is not included and must be purchased separately to suit your specific tank depth.
Can I use the PC180KIT with lithium leisure batteries?
The PC180KIT is designed specifically for lead-acid and gel batteries, not lithium. The included CB516 battery charger has charging profiles optimised for lead-acid chemistry with 14.1V to 14.3V bulk voltage. The split-charge relay also directly connects batteries when charging, which is unsuitable for lithium setups that require proper battery-to-battery chargers with lithium-specific charging algorithms.
Will the PC180 work with my Euro 5 or Euro 6 van with a smart alternator?
Vehicles with smart alternators require an additional battery-to-battery charger for proper leisure battery charging. The PC180 built-in split charge relay is designed for conventional alternators. You can still use the PC180KIT but must fit a separate DC-DC battery charger and follow CBE instructions to disable the internal split charge facility, as smart alternators vary voltage output for fuel efficiency rather than maintaining steady charging voltage.
What fresh water tank probe length do I need for the PC180?
CBE fresh water probes for the PC180 are available in 400mm and 700mm lengths. The probes can be trimmed to suit your specific tank depth by cutting the mid-length probe to approximately one-third of tank depth and the two longest probes to two-thirds depth. The shortest probe should never be cut as it detects the full tank level. The probe requires a 60mm diameter mounting hole in the top of your fresh water tank.
How accurate is the battery percentage display on the PC180 panel?
The PC180 battery display shows LED bars representing voltage levels rather than true remaining capacity. This means the display will fluctuate as loads are switched on and off or when charging begins, because battery voltage changes under load and charge even when actual capacity remains similar. For precise state-of-charge monitoring you would need a dedicated battery monitor with shunt-based amp-hour counting, but the PC180 voltage display gives a reasonable indication of battery condition for most users.
What does the twilight sensor feature do on the PC180 panel?
The twilight sensor automatically adjusts the LED display brightness based on ambient light levels in your van. As natural light fades in the evening, the panel dims itself to prevent the bright display being intrusive when your eyes have adjusted to darker conditions. You can also manually adjust the dimming level by pressing and holding the brightness button on the bottom right corner of the panel, which cycles through different dim settings that the automatic sensor will then maintain.
How many 12-volt circuits can the PC180 distribution box handle?
The DS300 distribution box included in the PC180KIT provides nine separately fused 12-volt circuits. These are rated with fuses from 3A to 30A depending on the circuit requirements, allowing you to connect lighting circuits, water pump, fridge, USB sockets, and other 12-volt appliances. The distribution box measures 180mm wide by 140mm high by 85mm deep and comes complete with all necessary fuses, connections and pins for installation.
Can I replace an existing CBE PC100 panel with the PC180?
The PC180 is designed as a direct upgrade from the PC100 and uses the same mounting dimensions and wiring connections in most cases. The PC180 adds the twilight sensor and updated LED display whilst maintaining compatibility with existing CBE distribution boxes and chargers. However, you should verify your specific PC100 setup matches standard CBE wiring before purchasing, particularly if your installation has been modified or uses non-standard components.
What is the maximum battery charger output of the included CB516?
The CB516 switching mode battery charger delivers a maximum continuous output of 16 amps at 230-volt mains input. The charger uses high-frequency switching technology for efficient charging with reduced size and weight compared to traditional transformer chargers. Maximum charging voltage is 14.3V for lead-gel batteries or 14.1V for standard lead-acid, with a maintenance float voltage of 13.8V for gel or 13.5V for acid types.
Does the PC180 system include 230-volt consumer unit components?
The standard PC180KIT does not include 230-volt consumer unit components such as RCD protection and MCBs for mains sockets and appliances. Some retailers offer extended PC180 packages that bundle a separate DS120S 230-volt consumer unit with the kit, but the base PC180KIT focuses on 12-volt distribution and battery charging. If you require 230-volt distribution you need to purchase a compatible CBE 230-volt consumer unit separately or choose a different package that includes these components.
How does the electronic battery separator work in the PC180?
The electronic battery separator acts as a voltage-sensing relay that monitors the vehicle battery voltage. When the alternator is charging and voltage rises above approximately 13.7 volts indicating the engine is running, the relay closes to connect both batteries together so they charge in parallel. When the engine stops and voltage drops, the relay opens to isolate the batteries, preventing the leisure battery loads from draining the starter battery. This ensures you can always start your vehicle whilst still charging the leisure battery when driving.
What is the difference between the PC180 and the more expensive PC210?
The PC180 and PC210 provide similar core functionality for power management but differ in display technology and user interface. The PC180 uses LED bar indicators to show battery levels and status, whilst the PC210 features a colour LCD touchscreen display with more detailed information and graphical interface. Both systems include battery monitoring, water level sensing, charging control and fridge management, making the PC180 an affordable alternative if you do not require the premium touchscreen interface of the PC210.
Can I control a three-way absorption fridge with the PC180 system?
The PC180 includes control functions for three-way absorption fridges, allowing automatic switching between gas, 12-volt and 230-volt operation. The system can detect when mains hookup is connected or when the engine alternator is charging to automatically select the appropriate fridge power source. This prevents the leisure battery being drained by 12-volt fridge operation when other power sources are available, though the specific fridge control implementation depends on your fridge model compatibility with CBE control systems.
What cable sizes should I use when installing the PC180KIT?
Battery connection cables from the leisure and starter batteries to the distribution box should be sized according to cable length and maximum current draw, typically 16mm² or 25mm² for main battery feeds with appropriate fusing as close to the battery terminals as possible. The kit includes 6-metre control panel cable and probe cables, but you will need to supply main battery cables, fused at 50 amps or appropriate rating for your installation. Individual appliance circuits use smaller cable sizes matched to their fuse ratings, typically 1.5mm² to 4mm² depending on load and cable run length.
Does the PC180 have protection against overheating or short circuits?
The CB516 battery charger includes thermal protection against overheating and the 12-volt outputs are protected against short circuit and polarity reversal. The DS300 distribution box provides individual fuse protection for each circuit from 3A to 30A depending on the load. The system also includes a main 50-amp fuse and holder for the battery connection. These protection features prevent damage to the system and your van electrical installation in the event of faults or excessive current draw.
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For further information of how to return your item, please visit the "Returning an Unwanted/Faulty/Damaged Item" section on our Help Page.
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