Leisure battery / main battery

27/11/22

Decided to fit the main battery isolator into lower side panel of driver's seat.

That way I'll see it when I get in and it will be easy to switch off/ on etc. 

24/01/23

Was worried about the smart alternator start up current being to much for the Victron unit when driving if both batteries where still " inline" 

Yesterday I moved the van around to our driveway to load the new unit in, and forgot to disconnect the main battery! 

Realised about an hour later so checked via the Victron app! All OK ! 

I have set parameters on the app to not charge over 14v so as the alternator puts out 15+ volts on start up then settles back to 12v once startup power is replaced it would appear to be fine to drive whilst both batteries are linked!

Just checked again 

Batteries showing 12.82 v

Solar panel 100w charging at 16.7 volts! Day is overcast 

Looks like the problem is solved 

We have LED lighting.

12v Propex Heater takes 10 mins to heat the van on a morning during an autumn trip to Durham which is the only " power hungry" 12v item we have on board. 

We have just replaced standard 60 ltr fridge with a chest fridge, more efficient will run in 12v or 240 mains. 

Battle of the batteries 13/12/22

As the vehicle battery cables are still in cab, I thought I'd see if the solar panel will charge it direct without to much hassle! 

The small 5 amp dashboard solar panel cannot keep up with the modern demands of Euro 6 engines with all the ancillary electronics working in background when vehicle is not in use.

Now that I'm retired the van sits for periods and I need a way to use the solar panel on the roof (100amp) which currently is monitored via Victron MPPT unit charging the liesure battery and does its job keeping it topped up! But I also need to keep the vehicle battery topped up!

The battery cables that run from vehicle battery to liesure battery and in turn the 12 v system in van, fridge, Propex, lights etc. Are still in place albeit tucked away! 

So I reconnected the fuses to the live cable from main battery checked voltage via meter 12.19 ! Not good! Then temporarily connected the live vehicle battery lead to the busbar. 

And opened the Victron app! 

Went haywire 🤣 

Settled down but realised that it was trying to equalise the 2 batteries. So disconnected the leisure battery live. And it settled down! 

Monitored it for 15 mins, not a lot of sun but the solar panel was putting out 15 volts enough to show it was charging the main battery. 

20 mins later vehicle battery had gone from 12.19v to 12. 35! 

So it worked!

I'll leave the leisure battery  disconnected till the vehicle battery is topped up!

It would appear that the MPPT charger will charge 2 batteries wired in parallel. But no info re smart alternators etc. So best leave it as smart alternator can charge at over 15v at start up! Don't want to knacker the Victron unit as they cost a lot of money! 😂

So I'll just wire in a battery isolater switch I already have and reconnect leisure battery! With a note on dash board 😂

major U Turn

The bed thing is nothing but hassle and as Birch ply prices have gone thru roof 2 x sheets £300 delivered, plus hinges, runners catches etc etc.

It's cheaper to buy ready made Birch/ lightweight ply units from suppliers! Even including delivery! 

So we revert to standard layout set up!

2 units purchased, should turn up by mid January