Leisure Battery Charging

[Charlie Brown]

Hello

Please see photo of a unit that is fitted to the the two batteries on our converted ANH10, 2008 Alphard. It is a voltage sensitive relay. I think these are sometimes known as a split charge relay. A couple of questions arise.

1) Is this a standard fitting on original Alphards or is it fitted as part of the conversion.

2) Do Alphards come with a leisure battery fitted for some operations.

The reason I ask is not really to do with the Alphard vehicle but is to do with the Funky Ram conversion. The mains battery charger fitted has stopped working. It is completely dead. The thing that really confuses me is that is a 24 volt output charger. Is this right? I'd like to understand this before replacing it. Any knowledge insights are very welcome. Thanks

[Rojie]

22 minutes ago, Charlie Brown said:

Hello

Please see photo of a unit that is fitted to the the two batteries on our converted ANH10, 2008 Alphard. It is a voltage sensitive relay. I think these are sometimes known as a split charge relay. A couple of questions arise.

1) Is this a standard fitting on original Alphards or is it fitted as part of the conversion.

2) Do Alphards come with a leisure battery fitted for some operations.

The reason I ask is not really to do with the Alphard vehicle but is to do with the Funky Ram conversion. The mains battery charger fitted has stopped working. It is completely dead. The thing that really confuses me is that is a 24 volt output charger. Is this right? I'd like to understand this before replacing it. Any knowledge insights are very welcome. Thanks

 

Hello Myron,

 

Funky Ram is an approved trader on this Forum.

 

I respectfully suggest you ask them !

[Geralt]

9 hours ago, Charlie Brown said:

1) Is this a standard fitting on original Alphards or is it fitted as part of the conversion.

It's part of the conversion. Not original.

9 hours ago, Charlie Brown said:

2) Do Alphards come with a leisure battery fitted for some operations.

Not as a far as I know.

 

9 hours ago, Charlie Brown said:

The thing that really confuses me is that is a 24 volt output charger.

Could you let us know how you determined this please?

[Charlie Brown]

13 hours ago, Geralt said:

It's part of the conversion. Not original.

Not as a far as I know.

 

Could you let us know how you determined this please?

Hello Geralt

Thanks for the information, very useful. I know its a 24 volt charger for two reasons. First, it clearly says so on the label, along with a model number BC2410.  Also, I found the identical charger, with the model number BC2410 being sold by a company called Photonic Universe, see link https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en/catalog/full/350-10A-24V-Intelligent-automatic-multi-stage-mains-battery-charger.html . The spec clearly states 24 volts. Interestingly, they do a 12 volt version called a BC1210. Also of interest is that until it packed up, the charger usually showed a voltage of around 13 volts on the voltmeter connected to the system, which displays on the 12 volt switch panel.

[Rojie]

10 hours ago, Charlie Brown said:

Hello Geralt

Thanks for the information, very useful. I know its a 24 volt charger for two reasons. First, it clearly says so on the label, along with a model number BC2410.  Also, I found the identical charger, with the model number BC2410 being sold by a company called Photonic Universe, see link https://www.photonicuniverse.com/en/catalog/full/350-10A-24V-Intelligent-automatic-multi-stage-mains-battery-charger.html . The spec clearly states 24 volts. Interestingly, they do a 12 volt version called a BC1210. Also of interest is that until it packed up, the charger usually showed a voltage of around 13 volts on the voltmeter connected to the system, which displays on the 12 volt switch panel.

 

Hello Myron,

 

I am confused by this thread.

 

Leisure batteries are not fitted as standard. There is no need for them in normally equipped vehicles.

They are needed when wishing to run electrical items without the engine running; otherwise the charge in your starter battery will become depleted beyond its capacity to start your van.

 

24v batteries are available, but would not normally be fitted to an Alphie which has a 12V alternator fitted.

 

The item you show in the photo does not appear, to me, to be a charger.

It is a voltage sensitive relay, and is clearly marked 12v, which makes absolute sense.

 

So your original problem, you believe, is your main battery is not being charged.

So, either your alternator is not functioning as it should, or, more likely, in my opinion; your main battery is on its last legs, or the connections are poor.

If the former, it won't be long before your leisure battery won't receive enough charge either (if you are using it).

 

So, go to a decent garage, or Halfords, or Kwik Fit, and get your battery tested under load.

 

The battery charger you link to is no use to you if it is a fixed 24v charger.

 

Phone Funky Ram !

[Geralt]

On 6/19/2023 at 9:53 PM, Charlie Brown said:

I know its a 24 volt charger

OK, I see, So do you have a 24V (or 2 x 12V) leisure battery then?

[Rojie]

1 hour ago, Geralt said:

OK, I see, So do you have a 24V (or 2 x 12V) leisure battery then?

 

I know that Myron has discussed this matter with Funky Ram, and I believe he has a way forward.

 

I also believe the problem was with the charger itself, not the battery / charging system.

[Charlie Brown]

11 hours ago, Geralt said:

OK, I see, So do you have a 24V (or 2 x 12V) leisure battery then?

In addition to what Rojie has said.

 

No, I don't have a 24 volt system. It is 12 volt. The old charger has had it, it blows fuses as soon as it is switched on, so i need to move on from that. Funky Ram were helpful and told me what they now fit, which is namely a Victron Energy Blue Smart Charger 12 volt, 15 Amp. I've now bought one from BMS Technologies at Tewkesbury, who were very helpful and kindly looked over the whole system on our camper and confirmed that was a good choice and gave me some tips how to fit it. So once fitted that should be that.