12 volt camping set ups

[elty001]

So I'm in the process of installing a 12 volt aux system in my terrano for camping.
Still really learning what I need and how to install it so any pointers would be helpful :thumb2

 

[Wallace]

I think you will start learning the black arts and Voodoo associated with split charging soon!

Strangely, I bought mine in off the road yesterday having been furloughed just over 3 weeks ago to charge the battery and I was looking at space under the bonnet for a second battery to increase capacity for a winch and thought about the split charging Voodoo. :naughty

 

[elty001]

I have the second battery and split charge kit fitted but just wondering how other folks have set theirs up.:thumb2

 

[solarman216]

Once I find room for a second battery for the winch I will not be going split charge, have already purchased a 500 amp electric relay, to be manually operated, the thinking being, the second battery will power the winch, the relay will be manually switched on with the engine running but if the ignition is switched off then the relay will also switch off safe guarding the start battery, some times it is desirable to winch without the engine on, and when the motor is running there will be no losses via diodes and the like so second battery will get as good a charge as a car can deliver, Rick

 

[elty001]

My second battery will be for running the 12 volt fridge,aux lightning and maybe an inverter for small TV,laptop etc.

 

[Wallace]

Rick, I was thinking about a simple isolator switch for the same reason and a volt meter on each battery. If they are at different levels you would know the isolator is off.

 

[Wallace]

My second battery will be for running the 12 volt fridge,aux lightning and maybe an inverter for small TV,laptop etc.

That’s what I thought you would want the Voodoo system for. I think things are better these days with LED lighting etc as the loads for most things are a lot less. I repaired a 1000 Amp battery pack for a friend recently and was really impressed with it for the size as it bought a diesel Freelander battery up and had it started with capacity left.

 

[terranosaurusdoug]

What charging setup do you have?

 

[solarman216]

Rick, I was thinking about a simple isolator switch for the same reason and a volt meter on each battery. If they are at different levels you would know the isolator is off.

Problem with a simple isolater switch is you may forget to turn it of, that is my problem, so electric one that only works with ignition on solves that problem, Rick

 

[panelbeater]

i just have a battery in footwell behind front passanger seat via a auto split charge kit and a 2000w pure sine wave inverter so i can charge my buggy up in the back or on ground, and when on occasion needed plug van into inverter to liven up vans mains to boost vans battery via its own charger to run the 12v system in van.this is needed in dull wet days when vans solar is not inputting much.it leaves my starting battery out of it.

 

[elty001]

What charging setup do you have?

I've got a 110 AH leisure battery and a Yuasa silver for the start battery.
Both charged from the standard alternator via an automatic split charge relay from simply split charge.

 

[don simon]

I've got a 110 AH leisure battery and a Yuasa silver for the start battery.
Both charged from the standard alternator via an automatic split charge relay from simply split charge.

Have you seen my set up?
AGM battery behind the rear seats connected through a split charger from the std alternator and starter battery. I run a fuse box off the second battery where I take the supply to whichever switch I want to use to run something off. I understand that AGM batteries don't like being in the cold of the engine bay and they are perfectly safe to sleep next to. The problem is the alternator won't give it a full charge. I have never run out of juice, and that's with the fridge, lights and phone charging off it.
For longer trips where the engine isn't going tpo be used, I have a set of solar panels that I haven't yet used (but might do to charge up during lockdown).

 

[Banshee]

Have you seen my set up?
AGM battery behind the rear seats connected through a split charger from the std alternator and starter battery. I run a fuse box off the second battery where I take the supply to whichever switch I want to use to run something off. I understand that AGM batteries don't like being in the cold of the engine bay and they are perfectly safe to sleep next to. The problem is the alternator won't give it a full charge. I have never run out of juice, and that's with the fridge, lights and phone charging off it.
For longer trips where the engine isn't going tpo be used, I have a set of solar panels that I haven't yet used (but might do to charge up during lockdown).

Would that be fixed with a larger alternator?

 

[solarman216]

Would that be fixed with a larger alternator?

No it is the diodes in the split charging system that are the culprit, there is an inevitable voltage drop which inhibits the second battery from getting a full charge, Rick