zig and leisure battery

Post by **hammy44** » 10 Jan 2007, 11:39

hi i have a zig system in my van and an ordinary battery for the ancilleries was thinking of putting a leisure battery in but have read that an ordinary battery charger does not charge these leisure batteries properly, you have to have a leisure battery charger.does any one know what the zig unit would be eg ordinary or leisure.i think due to the age its probably ordinary.do you have any difficulty with yours charging a leisure battery. thanks jim

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 10 Jan 2007, 15:17

Most people use a standard type starter battery instead of a leisure battery, usual reason is getting a leisure battery, in the right size, to fit the battery box, for the right price

Mine works fine with standard starter type batteries

Post by **DiscoDave** » 10 Jan 2007, 19:17

hmmm! the idea of a zig is to charge your leaisure battery and can distribute your 12v power depending on model! i used to use normal car batteries but i went through them at a good rate of notts! i have had a leisure battery for a few years now and a normal car battery charger doesn't seem to have caused it any harm!! personal choice i suppose!

Post by **Willoughby** » 11 Jan 2007, 22:55

I am with Dave on this one if you can go for a leisure battery. Leisure batteries are designed to handle the constant charge/discharging. If you plan not to drain you battery to empty over and over you will get away with a normal battery.

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 12 Jan 2007, 08:42

Nice diagram

Post by **hammy44** » 12 Jan 2007, 21:17

thanks willoughby. like the diagram wondered where the wires went to. i keep my zig on gharge but it does not seem to keep it fully charged.that was why i was thinking of a liesure type.

Post by **Willoughby** » 13 Jan 2007, 23:53

Thanks Guys

I'm planning working my way thro some other wiring diagrams.

I have started on the VW Type 2 - Aug 1978 (1979 Models)

And the 1981 Type 25.

Once I have finished I will post a link to my web space.

Post by **Other-Power** » 14 Jan 2007, 01:21

Hi Guys,

Can I just see, what is the size of the space for the secound battery? I dont have my van atm so would like to know for when i install my 2nd battery.

Regards Jonathan

Post by **Nicola&Tony** » 14 Jan 2007, 09:14

Other-Power wrote:Can I just see, what is the size of the space for the secound battery? I dont have my van atm so would like to know for when i install my 2nd battery.

Assuming that you're wanting to keep your second battery in the box behind the front passenger seat, you can find the dimensions that you're after in Wiki (see hammer symbol at the top of this page). This link will hopefully take you to the relevant page:

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Ca ... s_that_fit

Tony

Post by **Nicola&Tony** » 14 Jan 2007, 09:23

Having said that, when I checked the size of our battery box I found those dimensions a little on the generous size, but then again the cable to our battery comes into the box through a hole in its base which reduces the size of the space available for a battery. So I work off these dimensions:

length: 280mm

width (i.e. front to back):175mm

height: 175mm

Tony

Post by **chipster1** » 04 Feb 2007, 20:27

ebay do slimline or you could instal leisure battery in engine compartment, is close to zig for charging that's what i'm planning to do.

Post by **irish.david** » 07 Feb 2007, 23:11

I know this subject has been done to death but i still think that people worry too much about getting leisure batteries. Leisure batteries were designed with caravans and boats in mind where batteries sit in a low charge for a long period of time. As long as you've got a split charge system and drive the van about once a week i reckon leisure batteries are a waste of money. Thats my story and i'm sticking to it. Dave

Post by **Shootz** » 08 Feb 2007, 16:15

I use a standard car battery instead of a leisure one,and have no problems.
The split charge system does the trick,but if i am going away in the van for a few days i just stick it on charge the day before i leave.