Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Woking
Posts: 3213
Portable Leisure Battery system/multiple charging systems
I know there are a load of threads on here about split charging systems, leisure batteries and the like but none of them quite answer the questions I have so best to start at the beginning with what I am hoping for and I'm hoping the knowledgeable people on the forum can steer me safely away from problems or danger!
I want to create a portable leisure battery system. Probably in a plastic box of some sort. This would give me flexibility because the system may in fact be "away" from the vehicle on a camp site or even on one of my boats.
In this regard I am thinking a box containing a leisure battery with all sorts of interesting output, inverter etc. No real hassle there really. Quite easy to do. It's more the charging end really..
What I want to be able to do is alternate between charging from the car and charging from solar.
So as we are motoring along the battery pack is plugged into a cigarette lighter socket and then when the car is stationary and switched off plug it in to a solar array.
In my simplistic mind, all I really need between the battery and the two charging systems is a charge regulator. Something like:
Could it really be that simple or am I missing something?D3 07 SE - still going strong
D3 07 HSE - gone to car heaven
FL1 - gone to Romania
D3 05 HSE - gone to a divorce diet
D1 V8 manual - gone but not forgotten
RR Classic - gone to car heaven
Jeeps, Lexus, X-trails... Too many to name..
19th Oct 2016 11:17 am
professorpool
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Woking
Posts: 3213
coughD3 07 SE - still going strong
D3 07 HSE - gone to car heaven
FL1 - gone to Romania
D3 05 HSE - gone to a divorce diet
D1 V8 manual - gone but not forgotten
RR Classic - gone to car heaven
Jeeps, Lexus, X-trails... Too many to name..
20th Oct 2016 5:55 am
Bodsy Site Sponsor
Member Since: 06 Nov 2006
Location: In the Clubhouse
Posts: 21361
If you don't want to put a split charge system in place, and want to power off the 12v socket, then really you need to have a 12v DC-DC charger otherwise when you plug the battery in when it's a bit flat, you'll get a massive inrush of current which will almost certainly blow the fuse to the sockets.
You can connect the dc-dc charger and the solar controller to the battery as the solar controller should stop power going back out to the panels.
You could of course fit a proper split charge system and have an aux in the car engine bay and additionally wired to an anderson connector in the boot to plug your boot battery box into.Bodsys Brake Bible
Clock/ SNOTM /3Flash / 4x4Info /BT Update /Service Reset/Error Codes / Gearbox Reset See It Here
20th Oct 2016 7:16 am
professorpool
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Woking
Posts: 3213
OK that's brilliant thanks!
Will have to have another think!
Built my box today - took nearly an hour D3 07 SE - still going strong
D3 07 HSE - gone to car heaven
FL1 - gone to Romania
D3 05 HSE - gone to a divorce diet
D1 V8 manual - gone but not forgotten
RR Classic - gone to car heaven
Jeeps, Lexus, X-trails... Too many to name..
20th Oct 2016 2:20 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14493
Put a T-Max split charge in with a decent battery and take power to the boot with an Anderson connector and other 12v / USB sockets . It gives you lots of options at not much money. D4 HSE EU6 (Known as Jeeves)
New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!) Sold
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
20th Oct 2016 2:42 pm
Buckster
Member Since: 04 May 2015
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 605
Or you could buy an ArkPak 730. Not the cheapest but a great piece of kit.
Mine has a 110AH leisure battery and i run my ARB 47L fridge freezer as well as LED camping lights. It has USBs, has 240 capability and can be charged by mains, DC to DC off the 12v ciggy lighter or by solar via the built in smart charger 2003 BMW M5- 5 Litres of V8 Optimax Slurping Goodness in Carbon Black
2013 RRS SDV6 HSE Black Edition- Orkney Grey with Ebony & Ivory. LR Facelift RAI, Genuine G4 Expo Rack, 4x Warn Spotlights, Warn 9.5 XPS Winch, Mantec Underbody Protection, Full Easylift Suspension, LightForce HTX 230 Spot Lights, LR Light Guards, 18” Compomotive PD1881 on 265/65/18 BF Goodrich KO2, Brembos Calipers, ARB Fridge, Tuff trek awning.
Visiting from the RR Sport forum:
20th Oct 2016 6:30 pm
professorpool
Member Since: 19 Mar 2012
Location: Woking
Posts: 3213
That's a great device...
Landrover pricing D3 07 SE - still going strong
D3 07 HSE - gone to car heaven
FL1 - gone to Romania
D3 05 HSE - gone to a divorce diet
D1 V8 manual - gone but not forgotten
RR Classic - gone to car heaven
Jeeps, Lexus, X-trails... Too many to name..
20th Oct 2016 7:33 pm
tayaste
Member Since: 15 May 2013
Location: Chester
Posts: 7633
Moo wrote:
Put a T-Max split charge in with a decent battery and take power to the boot with an Anderson connector and other 12v / USB sockets . It gives you lots of options at not much money.
Exactly what I have
20th Oct 2016 7:59 pm
Moo D3 Decade
Member Since: 13 Aug 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 14493
Funnily enough, so do I. D4 HSE EU6 (Known as Jeeves)
New Defender L663 110 SE (known as Noddy!) Sold
Sold Volvo XC90 R-Design (known as Basil)
Sold - D4 HSE (Known as Gerty)
No longer the Old Buses original owner
231,000 miles and counting
05 S manual owned from March 2005
D4 Face lifted
Still original injectors and turbo
V8 Front brakes
BAS Remap, Allisport Intercooler and deCat
EGRs blanked
T-Max split charge
Hanibal Expeedition rack
Prospeed ladder
Duratrac tyres
IID BT
BAS FBH control
20th Oct 2016 8:04 pm
Bazzer03
Member Since: 16 Jul 2016
Location: Bootle
Posts: 20
Twin Towing Electrics
Just a thought, Does your car have towing electrics ? I think on the 12S there is a wire that comes from an integral split charger from the car, normally powers a caravan battery from the Alternator so you may already have a split charger. Ive not had my LR3 long but from what I get it is very electric dependent, putting a large draw through the ciggy lighter may cause issues esp in colder weather, if the option of going though the towing electrics would be much better.
you could even by a few smaller batteries, wire them all together and stuff em all into a tool box and just put a towing lead onto it, then you also have a flat surface to mount usb, 12v and even a anderson type plug. and even have the option of charging it from another vehicle with twin lekky
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
