Jaws
LIFE MEMBER
- Sep 26, 2008
- 23,821
- 71,977
- Funster No
- 4,189
- MH
- C class, Chieftain
- Exp
- since 2006 ( I think ! )
I read in the book of words that the unit is designed to only utilise a few amps max off of the alternator when the engine is running.. and as I am once again upping battery capacity ( swapping out the pair of year old 145aH units for 3 x 110aH units ) I really wanted to ensure I was getting the best possible use out of the set up.
This struck me as being pretty weird,. so I rang up the man that knows and asked Sargent tech what the situation is.
The system will deliver up to 20 amps from the alternator if required.. and the info in the manual is actually wrong !
Also....
For those with an Autotrail and have two leisure batteries you will be aware there are actually two pairs of wires coming down from the main unit to said batteries
Although I metered them out and found the two +ve's and two -ve's do SEEM to me directly coupled together they do actually go to different terminals on the Sargent
YET !
I get a very small difference in voltages on the two batteries
According to the chap I spoke to the feed wires are rated at 37 amps each, so to my mind there should be no discernible / measurable difference in voltage on the two batteries as over such a short run there really should not be a voltage drop
Chap was a bit baffled ( as I am.. ) so I asked if there was any reason I could not 'bus bar' the batteries together ( at the battery end of the cables )
Absolutely fine as the wires are indeed connected together within the main unit any way..
Now all I have to do is try and get somewhere NEAR the high standard of neatness Andy ( @Techno ) regularly achieves with his installs !
This struck me as being pretty weird,. so I rang up the man that knows and asked Sargent tech what the situation is.
The system will deliver up to 20 amps from the alternator if required.. and the info in the manual is actually wrong !
Also....
For those with an Autotrail and have two leisure batteries you will be aware there are actually two pairs of wires coming down from the main unit to said batteries
Although I metered them out and found the two +ve's and two -ve's do SEEM to me directly coupled together they do actually go to different terminals on the Sargent
YET !
I get a very small difference in voltages on the two batteries
According to the chap I spoke to the feed wires are rated at 37 amps each, so to my mind there should be no discernible / measurable difference in voltage on the two batteries as over such a short run there really should not be a voltage drop
Chap was a bit baffled ( as I am.. ) so I asked if there was any reason I could not 'bus bar' the batteries together ( at the battery end of the cables )
Absolutely fine as the wires are indeed connected together within the main unit any way..
Now all I have to do is try and get somewhere NEAR the high standard of neatness Andy ( @Techno ) regularly achieves with his installs !