Message Forums

Quote: Originally posted by JTQU on 10/5/2015

---

We are mainly off EHU caravanners so faced the issues I believe are underling your question.
I have not gone that route so can't answer your specific question, but feel there might be issues with the van's "habitation relay". This isolates the van's system on sensing the car being coupled, though it could be voltage sensitive, so if the engine is not running might not be an issue.
Anyway, I carry a second battery that can be recharged by the car, but I use that battery for the TV system my largest non essential user of power. That battery is "portable" in the sense it is just a 60Ah one so weight its handlable. I have this arranged to share the van's negative wiring, so only needed to run in a second positive feed. The van's and this positive feed come to a change over switch, so the TV can be powered from either source. Additionally, my solar panel feeds a "Duo" controller that services independently the two batteries. That is smart enough to suss out if the portable is there or not and act as needed.
The portable I arranged could be recharged by the car, but apart from testing it, in 7 odd years I have never needed to do so; my 85 Watt solar does all that we need.
Again in 7 years I have not had to remove the van's battery, it has coped with the essential duties and been recharged by the solar.

---

Quote: Originally posted by navver on 10/5/2015

---

Would it be worth trying with one battery and the solar to see if you actually need another battery. Would save all the faff of connecting it all up.

---

Quote: Originally posted by jgrove on 10/5/2015

---

Can i charge the battery whilst its in use, for example i was going to add a power pole connector from the battery to the solar regulator connected to the panel.

Thanks

---