Club 80-90 Forums

Here's what I'd like to do.
- Buy a leisure battery
- install it in the box under the passenger seat (which i assume is made to fit there) so its parallel to the main battery under my seat.
- connect some interior lighting of some description so I can run lights when van is stationary
- connect it to an electric cool box (never had one of these)
- connect it to anything else that needs to run from it!!

As you can see, I know nothing about electrics...even after having 5 campervans I cannot fathom how it all works. I've had ones with zig units that just cover all the leccy's up so I never know whats going on and i can just press a few buttons and it all works! I've had leisure batteries that arent connected and ive never tried. But this time I really want to learn.

If anyone has the patience to tell me if i can do the above..and get it all connected Id love them forever.
Thank you! Emma
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This may be useful info on the wiki:

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ca ... s_that_fit" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ma ... Electrical" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

However just to share my experience:


I had a camper with a homebrew interior, it had a leisure battery and a ZIG unit.I got a new interior and got rid of the Zig, because it seemed to do a very poor job of charging my battery. I am not experienced so I went for an easier low hassle option, so there may/will be far better advice to be had here.

You wil need a split charge relay from your alternator so it charges both your batteries as you drive.

A fusebox (cheap from ebay) for each of your 12v items connected to your leisure battery (on separate circuit to avoid your lights etc draining your vehicle battery. I have one from ebay that actually lights up when a fuse goes, this is fitted near to my leisure battery.

I opted for a 3 plug hookup set with a built in RCD, and simply added a decent fit and forget battery charger and conditioner. When hooked up this charges the batteries far better than my zig ever did.


You then need to route the wiring for each item be it lights, 12v sockets etc. Ensure you have fuses for each and you should be good to go.

Simplest way (electrically) to do it: https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ca ... it_charger" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (Split charge 3).

Stick the relay under drivers seat, and from relay to other positive terminal on the leisure battery. The relay should have those numbers on it and ideally be rated at least 40 amps (£5-£7 at most). Fit fuses as shown. On mine, I ran wire 86 all the way to alternator. Still works and been on several years now.

THANK you!!! so much

Just to add, you mention a cool box. You can't run a cool box off a leisure battery (or main battery) as it will flatten it in a couple of hours.

Oh so what should I do for this? What happens with frigdges? I've had a few fridges before but never really left them on for long stretches

Well, you either pack it with ice or ice blocks (fine for 2-4 days), or use a 2 or 3-way fridge that allows you to run it on gas when parked. As said, you can't run them off the leisure for very long and shouldn't.

Its important not to view a camper as a mini-home. It might be in terms of size but if you're not hooked up to the mains, you don't have the luxury of infinite and guaranteed electricity and even solar panels are not much use at night or on a very overcast day. You have to get to grips with ohms law a bit and understand what uses masses of power and what doesn't. LED lights don't use much but stereos, TV, heaters and fridges do and can quickly run a battery down. A supply of gas can be reasonably long lasting though.

I use a HUDL with a big memory card loaded with films as it doesn't use as much as DVD players. LED lighting throughout, My 3-way fridge will also function as a cool box and stay cold enough for most friday to monday events or I can light up the gas if temperatures outside dictate this.