wiring two leisure batteries

[uniB]

Hi folks,

I'm currently fitting out my van with new electrics. I will be using a Sargent EC155 control unit – the van battery will be wired in to this via a fuse and a relay. The leisure battery is wired in to the EC155 for charging. What I'm not sure about is what happens if I want a second leisure battery - I will have two amps and I'm worried about draining the main leisure battery and I was considering having a smaller leisure battery to run the amps from. Can I attach the second leisure battery to the first in parallel, will this cause charging issues? Or am I better off leaving the second battery out of the EC155 and have a second connection from the van battery with a relay to charge it?

Hope that makes sense and someone can help!

Ta

[a1winchester]

Running 2 leisures was discussed a few months back, and opinions varied, but it would seem to be best (if you want to run 2 leisures) to have 2 near enough identical batteries in parallel.

[uniB]

That would be a bit of a problem as my main leisure battery is pretty big and I can't fit another one in – it'd have to fit behind the passenger seat. Wonder if a second battery with the same capacity would be OK? Or maybe I should give up with the idea and stick with one?

[kevtherev]

Nah get two
I have two and the charging is no trouble. Plus longer lasting power at weekend camps
two 75 AH starters, wired in parallel, all I would say is get the same age batteries and same AH if poss

before you do this check out the 'traction battery' threads in 'camping '
might change your mind

[uniB]

Umm, that's some sexy battery Interesting, so I could have one of those not connected to the alternator or other leisure and just charge it with a battery charger. Wonder how long it'd power the amps for without a charge?

before you do this check out the 'traction battery' threads in 'camping '
might change your mind

[a1winchester]

[quote="uniB"]Umm, that's some sexy battery Interesting, so I could have one of those not connected to the alternator or other leisure and just charge it with a battery charger. Wonder how long it'd power the amps for without a charge?


Obvious reply really, but it depends on the power consumption of the amps. Unless you are planning to do the PA for an open air concert, should last some time I would guess. have a look at the amps and see if there's a rating. I assume you won't have them both going at full chuff, so make allowance for that, then do the sums.

[kevtherev]

you oughta PM Nesty he's our man trialing this as we type.

and running some tasty amps too

[ghost123uk]

I run a big leisure battery with a small one in parallel with it - never had any probs

[uniB]

Thanks for the advice guys. I had a reply from Sargent saying it's fine to have two batteries connected, ideally same capacity and age, when one starts to fail it'll take power from the better battery.

At least I know now that there's some way of doing it OK, either with the sexy golf cart bettery or smaller battery connected to the leisure battery so I'll figure out how much the amps are going to take power wise and see what's best