Split charge

[winchman]

As you may well know winchgirls camper van is this weeks project
So I need a split charge system
Do I just connect this and feed it to the leisure battery?

Pardon our interruption...

I have a big battery cable and fuse holder it runs from the existing battery to the tail gate for the tail lift we have now removed
Long term she will also have solar as well
So educate me please

 

[mtt.tr]

Yes,I've used the durite one works well

Solar will have separate control jobby.



Be aware if you use 230v and an industrial plug that you earth properly, anyone who says not to earth is an idiot.

 

[winchman]

Thanks If and when it ever has 240V it will be earthed, apart from a fridge I cant see why she would need 240?

 

[voipio]

There was one type of split charger, the name of which escapes me, which has a "sense" lead. When this is grounded, the split charge operates as normal, and when disconnected, the leisure battery and vehicle battery are connected together, even with the engine off. Useful if the vehicle lights have been left on and it won't start.

 

[Osu817]

I put my leisure battery close enough to my main battery that I could get jump leads from one to the other, if ever I flattened my main battery. Never actually had to test it, but I always thought it was a surprisingly good bit of forward planning from me!

 

[knighty]

what year van is it?

don't bother with a split charge relay, just use a normal big relay and wire it's power to the small alternator wire (the one that does the light in the dash)

joins the batteries whenever the alternator is putting out power. works much better and it's more reliable

 

[pcwizme]

There was one type of split charger, the name of which escapes me, which has a "sense" lead. When this is grounded, the split charge operates as normal, and when disconnected, the leisure battery and vehicle battery are connected together, even with the engine off. Useful if the vehicle lights have been left on and it won't start.

I have this one (Although not active at the moment as I decided to upgrade my battery box to fit a bigger battery) tmax Split charger is the version I have https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charge-Battery-Charging-Digital-Monitor/dp/B00ZCOME44 (not affiliated but just so show a different option)

 

[Cobbler]

I have linked the positive terminals of the leisure & van batteries together with a lead with a fuse carrier in but no fuse. If I need to charge the van battery I can via the leisure charger & mains hook up by putting a fuse in the lead. The fuse acts as a safety device if forgotten as if you try to start the van the fuse will blow protecting the leisure battery circuit.

 

[mtt.tr]

what year van is it?

don't bother with a split charge relay, just use a normal big relay and wire it's power to the small alternator wire (the one that does the light in the dash)

joins the batteries whenever the alternator is putting out power. works much better and it's more reliable

But you loose the ability to keep both toped up as you are charging in parallel

 

[Kayos]

I used a split charge but also a 3 way isolator, this meant the inverter could be connected to the leisure battery (charged via the split charge relay) the main battery/alternator, both or neither batteries

Essentially I could use the D2 as a 2.5L generator if I wanted

 

[Brad93]

if you want an inverter, can highly recommend the Victron range. Not cheap but last years

 

[knighty]

But you loose the ability to keep both toped up as you are charging in parallel

I don't understand what you mean? do you mean when charging from mains?


alternator can put out more than enough amps to charge two batteries, doesen't matter how many batteries you have in parallel, as they fill up voltage rises, as long as you take them up to float voltage (about 14v) they'll all be charged fully/evenly

 

[8ob]

On most horse boxes aside of the split charging there is a battery isolator fitted between the main batteries and the leisure batteries, if one or the other go flat for any reason the isolator can link them up. The leisures which are also charged by the hook ups at shows or genny are quite often used to jump start the truck when they are away for a week.

Bob

 

[mtt.tr]

I don't understand what you mean? do you mean when charging from mains?


alternator can put out more than enough amps to charge two batteries, doesen't matter how many batteries you have in parallel, as they fill up voltage rises, as long as you take them up to float voltage (about 14v) they'll all be charged fully/evenly

It can charge both batteries but you have no sense of balancing the charge

 

[julianf]

Aren't battery to battery chargers cheap enough now that noone bothers with splitting diodes and relays?

 

[julianf]

There was one type of split charger, the name of which escapes me, which has a "sense" lead. When this is grounded, the split charge operates as normal, and when disconnected, the leisure battery and vehicle battery are connected together, even with the engine off. Useful if the vehicle lights have been left on and it won't start.

Be careful with terminology, as "sense lead" also relates to something entirely different in split charging.

The old way to do it was with a diode isolator, however, diodes drop the voltage slightly, as such the batteries on the other side of the diode never "see" the alternators full voltage. The way around this in the past was to fit a sense lead from the alternator to the secondary battery bank, such as the alternator regulator compensated for the diode voltage drop.

Battery sensed alternators became uncommon, swapping to machine sensed, and then whatever we have now.

The only reason i know about this is it was how military ambulances were done in the past.

Again, its all arcane stuff now that modern multistage battery to battery chargers exist.

 

[Misterg]

Aren't battery to battery chargers cheap enough now that noone bothers with splitting diodes and relays?

Not seen them very cheap, but more and more vehicles are getting smart alternators so a simple split-charge setup doesn't work (very well / if at all), hence need to fit battery to battery chargers.

Van is a VW T4, I think from the other post, which I gather could have a smart alternator if newer than 2015.

 

[winchman]

The Vans 1997
No need for any 240v so no inverter
Its a very budget conversion just so it can be used but once she saves up it will be having a proper job done

 

[winchman]

Aren't battery to battery chargers cheap enough now that noone bothers with splitting diodes and relays?

Over £100 is the cheapest branded one, but a split charge is cheapest option for now at under £40

 

[jimbo84]

Victron Energy Cyrix-ct 12v / 24v 120A Voltage Sensitive Relay (Batt Combiner)

12V/24V 120A intelligent voltage sensitive/sensing relay (battery combiner) for split charge applications in camper vans, motorhomes, caravans & boats.

www.12voltplanet.co.uk

I've fitted these to peoples vans, great bits of kit. Has a terminal for a button to jump starting between leisure/starter batts.