Zig unit alternatives?

[froggy]

Are there any alternatives to a Zig?
Have been reading various threads at work concerning Zig units and was wondering if there are any alternative methods / units for fitting electric hook up / leisure battery charging?
I know that i could run a split charge system for the battery's and then run a seperate 240V installation with a battery charger to charge the battery but this just seems a bit messy and means having cables running all over the van.
Anyone installed something different than a zig?

 

[bluenose]

I haven't done mine yet but i've planned it. I work with an electrician who said he'll wire it for me but basically I wanted to have a socket running off an inverter from the leisure battery but also off mains when a hookup was available.

Were doing it so it runs as normally off the leisure battery/inverter but when a hookup is connected it activates contactors to isolate the inverter from the socket and use the mains power instead..

Also included a few little other things like battery chargers so when hooked up charges both batterys fully.

 

[james_stan]

I had the idea (probably not original) that you could use a computer style UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) in place of a ZIg.

You would need to junk teh baby battery that's inside them and wire up to your Leisure battery instead
your mains hook-up then feeds through. You can get quite compact 500-1500 VA versions second hand from 'you know where' maybve cheaper than a second hand zig - not sure. My one doubt is whether the charge current would be very high, but perhaps that wouldn't matter.

James

 

[67westy]

I had the idea (probably not original) that you could use a computer style UPS (Uninterruptable Power Supply) in place of a ZIg.

You would need to junk teh baby battery that's inside them and wire up to your Leisure battery instead
your mains hook-up then feeds through. You can get quite compact 500-1500 VA versions second hand from 'you know where' maybve cheaper than a second hand zig - not sure. My one doubt is whether the charge current would be very high, but perhaps that wouldn't matter.

James

Interesting thought, I've got a couple of small ones with knackered batteries. Might have to look into it further....

 

[r73]

i've already wired up the leisure battery circuit. 12volt sockets, inverter, interior lights and stezza.
mains hook up circuit will be rcd supply to trickle charger and a double socket, with a switch to the leisure battery circuit via a 240vac to 12vdc transformer about 20 quid from maplins)

 

[lard]

The equivilant of zigs appear to be "combi" inverters these days in marine and high end caravan/motor-home systems- these will automatically switch between shore line/leisure battery for 240v and automatically back charge the leisure battery if hooked up

I'm scouting around for cheaper versions of these but to give you an idea:

http://www.caravantechnology.com/12V-Combi-C22.aspx

I'm just wary that Zigs haven't changed much over the last few decades - the later systems seem to have multi stage chargers (at least 4 for sympathetic charging of the LB) and sine wave output inverters for sensitive equipment.

Personally I've just ditched my inverter setup as I realised that I hardly use 240v and when I do I usually have a hookup - all my stuff is 12v now so as I've recently re-installed all my electrics I just didn't bother to put it in - 90% efficiency and a flat battery in no time got me thinking that the cheaper inverters aren't worth it for me - if I'm off the grid there's nothing essential that I need 240v for

If I find anything on the more realistic price from the above I'll post in - did find this:
http://www.manchestertools.co.uk/ne...-2000w-peak-2in1-chargerinverter-p-32859.html

 

[james_stan]

Personally I've just ditched my inverter setup as I realised that I hardly use 240v and when I do I usually have a hookup - all my stuff is 12v now so as I've recently re-installed all my electrics I just didn't bother to put it in - 90% efficiency and a flat battery in no time got me thinking that the cheaper inverters aren't worth it for me - if I'm off the grid there's nothing essential that I need 240v for

I'm inclined to agree with this. Right now 240v would be handy to power my thermo-electric
cooler/fridge but if I get the gas fridge installed I reckon 240 wouldn't be that essential..

James

 

[67westy]

Well I've found my 2 UPS's one has a rating of 210W and the other has 325W. The 210W unit is more slimline so it will probably be the one I try as it will only really be running a laptop with lighting and phone chargers running straight from 12V.

A quick google doesn't reveal any major pitfalls but if someone knows something I don't then please let me know!

I imagine the charging aspect will be quite slow but I don't expect be on 12V only very often the only concern will be if we have a 12V cool box or similar.

 

[strutt]

I have a zig installed, i find it quite useful to have all the 12v into this as everything is fused seperately and have the option of which battery to run from etc......quite cheap of fleabay. but they are way overpriced new!

 

[froggy]

Personally I've just ditched my inverter setup as I realised that I hardly use 240v and when I do I usually have a hookup - all my stuff is 12v now so as I've recently re-installed all my electrics I just didn't bother to put it in - 90% efficiency and a flat battery in no time got me thinking that the cheaper inverters aren't worth it for me - if I'm off the grid there's nothing essential that I need 240v for

I'm inclined to agree with this. Right now 240v would be handy to power my thermo-electric
cooler/fridge but if I get the gas fridge installed I reckon 240 wouldn't be that essential..

James

I dont think i'll bother with an inverter as i only tend to use 240v for the kettle / toaster.
Think a zig would just tidy things up for the 12V distributionn and also allow charging of the leisure battery but not sure of the electrics (old school) but the space required for doing this seperately would require more than the zig.

 

[lard]

Personally I've just ditched my inverter setup as I realised that I hardly use 240v and when I do I usually have a hookup - all my stuff is 12v now so as I've recently re-installed all my electrics I just didn't bother to put it in - 90% efficiency and a flat battery in no time got me thinking that the cheaper inverters aren't worth it for me - if I'm off the grid there's nothing essential that I need 240v for

I'm inclined to agree with this. Right now 240v would be handy to power my thermo-electric
cooler/fridge but if I get the gas fridge installed I reckon 240 wouldn't be that essential..

James

I dont think i'll bother with an inverter as i only tend to use 240v for the kettle / toaster.
Think a zig would just tidy things up for the 12V distributionn and also allow charging of the leisure battery but not sure of the electrics (old school) but the space required for doing this seperately would require more than the zig.

With you on the space issue - I've relocated my hookup RCD, charger and main leisure fusebox under my buddy seat (have made a little compartment at the back) as all the kit was taking up valuable storage under the bed - also helps that I've now wired in a US plug to the OG hookup which is right next to it - now under the bed I have a small 4 way fusebox to power an LED light under the bed and a couple of 12v sockets and then a single run to the main fuse box

 

[froggy]

With you on the space issue - I've relocated my hookup RCD, charger and main leisure fusebox under my buddy seat (have made a little compartment at the back) as all the kit was taking up valuable storage under the bed - also helps that I've now wired in a US plug to the OG hookup which is right next to it - now under the bed I have a small 4 way fusebox to power an LED light under the bed and a couple of 12v sockets and then a single run to the main fuse box

Any pics?
It was your original thread that made me think of Zig alternatives, although theres not much in it price wise think the technology side is miles apart 8)
Have just bought an RCD protected 240v Consumer unit (16A & 6A MCB's) so now i need a decent leave in charger, an auxilary fuse box and some 12V sockets, a leisure battery and a split charge relay.
Any ideas on the best type of split charge relay?

 

[Graham L]

Any ideas on the best type of split charge relay?

Speak to Jon (Faux) he's doing a split charge kit with the wiring etc

 

[froggy]

Any ideas on the best type of split charge relay?

Speak to Jon (Faux) he's doing a split charge kit with the wiring etc

Already spoke to Jon on this matter, he uses old school relays where as this time i fancy one of the new electronic split charge relays. Think i've got a standard 40A 4 pin relay in the garage so i could always use this but just fancy trying something else this time

 

[jaybeeonline]

There's a guy on eBay (Willinton) who sells a split charge kit for Bongos' and I fitted one when I had mine - They are an awesome piece of kit and I wish he would do one for the EB. (maybe he could be persuaded :msn4: )

Here's a photo of the wiring side which could be replicated to fit the bay's requirements.

J.

 

[froggy]

Looks nice but £105???????
Have seen a couple of kits designed for Motor boats that use one of these (http://www.antares.co.uk/prod auto split charge.htm) although again stupid money where as the standard smartcom relays are about £12

 

[lard]

Looks nice but £105???????
Have seen a couple of kits designed for Motor boats that use one of these (http://www.antares.co.uk/prod auto split charge.htm) although again stupid money where as the standard smartcom relays are about £12

I have a smartcon - with the output for permanent 12v e.t.c. for fridge e.t.c. - it's wired in and seems to be working fine still (> 6 months)

 

[Justin & Muttley]

I thought that Zig units were way too expensive when I was sourcing bits so I went for an ex-caravan leisure battery charger/12v supply and alternative distribution panel/fuse box - both seem pretty well made and good value. Your local caravan breakers or Fleabay could come up trumps.

 

[froggy]

I thought that Zig units were way too expensive when I was sourcing bits so I went for an ex-caravan leisure battery charger/12v supply and alternative distribution panel/fuse box - both seem pretty well made and good value. Your local caravan breakers or Fleabay could come up trumps.

Any pics or part names / numbers.
Seem to be veering back towards a Zig unit for the simple fact that everythings in 1 place just surprised with the prices, even 2nd hand there expensive compared to buying the parts individually (split charge relay / battery charger / 12v fuse box - distribution panel).
Already got a RCD 240v Consmuer unit but need 12v outlets and a leisure battery