battery charger. help please.

[pappajohn]

i just bought 2 new 110ah leisure batteries, one to replace the existing and one to add to the system to increase my reserves.

now i know how to connect the extra one to the existing curcuit but what im unsure of is..........

will my alternator cope with the extra load (bog standard ducato version)

will my onboard charger cope, not sure of the output amps but it's the standard kontiki charger/power supply which seem to change make/version on a regular basis.

what would be an acceptable charge current from the onboard to charge the two batteries on hookup.

cheers
john.

 

[Digger Driver]

Pappa!
I have 3 batteries for habitation on my bus!
You might shorten the life of your alternator by a little bit but not enough to worry about!!
Most things in vehicles are over designed so you can push them a lot more than you think!
When and if your alternator goes you can pay a little extra and get a heavy duty one that would power a small town!
I have thrown some serious demands to the electrics in my bus!
Just to see if i could do it!
They passed with flying colours!
I used to be an auto electrician so i will push things a little bit harder!

 

[pappajohn]

cheers digger driver, that sorts the alternator side.:thumb:
just need to sort the onboard side now, just as important for the show meets when no hookup available and i have to use the 2.6kva genny to power the van daytime and recharge the batteries. the genny has a 12v-7.5amp charge tapping but i dont think that will be high enough for 2 x 110ah batteries for the time it would be running.

john.

 

[Digger Driver]

Pappa!
What i do with everything on the bus is while i have it in a safe place i push it to the absolute limits then beyond!
Find out its capabilities while your in a position to cope with it!
When i'm at home and have the luxuary to cope with any flaws i hammer everything to see when it fails!!
Bash it while you can then you know your restrictions when it matters!

 

[pappajohn]

i'm daft enough to give it a try, turn all the 12v stuff on and check the current draw then see if the charge rate on hookup is <> or higher. i never have everything on at once but if the charger copes with full load it must be ok.

john

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[Digger Driver]

There you go!
I find motorhomes to be very personal!
You need to know them intimately!
Like anything you have to know its breaking points to fully understand its capabilities!

 

[martyn]

There you go!
I find motorhomes to be very personal!
You need to know them intimately!
Like anything you have to know its breaking points to fully understand its capabilities!

I understand my motorhome only too well.It's a pity i didn't understand all my ex-wives.