DUAL BATTERY WIRING

[youngfisho]

Am planning to add a second battery to my 4.5m half cabin. After my recent mishap having to get towed at 2 in the morning. I plan to have a solar panel charger on board as well (trickle charger). Anyone have any ideas as to how to wire the batteries to be able to charge them individually. Is there a voltage regulator that I can buy which detects the amount of charge within the battery, so it determines which battery requires charging.

Anyone have any wiring diagrams.

Am also planning on putting them in battery boxes to keep them covered and reduce the chance of sparking. What are the most appropriate battery connectors to use?


andrew

[polydriver]

Andrew, there are plenty of threads in this site regarding dual batteries, do a search to find all the posts and ideas.

i use two batteries in the boat. One for starting only and the second to run lights, sounder radio etc. I have fitted a VSR which allows both batteries to be charged from the alternator on the motor. It stops the main battery from being drained by the second if that goes flat. A VSR will cost you around $100 from CAMEC in Brisbane (caravan accessory place) they are easy to fit yourself. For cables and terminals, I went to battery world, a little expensive but they have what you need and can crimp on terminals etc for you. I bought a Deep Cycle gell cell battery from Battery world as well and that handles all the power for the accessories and hasnt gone flat yet.

I have a couple of batteries in the caravan which i got second hand from the dealer who sells those buggies that old people drive around the streets. So far I have had no trouble with them, they havent let me down. Seems the oldies get new ones when they cant travel as far as they used to, not because the batteries are stuffed, one old bloke reckoned he could only make the 17th hole at the gold course.
I told my brother about them and he went to the dealer in Adelaide and he came away with 6 batteries. They couldnt get them into his boot fast enough.
Hope that helps, also check out heaths website he has a page on dual batteries there
http://www.gcfishing.com/batteries.htm

As for solar panels, I havent used them so I cant help you there.

[Hagar]

Andrew
there are a few ways to do it depends on how hi tech you want to get and how deep your pockets are . Mine is wired for two batteries . I can turn either or both onto the bus bar that supplies all the boat accessories using isolator toggle switches . The spare batt is normally supplying all the lights and systems and the main is kept just for the engine starting . I just switch them both onto the busbar to charge them from a single point either with the engine running or a charger at home. I would have to physically swap them to start the engine from the spare batt .

Chris

[MAD-MIC]

Andrew,

To control the two batteries just buy a 4 position switch (Batt 1/Batt 2/ Both/ OFF). You will be able to alternate between the two batteries when you need to and you can also charge them both at the same time with the motor on when in the the BOTH position. They come with wiring diagrams a child could work out so they are not hard to set up.

There are a couple of ways you can check your battery strengh. The easiest way (if you have a 12v cigarette lighter socket) is to purchase a battery tester that you plug in to the socket. It contains a number of LED lights just like an actual battery charger has and it will tell you the power left in the battery.

Or if you want to get really keen (I will be getting this when I get a second battery) you can install a battery condition tester switch with a little analogue needle gauge and you can easily switch between the two batteries to check the supply without needing to actually move the main power switch.

Here is a picture of one. They are only about $20

http://www.bla.com.au/product_group.cfm?id=2179&s=1

The Warehouse and Supa Cheap sell a solar panel for only about $29.95. It has a cig-plug on it and you just plug it into socket and it will trickle charge the battery. Dont know how much power it will pump into the battery but it is better than nothing.

Hope this helps.

[youngfisho]

Thanks guys,

have found a product similar to what you speak of. The four way switch panel. But this one actually automatically switches over batteries depending on operation ie starting or using accessories. When it senses a drop in charge to one of the batteries it immediately isolates the circuit and provides charge to that particular battery. And vice versa for starting application by using one battery with the most charge or both to provide the best starting. Whilst it is good it does come with a price tag $160. But I would imagine that it would be better than having to turn the dial every time I am moving around.


andrew