Page 1 of 1

hard wiring a charger

Posted: 31 Mar 2014, 22:03
by scottbott
I am in the process of fitting a webasto heater under the rear seat of my van,I have fitted a lidl/aldi charger and want to wire it so it charges the batteries for the heater when on hookup,the rcd unit is very close to the charger and I was wondering about splicing into the mains cable coming out of the back of the rcd,any suggestions of the best way to do this so it looks nice and neat,not just choco blocks wrapped in insulating tape type of thing,I have had a look through the screwfix catalogue and cannot see anything,any ideas?,please,thanks

Re: hard wiring a charger

Posted: 31 Mar 2014, 22:36
by scottbott
just found things called wago connectors,anyone used them for automotive purposes,they look pretty good

Re: hard wiring a charger

Posted: 01 Apr 2014, 06:12
by matt brighton
Hi

I thought about doing the same thing a while ago but I was advised that running a charger through a battery thats connected to your alternator will damage the alternator.

If you have to pop the engine cover and disconnect the alternator it seems to defeat the object of hard wiring one in..

Electrics are not my strong point - perhaps someone else can confirm either way

All the best

Matt

Re: hard wiring a charger

Posted: 01 Apr 2014, 06:27
by lloydy
Most campers have a mains charger that works on hook up though?
Mine.. Mains hook up connected to garage RCD unit fitted under rear seat. Cable from there to a plug socket, mains charger plugged into plug socket.

Image

Re: hard wiring a charger

Posted: 01 Apr 2014, 07:07
by matt brighton
Oh ok,

I think my note of caution may only apply to more modern electrics with sensitive ecu systems, or the use of older and more "aggressive" chargers with less stable supply to the system being charged.

The cetek, aldi,lidl type are designed to monitor the state of charge and adjust accordingly - so no fear of overcharging or frying the alternator diodes


Best

Matt

Re: hard wiring a charger

Posted: 01 Apr 2014, 07:24
by itchyfeet
Wago connectors with the orange levers are ace :ok
Good for mains and very good quality

Re: hard wiring a charger

Posted: 01 Apr 2014, 07:34
by bigherb
scottbott wrote:and want to wire it so it charges the batteries for the heater when on hookup,the rcd unit is very close to the charger and I was wondering about splicing into the mains cable coming out of the back of the rcd,
Just cut the mains plug off and connect the charger to the 6A circuit breaker in the RCD unit.

Re: hard wiring a charger

Posted: 01 Apr 2014, 19:27
by scottbott
thans for the replies,was thinking about having a look into the back of the RCD and connecting to it