Charging vehicle battery from solar panel (1 Viewer)

[buyer]

I fitted a solar panel last September and it is working fine,as I went into the camper today and the leisure batteries where reading 13.8 volts (it has been parked since November without electric hook up. But my vehicle battery is dead flat, I haven't checked for a drain yet,I will do when I get some time. I know there is a simple bit of kit that you can connect to the leisure battery bank and the vehicle battery that charges the leisure batts first then dumps exces charge into the vehicle batts,but I haven't got a clue what it's called or where to get one from or how much I should expect to pay for such an item ,I would be gratefull if someone out there would let me know,as I want it fully working for the end of march.thanks in anticipation. Steve.:thumb:

 

[Taran_Las]

Just an example here

 

[buyer]

Thanks for the link, that looks like it will do exactly what I want :thumb:

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[wivvy's dad]

I have a VanBitz Battery Master and it works.............perfectly.

Recommended.....:thumb:

 

[Dai]

Hi buyer

I have sent you a PM

Dai

 

[pappajohn]

if your engine battery has been stood since November there's a very good chance it is knackered.

lead acid batteries wont tolerate being left in a totally discharged state and rarely recover
it will charge but only a surface charge and will have no capacity so will die in seconds/minutes once a load is applied.

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[nomadic]

another option

1) Solar Wind Split Charge Leisure & Engine Battery Camper available from "Renewable Energy" when they have a stock replacement, this one passes all excess to the engine battery once the leisure batteries reach 13.6 volts.

2) Duo-battery charging solar controller, this unit allows you to set the charging in 10% units from 90% leisure 10% engine ...to 90% engine 10% leisure battery. Available from Sunstore at www.sunstore.co.uk .

I have had the same problem as you, item 1) is currently out of stock, item 2) looks like the unit I will be purchasing, list price £27.00. The thought of being able to select say 50-50 charge when in store is very attractive.

 

[Techno]

I know there is a simple bit of kit that you can connect to the leisure battery bank and the vehicle battery that charges the leisure batts first then dumps exces charge into the vehicle batts,but I haven't got a clue what it's called or where to get one from or how much I should expect to pay for such an item ,I would be gratefull if someone out there would let me know

This is what you describe but a battery master will give your engine battery a top up if it needs it from your leisure battery regardless of whether there is any solar input.

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[Grandad Pete]

Battery Master

Hi Steve, I think what you are looking for is the Battery Master. I had one fitted when I had an alarm fitted. It works fine, it trickles the power across from the leisure to the vehicle battery. I got mine from www.vanbitz.com and I think it cost about £70. Their website has all the info and they are very helpful on the phone. I hope this helps. Regards Peter.:thumb:

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[Destination Unknown]

We have a couple of this type of relay fitted, once the leisure batterys are charged via solar/lecci then the relay then splits the charge to the chassis or spare leisure battery.
Had no problems with these and at a low cost.

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[mitzimad]

if you have a split charge relay system you can just link the two terminals using a short length of wire with a low ampage fuse in it, this will allow your solar to feed both batteries the fuse will blow if you try to start the van with the link in place protecting the leisure side from high loads
cost would be under a fiver