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Does anyone use/can recommend one of those battery condition monitor and combined trickle chargers thingies...? Something that can be left connected to keep the vehicle battery topped up..?  

Although our vehicle doesn't tend to stand for too long,I'm aware of the possible drain due to the alarm.

I'm therefore after something which(..as our vehicle tends to be hooked-up when at home)could be plugged in,"internally"(..probably by connecting via a fused plug/socket to the vehicle battery).

I'm thinking of something along the lines of something I used several years back on my motorbikes..Optimate..I think?..(Not sure whether they'd be up to looking after a hefty battery,that's used for spinning a 2.5 diesel engine?!)

Any thoughts....?

Chris

Oh!..we have got a couple of those small solar chargers(which were bought us as gifts)but I've read,probably on here,that the cheap/small ones are really just a bit of "kidology"..and that the "wavelength" of rays need to power them,don't pass through glass very efficiently!?....not sure how true that is...

hi pepe i think that optimate do a larger capacity version and i can tell you it does keep the triumph 1800cc batteries on top form so i would think it will be ok on the motorhome.

hope this helps in some way.

Delboy

Ive had this recommended by those 'who know ' 

http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product/679

Thanks for the replies...

I may be being a little over cautious,as we do tend to be out and about in the van most weekends anyway..

(..but it just seems "odd",having it on hookup and charging the "leisure" side of things,whilst the vehicle battery is just left fending for itself.. )

wineciccio..unless I've missed something(..which is possible! ),our base vehicle battery,is only charged via the alternator.

Chris

That's a really interesting "fix"...I'd never come across that before..

Although,as you say,I don't think it's something I'd need to do with this van as we don't tend to leave it standing for long periods...

But it's certainly something to keep in mind if our "patterns of useage" changes..

Chris

Quote: Originally posted by Mick S. on 21/2/2010

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Our base vehicle is just the same, but ive been given a 'fix'. If you connect the pos. poles of both batteries with a 10 amp fused cable, both batteries will be charged together by the EHU/charger. You MUST remove the fuse before starting the engine, or itll blow it. This fix is only recommended for long lay-ups during winter. This saves having to remember to remove the fuse all the time, and more so, the fix isnt needed when the vans in regular use either. Idealy, you would locate the fuse in an easily accesible area. If you email me i can send you a diag.

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if you wanted to get clever, as well as the fuse for protection, you could add a relay that energises when the on board charger is on, that way you get on site, plug in, turn your charger on, magic both batteries charged at once, as soon as you turn off your charger, click its all seperate again.

also stop you discharging the starter battery if your on non EHU sites.

would be a fairly easy mod using a diode and relay in the output of the charger (diode to stop the back feed from the battery keeping the relay open) or use a smart relay that only opens when the incoming voltage is above 14V.

Quote: Originally posted by Mick S. on 20/2/2010

Ive had this recommended by those 'who know ' 

http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product/679

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