battery chargers

Post by **busbuddy** » 20 Jan 2007, 17:48

has anyone ever replaced one of these with anything available in the uk?

Post by **DiscoDave** » 20 Jan 2007, 17:58

zig do some external battery chargers! tho you may be better of getting an auto charger from halwits!

Post by **busbuddy** » 20 Jan 2007, 18:22

it's not just a charger, it also supplies all the 12v power for the van on leccy hook-up

Post by **lloyd** » 21 Jan 2007, 00:43

Battery supplies system demand, Charger supplies what battery needs to be charged up as well as what system is pulling. A 15-18 amp self regulating charger will do the same as Alternator does when engine is running. Only thing is I wouldn't leave it on for more then 3 or 4 days when you get back home and park it with no power being used.

Good Luck!

E D I T: A day or 2 of charging on a single liesure battery is probably more then enough when camper isn't in use. Check acid level regularly and top off with distilled water as needed.

Post by **Stefvan** » 21 Jan 2007, 10:08

I've been looking into this myself, I have one of those 750 mA trickle chargers from Halfrauds, they are ok to maintain a charge in a battery but take forever to recharge a depleted leisure battery. I am looking at getting hold of a "Selmar Guardian" (pretty sure I got the recommendation from the archives here), it's a smart leisure charger and 7 Amp, pretty compact, abot £40 for the Leisure version and £50 for the Pro, available from your local caravan shop or Fleabay

Stefvan

Post by **lloyd** » 21 Jan 2007, 11:13

I think it's the Selmar Gardian Pro for 5 quid more... regular is 4 amp, Pro is 7 amp. output. So it could charge liesure battery in about 12 hours... Charger will put out full 7 on low battery, but as battery charges up, charger backs off on charge rate until it finally is putting out a fraction of an amp when battery is fully charged to maintain it.

Post by **busbuddy** » 21 Jan 2007, 13:01

lloyd wrote:Battery supplies system demand, Charger supplies what battery needs to be charged up as well as what system is pulling.

I don't think the system works like that, when it's connected to the mains the charger charges the leisure battery and supplies a 12v 12a feed to the van.

The charger has seperate outlets for the leisure battery and the fusebox for the interior electrics, it don't supply the battery and fusebox in series.
I'm sure if the leisure battery was removed all the interior would still work off the charger on hook up

Post by **lloyd** » 21 Jan 2007, 14:47

yes busbuddy. I oversimplied.. sorry

Wiki, 15 Camping interior, 15.2 Electrical has lots of info on split charging, heavy duty charging, liesure batteries and ZIG units and wiring.

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ma ... Electrical

Post by **busbuddy** » 21 Jan 2007, 15:01

it's ok, I have no idea what everyone else has in their van coz it's my first t25

I've seen something similar to mine in a devon but mine is in a purpose built cupboard so size is a big factor, just wondered if anyone else had replaced one before I go and buy a modern equivalent

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 22 Jan 2007, 21:18

Check this out, maybe what you need.
Nova Top Charge, down the page a bit.

www.motorcaravanning.co.uk/shopuk/tv_electrical.htm

Post by **busbuddy** » 22 Jan 2007, 22:14

nah thats just a charger, needs to be a power supply as well, like this

beginning to think I dreamt the similar one in the devon

Post by **Willoughby** » 23 Jan 2007, 21:07

Hi bb

They pop up on Ebay from time to time. I wish I had seen the post earlier one went today for 40 quid.

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... 0049034333

The good news is that the unit has been replaced by the 412. Which is still avalible new.

http://www.wobestellen.de/td-ladeautoma ... 0-3690.htm
(don't know if they are any good google found them for me.)

The electronics in the 512 are basic and most the components are still avalible. If you have a good video repair shop ask the to take a look.

give me a shout if you have no joy.

Kev

Post by **busbuddy** » 23 Jan 2007, 22:31

that set up on ebay.de is exactly the same as mine coz he took it out of a gipsy, albeit an lt, but it is 'sold as seen' and I don't wanna buy a duff one to replace my duff one

How much are them new caliras

might see if I can get mine looked at but nobody repairs stuff round here

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 23 Jan 2007, 23:49

Maybe got the wrond end of the stick here, but doesn`t the black buzzing box (charger thing under the rear seats) on a Westy do what you want when hooked up? You connect the 240V lead, the charger comes on, you use the 12V system which drains the leisure battery, which is being topped up constantly by the black buzzin box, therefore battery stays at the same voltage. Or does your white buzzin box do something else too?

Post by **Willoughby** » 24 Jan 2007, 19:15

Hi

You got me on that one, all I have under my back seat is a sleeping bag. I have a Danbury with Zig CF-6, I know the Calira Chargers from the marine side of things. Not to hot on westys.

It's a shame but the Calira web site is all in German. They really are a top bit of kit and they have some smart add-on's

http://www.calira.de/de/index.php

It has all the tech spec's and drawings