Gubbins to charge van battery

[oppy]

Any advice on a device to connect the starter battery to my solar panel? I went out to start it today after it being stood for a while and it refused point blanc----damned thing. So, as the leisure batteries are fully charged, is there a device that I can plumb in to the system that would give a controlled charge to the van battery?

 

[st3v3]

It is possible, i'll dig out a diagram later if no-one else comes along....

 

[TJBi]

Van Bitz do the Battery Master: BATTERY MASTER, LEISURE > ENGINE BATTERY CHARGING SYSTEM - Van Bitz
RoadPro sell the Votronic Battery Master: Votronic Battery Master - RoadPro

The latter is significantly cheaper and appears to operate along the same lines as the Van Bitz device. A DIY device using info from St3v3 would presumably be even cheaper if you are happy doing it yourself.

Tom

 

[FULL TIMER]

I just used a duel battery solar panel controller, easy to fit and you can adjust the percentage of charge to each battery bank 12V solar panels charging kits for caravans, motorhomes, boats, yachts, marine

 

[kito]

Just run a heavy-duty fused wire from the + side of your leisure battery to the + side of van battery there's is a good chance that both battery's share a common earth if not just run a - wire Just remember to disconnects it before you try to start

 

[trevskoda]

Any advice on a device to connect the starter battery to my solar panel? I went out to start it today after it being stood for a while and it refused point blanc----damned thing. So, as the leisure batteries are fully charged, is there a device that I can plumb in to the system that would give a controlled charge to the van battery?

This as it splits the charge in two one of which is priority if you like to starter batt.
£25 on ebay.

 

[Articstorm]

gubbins to cgarge van battery

I just run a cable from the solsr panel controller load out to the van battery ,that way you can set it to come on in daylight and off at night I used to end up with the same problem this cured it ,adding a wire from your leisure batteries will drain all the power to the weakest battery and can leave you with nothing hope that helps

 

[st3v3]

The thing Trev posted sounds good, but I've no experience of it. This is what I was talking about, but swap the batteries (VB to equal leisure battery and visa-versa)

 

[pugman]

for a fit and forget automatic solution, (always the best), as you will already have a solar controller, i would go with the votronic. it does exactly what you have asked for.

 

[janstevecairns]

Just ordered the votronic will keep all batteries in good stead from the solar panels.

 

[davef]

A lot of the Voltage Sensing Relays ( VSRs) - the type of split charge relay that doesn't need a wire from the alternator - will work in either direction. When either battery voltage reaches 13.3volts or more the relay closes connecting the batteries together - when both are about 12.7 volts or less the relay opens and the batteries are dis-connected. I have just installed this system, so when the engine is running the alternator charges both batteries, and when the solar panel has charged the leisure battery till it reaches the 13.3 volts, it too charges both batteries.

 

[maxi77]

The thing Trev posted sounds good, but I've no experience of it. This is what I was talking about, but swap the batteries (VB to equal leisure battery and visa-versa)

The problem with this is that if there is a large difference in charge between the 2 batteries the inrush current will be much in excess of the 15A
fuses. The second relay needs to be in the order of 70A and the fuses and cable at a similar level. These days 70A VSRs are readily available at reasonable cost, though standard 70A relays are cheap as chips to add to a smartcom type relay

 

[roghers]

A battery master (I assume that voltronic is similar) type device has the advantage that your starter battery will also be charged whilst on mains hook-up.

 

[Obanboy666]

A battery master (I assume that voltronic is similar) type device has the advantage that your starter battery will also be charged whilst on mains hook-up.

Im no expert by any means but I thought all motorhomes charged both batteries when on ehu ?
Mine does when parked up at home, I leave it on ehu 24/7 as advised by forum members. The charger appears to monitor the leisure and vehicle batteries and charge whichever needs it.

 

[oppy]

Any advice on a device to connect the starter battery to my solar panel? I went out to start it today after it being stood for a while and it refused point blanc----damned thing. So, as the leisure batteries are fully charged, is there a device that I can plumb in to the system that would give a controlled charge to the van battery?

On the regulator for my solar panel there is a spare outlet giving a constant 12 volts, at the moment I have a cigar lighter socket attached to it, would this be a possible van battery connector?

 

[oppy]

Im no expert by any means but I thought all motorhomes charged both batteries when on ehu ?
Mine does when parked up at home, I leave it on ehu 24/7 as advised by forum members. The charger appears to monitor the leisure and vehicle batteries and charge whichever needs it.

Sorry but as one of the peasant classes, my old van doesn't have that capability, or if it does------it's broken

 

[davef]

Vsr

I used a 140 amp Voltage Sensing Relay connected with 16mm cables with 60 amp fuses at each end. The Altec VSR cost £33. Seemed a very simple solution to me, and has the benefit that connecting a battery charger ( or solar charging) to either starter or leisure battery will charge both. On a previous vehicle I had used a very cheap 20 amp VSR which did blow the fuse if the leisure battery got too discharged. The current system seems to be working well.

 

[wildman]

Im no expert by any means but I thought all motorhomes charged both batteries when on ehu ?
Mine does when parked up at home, I leave it on ehu 24/7 as advised by forum members. The charger appears to monitor the leisure and vehicle batteries and charge whichever needs it.

By no means, most vans you have to choose which to charge plus a small portion that will only charge the leisure

 

[oppy]

Looking at the costs and the probable amount of fiddling about that my poor arthritic hands are probably unable to cope with, this seems like a possible solution
15w PV Mono Solar Panel + 10A 12v Battery Charger Controller c/w 5V USB Output | eBay
Or possibly this
SUNDELY 20w 12V Mono Solar Panel Kit 8M Cable 10A Controller Battery Lead w/fuse | eBay

Waddayew think?

 

[trevskoda]

Looking at the costs and the probable amount of fiddling about that my poor arthritic hands are probably unable to cope with, this seems like a possible solution
15w PV Mono Solar Panel + 10A 12v Battery Charger Controller c/w 5V USB Output | eBay
Or possibly this
SUNDELY 20w 12V Mono Solar Panel Kit 8M Cable 10A Controller Battery Lead w/fuse | eBay

Waddayew think?

One good reason to use the kemo m174,no other bits required and can be all sorted in half an hour.