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Post by daisymini on Jan 27, 2015 14:39:22 GMT
I want to put 240v in my van. what i need to know is..How to charge leisure batteries whilst on hook up.
The system i have at the moment is..2x 110ah batteries charged via duritic relay
(http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DURITE-Split-Charge-Voltage-Sensitive-Relay-12V-140A-0-727-33-/201138488890?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item2ed4c9c63a)
and a 100w solar panel.
I would love a sterling B2B but cannot afford one so was thinking of a marine smart charger
(http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181331062760?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)
I guess id need a 20amp charger with 2 110ah batteries would that be correct?.
Do i need to buy a second hand zig unit to control everything? or can i just put in some sort of switch?
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Post by Firefox on Jan 27, 2015 16:02:53 GMT
I just used a bog standard £50 240v to 12v smart charger from Halfords. It says up to 120Ah battery, but in practice it does 2x110 Ah batteries no problem. Just takes slightly longer! Over 24 hours I can put back in at least 24h x 5A - that's 120 Ah, enough for most purposes It will work in conjunction with your solar panel regulator, the smart charger won't overcharge if the voltage is up.
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Post by X on Jan 27, 2015 16:37:55 GMT
Even in our van with the all singing all dancing control panel is a separate unit the smart charger is installed behind it under the wardrobe . so yes any smart charger will do the job . They do seem to vary a lot in price ?
Sent from my Nexus 4 using proboards
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Post by Firefox on Jan 27, 2015 17:23:44 GMT
The official caravan manufacturers equipment replacement versions can be a lot more than £50, maybe £80 to £150+ speaking from memory only.
But as stated, I have used an own brand one for 5 years with no problems. If one has a battery bank of 4 or more batteries then probably a heavy duty charger (20 amp etc) could be considered to get them back up quickly. It is more canal boat territory though!
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Post by Alec on Jan 27, 2015 22:00:54 GMT
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Post by fulltimer on Jan 28, 2015 0:11:46 GMT
20 / 25 amp charger should be adequate for your battery bank size no need for any zig unit or switches, I've always used Sterling Power products as we are fulltime and want total reliability but they are not cheap, I'm actually now about to fit a Xantrex Truecharge 2 40 amp charger which is marine rated purely because I was given it. The Amperor equipment in Alec's link is pretty good I've used their 18 amp chargers many times in conversions without any problems. Not used the ones in your link before but it should be more than up to the job but don't use the crocodile clips to connect it to your battery bank they want to be hard wired to the battery terminals no danger of any sparks then.
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Post by stonedaddy on Jan 28, 2015 23:13:18 GMT
Yeah good the Amperor chargers. I was dead lucky I got one off Ebay for £30 which was unused. The guy had taken it out of his motorhome and put a much heavier charger in for a bank of four 110ah for long tours. I'm well happy with it. .... Tom ....
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Post by Firefox on Jan 29, 2015 18:09:42 GMT
Just checked on Halfords website. They do an 8 Amp one for £35 and various ones over £50 from 20-35A. Any of the ones over £50 would be OK. They don't do my model any more, but I think it is about a 15-20A charger, and cost me £45 approx 5 years ago. It does all kinds of batteries. They recommend up to 120 Ah only, but I have used on 220 Ah capacity, no problems. Hardwire on terminals, don't use crock clips as has been mentioned. I also notice they do a CTEK battery analyser for £99 which gets good reviews - not an essential - but nice for a wild camping agony aunt/uncle to go round and test people's batteries at meets when they are moaning they seem to be down on capacity.
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