leisure battery charging?

[hipshaker]

i want to fit a charger for my leisure battery and have it connected to the external hook-up so i can have the lesisure battery automatically charging when hooked up.

having looked in the archives it looks like this is viable ........ but, are there any issues about where the charger should be? for safety reasons?

the leisure battery is in the engine compartment.


thanks.

 

[67panel]

zig unit from caravan :?: does it auto,if your bus is wired for mains and 12volts you can change at flick of switch

 

[hipshaker]

so it will do what a charger does? and presumably can be located inside the van with no problem.

 

[71Westy]

I'm just about to fit a leisure battery, with split charging and a mains charger. Looking at the charger market, there's a lot out there at varying prices. Consider what current you need - will you be using the charger just to charge the battery, or perhaps supply the fridge/TV/whatever. Then have a look at options that suit upir battery (I suspect you'll need at least a 3 stage charger to do a proper job). Some chargers have perforated cases for cooling, so inside the van for those. Some have fans, which may not be great inside. Some, like the CTEK ones, are sealed units - I'm thinking about popping one of those in the engine bay. But they are more expensive, and the engine bay temperature is a bit of a concern (they reduce output at ambient temperatures over 50*C) - mind you, they won't be working in there with the engine running (unless you have a very long mains lead ;-)).

Nick

 

[hipshaker]

yes, i was assuming a multi stage charger. i think just to charge the leisure battery as that is what the heater is hooked up to.

i've got four sockets in that van, 2 from leisure battery and 2 from hook up.

which one are you fitting?

 

[lard]

I use a 3 stage charger that has cooling vents and a small fan (though it's never come on!)

it also detects when there is load and if connected acts as a power pack - means I can run my inverter and 12v on hookup

it's a pro-budget charger - I have it under the bed hooked directly into the 12v fuse box - works for me

 

[hipshaker]

still not sorted this yet to my shame.

so, it looks as if a charger can be connected to the 12 volt then. but is there a best way of charging the leisure battery from the main battery? i have a split relay running but the leisure battery went flat a while ago. i will be getting an alternator conversion soon but will this be hugely better?

 

[aogrady]

still not sorted this yet to my shame.

so, it looks as if a charger can be connected to the 12 volt then. but is there a best way of charging the leisure battery from the main battery? i have a split relay running but the leisure battery went flat a while ago. i will be getting an alternator conversion soon but will this be hugely better?

Hi!

I have a basic split charge system running a alternator. I wouldn't use a charger from the main battery to charge the leisure battery as if it's on too long, you may well flatten the main one, thus rendering you stuck if it wont start - though always a good reason to stick the kettle on and have another beer.......

A split charge system will run fine when the engine is running, and should charge the leisure if all is well, i cant offer any advice with a dynamo set up though as mine is alternator. Never had a problem with my leisure getting flat as yet, but only use my inverter for charging the phones, and powering the mac for dvd's etc, so not exactly a high load. And then when you are out and about driving, it should be getting topped anyway.

Another option is to use a normal car battery charger when conneted up to the site electric hook up - or use a caravan zig unit to control all of this like some people on here - think faux, easy and slammedresto use a nice zig set set up (sorry of i am wrong)

Cheers!

Alistair

 

[71Westy]

I believe that if you are using an alternator, the standard split charge relay will be fine - it worked on the motorhome I had. Just make sure the switching circuit is connected to the alternator output that feeds the dash light (is it the "P" wire???). Some of the circuit diagrams on VW forums show this connected to the ignition switch, which can obviously switch in the relay without the engine going - and flatten the main battery.

I am running a dynamo, and am about to fit a voltage sensing self switching relay. This is because on lower revs, I don't think the dynamo will kick out enough to charge both batteries (unlike an alternator). Reading other posts, I'm going to check the voltageit kicks in at, and adjust it make sure the main battery is charged before the leisure battery.

Cheers,
Nick