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How can you join leisure battery's? Thinking of putting in 2
Posted: 13 Jun 2016, 21:07
by Da dan
I have a zig unit but want to add on other leisure batteries without frying it all. Can anyone help?
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Re: How can you join leisure battery's? Thinking of putting in 2
Posted: 14 Jun 2016, 07:41
by CovKid
Just wire it in parralel. Ideally you want matching ones.
Re: How can you join leisure battery's? Thinking of putting in 2
Posted: 14 Jun 2016, 08:52
by LeeME3
Useful article here:
https://caravanchronicles.com/guides/ho ... -parallel/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Just bear in mind that schematic doesn't show fuses which should be included!
Re: How can you join leisure battery's? Thinking of putting in 2
Posted: 14 Jun 2016, 11:30
by California Dreamin
2,3,4,5,6 how ever many you want......Positive to Positive.....Negative to Negative.
However, be sure to fasten them down securely (not like in the picture)
Connect them with suitably HEAVY multi-stranded flexible cable.
Be careful to grommet/sleave any cables going through panels.
Best when matching (age/capacity/type) are used but not essential.
There is some debate (when using larger numbers of batteries) as to where you take off your Pos/Neg connection (best done in the middle of the link each side) to do with the lengths of cabling etc.
IMHO also best to charge as separate batteries several times a year....(disconnect and charge each one on its own to ensure they all reach 100% charge state) which again can be an issue with larger 'banks' of batteries.
Martin
Re: How can you join leisure battery's? Thinking of putting in 2
Posted: 14 Jun 2016, 13:28
by Da dan
Thanks guys. Thought so just wanted reassuring. Happy camping
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Re: How can you join leisure battery's? Thinking of putting in 2
Posted: 15 Jun 2016, 20:55
by Da dan
Thinking!?!? Dangerous I know but would it matter if if the batters were either side of the engine bay and one under the passenger seat? Instead of 'inline'? Would that still be ok?
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Re: How can you join leisure battery's? Thinking of putting in 2
Posted: 16 Jun 2016, 05:50
by kevtherev
It does not matter where they are, up to a point.*
As long as they are in parallel.
*heat and moisture will affect the battery detrimentally.
Batteries far apart will need thick cabling to reduce voltage drop
Re: How can you join leisure battery's? Thinking of putting in 2
Posted: 16 Jun 2016, 11:33
by California Dreamin
And that voltage drop is the real issue when it comes to charging, as the alternator effectively see's the 'bank' of batteries as ONE large battery. Therefore, some 'inequality' of charging will occur as the regulator tries to work out charge level, basically one battery may reach 100% charge state where as another may never reach more than 70%. This leads to reduced overall capacity.
Hence why I mentioned the ideal scenario of disconnecting each battery and charging it separately 2 - 3 times a year.
Martin
Re: How can you join leisure battery's? Thinking of putting in 2
Posted: 16 Jun 2016, 13:17
by Da dan
Once again. Thanking you!!!!
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Re: How can you join leisure battery's? Thinking of putting in 2
Posted: 27 Jun 2016, 19:20
by OXI
Another point - if you're buying new batteries, buy the silver calcium type car battery such as Bosch S5 rather than so-called leisure batteries.
They have a 5 year guarantee and are more tolerant to cycling aging and good all-round performance. Plus, they can be used as a starter battery in an emergency.
Don't discharge below 50% and they'll serve you well for many years.
Frank.
Re: How can you join leisure battery's? Thinking of putting in 2
Posted: 27 Jun 2016, 20:07
by Da dan
Just done 1200 miles to the Lake District this weekend. What a lovely place. Lots of walking too!! Took out the fridge this weekend and cleaned out the thing now it's working like a peach thing is do I need the bigger battery's? But then it would be handy. Does anyone have their batteries in the spaces in corner of the engine bay behind the wheel arch? Will this be to hot? I could do with the space under the seat. Thanks for all the top infoi
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Re: How can you join leisure battery's? Thinking of putting in 2
Posted: 27 Jun 2016, 21:01
by Oldiebut goodie
3600 miles!!!!
Re: How can you join leisure battery's? Thinking of putting in 2
Posted: 27 Jun 2016, 21:52
by Da dan
It was so good I had to tell you three times. Still only just under 1200 miles. Slight red faced
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Re: How can you join leisure battery's? Thinking of putting in 2
Posted: 27 Jun 2016, 22:23
by tobydog
Oldiebut goodie wrote:3600 miles!!!!
At least you didn't come with four exclamation points in excitement, nothing like suffering of bangorrhea.
Re: How can you join leisure battery's? Thinking of putting in 2
Posted: 27 Jun 2016, 22:39
by Oldiebut goodie
!!!!Bangor!!!!is!!!!a!!!!nice!!!! city!!!!