leisure battery

Post by **finbahr** » 02 Aug 2006, 18:44

Could someone post a wiring diagram of the battery and leisure battery, fridge etc.
I don't think the leisure is charging at all and the fridge isn't working on battery.

I am a sparky believe it or not but new to auto electrics

Website · Post by **dbroada** » 02 Aug 2006, 19:01

there are a couple of schematics on the wiki.

the basic circuit is main battery +ve to n/o contact on "split charge relay" and common on the relay to LB +ve. Both batteries should be fused. A common failure is for one of these fuses to blow when you try to recharge the LB if discharged too far. The main culprit for a discharged LB is to run a fridge off it without the engine running.

You can check that the LB is charging by checking its voltage with the engine running. It should be the same as the MB (and alternator).

But remember, there are probably as many different setups as there are vans. Even if they left the workshop the same many have had modifications along the way.

Post by **finbahr** » 02 Aug 2006, 19:03

cheers dave

Post by **georgeIRL** » 03 Aug 2006, 00:42

mind if i hijack your thread now that your finished with it

Q1. is the an off the shelf display module for keeping an eye on the batteries/ charging etc

I know i could just wire up 2 amp guages but i would like something a little more professional looking

Q2. is it possible to wire uP 2 leisure batteries, so i could have MB + LB1 + LB2. I presume it is possible but is the alternator up to it

Thanks

Website · Post by **dbroada** » 03 Aug 2006, 06:20

I used a zig batery meter (Maplins) on mine wired through a double pole switch. One battery on each pole and the common off to the meter. Its just a voltmeter calibrated in colours. However its going to be replaced with a cheap DVM that I have pulled apart and soldered to be ermanently on the 20vdc range. I would like an ameter but you have to put them in line and I don't know what currents we are talking about.

There's no problem adding more leisure batteries. They will just take longer to charge so there is a practical limit to how flat you can go and your driving distances. If I were to put additional batteries in I think I would look at using isolating diodes rather than a split charge relay though.

Have a look through http://www.marcleleisure.co.uk/

Post by **styven** » 08 Aug 2006, 19:54

Hi there,

Don't know if have sussed this out yet, but i have just wired one in using the diagram from this link.

http://www.kampenwagen.co.uk/Split%20Charge.htm

Scroll down about two thirds of the page to see it.

Steve

Website · Post by **dbroada** » 08 Aug 2006, 21:05

a word of caution about that diagram. Gazz did it for his beach buggy which didn't really USE his leisure battery so the fuses are a bit on the low side for a camper. Up the fuses to 25 Amps and wire accordingly. If you use a 30 or 40 Amp relay (in other words, not the blue 15A JK sell) you will be fine.