On board caravan battery system

CaptLimey · 30-12-2008, 20:37

Hi to all

Having just bought a Hobby 560 I'm thinking of fitting an on board battery to power the heater blower system, water pump and lighting whilst en route. I'm wondering what amp/hour would be necessary/practical for short stops between hooking up to campsite power points.

The van is 13 core cabled but currently has a 7 pin plug fitted, as does my T2 tug. I'd like to have the opportunity to charge the on board battery whilst towing and also when connected to camp site power. What sort of charger/control system would provide this function? Will I need to upgrade to a 13 pin system or fit a second 7 pin to provide services to the 'van?

Anyone been down this road and can advise?

Regards and happy Hogmanay to all. CL

(RIP) PLANK · 30-12-2008, 20:55

your best bet is to check somewhwer like towsure online and go for the best leisure battery you can afford, also a simple charging solution can be provided by a good battery charger with a facility to drop down to a trickle charge to keep the battery maintained when it has become fully charged.

I know a lot of people will probably disagree, but i have found keeping the battery charged from you vahicle when it is moving is overrated as caravans to stand much longer than they are towed and batteris dischareg realatively quickly in use,

so if it were me I would go this route (or a similar one):

http://www.towsure.com/product/13450..._12V_1.2-120Ah

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Leisure-carava...1%7C240%3A1318

you can spend a lot more and probably get a lot better stuff, but this would suit your needs I beleive.

Happy new year

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 30-12-2008, 22:04

yep im with plank on 12s for charging and running fridge on move
basically waste of time unless very long journey. tbh 12s is just
something else to go wrong or get damaged off road, and with the
live feed to pin 4 and others with ignition prone to fusing when
damaged.

chill van fridge at home, along with charging battery then plug into
mains on arrival.

does the hobby not have a battery as standard or a box for one or
a charger then. if not these must be classed as uk features.

typical uk van would have a 90 or maybe 110 amp hour battery, ours
can certainly supply all 12v needs on weekend rallies with no hook up.

think have read though that the euro connector is better design for
the lights and aux circuits. maybe worth changing over if van already
wired. if not towsure do 2x7 to 13 adapters.

tezzer · 31-12-2008, 02:37

captlimey, i've been looking for a leisure battery for my van, this guy may be able to help with a battery and charger---WWW.ELECTROQUESTUK.COM

im getting my battery from him the 120 amp.

tezzer

CaptLimey · 31-12-2008, 19:11

My thanks yet again to Plank and rbrt for good sound common sense advice. I'll probably go for their simple no nonsense recommended option.

Thanks also to Tezzer - what's the asking price for the 120 amp?

100 amp/hr sealed batteries are around 160 quid/Euros (they're now the same!!) over here in the French hypermarket auto stores. (And by the way I can read your French!!)

Regards CL

tezzer · 31-12-2008, 19:35

hello CaptLimey, 120 amp £79.99 +9.50 carriage, leisure battery charger £39.95 + £8.50 carriage

i was waiting for someone to comment on my french

tezzer

30-12-2008, 20:37	#1
CaptLimey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South of France Vehicle: '03 LWB MK.4 3Ltr T2 Posts: 421	On board caravan battery system Hi to all Having just bought a Hobby 560 I'm thinking of fitting an on board battery to power the heater blower system, water pump and lighting whilst en route. I'm wondering what amp/hour would be necessary/practical for short stops between hooking up to campsite power points. The van is 13 core cabled but currently has a 7 pin plug fitted, as does my T2 tug. I'd like to have the opportunity to charge the on board battery whilst towing and also when connected to camp site power. What sort of charger/control system would provide this function? Will I need to upgrade to a 13 pin system or fit a second 7 pin to provide services to the 'van? Anyone been down this road and can advise? Regards and happy Hogmanay to all. CL

30-12-2008, 22:04	#3
Thomas-the-Terrano2 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackenthorpe Sheffield Vehicle: Terrano2 R20 lwb 2.7TDi Posts: 5,234	yep im with plank on 12s for charging and running fridge on move basically waste of time unless very long journey. tbh 12s is just something else to go wrong or get damaged off road, and with the live feed to pin 4 and others with ignition prone to fusing when damaged. chill van fridge at home, along with charging battery then plug into mains on arrival. does the hobby not have a battery as standard or a box for one or a charger then. if not these must be classed as uk features. typical uk van would have a 90 or maybe 110 amp hour battery, ours can certainly supply all 12v needs on weekend rallies with no hook up. think have read though that the euro connector is better design for the lights and aux circuits. maybe worth changing over if van already wired. if not towsure do 2x7 to 13 adapters. __________________ M6YTB / 20YTB '60' 2010 Ford C Max Zetec 1.6i, black '56' 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0TD, silver 2021 Bailey Pegasus Grade SE Turin caravan Smile, its more likely to confuse. One Life, Don't Just Live It, Drive a Nissan, or ...... a Jeep. Owner of Nissan 4x4s 2005 to 2019, and maybe in the future too!

30-12-2008, 20:55	#2
(RIP) PLANK Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Central England, in the Heart of the Black Country Vehicle: T2 2004 TDI SE LWB Posts: 7,740	your best bet is to check somewhwer like towsure online and go for the best leisure battery you can afford, also a simple charging solution can be provided by a good battery charger with a facility to drop down to a trickle charge to keep the battery maintained when it has become fully charged. I know a lot of people will probably disagree, but i have found keeping the battery charged from you vahicle when it is moving is overrated as caravans to stand much longer than they are towed and batteris dischareg realatively quickly in use, so if it were me I would go this route (or a similar one): http://www.towsure.com/product/13450..._12V_1.2-120Ah http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Leisure-carava...1%7C240%3A1318 you can spend a lot more and probably get a lot better stuff, but this would suit your needs I beleive. Happy new year

31-12-2008, 02:37	#4
tezzer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: basildon essex Vehicle: transit camper van 1987 Posts: 2,829	captlimey, i've been looking for a leisure battery for my van, this guy may be able to help with a battery and charger---WWW.ELECTROQUESTUK.COM im getting my battery from him the 120 amp. tezzer

31-12-2008, 19:11	#5
CaptLimey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South of France Vehicle: '03 LWB MK.4 3Ltr T2 Posts: 421	My thanks yet again to Plank and rbrt for good sound common sense advice. I'll probably go for their simple no nonsense recommended option. Thanks also to Tezzer - what's the asking price for the 120 amp? 100 amp/hr sealed batteries are around 160 quid/Euros (they're now the same!!) over here in the French hypermarket auto stores. (And by the way I can read your French!!) Regards CL

31-12-2008, 19:35	#6
tezzer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: basildon essex Vehicle: transit camper van 1987 Posts: 2,829	hello CaptLimey, 120 amp £79.99 +9.50 carriage, leisure battery charger £39.95 + £8.50 carriage i was waiting for someone to comment on my french tezzer