Simple Leisure battery question.

[Andy_sheff]

I've searched! But can't seem to find what Im after.
Basically I'm thinking of a leisure battery, is it possible to have the set up so that I can use propex, stereo and interior lights off a leisure battery without having to do some major re wire job? Can it just sit there and have a simple switch to switch which battery is powering the bus? But have it so that it charges the leisure battery once on the move as well as the main battery?

Any links would be good!

Hope that makes sense! :mrgreen:

 

[rickyrooo1]

yes, you can fit a leisure and an additional fuse box to power those items and then fit a split charge relay to charge it whilst driving - although you may occasionally have to charge it via the mains to keep it topped up.

 

[Bobster]

If you try google there are loads of links but what you're describing is the basic leisure battery wiring principle.

You use a relay to ensure the battery is charging as you drive and then when parked up it stops send anything wired to it (via an additional fuse box) takes its power from there, so proper, lights and stereo in your case. You might also want to add an extra 12v socket or two too.

 

[Andy_sheff]

That's good news! But when you say an additional fuse box, does that mean you have to run wires from the stereo and interior lights to it? Or can you just have it so it runs through the original fuse box that's in the van? So when parked up it's just like using the standard battery

 

[Bobster]

If you're wanting to run the stereo and lights from the leisure battery then yes then they should be connected to the new fuse box as this is what you're connecting go the battery itself.

Depending on what you're adding you could put the fuse box at the front of the bus if this makes the wiring easier so then it's only the positive from the battery running through the bus.

Depends on where you're positioning everything really, I added by fuse box under the rock and roll an ran the wires to the stereo and interior light bug then also added two 12v sockets and a battery meter in the rear.

 

[Andy_sheff]

Got ya! So basically, t off the interior light wire and t off the stereo wire before the main fuse box and run them into the new fuse box?
Is there a popular kit out there with a fuse box and the necessary battery terminal wires etc Etc?

 

[Bobster]

Got ya! So basically, t off the interior light wire and t off the stereo wire before the main fuse box and run them into the new fuse box?
Is there a popular kit out there with a fuse box and the necessary battery terminal wires etc Etc?

What do you mean by t off? Just to clarify they shouldn't be running to the main fuse box at all, just the new fuse box. When you connect the relay up this goes to both batteries and your alternator (or generator regulator) from memory so that the leisure is only charged when the engine is running.

With regards to kits JK sell one but I think that the relay included is questionable and you could do it cheaper buying the bits individually. I think that there's a guy on VZI selling more beefy relays.

Definately worth a Google though as it's been a while since I did mine but you should also include inline fuses between the batteries and the relay.

 

[Andy_sheff]

By t off I mean, tap into the wire, so there are basically two wires from the stereo, one to Each fuse box.
Cheers for the advice bob, appreciated. Ile have a Google too. Saw some kits on eBay, not sure how good they are!

 

[Andy_sheff]

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=321174654135" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Bobster]

By t off I mean, tap into the wire, so there are basically two wires from the stereo, one to Each fuse box.
Cheers for the advice bob, appreciated. Ile have a Google too. Saw some kits on eBay, not sure how good they are!

There should only be one live wire to the stereo, from the new leisure battery fuse box (and another for the memory if the stereo has one)

 

[Andy_sheff]

So you actually un wire the the interior lights and stereo from the original fuse box? Does that mean that when your driving there are using the leisure battery ?

 

[Bobster]

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&alt=web&id=321174654135

Looks pretty similar to the ones I was thinking of :-

http://www.volkszone.com/VZi/showthread.php?t=973746&highlight=Leisure" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[Bobster]

So you actually un wire the the interior lights and stereo from the original fuse box? Does that mean that when your driving there are using the leisure battery ?

Yes but the battery is also charging at the same time.

 

[Andy_sheff]

I think I've got my head round it now! :lol:

 

[rickyrooo1]

if you "t off" as you call it, you'll potentionally provide 24v to all your items........ not a good plan, either run a seperate curcuit or if you can't be arsed, carry a spare battery and swap it over on site if you really can't be arsed to wire it all up seperate.

 

[Andy_sheff]

I can be arsed, I like to keep writing as simple as possible. I was thinking last night, I think the simplest way is to take a feed from the original fuse box where the wires go in from each appliance and then take the fuse out. This way if the leisure battery packs up or runs flat or whatever, you can Pop a fuse back in the front and your back to standard system.

 

[jonboylaw]

Andy, it sounds to me like you are over engineering the problem. I would instal some new led light bars and a supply to your stereo and run those off the LB along with the Propex. I've not had any issues with my LB instal and those functions attached to it are non essential. If I do run it down ( very unlikely over night on a 110Ah better) then I start her up and charge the LB. I also have a hookup powering an inboard charger so can use that when at a site.


Sent from my GX64 SatCom phone using Tapatalk

 

[rickyrooo1]

can't be arsed? lol you asked for it simply and that's the easiest way to do a minimum 12v leisure install other option if you want to be proper lazy is to get a start n charge pack with a 12v lighter output and run things off that then re charge it at home..... and leave your stereo and lights as they are then if you flatten the van battery you can jump it off the pack.

 

[Andy_sheff]

Rickyroo, I want it done right without having to re wire everything, that's all, I'm not looking for some quick fix half a job.


That sounds about right jonboy. I don't think I'm over engineering it just deciding what the options are