Split charger woes.

Discussion in 'Mech Tech' started by ginger ninja, Mar 29, 2018.

  1. It’s not actually possible to overcharge a battery from a properly functioning alternator is it?
     
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  2. ginger ninja

    ginger ninja Supporter

    Ok great. Does that mean you’ve got two radio/cd players, one in the back and one in the front? or does it simply mean the station memory feed and the radio/cd player feeds on your stereo are separate?

    mikedjames I’ll check all that tomorrow. But I was using the engine lid catch for the earth for my negative lead on my multi meter. I’ll improve the earth connection for the split charger though. And do those checks suggested.

    rust bucket I suspect you’re right and if so at least that’s one thing less on the worry list! Ta.
     
  3. 77 Westy

    77 Westy Supporter

    This^
     
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  4. The voltage regulator allows full voltage when the battery charge is low. As the charge in the battery increases, the difference between the alternator voltage and battery voltage decreases. The regulator then reduces the voltage flow to the battery according I believe.

    I prefer to think about autoelectrics being controlled by magic pixies, it easier to understand than all that ohms law nonsense.
     
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  5. ginger ninja

    ginger ninja Supporter

    Hello again. All good now. LB charges when driving along and i ran 12v fuse box and fitted the ciggy lighter 12v socket through the rnr bed from it. MB all good on start up too after a few days of camping. Just wondering though......

    When i used to switch the control panel to L.B. fridge operation before fitting my new split charger the fridge would come on with my previous fisher price split charger fitted. This isn't the case anymore as the fridge is only connected via split charger when the relay clicks over when driving the bus to charge L.B.

    Would running a separate feed from the leisure battery to the switch in the control panel cause any problems when I'm driving. I can't visualise it.

    I'm just thinking about possible a future ctek type thing when upgrading my mains hook up.

    P.
     
  6. matty

    matty Supporter

    Depends on what fridge you have

    If your fridge is a absorption type you would need a big charger as they take around 10amps on 12v
    Most absorption fridges have 230v or gas as well for when park up
     
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  7. ginger ninja

    ginger ninja Supporter

    Ta

    I wasn't thinking of actually running it off the battery alone. Just wondered why my old split charger let the fridge come on when parked up if L.B. switch on the control panel was selected. Do you think it's possible that the old charger could have had an extra capability/ wired differently?
    I doubt it as it was so cheap and nasty.

    p.
     
  8. matty

    matty Supporter

    Sorry not sure what your saying
    What panel have you got that’s got a LB switch on it
     
  9. ginger ninja

    ginger ninja Supporter

    Yeah sorry. I haven't explained it very well. My panel is a westfalia panel that allows you to switch between leisure battery and campsite power for the absorption fridge. With my previous split charger fitted the fridge light used to come on if I flicked it on to leisure battery mode when parked up. (I wouldn't leave it on this obviously) but with my new Carlos fandango split charger it only connects the leisure battery to the fridge when u drive along ie charging battery mode. Ie not parked up mode.

    Sent from my SM-J320FN using Tapatalk
     
  10. 77 Westy

    77 Westy Supporter

    If you have changed the wiring to the fridge so it is supplied from the split charge relay it will no longer have any connection from the Westy panel. Or have I misunderstood what you have done?
     
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  11. I hope this doesn’t add to the confusion but my westy fridge has a relay built into the control panel which allows the fridge to run with the engine running. Power to the relay comes from the main van electrics but in essence it’s the alternator that runs the fridge whilst on 12v.

    There was no leisure battery circuit supplied originally by Westfalia, well not on my German spec 79 model.
     
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  12. ginger ninja

    ginger ninja Supporter

    No you haven’t. That’s about the size of it. But I’m sure my old split charger did allow it. May be I dreamt it. I do have some mental dream. Last night I was taking my dog and next doors dog for a walk over the grand national fences still on their leads. I wouldn’t mind but One is a jack Russel! Too much cheese before bed time me thinks.
     
  13. ginger ninja

    ginger ninja Supporter

    Thanks for this. Mine’s a USA spec one. I know the fridge power set up is different to the German ones.
     
  14. mikedjames

    mikedjames Supporter

    Dont forget if your leisure battery has a really good earth strap you can use a jump starter lead from positive to positive on the two batteries to get out of the flat starter battery charged leisure battery trap..
     
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  15. ginger ninja

    ginger ninja Supporter

    That’s exactly what I did do Sunday afternoon at Volkswagen world.
     

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