Trickle charging

[starider]

Hi,

When our Alphard is not used for a period of time,especially during winter months, there is always a little concern about the battery discharging,so as all our farm machinery is individually conected[via a cigarette lighter socket] to a 1.5amp trickle charger, which keeps the batteries topped up when the machines are not in use, I have decided to fit a socket in the Alphard. The lighter socket fitted as standard only works with the ignition on, so I have fitted a socket in the drop down pocket to the right of the steering wheel and conected to the battery via an extra fuse box.

Toolstation can supply the charger.

I have 6 chargers around and just switch them on occasionally for a few days.

[Chris.ac]

a novel solution, well done.

I want to go one step further, have an external connector in the front grill, that I can plug into, even better if I can modify the alphard logo to flip up, use a standard EV charging socket.

 

Then, you could sneakily park in EV spots and plug in ( obviously it would not actually be a live connection from the EV charger to your car). have some animated red light near the charging socket to fool the casual observer that you are actually charging.

A sneaky EV sticker on the back (Easily purchasable) and bobs your uncle, an actual external socket you can use to jumpstart or trickle charge, plus the ability to use larger parking spots if not scrutinised too closely!!!!!

 

WHat do you think!!

[Rojie]

1 hour ago, starider said:

Hi,

When our Alphard is not used for a period of time, especially during winter months, there is always a little concern about the battery discharging, so as all our farm machinery is individually connected [via a cigarette lighter socket] to a 1.5amp trickle charger, which keeps the batteries topped up when the machines are not in use, I have decided to fit a socket in the Alphard. The lighter socket fitted as standard only works with the ignition on, so I have fitted a socket in the drop down pocket to the right of the steering wheel and connected to the battery via an extra fuse box.

Toolstation can supply the charger.

I have 6 chargers around and just switch them on occasionally for a few days.

 

Hi Starider,

 

I bought a new charger recently as my then current (pun intended) one had been used by Henry Ford !

 

Having done some research, as we all do, I discovered my main battery is a Lead Calcium variety.

Those, according to what I was able to discover, require a higher output voltage from the charger, otherwise they will never reach full charge (which may, or may not, be of concern).

 

Accordingly, my lastest new charger outputs a significantly higher voltage than the more usual chargers.

 

I have also been thinking of winter charging.

 

I intend to fit the new charger in the van, plug into my EHU and keep the leisure battery topped up.

Thereby the van will be on constant trickle charge.

Actually, I need to check, I think the charger turns itself off after 10 days; so I need to be careful.

 

As you and I have a similar model, I have also been thinking of fitting a cigarette socket (fused but not wired through the ignition) to power another charger powered by another EHU socket ( I have 5 !). I also have several cigarette sockets but the are all wired across the leisure battery.

 

Accordingly, I could charge both batteries independently, all for the cost of another charger, without touching either set of battery terminals.

Plug in to the EHU and go.

 

This technique will also automatically operate when hooked up to an EHU at campsite (or anywhere with 230v).

 

Great minds ....

Food for Thought.

 

If I am overlooking anything, please let me know before I smoke something !

 

 

[starider]

The chargers I use can be on constant trickle charge and has 3 LED lights,one to show charger on,one to indicate battery is charging and one to show battery is charged.I have one on each of my classic tractors,one on my Quad, one on my mini digger and one on my ride on mower. I've had them on charge for nearly 2 years without any problem and always a fully charged battery on each machine. The charger on the mower[12volt battery],I have on a timer because it's quite a small battery.

I'm waiting for a cig.lighter plug to solder on the trickle charger leads. Once working I'll let you know if the Alphard battery will fully charge.

I'll just power the charger from one of the 13amp sockets in the van via the EHU.

[Rojie]

13 hours ago, Chris.ac said:

a novel solution, well done.

I want to go one step further, have an external connector in the front grill, that I can plug into, even better if I can modify the alphard logo to flip up, use a standard EV charging socket.

 

Then, you could sneakily park in EV spots and plug in ( obviously it would not actually be a live connection from the EV charger to your car). have some animated red light near the charging socket to fool the casual observer that you are actually charging.

A sneaky EV sticker on the back (Easily purchasable) and bobs your uncle, an actual external socket you can use to jumpstart or trickle charge, plus the ability to use larger parking spots if not scrutinised too closely!!!!!

 

WHat do you think!!

 

Hi Chris,

 

Do EV chargers charge at 12v ?

All my machines are petrol, so I would not know yet.

[pcous]

Hi all,

Our campervan conversion included a split-charge relay (SCR - far right in photo), which is fairly standard, to split the charge from the alternator so the leisure battery is charged alongside the starter battery when driving. Our van is kept outside, so over winter or other periods when not in use, we use a short mains-EHU cable (from waterproof outside mains socket, of course...),which is also fairly standard. So, to split this charge to also top-up the starter battery over winter etc, we installed a second relay (a CBE CS2) in parallel with the existing SCR, which tops up both batteries when EHU is connected (i.e. over 13.6v), but switches off when the leisure battery voltage drops (to avoid the leisure battery discharging totally in the event of a faulty starter battery). It uses existing cabling between the two batteries, so the only new cabling required was under the bonnet next to the existing SCR. Works a treat when at home, just plug the EHU in for a day once a week or so....

[SYL]

Got my camper, love it. Just spent 2 nights away with no electric hook up ( brave I know!). We had the cooler box plugged in and after 12 hours we had no power, leisure battery dead. What did I do wrong? Thought I would get at least 2 days?

[Rojie]

6 hours ago, SYL said:

Got my camper, love it. Just spent 2 nights away with no electric hook up ( brave I know!). We had the cooler box plugged in and after 12 hours we had no power, leisure battery dead. What did I do wrong? Thought I would get at least 2 days?

 

 

Hello Sylvia,

 

Ran the cooler too long !

 

Did you know the state of charge before you ran the cooler ?

 

You can work out how long you can run an appliance.

You will need to know the battery is fully charged first.

You also need to know the AmpHour capacity of the leisure battery. Often 110.

And divide that by the (rated) current drawn.

So, say 110 Amp/Hr divided by (say) two amps is  charge level55 hours divided by 2 (50%) is 20 to 24 hours.

Note. 2 Amps at 12V is only 24 watts. Rather low for a cooler, but adequate for this example.

 

There are different types of cooler. Thermoelectric (low current) and compressor (higher current).

 

You should not drain your battery beyond 50 % (Max) as you can cause harm to it.

 

(Manufacturers tend not to be too open about current drawn).

[SYL]

On 6/20/2023 at 5:24 PM, Rojie said:

 

 

Hello Sylvia,

 

Ran the cooler too long !

 

Did you know the state of charge before you ran the cooler ?

 

You can work out how long you can run an appliance.

You will need to know the battery is fully charged first.

You also need to know the AmpHour capacity of the leisure battery. Often 110.

And divide that by the (rated) current drawn.

So, say 110 Amp/Hr divided by (say) two amps is  charge level55 hours divided by 2 (50%) is 20 to 24 hours.

Note. 2 Amps at 12V is only 24 watts. Rather low for a cooler, but adequate for this example.

 

There are different types of cooler. Thermoelectric (low current) and compressor (higher current).

 

You should not drain your battery beyond 50 % (Max) as you can cause harm to it.

 

(Manufacturers tend not to be too open about current drawn).

Hi, sorry for delay your message went into my junk email!!

My battery started on 12.7 it is now on 11.7 and will not go any higher. Been charging it on my mains and it will not budge.

 

Do you think it is damaged?

 

[SYL]

7 minutes ago, SYL said:

Hi, sorry for delay your message went into my junk email!!

My battery started on 12.7 it is now on 11.7 and will not go any higher. Been charging it on my mains and it will not budge.

 

Do you think it is damaged?

 

Do you think I could change the battery for an AGM?

[Rojie]

2 hours ago, SYL said:

Do you think I could change the battery for an AGM?

 

Have you been charging the leisure battery in the vehicle ?

 

Connected, or disconnected ?

 

How long did you charge it for ?

 

I would charge at least disconnected, and preferably out of the van.

It is important to test a battery under load, preferably out of the van.

A simple no load reading is likely to be misleading.

 

Do you have a smart charger ? How are you taking the voltage readings.

 

It may be your better is damaged, or just old. Is there a date on it ?

 

I would be reluctant to change the battery until you know it is faulty.

 

So, a couple of numbers for you, and other readers.

 

Below 12.4v means the battery is discharged.

12.4v to 12.6v fair, and above 12.6v OK.

 

You don't say what capacity your leisure battery has.

110 amp hours takes about 26 hours to reach 80% of full charge.

60 amp hours takes about 12 hours to reach 80% of full charge.

Clearly, these both depend on the maximum charging rate the charger will provide.

 

Sorry for a silly question. You do have a split charging system, don't you ?

 

Finally, for this post, I have always had good service from Tanya Batteries, Rhyl, who are not far away.

Give them a call, ask for their opinion.

 

They do an excellent mail order service if you do choose to replace your battery.

I also bought a mains charger from them, which is excellent.

[SYL]

37 minutes ago, Rojie said:

 

Have you been charging the leisure battery in the vehicle ?

 

Connected, or disconnected ?

 

How long did you charge it for ?

 

I would charge at least disconnected, and preferably out of the van.

It is important to test a battery under load, preferably out of the van.

A simple no load reading is likely to be misleading.

 

Do you have a smart charger ? How are you taking the voltage readings.

 

It may be your better is damaged, or just old. Is there a date on it ?

 

I would be reluctant to change the battery until you know it is faulty.

 

So, a couple of numbers for you, and other readers.

 

Below 12.4v means the battery is discharged.

12.4v to 12.6v fair, and above 12.6v OK.

 

You don't say what capacity your leisure battery has.

110 amp hours takes about 26 hours to reach 80% of full charge.

60 amp hours takes about 12 hours to reach 80% of full charge.

Clearly, these both depend on the maximum charging rate the charger will provide.

 

Sorry for a silly question. You do have a split charging system, don't you ?

 

Finally, for this post, I have always had good service from Tanya Batteries, Rhyl, who are not far away.

Give them a call, ask for their opinion.

 

They do an excellent mail order service if you do choose to replace your battery.

I also bought a mains charger from them, which is excellent.

Yes I charged in the vehicle connected through the mains hook up for 2 days. I don't have a smart charger but will be buying one. It is a 100 amp battery. I am on a split charger. Can't see a date on the battery but was converted 2021. I have a volt display at the back of the van with the on off switch.

Hope this helps

[Rojie]

47 minutes ago, SYL said:

Yes I charged in the vehicle connected through the mains hook up for 2 days. I don't have a smart charger but will be buying one. It is a 100 amp battery. I am on a split charger. Can't see a date on the battery but was converted 2021. I have a volt display at the back of the van with the on off switch.

Hope this helps

 

I don't have a solar set up, and cannot advise on upgrading to an AGM.

 

If you do you will need a specialist charger, and the charging time will be longer than a wet battery.

 

You need to confirm your current battery is OK, or not.

If you have the space, larger lead acid batteries are available.

 

I would isolate the battery and try to charge it again.

If that fails, it may be time for a new one !

 

 

[SYL]

5 minutes ago, Rojie said:

 

I don't have a solar set up, and cannot advise on upgrading to an AGM.

 

If you do you will need a specialist charger, and the charging time will be longer than a wet battery.

 

You need to confirm your current battery is OK, or not.

If you have the space, larger lead acid batteries are available.

 

I would isolate the battery and try to charge it again.

If that fails, it may be time for a new one !

 

 

I will do that, thanks for your advise and time