What split charge relay should i use??

[SystemsWorks]

Good morning,

I now have an extra battery located to the left of the engine bay wired to the hifi, internal camping lights ect.... Instead of taking it out and charging all the time i would like to run a split charge relay.

Im only running an old 1600 single port with a dynamo:

1- Would the dynamo still have enough oommff to power my regular battery and top up the leisure battery?
2- What relay would you guys suggest, heard a few horror stories and i have small children so would prefer if it did not catch alight...lol
3- Can i set up a manual link instead of using a relay, so every time we go on a long journey, just clamp a cable on...or something???

Many thanks for any feedback...

 

[Trikky2]

In your situation I would go for a Zig unit - they come with fitting instructions.

 

[Analog]

i would suggest getting an alternator, dynamos suck at doing anything

and i would see username faux on here for a split charge relay, i bought one from Jon a few days back and its pretty good for just over £17 and labelled as to which cable goes where, havent fitted it myself yet, but cannot see it being a problem

 

[mattd]

Good morning,

I now have an extra battery located to the left of the engine bay wired to the hifi, internal camping lights ect.... Instead of taking it out and charging all the time i would like to run a split charge relay.

Im only running an old 1600 single port with a dynamo:

1- Would the dynamo still have enough oommff to power my regular battery and top up the leisure battery?
2- What relay would you guys suggest, heard a few horror stories and i have small children so would prefer if it did not catch alight...lol
3- Can i set up a manual link instead of using a relay, so every time we go on a long journey, just clamp a cable on...or something???

Many thanks for any feedback...

I spent last year on a relay and a dynamo but have since sacked the relay and gone for a split charge diode due to being safer and easier, this link has loads of info. on what circuit to use etc. http://www.marcleleisure.co.uk/Sund001/SplitCharge01.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; I went for a Sterling marine unit.

I did not have many issues with dynamo and leisure battery but it depends how much you use the battery when away from a charger, my battery only ran sockets for the cooler and internal lights and when on a campsite I never drove enough through the week to maintain enough charge to keep the battery powered up so had to resort to charging it while on the site. This is where I struggled, not having a charger that could recharge the battery and at the same time provide a 12v power source... I now have a charger that can do it.

A ZIG unit can manage all of this in one unit, it chargers the leisure battery from the main battery with the engine running, charges both batteries when on mains hookup and also allows for charging and use of 12v systems at the same time... in hindsight I should have gone ZIG and not separates... (CF8, or if you have a fridge then the CF9).

 

[matt-me]

i would suggest getting an alternator, dynamos suck at doing anything

and i would see username faux on here for a split charge relay, i bought one from Jon a few days back and its pretty good for just over £17 and labelled as to which cable goes where, havent fitted it myself yet, but cannot see it being a problem

as above, speak to/pm faux