another battery question

[hixsy]

ok ive setup the split charge, i was just wondering as i can get batteries for nothing is it a good/worthwhile idea to get a 3rd, ive got room under the rock and roll bed for another, im just wondering if its really worth doin ? does it mean i will be able to run stereo/fridge/lights etc longer (thinkin off 2 nights camping)

Also what do i do about the split charge, im assuming i have a standard alternator in, is that gonna be enuff to charge 3 batts and is it a simple case of now just hooking up the positive negatives to the 2nd battery or do i need some gizmo in the chain ?

im kinda toying with the idea at the minute before i put me boards back in the back, whilst ive got the vans guts out i can run extra wires in place ready? Wat ya think ?

[kevtherev]

ok ive setup the split charge, i was just wondering as i can get batteries for nothing is it a good/worthwhile idea to get a 3rd,

won't do any harm

does it mean i will be able to run the fridge

no.. and never will be either, that runs off the alternator.

(thinkin off 2 nights camping)

one would be enough for that

Also what do i do about the split charge, im assuming i have a standard alternator in, is that gonna be enuff to charge 3 batts and is it a simple case of now just hooking up the positive negatives to the 2nd battery or do i need some gizmo in the chain ?

yes, enough.

[hixsy]

thx for the answers

ill run the wires in ready anyway, will i need anything else in there or just the positive wire to the 3rd battery from the 2nd ?

[Cafnod]

I would agree with what Kev said but unpack things a bit;
Many people have a second leisure battery, it wont do any harm and you have quite a power hungry looking sound system. I would go for it,
Connections are easy, however you may want to put an isolator in so that you dont drain both leisures, a marine 1,2 or both type sswitch would work well in a two battery setup.
Fridge. Fridges only run on 12vdc when travelling because of their power demand. @10 amps typical. ON 12vdc fridge cannot cool the fridge down from off, you need to run it down on gas or mains, people will argue but it is the case. All of that is true of an absorption type fridge, the 2 or 3 way type that can run on gas. However there are a lot of fridges now that use compressor technology, like the fridge in your house (probably) and they run on either 12vdc or mains. These WOULD run on your leisure battery when parked up and when I have wired a system using a compressor fridge I have (usually) given it its own battery.
Typically we get 2 - 3 days out of a pair of 110's running lights pumps, co/smoke/gas detector, stereo, inverter driving full size domestic fridge and house size microwave. Also a further 6 amps per night running medical equipment.
HTH

[hixsy]

nice info thx for that.

I like me music nice and crisp so i opt for a beefy sound system, but the main reason is the stereo playing the divx/dvds, i would like that too keep the kids quite when needs be, my headunit has a display and i run it to a 7inch lcd too and would like sufficent power to do it for a few hours. Ive also got a 16inch lcd in the house which can run on 12v too and would wanna hook that up at some point too. Im not truely gonna know how long it will last till is test it out really i guess. . .

could you show me wat type of switch/isolator you mean?

The fridge scenario i can kinda deal with, in the past ive just took a cooler box full of ice and chilled me beer before i go, that lasts 2days-ish . .

[Cafnod]

Yep heres one.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BOAT-ROTARY-BATTE ... 19b7102f84" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
They can take a high current, starting loads, typically, you can have one two or both batteries on or all of. It can isolate the 12vdc accessories from the batteries to save flattening or a short in an appliance. Even if its turned off when wired in to control two leisures it wont damage anything as it is on the leisure batteries output side after the split charge relay.
You dont have to buy this one, just this type they often come up at boatjumbles and things. BTW boat jumbles have lots of bargains for camper building.
Sorry I am unable to post pictures or diagrams can someone tell me why please???????????????????? GRRRRRRRRRR.

[hixsy]

great thx

so i'd put that switch after the relay with the relevant wires to each battery ? seems pretty straight forward, but how would it read out on me voltmeter mod?

[Cafnod]

Hi sorry been busy this evening, the switch would go on the OUTPUT side of the two batterys, so it be between the batteries and the loads. Theloads are the same from each, ie a common out, but the wires from EACH battery go to the switch first. Therefore whichever LEISURE battery was selected that would show on the voltmeter. If you had BOTH LEISURE batteries switched on then the voltage would equalise across the pair. What the switch does is select which battery feeds the loads. Sorry it would really help i I could post a diagram.

[hixsy]

well thanks anyway for the tips/advice m8, appreciated.

wats the deal with not posting diagrams ?

[Cafnod]

well thanks anyway for the tips/advice m8, appreciated.

wats the deal with not posting diagrams ?

You are more than welcome, anytime. Cannot seem to paste images into posts, can do it OK with links but not images or scanned images. No idea why. Very frustrating and I could show things more easily than trying to explain them.

[CovKid]

Go into your user control panel and check your board preferences. Make sure phpBB code is turned on.

[Cafnod]

Can you please explain how to do this in words of one sylable or less. Thanks

[CovKid]

yes

[Cafnod]

I did ask one syllable or less, not one word or less.

[Eta-Beta]

Get a gell battery,, much better