which split charger do I buy

[xmarkx]

Im looking to fit a 110a leisure battery in the next few weeks. So ive been looking at split chargers and now im stuck. which one is rite for me?

here's a few of ebay ive been looking at
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/110AH-Split-c ... 417122dd40

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/T-Max-Digital ... 19cdebd4f0

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SPLIT-CHARGE- ... 4d09aa3dab

[kevtherev]

You like ebay I see.
Maplins sell simple split charge relays (70 amp) for a couple or three quid.

the cable and connectors can be bought from any electrical factors like Edmundson or Wilts, again for a few quid
...and the wiring diagram is in the wiki ..but that's free


just sayin

as for your choice I'm pretty sure any of those will do the job

[Plasticman]

well to be fair, the o/p has come here and asked about it first
mm

[lefty67]

its something i hope to do in the future and think i will be going down the voltage sensitive route (third one of your choices), seems a bit easier than faffing about with wires from the alternator. Ideally i would like to use an automatic charging relay but very pricey.

[kevtherev]

simplicity means long lasting and cheap, for me.
running one 6mm cable from the alternator is hardly a faff....

but there's no doubt these expensive intelligent chargers will no doubt pay for themselves... eventually

[California Dreamin]

My observations are:
. All three of these kits are heavy duty and suitable for the job but parts could be purchased cheaper seperately.
. You really won't know exactly what you need until you decide exactly where the 110ah is to be sited.....this will then determine the quantity of wire needed.
. The difficult part of this install will be routing the heavy cable between the two batteries as I know a 110ah isn't going to fit in the second battery box and will have to be installed quite a distance away.
. Therefore, taking a small wire back to the alternator to switch the relay (the old fashioned way of doing this) is a small job in comparrison.
. This will mean you can use a much cheaper and more reliable traditional heavy duty relay....like:

http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/p ... ategory/36" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Some 60 amp (main) and 17.5 amp (switch) cable...exactly the length you want it:

http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/p ... ategory/11" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A couple of battery clamps:

http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/p ... ategory/26" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Strip fuse holders & fuses (40amps)

http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/p ... ategory/62" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Some terminals.....

Martin

[Mocki]

I simply don't trust the auto switching ones.

[California Dreamin]

The other issue with Auto Switching relays is any secondary charging devices, such as solar panels or mains leisure chargers, will trip the relay (because their charge voltage is above the relays switching threshold) and permanently connect the batteries.
Whilst this wouldn't normally be an issue there could be a senario where something like a small solar panel giving off a few watts will connect the starter & leisure batteries together allowing BOTH to become flat after heavy camping use.

Martin