Morning all. Has anyone got any recommendations as to where I should get my leisure battery and split charge kit from?? I know there are loads of different kits from all sorts of different places, but it's there anywhere that is better than the rest?? TIA "Sitting on the dock of my Bay...."
Simply slit charge. I bought this specific one. https://www.simplysplitcharge.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=109_98_108&product_id=54
I went Simply Split charge but the ignition relay not the voltage sensing.. can't remember the reason but there was one... sure someone who knows about electrictrickery will be along to explain the benefits of different types soon. Batteries from Tayna.co.uk seem to be good value whenever I go there.. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
I had a split charge relay fitted in mine by a PO - but have since disconnected it. I realised that it is only any good if you do a fair mileage in your bus so that both batteries are kept up to full charge. As I don't do a big mileage , the leisure battery just wasn't getting enough charge, so I just link up the charger to bring it up to full whilst I am at home - and use the mains feed whilst on a camp site.
Thanx for the responses guys. @Deefer66 yes, I'm going for a relay and not the VSR because the research I've done, the VSR only charges the LB once the starter battery is fully charged. I've read the How-to in the pinned section by @matty and it's a wealth of knowledge Just wondering if there was a particular kit from anywhere that was better than the rest. "Sitting on the dock of my Bay...."
The starter battery should hit 14 volts almost immediately after starting so the VSR will work. Main benefit from VSR is when you have solar panels or a hookup charger. Then any spare from the leisure battery ends up keeping the starter battery charged. But a relay that closes when the alternator is charging , some thick wire and a couple of fuses is cheaper.
Simply Split charge has a reasonable out of the box option but it's just a really and some wire and inline fuses prob source it all cheaper if you've got the time.. Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
I fitted these kits in my vans to start with before just buying everything to make my own systems - they are really good & have clear instructions. For the battery you can search 'Probat' or just leisure battery on eBay and get a decent 100ah battery which should fit on the lhs battery tray of your van and these cost approx £65ish - which is a good price. Hope this helps!
Ah thanx Mike. I didn't realise that. I will be adding a 240v hook up too, with a battery charger so maybe a vsr would be the way to go... "Sitting on the dock of my Bay...."
VSR every time BUT if your main battery is on its way out the relay won't kick across as it should , the VSR will just try to charge the main battery . I had this issue a couple of years ago and couldn't work out if it was a goosed leisure battery or the relay . Turned out to be a goosed main battery. My only other tip would be to ensure you fit a fused link on the heavy leads from each battery to the relay . Some kits only supply one fuse which is ok but I preferred one on each live to be on the safe side ... Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Thanx for all the advice. I've just ordered a 70amp durite kit with 7 metres of red 10mm² cable and all the gubbins, and also the 240v hook-up kit from Split charge so that'll be next week's job. Going to run the main feed into the van and connect it to a distribution panel like this https://images.app.goo.gl/U9hBbAdECCRMNviA9 With the 240v RCD, is there any reason why I can't connect it to a board on the engine bay?? Seen a few installs on Google and they all seem to be under the rock and roll bed. "Sitting on the dock of my Bay...."
I've just ripped out the existing leisure wiring, and oh my word....!! Let's just say, I think it was all original from Mr Holdsworth back in 1973!! It's about time for a bit of an upgrade, don't you think?? "Sitting on the dock of my Bay...."
At least those 12 volt sockets dont suffer from the bad connection you get when a cigarette lighter plug creeps out, then roasts as the tip just touches the socket.
Really??.. those sockets and the plugs that plug into them didn't have any proper connections. Just had the wire bent round the brass bits and the silver Spring clips just held the wire in place... "Sitting on the dock of my Bay...."
No need! I’ve still got the stuff from when a previous owner wired up the original Eberspacher heater in my van...with solid-core mains cable
