Permanently fitted leisure battery charger?

[GEOFF]

Phil, I only ever have a basic battery/charging system as we only use CC sites and home HU if needed. I use the standard Sargent (160 I think) unit which has an inbuilt split charge relay for when driving and a switchable (VB or LB) mains charger for when on HU. Geoff.

 

[wildebus]

The Sargents are very neat Power Distribution Systems but to be completely honest, their charging capabilities fall short of modern standards.
The Split Charge relay design means that when driving you are limited to whatever voltage the Alternator can put out (minus any voltage drops from the thin 4mm cable they specify to use)
The Built In Mains Charger puts out a constant 13.6V (or 13.8V - can never remember which it is) into the battery which will never properly charge a battery.

Yes, they have been fitted to Motorhomes for years; yes, they are fitted to high-end British Motorhomes and Caravans; and no, they are not a good way to charge batteries.