caravan, two battery system. ideas please!

(RIP) PLANK · 05-03-2013, 20:32

having spent the last week sitting in the dark due to to an unfortunate combination of electrical gremlins, i am planning a two battery system. your thoughts on cable for running between batteries, position of second battery etc. will be gratefully received

zippy656 · 05-03-2013, 20:39

In a caravan you need to have a proper battery box

Sealed so no battery gas enters the van

(RIP) PLANK · 05-03-2013, 20:43

thanks, but i have that bit covered

zippy656 · 05-03-2013, 20:46

So a wiring question

Split chager as you would for a second car battery relay and the like

solarman216 · 05-03-2013, 20:46

both batteries close together is best, unless it makes a big difference to balance, for two reasons, one only one compartment needs ventilating, two short cables are better, but will depend on the load amps, but I guess only lights tv etc in which case link the two bats with 6mm cable and a fuse of a rating a little greater than the max amps to be drawn, if charging from the aux car plug then I regard that as not good, as the bats will only ever be charged to around 75% of their capacity, Rick

zippy656 · 05-03-2013, 20:49

Both need to be vented
as both will be charged, from car or internal charger

(RIP) PLANK · 05-03-2013, 20:51

that was pretty much what i had in mind, Rick, Thanks. But i may have to mount them about 6ft apart, which would mean around 8ft of cable, will this make much difference?

zippy, i think Rick meant having them both in one compartment, :-)

zippy656 · 05-03-2013, 20:52

Why so far apart

Lazy-Ferret · 05-03-2013, 20:54

Location is really down to where you have space, then you have to work from there...

How do you charge the batteries currently?

If you charge from the mains, then maybe go for 2 separate chargers, one for each battery, and a change over switch, so you can run from one, then when it is low, switch over to the other... that way you know how much time you have left before you have to worry about charging again

Another option is to put the second battery in the car, and then use that to power the van when you need it, that way it gets charged each time you go out.

solarman216 · 05-03-2013, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippy656

Both need to be vented
as both will be charged, from car or internal charger

That's what I said Zips, one compartment two bats, but now you mention split charging that assumes he wants to keep them as separate batteries? I assumed he just wanted to up the capacity, Rick

solarman216 · 05-03-2013, 20:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLANK

that was pretty much what i had in mind, Rick, Thanks. But i may have to mount them about 6ft apart, which would mean around 8ft of cable, will this make much difference?

zippy, i think Rick meant having them both in one compartment, :-)

6ft apart is not bad just upgrade the linking cables to 10 or 16 mm, fuse stays the same, Rick

(RIP) PLANK · 05-03-2013, 21:01

l there is another locker the same size as the battery one on the opposite side that doesn't really get used, i can replace this with a locker designed to hold a battery and make a tidy job. I would prefer to put them both in the caravan a i use different towing vehicles, an with both together i can make the most of the solar panels on bright days

zippy656 · 05-03-2013, 21:03

Iz never seen a compatment that takes two

Yep. Up cable size have fuse maybe a kill switch too

No cable through gas compartment, unless in conduit

(RIP) PLANK · 05-03-2013, 21:04

thanks everyone

Rick, do you mean fuse betwen the batteries?

zippy656 · 05-03-2013, 21:05

Yes between would be good

05-03-2013, 20:32	#1
(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	caravan, two battery system. ideas please! having spent the last week sitting in the dark due to to an unfortunate combination of electrical gremlins, i am planning a two battery system. your thoughts on cable for running between batteries, position of second battery etc. will be gratefully received

05-03-2013, 20:46	#5
solarman216 Off road maniac Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bexhill on Sea Vehicle: Y60 Patrol Me, 3 ltr Mrs Posts: 17,432	both batteries close together is best, unless it makes a big difference to balance, for two reasons, one only one compartment needs ventilating, two short cables are better, but will depend on the load amps, but I guess only lights tv etc in which case link the two bats with 6mm cable and a fuse of a rating a little greater than the max amps to be drawn, if charging from the aux car plug then I regard that as not good, as the bats will only ever be charged to around 75% of their capacity, Rick __________________ Ex banger racer now off road maniac Lokka on the front with manual hubs Diff lock on rear 3 inch SS straight through exhaust Manly winch bumper with 13000 lb winch 10 spike ground anchor, with multiple straps and blocks Super strong body cills capped with scaffold pole 20% stronger springs all round aggressive off road tyres on wheels so just swap. Aim to get stuck and be completely self sufficient in extraction, love getting muddy, 2ft deep is good but rare.

05-03-2013, 20:39	#2
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,138	In a caravan you need to have a proper battery box Sealed so no battery gas enters the van

05-03-2013, 20:43	#3
(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	thanks, but i have that bit covered

05-03-2013, 20:49	#6
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,138	Both need to be vented as both will be charged, from car or internal charger

05-03-2013, 20:51	#7
(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	that was pretty much what i had in mind, Rick, Thanks. But i may have to mount them about 6ft apart, which would mean around 8ft of cable, will this make much difference? zippy, i think Rick meant having them both in one compartment, :-)

05-03-2013, 20:52	#8
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,138	Why so far apart

05-03-2013, 20:54	#9
Lazy-Ferret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Sevenoaks, Kent Vehicle: Terrano 2.7TDi SE Touring Posts: 5,221	Location is really down to where you have space, then you have to work from there... How do you charge the batteries currently? If you charge from the mains, then maybe go for 2 separate chargers, one for each battery, and a change over switch, so you can run from one, then when it is low, switch over to the other... that way you know how much time you have left before you have to worry about charging again Another option is to put the second battery in the car, and then use that to power the van when you need it, that way it gets charged each time you go out.

05-03-2013, 21:01	#12
(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	l there is another locker the same size as the battery one on the opposite side that doesn't really get used, i can replace this with a locker designed to hold a battery and make a tidy job. I would prefer to put them both in the caravan a i use different towing vehicles, an with both together i can make the most of the solar panels on bright days

05-03-2013, 21:03	#13
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,138	Iz never seen a compatment that takes two Yep. Up cable size have fuse maybe a kill switch too No cable through gas compartment, unless in conduit

05-03-2013, 21:04	#14
(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	thanks everyone Rick, do you mean fuse betwen the batteries?

05-03-2013, 21:05	#15
zippy656 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Devizes Wiltshire Vehicle: Nissan Note Ntec 1.5 Posts: 14,138	Yes between would be good