When is a Leisure battery empty?

Yes very ineresting but, I am still none the wiser.
For instance can I use two 12 volt x 70 Ah wheelchair batts couple together in my van? How do I couple them? i.e + to -, or + to +?
can these be charged from my split relay? I have a williton split charge relay charging my vehicle batt and my present 70 amp LB. Do I just join the other two LB's on the end of the line? what cable/fuses do I use? baring in mind the last time I did any electrical work which was on a vdub beetle I set fire to it and it was write off.
 
baring in mind the last time I did any electrical work which was on a vdub beetle I set fire to it and it was write off.
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Given that a modern motorhome's electrical system is infinitely more complex than that of an old VW, now might be a good time to admit that 12V electrics is not one of your strong points and quit while you are behind.
 
Tony Lee said:
Given that a modern motorhome's electrical system is infinitely more complex than that of an old VW, now might be a good time to admit that 12V electrics is not one of your strong points and quit while you are behind.
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I totally understand your sentiments, but I suspect even the most accomplished auto electricians found when they where less experienced the electrics on a vdub a challenge ?

Certainly this last 3 years necessity and lack of funds to throw about has shaped my skillsets to what I am today.

What are the limits ? I have no idea. other than if you work safely excercise patience the limiting factor is often ourselves ?

The secret I guess is knowing when we have reached our zenith of proficiency ....but of course that is a variable.

I still dont understand electrics, and yet gas systems I now hold qualifications to design and install keeping within legal remits.

I have cross threaded bolts in the past so should I never attempt to touch anything with a thread again ?

Establishing our potential is a real difficult balancing act is my point.

Channa
 
donkey too said:
Yes very ineresting but, I am still none the wiser.
For instance can I use two 12 volt x 70 Ah wheelchair batts couple together in my van? How do I couple them? i.e + to -, or + to +?
can these be charged from my split relay? I have a williton split charge relay charging my vehicle batt and my present 70 amp LB. Do I just join the other two LB's on the end of the line? what cable/fuses do I use? baring in mind the last time I did any electrical work which was on a vdub beetle I set fire to it and it was write off.
Click to expand...

Yes, you can use 2 wheelchair batteries. You connnect them + to + and - to - using the thickest cable you can buy and with as short a distance between the batteries. The other strong advice is to buy the two batteries at the same time, buying the same make and try to get the same batch (if possible). The reason for this is that you are effectively creating one battery (the word battery refers to the lining of the individual cells so all you are doing is increasing the cells). If you have different outputs on the two batteries then the weaker one will pull the other one down.

I personally have an inline fuse between my two (VARTA) batteries, but you could get away with just fusing the two units together. Yes, the split charger should charge the two together (as once joined they are one battery).

You say that you already have a 70ah battery. My advice is to remove this (or keep it as a reserve). If you add the two 'new' batteries to this line then your old battery will pull the power out of the new ones.

On saying all that. I have known people who have, like you, got an existing battery and then just added another in parallel (+ to + and - to -) and had many years of service from the two. It's just not the way I would do it?!!?
 
Thanks for that Info. It was simple and easy to understand and I shall have a go. The LB I have in already is a new sealed lead acid LB from a caravan shop. the wheelchair ones are new out of my stock and are again sealed lead acid. Will the one from Caravan store be different from wheelchair ones? I was told on the Bongo forum that they would not advise using wheelchair batteries. can't understand why not. as they are deep cycle same as the other one.
 
The 'Lesuire Battery' purchased from your caravan shop is a deep cycle battery (or at least, should be assuming your caravan shop is selling the correct batteries). The Wheel Chair batteries are deep cycle batteries.

Right, now you've got that out of the way. I still wouldn't connect the two new batteries to an older existing battery of a different make.

They may claim to have the same outputs but two brands will have slight diffrences (why I recommend buying the bateries together from the same batch so all the componants are the same). Connect them together and the 'one' battery you create will have one strong and one weaker battery. The weaker will pull the stronger one down.

You say the Wheel Chair batteries are 'from your stock'? I assume you can get these at a reduced rate, hence you wanting to use them?
If your existing lesuire battery is still relatively new, couldnt you sell this on to recoupe some money back, or keep as a 'spare'?

Again I must stress, this is my opinion only and you could possibly end up fitting the two new batteries together to the existing one and run for the full life of the vehicle without any problems!!

The worst you will do is pull the best battery down to the quality of the worst one.
 
Hello,

I would proceed with care in regards to using different types of batteries (both old and new). The importance in this is to establish that battery types/construction match, as they to tend to charge at different rates.
Using old with new can lead to complications as kindly explained by another member, BUT you haven't mentioned if the batteries are Open/Sealed Lead acid or Gel, the reason I mention this is that the "Old Dear's" electric wheelchair has a AGM battery. This type of battery will certainly have a recommended maximum charge volt different to the Lead acid types commonly found in the Leisure industry.
Someone has also very kindly explained how to connect multiple batteries together, but it is also worth noting that the thicker the battery joining cable and the closer the batteries are together, the better the battery bank (Certainly if you are using inverters/12v compressor fridges, or want the split charge system to offer the best support to the battery bank). You mention a brand of Split Charge relay, what it the Amps transfer rate? If you are unsure, the relay itself is normally maked on the top, telling you of it's rating. This can certainly be very important when it comes to charging battery banks as most production Motorhomes/campers use a simple and basic 4 pin relay (Rated at 30A max, although they commonly burn out!), and 2.5mm cable, which when using as a wild camper can take an awful long drive to recover the leisure battery bank back to a usable capacity. It has been common practice of mine to upgrade the split charge circuit every time I have changed the motorhome, or close friends have changed theirs as I always encourage a minimum size of battery bank and a good and reliable way of replenishing the energy back into the batteries quickly.

Also if fitted, you need to look at the rating and type of mains charger should you have one fitted.
 
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