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Post by Kaytutt on Jun 13, 2016 6:39:03 GMT
As I've managed not to spend all of my holiday money we've decided that adding a second leisure battery will be a useful addition to the van. We currently have a 100 amp battery which we bought new around 6 weeks ago, it sits in its purpose built hole within the double floor under a bench seat.
i understand that a second battery should be the same spec as the first but any advice (for dummies) on how to connect them will be helpful. There is no room to fit it alongside the other one but we thought it could sit in the cupboard under the bench seat and so would be directly above the other one
We have a solar panel connected to a MPPT controller which is wired to our Sargent power control panel
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Barry B'stard
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Post by Barry B'stard on Jun 13, 2016 9:28:40 GMT
Does your 100w panel not give you enough power? A Single battery should be fully topped up by lunchtime this time of year.
Gnomey knows a lot about this kind of thing so you might have to pretend to be nice to him for a bit.
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Post by Kaytutt on Jun 13, 2016 10:58:08 GMT
The solar panel keeps us going in the summer but we use the van all year round and our only battery takes a bit of abuse in the winter with lights and tv on for longer and as its not going to cost much to double up I think it would be a useful addition. Gaslow is another but that's a bit more pricey.
I can manage to pretend to be nice to Delphine for long enough to get info off him!
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Post by 747 on Jun 13, 2016 11:32:51 GMT
Hello Kay my dear ........ stop gritting your teeth, it is most unbecoming. A Sargent system eh? Info here, click on Sargent (obviously). I linked to the A & N Home page because there is a wealth of information on that site. www.aandncaravanservices.co.uk/You can connect a second battery with relatively thin wire, Autotrail sell one ready made with an inline fuse already fitted. My personal opinion is that it is too thin but Autotrail think not. You will need another pair of battery clamps (similar to the one on your original battery. If the batteries you have need venting to the outside, you will have to sort that out. A couple of small holes drilled through the floor and some plastic pipe fitted between the battery vent holes and the floor. My tip of the week. Measure the diameter of the vent hole on the battery and go to a Pet shop that sells fish. You should get the pipe cheaper and easier than trying Caravan/Motorhome Dealers. ps, I know nowt about junk British Motorhome systems, so make sure your Sargent will handle 2 batteries. The website I linked to shows that you may have your solar wired in unsuitably, do some research on your particular Sargent Model. pps, Gizzakiss.
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Post by Kaytutt on Jun 13, 2016 13:36:41 GMT
Thanks my dearest gnomey <barf> that's really helpful and I'll have a good read later
I think the solar connection will be ok, my Son installed it after talking to Sargent (also really helpful people) who sent him the correct wires to run from MPPT to Sargent box
I'm hoping I won't have to buy an auto trail in order to follow your instructions as that will be a tad more expensive than I had anticipated ( but perhaps not)
I must dash, the sun is trying to melt me!
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Post by 747 on Jun 13, 2016 14:02:46 GMT
The Sun must have melted your brain Kay. You do not have to buy an Autotrail that has 2 batteries, keep the connector and throw away the Autotrail ....... but I suppose you could, if you bought a Budget model. Just get some battery clamps, a bit of red wire and a bit of black wire. Cut the red wire in half and fit an inline blade fuseholder with a 15 amp fuse* added (be careful because some inline holders are rated at very low amps). * Before anyone jumps in, chargers are normally no more than 18 amp chargers. 2 batteries = 9 amps per battery. 15 is adequate and if and when your battery fails or is on the way out, the fuse will let you know about it. The Autotrail connectors have a 30 amp fuse fitted AFAIK, that means over one third of a Kilowatt is going through a very thin wire before the fuse will pop. If you don't believe me, do the Maths.
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Post by Kaytutt on Jun 13, 2016 14:11:40 GMT
The rain must have done more damage to your brain than the sun has done to mine, I have a Kontiki (and I can't do a sticky out tongue face when posting from my phone otherwise I would have)
The Sargent website does imply that their boxes are fitted to autotrails but ours is a 2006 Kontiki (honest)
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Post by 747 on Jun 13, 2016 15:49:49 GMT
The wiring kit is exactly that ....... an aftermarket add on. It will do for any motorhome. The Dealer I bought my Burstner from used that to add the second battery I asked for. Seen as how I am flogging a dead horse, here are generic instructions for wiring in a second battery. www.motts.org/second%20leisiure%20battery.htmI shouldn't be running around the interwebby thing at my age while young'uns are lounging by Pools, giving out orders like Lady Muck.
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Post by Kaytutt on Jun 13, 2016 16:54:10 GMT
The wiring kit is exactly that ....... an aftermarket add on. It will do for any motorhome. The Dealer I bought my Burstner from used that to add the second battery I asked for. Seen as how I am flogging a dead horse, here are generic instructions for wiring in a second battery. www.motts.org/second%20leisiure%20battery.htmI shouldn't be running around the interwebby thing at my age while young'uns are lounging by Pools, giving out orders like Lady Muck. See, despite all the abuse I think you have a sneaking fondness for me Thank you for your help, I will repay you one day - probably
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Post by 747 on Jun 13, 2016 17:05:56 GMT
No problem Kay, I am quite patient. You need to be when dealing with people from 3rd World Countries.
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Post by cookie on Jun 13, 2016 19:09:19 GMT
hmmmmmmmmm ................purpose built hole
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Post by prof20 on Jun 13, 2016 19:25:22 GMT
No charge either....
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Post by Kaytutt on Jun 13, 2016 19:56:04 GMT
hmmmmmmmmm ................purpose built hole Dirty bugger
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Post by nicholsong on Jun 14, 2016 16:26:22 GMT
The wiring kit is exactly that ....... an aftermarket add on. It will do for any motorhome. The Dealer I bought my Burstner from used that to add the second battery I asked for. Seen as how I am flogging a dead horse, here are generic instructions for wiring in a second battery. www.motts.org/second%20leisiure%20battery.htmI shouldn't be running around the interwebby thing at my age while young'uns are lounging by Pools, giving out orders like Lady Muck. Jim's link is to Clive Mott's info. You cannot get a better source than that. Somebody once said if you had to pay for Clive's professional advice 'you could not afford it' He used to be quite active on MHF, so I wonder what he is doing now. Anyone on here know?
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Joe66
Fruitcake full access member
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Post by Joe66 on Jun 14, 2016 18:43:20 GMT
Just cottoned on, Kay has money left over from her hols so I take it she is not treating us all to so cheap booze?
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