Chaps, Can anyone please advise I am wanting to fit a leisure battery and not knowing about electrics I dont know what size battery or relay to buy. I intend to run the radio, lights, fridge of the leisure battery but when it comes to the size of the battery/relay amps? im not sure. Would appreiate any help or advise. Thanks
Get the biggest that will physically fit. Elecsol batteries are very good. A fridge will kill a leisure battery in no time.
I have this: http://www.tayna.co.uk/ELECSOL-110-Carbon-Fibre-Battery-P5553.html And this: http://www.brocott.co.uk/split-char...ing-split-charge-relay-kit-12v-30amp-h78.html
Thanks CSI_Will, the relay is just 30amp is that sufficient for my needs. I went to car audio shop and they were recommending me the a 180amp? http://www.autoleads.co.uk/products/spilt-charging
Well I've had that system in for the last year and have had no problems. The inline fuses are rated 20amp so will protect the 30amp system at both sides of the circuit. I did have a problem over winter where my vehicle battery was on the way out - kept blowing the fuses due to additional load going through the system to charge it up. Since putting in a new vehicle battery it all works sweetly. I know very little about electricals so maybe someone on here can explain the need for a higher amp system?
As Baysearcher says a fridge will kill your battery quite quickly. Most fridges are wired to run on 12V whilst driving only. Some folks have more modern compressor fridges which do last longer though. That leaves only your lights and radio and they don't use much power, assuming you don't want a heavy duty sound system. My main power use is 2 x 24 watt strip lights. When my LB died 4 years ago I just fitted an old regular starting battery and it's been fine. A 30 amp set up is OK for this. This won't affect you if you don't already have a LB but the terminals are reversed round compared to the starting battery so some adjustment in needed to the wiring.
No go as big as you like but I imagine there's a cost to this. A suitable 30 amp relay is only a couple of quid - see here http://www.vehicle-wiring-products.eu/VWP-onlinestore/relays/relays.php These folks will supply all you need.
Some info for you to read A 30amp or 40amp relay with 30amp fuse will be fine for a standard alternator 12v http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/leisure-electrics-12v.5390/ 230v http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/leisure-electrics-230v.5526/ fridges http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/fridge-types.11369/
180amp relay is all well and good but do youm have 180amp alternator (I suspect not) and the size of the wire required to take 180 amps at 12v will be substantial. My 30amp one charges up all the batteries on my trips so far.
Ive just renewed my set up, have the same battery as above from Tanya, a durite intelligent charger with 60amp inline fuses at each end and 10mm 70amp rated cable ( might be 100amp rated - not sure now) Happy with this beefed up system compared to my old many small wires relay one
