12v only

[Deleted account DD]

Any 12v caravaners on here? we're contemplating going to a "non mains" site over easter (about the only one thats got space )

What kit, apart from a generator, is recomended ? anyone using solar? how on earth do you make a humble 12v liesure battery last 4 days ?

cheers

 

[Thomas-the-Terrano2]

dont use blown heating, or colour tv.

second battery?

 

[poppypiesdad]

split charge system so when you go out for the day the other battery charges ???

 

[davemud]

HI ya
I have a 4x2 soler Panel on the roof of the caravan Fixed the panel to some upvc strips.
then used silicone to fix to the roof The wire goes in the the roof light while traveling
and the direct in the battery box out side while on site.
Its an 18w job with separate charge controller and 110amp leisure batter,
Been looking to change all the caravan lighting to LED but cant justify the cost yet.

I also have dual charge system on the Patrol second battery fitted in the engine bay
thats a yellow top Optima, with some extension cables to connect the car to the van
when on site.

 

[Deleted account DD]

Thanks folks. Both options intrigue me.

On the solar panels, just how much do they boost/provide?

The split charge seems intriguing but not something I know anything at all about. Research needed ! any good links/guidance around?

 

[Deleted account DD]

Hmmm...this thread seems to evidence my gut feeling (and initial math ) regarding solar power

 

[(RIP) PLANK]

Dave, I spend quite long periods living in carvans with no mains, 6 weeks is failry common the longest straight stretch about 3 years!

I have never had muh success with solar panels, as the size needed to maintain a decent wattage to the battery is very exspensive, yo woul have to spend hundreds to keep up with the consumption of blown heating, tv etc etc, and have more than one storage battery. They are OK for maintaineing charge in a stored caravan, but i dont have much success even with that. I do have a few solar panels I use for keeping electric fence batteries topped up and the difference in time between charges is minimal.

As 'TTT' (with that do as a short version?) has sugested our best option is to cut down on your consumption, i e no use of blow air just gas, no tv etc. I have generators the bestone i have found is a little 650 watt wolf, when using it a couple of hours each evening to charge the battery via he zig and run a small dvd player it runs for about 14 hours on a tank of fuel so is very economical.

as for split chargng, i do it with a smartcom relay (see towsure) and use this to charge a second battery with quick release teminals. But to be honest if you can get away wih using a small generator a couple of hours a day, you wont need one. I use 2 or 3 hook up leads and put the generator as far away for the caravans as possible and it works well for me.

 

[Deleted account DD]

Thanks Plank, I was considering a gene but not too sure, a lot of the sites we go on have a strict no generator rule.

The split system seems a good scheme I'm starting to think along the lines of a spare leisure battery in the boot (we've plenty of carrying capacity, weight and volume)with a split feed (I've got a spare split charge relay from an old towbar installation) feeding to the boot to charge it up then swap them around once the one in the caravan goes flat.

Not too sure what the current draw (ie the wire needed) would be.

I cant see how that wouldnt work ok. Not very sophisticated but should do the trick

 

[Deleted account DD]

I seem to be finding answers fairly easy on this one ....I must be wrong

I reckon I should wire it so the second battery is in the boot, in parallel to the car battery and charging system, but the split charge relay making/breaking the second via the ignition.

This will make the charging system think it just has one seriously big battery on board and regulate appropriately.

The current sent to the back/spare shouldnt usually exceed 16amps at any time.

Will there be any load to worry about on the second on start up? I see it as a bit like the caravan on the back (electric load wise that is )

Does that sound sensible to those in the know :nenau or anyone for that matter :lol

cheers.

 

[zippy656]

if i remember right, the have to be both the same size,, other wize the smaller could get boiled as the bigger one is still getting charged up.

 

[Deleted account DD]

Good point I can see the logic in that one but I am now (genuinely) confused.

What I worked out is basically the same as a caravan with the split charge going out through the tow socket to the van. I'll just have the battery via that socket into the boot of the car.

In fact.............is there any reason I cant come off my existing split charge relay which is in the back of the car ???????

confused yet..........you soon will be :thumbs:augie

 

[zippy656]

ooh makes sence that. if you can pull teh cables back inside so you can plug a battery box in, then back outside the the caravan..

maybe that would work the. after all. no one has matched battryes in car and caravan.

 

[poppypiesdad]

How about this

http://www.rawcomponents.co.uk/split-charge-kits/80-120-amp-12v-split-charge-relay-kit-1.html

seems to have all the kit you need

Never heard of the batteries having to be the same size

but found this as well

http://www.kampenwagen.co.uk/Split Charge.htm

and this

http://www.marcleleisure.co.uk/Sund001/SplitCharge01.htm

 

[Deleted account DD]

Thanks for that Ive just been perusing the raw site :thumbs that kit's the poshest one! I was looking way down the range

For my use one of the non intelligent ones would be fine and I've already got most of the bits sitting in the shed..........this project is getting tempting

However I'm beginning to wonder if a manual switch activating the relay to the rear would be a good option to avoid the problems of drawing on the leisure battery amongst other things.

 

[ssteve]

if i remember right, the have to be both the same size,, other wize the smaller could get boiled as the bigger one is still getting charged up.

the batterys will only take the charge they need irrespective of capacity
ssteve

 

[poppypiesdad]

Forget the first link
look here

http://www.x-eng.co.uk/X-Charge.asp

much cheaper

 

[Deleted account DD]

Thanks Steve. How about the other way, if an ignition switched relay is in place surely the liesure battery will contribute to cranking the engine which cant be good !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[zippy656]

:thumbs thats good then..

 

[Terranosaurus]

the batterys will only take the charge they need irrespective of capacity
ssteve

Like the man says.

Only need to be matched batteries if you are going to leave them connected whilst not charging as the better one may then discharge through the lesser one but with a split charge no problem at all.

 

[Deleted account DD]

Not a problem T, the relay will "disconnect" them either ignition or manual ly switched :thumbs on my set up...hopefully