Accessories off the leisure battery

[PetenAli]

The wiring around my leisure battery is a rat's nest and can't be that safe so I'm looking to tidy it up.

The plan is to buy a separate fuse box - this sort of thing: https://www.electricalcarservices.com/f ... -1972.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; and then run one heavy cable to this so that each item then has its own separately fused circuit. I'm looking to have the following running off it (not all at the same time!):
stereo
map light
extra 12volt socket (for phone charger / sat nav)
Propex
LED strip light at rear
fridge (although this will run off a separate terminal on the split charge relay with an in line fuse)

I'd be grateful for any thoughts about this idea before the rat's nest comes out!

Thanks

[lloydy]

i used this http://www.the12voltshop.co.uk/Shop/fus ... 5026b.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
and also this http://www.sterling-power.com/products- ... bution.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
What i did after speaking to much more knowledgable people on here, and a bit internet research is; sterling charger/or split charger connected to gold block, leisure battery attached to gold block so it gets charged from split charge. Then cable from gold block to fuse box, then onto power points/radio ect. From the gold block you can then run power to the back of the van from the gold block and have a seperate fuse box in the back.
I've still to properly tidy up the wiring, but it looks like this


Uploaded with ImageShack.us

[PetenAli]

Thanks lloydy. I'd seen that fuse box on the 12voltshop site but they haven't got a price on it. It has the advantage of being just down the road from me as well. I'll ring them in the morning. Gold block idea is a good one as well. I followed yours and others experiences with the Serlings and will go for that eventually but need to spend funds on other stuff first - like engine parts!!

[lloydy]

Yep, a sterling is something to save for. That 12v shop should sell that gold block as well, i got it from there. And that set up will work with a split charge relay. Good luck with the engine too!

[PetenAli]

Yep, a sterling is something to save for. That 12v shop should sell that gold block as well, i got it from there. And that set up will work with a split charge relay. Good luck with the engine too!

Thanks!!

[Mocki]

your fridge should NOT run from the leisure battery,
it should run from the main battery only when the engine is running.

[PetenAli]

your fridge should NOT run from the leisure battery,
it should run from the main battery only when the engine is running.

Thanks Steve - I did know that but didn't word it very well. There is a separate terminal on my split charge relay that directs power to the fridge from the cranking battery but only when the engine is running. If I tried running my Westy fridge off the leisure battery it would be flat in about an hour!

[PetenAli]

Taken a bit of time off from the engine this weekened while the weather is still good so that I can attack the rat's nest that is our leisure side wiring.

This is what I mean by rat's nest...



Spent most of yesterday working out what was original Westfalia wiring and what has been added on over the years. The Westy wiring diagram off the Wiki was a big help There was a lot of surface rust on the base of the battery compartment so last thing today I gave it a good wire brushing and painted on some Vactan - I've only just got this so will be interested to see how it performs.

I am going to run the following off the leisure battery:

To the rear:
- fridge trigger(from purpose designed output on relay)
- fridge main power (from alternator)
- water pump
- Propex
- lighting

To the front:
- second 12v socket
- map light
- CB
- stereo
- more lighting

Picked up this fuse board (thanks lloydy) from my local auto electrics place who are very good and cheaper than VWP. Its mounted on the side of the cooker cabinet behind the driver's seat.



Next job will be to work out how to get the old black box and heater wiring out from under the bench seat. I don't want to cut too much as I've been very careful not to cut anything I might need. While I'm at it I've also got the fridge out to see if I can finally get it to work on gas and it gives me better access as well. The plan is to get everything completed over next weekend.

[kinkytom]

hi folks,

i'm looking to buy a new leisure battery as i think the one in my van is a gonner. also gonna buy a a charger for it to be permanently attached for charging via hook up.

my big question is can i just plug the charger into one of the existing sockets and connect straight to the leisure battery? i already have a control unit wired in that distributes power to the fridge, lights and water pump. do i need a seperate fusebox between the charger and the battery or perhaps just a singular fuse in line?

please excuse my ignorance...

many thanks

[ghost123uk]

Hi there Tom

2 points before an answer, just to keep you sweet on this forum.
It is normal to do a "Hi from me I'm new here" type of post and then your question might have been better placed in it's own new thread. It always helps (and we are nosey ) if you let us know what version of T25 you have and what type of engine it has if an engine related question.

Anyway, welcome to Club 80-90

hi folks,

i'm looking to buy a new leisure battery as i think the one in my van is a gonner. also gonna buy a a charger for it to be permanently attached for charging via hook up.

my big question is can i just plug the charger into one of the existing sockets and connect straight to the leisure battery? i already have a control unit wired in that distributes power to the fridge, lights and water pump. do i need a seperate fusebox between the charger and the battery or perhaps just a singular fuse in line?

please excuse my ignorance...

many thanks

Yes you can plug a charger into one of the 3 pin 240 volt mains sockets, suggest you try and find / afford a "smart" charger that drops to a regulated trickle charge once the battery is up to speed.

Yes you should fit an in line fuse (slightly higher rating as the output of the charger) - fit the fuse close to the battery terminal.

Take care you don't wire your fridge so it powers from the leisure battery when the engine is not running, or it will flatten the battery in a couple of hours.

Lots of info in our "wiki", (here = https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Main_Page" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; ) such as https://club8090.co.uk/wiki?ti ... sure&go=Go" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; but don't be shy of asking questions on the forum

[pmoc_2001]

Not all fridges need to be connected to the cranking battery? Some fridges have a built in under voltage cut out. Importantly get the right size cable for the length of run to avoid voltage drop.