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

tezzer · 31-12-2008, 19:41

CaptLimey, heres the item numbers battery-- 130268838417 charger---140281737256 battery has duel posts.

tezzer

Thomas-the-Terrano2 · 01-01-2009, 00:32

intriged by delivery as towsure alway say cant ship due to acid contents, unless
you're looking a gell type?

tezzer · 01-01-2009, 12:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by rbrt

intriged by delivery as towsure alway say cant ship due to acid contents, unless
you're looking a gell type?

hi rbrt, i'ev heard that before come to think of it, just read listing and all i can see is that there completely sealed and spill proof, perhaps thats the difference?

tezzer

(RIP) PLANK · 01-01-2009, 17:19

the sellers on e bay offer postage? so maybe certain courriers will take them?

The only thing i was going to add, and it may have been covered is think carefully about battery location, it neeeds to be in a ventilated space, idealy insulated from very cold weather. Maybe in the gas bottle locker?

alternatively towsure also sell battery boxes to keep them in, as you dont want the gas from charging building up inside the caravan! so it really must be vented to outside!

Terranosaurus · 01-01-2009, 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by tezzer

CaptLimey, heres the item numbers battery-- 130268838417 charger---140281737256 battery has duel posts.

I've got a pretty similar spec battery under the bonnet of my Terrano cost me £70 (inc VAT) collect but I'm local - now that caravan batteries are having to run motor movers all the time a lot of them are marine batteries rather than true leisure and so are suitable for starter/winch use on 4x4s too.

Its a Numax CXV31MF that I got theres one HERE but got mine elsewhere in Leeds.

Have a look at this guy on ebay too, Mav sorted out a discount with him a few months back

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/THE-BATTERY...QQftidZ2QQtZkm

CaptLimey · 01-01-2009, 21:26

Thanks to all for the good advice. I've ordered the same Numax leisure battery as rbrt recommended and the charger recommended by Tezzer.

Thanks again to Plank for prudent battery mounting advice. I think my Hobby has a good mounting option in the cupboard beneath the wardrobe which is close to the axle for good weight distribution and externally vented.

Re the query about Hobbys having a factory mounted battery - that may well be correct but mine doesn't, nor does it have an obvious terminal connection point for the 12 volt feed from the battery. I'm thinking of connecting it to the 12 volt feed from the inverter to supply current when not connected to mains power and the inverter is therefore not working. Anyone forsee a problem with that?

Regards CL.

(RIP) PLANK · 01-01-2009, 21:31

out of interest I have approx 15 'leisure' batteries in my shed at any given time being charged as we use them to run electric fences (up to 10000 volts!) all different makes and capacities, most of them say marine and leisure on the side or have a picture of both caravans and boats, and to be fair, regardles of the capacity the 85 amp ones seem in practice to run a fance as long as any other, bear in mind the fences run 24/7 and so are a fairly constant drain. It is pulsed DC yes but the capacitors are charging between the pulses (I would assume so anyway).

The only ones i haven't realy tried are gel batteries, largeley because i am too tight to pay for them but other than that they all seem pretty much the same, but they do last very well, and I do abuse them, they get run flat and left out in the cold for days etc and still seem to keep going!

A small tip though, wrap the receipt in a lunch bag and tape it to the side of the battery, and write the purchase date and guarantee length on the top with a marker pen, then you will be sure to get your money's worth!

CaptLimey · 02-01-2009, 21:21

Hi Plank. I lived on a boat for a number of years and batteries were a major consideration to all live-aboards. Yes gel and AGM batteries are longer lasting and hardier when deep cycled but unless you're mounting them horizontally, which you can with a gel, my view is that ordinary sealed lead acid are the best value for money. If you got three years out of a deep cycled battery before holding a charge became a problem then live-aboards regarded that as a reasonable life span. Regards CL.

(RIP) PLANK · 02-01-2009, 21:26

Cheers CL, I will stick to cheap lead acid type leisure batteries from now on then! as i transport them around daily i am often paranoind about the wet acid content, but £ for £ I dont think they are bad value! Are gel batteries much lighter?

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!

01-01-2009, 00:32	#8
Thomas-the-Terrano2 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hackenthorpe Sheffield Vehicle: Terrano2 R20 lwb 2.7TDi Posts: 5,234	intriged by delivery as towsure alway say cant ship due to acid contents, unless you're looking a gell type? __________________ 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

31-12-2008, 19:41	#7
tezzer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: basildon essex Vehicle: transit camper van 1987 Posts: 2,829	CaptLimey, heres the item numbers battery-- 130268838417 charger---140281737256 battery has duel posts. tezzer

01-01-2009, 17:19	#10
(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	the sellers on e bay offer postage? so maybe certain courriers will take them? The only thing i was going to add, and it may have been covered is think carefully about battery location, it neeeds to be in a ventilated space, idealy insulated from very cold weather. Maybe in the gas bottle locker? alternatively towsure also sell battery boxes to keep them in, as you dont want the gas from charging building up inside the caravan! so it really must be vented to outside!

01-01-2009, 21:26	#12
CaptLimey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South of France Vehicle: '03 LWB MK.4 3Ltr T2 Posts: 421	Thanks to all for the good advice. I've ordered the same Numax leisure battery as rbrt recommended and the charger recommended by Tezzer. Thanks again to Plank for prudent battery mounting advice. I think my Hobby has a good mounting option in the cupboard beneath the wardrobe which is close to the axle for good weight distribution and externally vented. Re the query about Hobbys having a factory mounted battery - that may well be correct but mine doesn't, nor does it have an obvious terminal connection point for the 12 volt feed from the battery. I'm thinking of connecting it to the 12 volt feed from the inverter to supply current when not connected to mains power and the inverter is therefore not working. Anyone forsee a problem with that? Regards CL.

01-01-2009, 21:31	#13
(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	out of interest I have approx 15 'leisure' batteries in my shed at any given time being charged as we use them to run electric fences (up to 10000 volts!) all different makes and capacities, most of them say marine and leisure on the side or have a picture of both caravans and boats, and to be fair, regardles of the capacity the 85 amp ones seem in practice to run a fance as long as any other, bear in mind the fences run 24/7 and so are a fairly constant drain. It is pulsed DC yes but the capacitors are charging between the pulses (I would assume so anyway). The only ones i haven't realy tried are gel batteries, largeley because i am too tight to pay for them but other than that they all seem pretty much the same, but they do last very well, and I do abuse them, they get run flat and left out in the cold for days etc and still seem to keep going! A small tip though, wrap the receipt in a lunch bag and tape it to the side of the battery, and write the purchase date and guarantee length on the top with a marker pen, then you will be sure to get your money's worth!

02-01-2009, 21:21	#14
CaptLimey Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: South of France Vehicle: '03 LWB MK.4 3Ltr T2 Posts: 421	Hi Plank. I lived on a boat for a number of years and batteries were a major consideration to all live-aboards. Yes gel and AGM batteries are longer lasting and hardier when deep cycled but unless you're mounting them horizontally, which you can with a gel, my view is that ordinary sealed lead acid are the best value for money. If you got three years out of a deep cycled battery before holding a charge became a problem then live-aboards regarded that as a reasonable life span. Regards CL.

02-01-2009, 21:26	#15
(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	Cheers CL, I will stick to cheap lead acid type leisure batteries from now on then! as i transport them around daily i am often paranoind about the wet acid content, but £ for £ I dont think they are bad value! Are gel batteries much lighter?