Wildcamping mostly

[Brian the snail]

Sorry just re-read the OP disregard the question

thanks for posts guys,

I'm thinking of adding a 2nd LB, would i be able to just run a link positive and negative from 1 leisure battery to the other one ?

1 LB linked upto the van battery ... i have a transit van which im self converting so the van battery is inside the van under drivers seat, easy access

Danny

Yes Danny thats the way to do it link the pos to pos and neg to neg on the two LB when you fit the second one, one question though how and why have you linked the Van battery and LB.

Clive

 

[Ivory55]

He might mean he has his split charger under the seat with the 2 batteries side by side under the drivers seat . That is how ours is laid out.

 

[Redmask09]

atm i have a plug in system consumer unit with rcd's and a built in 20amp charger, from the consumer unit i run the connections to the van or is it the leisure battery - this will only work on the EHU though wont it... so i will need to buy a split charge relay van to main leisure battery ... ?? is this correct way...

 

[rosebubble]

if your fitting two batteries (linked) make sure they are both new. As linking on old one with a new one will quickly destroy your new one, or so I'm told on youtube

 

[Redmask09]

yes will purchase 2 brand new ones - 110ah each

I'm not sure if i am gonna be over loading it with chargers...

20amp built into the consumer unit will only charge when on EHU...

split charge will cut out when at right voltage...

if i install a 100w dual battery solar panel...

would these all be ok.. ??


i will be install probably 2 double sockets to use when on EHU, my other sockets will mostly be CBE 12v cig sockets, has chargers, tv, laptop phone etc can all be used on the 12v cig sockets ..

 

[hextal]

I went with 2no 6v traction batteries in series = 12v 225ah with 2no 100w panels.

We designed the van for mainly wilding so no electric hook up.

We have a ctek dual linking the panels the traction batteries and the van battery.

Still only in initial shake down tests so time will tell.

 

[mike9jr]

Brilliant Clive thanks very much.
Needed all that info

 

[hextal]

Bear in mind solar panels won't be great at this time of the year.

In terms of 12v sockets I initially went with cigar type sockets but then swapped em for hella sockets as they give a much more positive connection.

In terms of batteries, traction batteries cost a bit more but can be discharged a lot further. 'Leisure' batteries are just rebadged starter batteries. 6v traction batteries work out cheaper than 12v, presumably because they are more commonly used for forklifts, golf carts etc.

 

[iampatman]

atm i have a plug in system consumer unit with rcd's and a built in 20amp charger, from the consumer unit i run the connections to the van or is it the leisure battery - this will only work on the EHU though wont it... so i will need to buy a split charge relay van to main leisure battery ... ?? is this correct way...

Your 20a charger unit will support a battery bank of ten times its output ie 200a.
2 X 110a leisure batteries and (say) 50% of a 85a starter battery = a tad over 260a. If it ain't sunny where you are and you're static for a while and your LBs get low you are going to shorten the life of your charger unit AND your alternator. The most you'll get out of a 100w panel in southern Spain this time of year is 5ah on a good day for about 4/5 hours and those figures will get progressively worse over the next few months.
Before you spend a lot of money on solar and additional LBs have a look at the info on this website.
A and N Caravan Services : Battery Charging Faults - Schaudt Elektroblock, Reich E-Box, Calira, CBE, Arsilicii and Nordelettronica Battery Chargers supplied and Repaired
Pat

 

[Longboard]

Traction batteries

Bear in mind solar panels won't be great at this time of the year.

In terms of 12v sockets I initially went with cigar type sockets but then swapped em for hella sockets as they give a much more positive connection.

In terms of batteries, traction batteries cost a bit more but can be discharged a lot further. 'Leisure' batteries are just rebadged starter batteries. 6v traction batteries work out cheaper than 12v, presumably because they are more commonly used for forklifts, golf carts etc.

But - don't traction batteries charge much slower than 'normal' batteries?

 

[mike9jr]

Your 20a charger unit will support a battery bank of ten times its output ie 200a.
2 X 110a leisure batteries and (say) 50% of a 85a starter battery = a tad over 260a. If it ain't sunny where you are and you're static for a while and your LBs get low you are going to shorten the life of your charger unit AND your alternator. The most you'll get out of a 100w panel in southern Spain this time of year is 5ah on a good day for about 4/5 hours and those figures will get progressively worse over the next few months.
Before you spend a lot of money on solar and additional LBs have a look at the info on this website.
A and N Caravan Services : Battery Charging Faults - Schaudt Elektroblock, Reich E-Box, Calira, CBE, Arsilicii and Nordelettronica Battery Chargers supplied and Repaired
Pat

Brilliantly informative article, thanks for sharing.

Mike

 

[hextal]

But - don't traction batteries charge much slower than 'normal' batteries?

Yes, though for leisure systems not so critical I wouldn't imagine

I think the charge rate recommended for traction batteries is between 10 to 15% of the capacity. So I could put 30a into my 225ah set.

Its mainly down to the plate configuration. Starter/leisure batteries are designed for high output in shortish bursts, so the plates are configured for fast charge/discharge. This is done by maximising the surface area. To do this they make the plates/coatings thin so more can be squeezed in. The thinness (is that a word) of the plates means they break down faster.

Traction batteries don't need the high output so can use fewer much thicker plates, which break down much more slowly.

The main difference is that starter/leisure batteries shouldn't be discharged regularly below 50% charge, whereas traction batteries can be discharged down to 20%. So you get circa 60% more usable juice from a traction than a starter battery.

Well that's the theory anyway......

 

[iampatman]

Brilliantly informative article, thanks for sharing.

Mike

Hi Mike,
Sad to say I'm only aware of this info because my Calira 38/20 unit is partially knackered. A year ago I fitted a 100w solar panel, chucked out my 85ah leisure battery and replaced it with 2 x 110ah batteries. Everything fine for a while but now the charger unit won't charge the batteries on EHU. After speaking to the guys at A&N I'm a little bit wiser but when I get back to the UK it's going to cost me just short of £400 for a new charger unit - ouch! Their info on solar panels is really informative and should be compulsory reading for anyone thinking of going down the solar route. I'm static for a while now and although it's fairly sunny here I've still had to buy a Ring charger from the UK via Amazon to prevent my leisure batteries going completely flat. The accepted wisdom is stick a 110w solar panel on, chuck in a couple of 110ah batteries and you're home free. Fact is it ain't that simple.
Pat