Easy battery charging arrangement.

[Spriddler]

To save the faff of getting into the battery locations with a spanner or screwdriver I bought a cig lighter plug and soldered miniature croc clips to the flying lead. These clip onto the existing larger croc clips of the battery charger.

In seconds I can read the state of charge of each battery when parked by plugging in one of these (£5) voltage indicators which also indicates the charging voltage at the cab and the leisure battery on EHU and when driving.

 

[Landy Andy]

May not work on all engine batteries if they are only live with ignition on.

 

[Hoovie]

Too much exposed metalwork for my liking
As a one-off to get out of a hole, ok, but as a regular use thing, that is a big no-no for me

If you want adaptability, cut the battery charger DC cables somewhere away from the original Croc-Clips and fit an Anderson connector each side so you can use the croc-clips. You can then make a 12V socket to Anderson lead and use that instead when you want to use a 12V socket.

 

[poppycamper]

Too Heath Robinson for my liking. As said above to much exposed connectors..Sorry.

 

[Spriddler]

Too much exposed metalwork for my liking

Too Heath Robinson for my liking. As said above to much exposed connectors..Sorry.

I taught Heath Robinson all he knew. I don't have the patience for perfection, besides it's only 12v and fused at 10amps so it's not exactly dangerous.

If you want adaptability, cut the battery charger DC cables somewhere away from the original Croc-Clips and fit an Anderson connector each side so you can use the croc-clips. You can then make a 12V socket to Anderson lead and use that instead when you want to use a 12V socket.

I didn't want to cut off the charger's connectors at the mo because I will need them when charging my other batteries at their terminal posts but I have in mind to fit m & f Anderson connectors, when I get around to it one day. In the meantime it saves me faffing about excavating to reach the batteries for a top up charge when in my drive.

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[Hoovie]

I taught Heath Robinson all he knew. I don't have the patience for perfection, besides it's only 12v and fused at 10amps so it's not exactly dangerous.



I didn't want to cut off the charger's connectors at the mo because I will need them when charging my other batteries at their terminal posts but I have in mind to fit m & f Anderson connectors, when I get around to it one day. In the meantime it saves me faffing about excavating to reach the batteries for a top up charge when in my drive.

keep a good selection of fuses handy
Not dangerous, just looks incredibly messy (sorry, but it does )

I did a similar thing as I suggest with my RAC900 Tyre Inflator which comes with Croc Clips. Cut the cable and fitted 50A Anderson Connectors on each cut cable. Added a permanent Lead on a +12V battery supply with an Anderson Connector so I just use the connector for a reliable and safe connection for regular use and I still have the Croc-Clip option if I want to use the Inflator elsewhere.
I also have a 12V Plugs with Anderson Connectors on so also have that option as well.

Took maybe 30 minutes and cost under a tenner.

PS. Anderson connectors aren't M & F. They are Hermaphrodite

 

[Lenny HB]

Croc clips are the work of the devil, should never be used in a Motorhome.

 

[Spriddler]

keep a good selection of fuses handy

I always have plenty of fuses!

Not dangerous, just looks incredibly messy (sorry, but it does )

I'm not fussy about how it looks or winning the Wetherspoons 'Battery Connector of the Year' award.

I did a similar thing as I suggest with my RAC900 Tyre Inflator which comes with Croc Clips. Cut the cable and fitted 50A Anderson Connectors on each cut cable. Added a permanent Lead on a +12V battery supply with an Anderson Connector so I just use the connector for a reliable and safe connection for regular use and I still have the Croc-Clip option if I want to use the Inflator elsewhere.

I did the same sort of thing 4 years ago for inflating the tyres of my vintage motorbikes!

 

[Millcourt]

Croc clips are the work of the devil, should never be used in a Motorhome.

Unless you are using one of these…… or similar…..all available from other suppliers!
Amazon product ASIN B07MVY7K43

 

[gerry mcg]

That looks dreadful - no way i would consider that anywhere near my van - it looks like a fire risk

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[Spriddler]

That looks dreadful - no way i would consider that anywhere near my van - it looks like a fire risk

You're sooo boring.

 

[autorouter]

Even more boring... many charger manufacturers have an in-line plug and socket, for exactly this purpose. You can disconnect the croc clips and attach a cigarette-lighter plug, or socket. Also you can attach a plug to the battery on a short lead, with standard eyelets on the end, So you can connect and disconnect the charger instantly.

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a standard plug and socket for these accessories, so different manufacturers have different versions. I have a CTEK charger and attachments, but Victron, Optimate and some others do a similar thing.

 

[Revolvor]

Even more boring... many charger manufacturers have an in-line plug and socket, for exactly this purpose. You can disconnect the croc clips and attach a cigarette-lighter plug, or socket. Also you can attach a plug to the battery on a short lead, with standard eyelets on the end, So you can connect and disconnect the charger instantly.

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a standard plug and socket for these accessories, so different manufacturers have different versions. I have a CTEK charger and attachments, but Victron, Optimate and some others do a similar thing.

View attachment 684783View attachment 684784View attachment 684785View attachment 684786

Where did you get the CTEK to 12v socket and plug adaptors?

 

[eddie]

Why not simply plug the van in, instead of plugging the battery charger in?

 

[Just smiffy]

Why not simply plug the van in, instead of plugging the battery charger in?

My thoughts too…

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[Just smiffy]

But then again I’ll never know as I’m on his ignorant list..

 

[gerry mcg]

Where did you get the CTEK to 12v socket and plug adaptors?

Ctek Cigarette Lighter Connector Adaptor 56-263 https://amzn.eu/d/buTR7jt

 

[autorouter]

Where did you get the CTEK to 12v socket and plug adaptors?

A few years ago while working in Germany, from Conrad, my favourite shop. But you can get them anywhere, just google CTEK charger accessories, CTEK charger cigarette lighter socket adapter, etc.

 

[VXman]

Why not simply plug the van in, instead of plugging the battery charger in?

Do all motorhomes charge the starter battery (or leisure batteries) when plugged in? One thing I've noticed since being on here - some motorhomes have very different set ups depending on age/make/model

 

[eddie]

Do all motorhomes charge the starter battery (or leisure batteries) when plugged in? One thing I've noticed since being on here - some motorhomes have very different set ups depending on age/make/model

Many do, they ALL do with one of these:-

Battery Master

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[MisterB]

I like the concept and ideas behind what the OP has done. I'm sure that 'whoever' came up with the idea is also competent enough to realise the dangers with it, without being reminded of them!!

Not something I would do myself but thanks for sharing.

 

[gerry mcg]

Ctek Cigarette Lighter Connector Adaptor 56-263 https://amzn.eu/d/buTR7jt

This is the recommended battery charging attachment / method for Porsche

 

[Spriddler]

Why not simply plug the van in, instead of plugging the battery charger in?

My built-in charger doesn't charge the cab battery. In dry weather I do plug the m/h into the waterproof 13amp socket in my drive using a 50cm (non waterproof) 13amp plug to EHU socket adapter lead and then plug the Halfords charger into one of the 13amp m/h sockets. However, it means keeping an eye on the weather.

Many do, they ALL do with one of these:-

Battery Master

Fine, but I'd miss spending manshed time faffing about with soldering iron and wire cutters doing important manstuff.

Even more boring... many charger manufacturers have an in-line plug and socket, for exactly this purpose.

Indeed, but having already put the bins out and cut my toenails it was an impulse project putting it together 'experimentally' to prove the principle from bits under the bench on a boring wet day. I may refine it with proper connectors one day............in due course.......... sooner or later........mañana ........ (or not. ).

 

[donkey]

My built-in charger doesn't charge the cab battery. In dry weather I do plug the m/h into the waterproof 13amp socket in my drive using a 50cm (non waterproof) 13amp plug to EHU socket adapter lead and then plug the Halfords charger into one of the 13amp m/h sockets. However, it means keeping an eye on the weather.



Fine, but I'd miss spending manshed time faffing about with soldering iron and wire cutters doing important manstuff.



Indeed, but having already put the bins out and cut my toenails it was an impulse project putting it together 'experimentally' to prove the principle from bits under the bench on a boring wet day. I may refine it with proper connectors one day............in due course.......... sooner or later........mañana ........ (or not. ).

Hi Spriddler, you say it is fused protected at 10 amps, that is the van side of the circuit, but what happens to the charger if the leads are accidently connected together?

Geoff

 

[Spriddler]

...... what happens to the charger if the leads are accidently connected together?

Same as when I'm using it any other way as the 12v output has its own internal fuse.
The three pin plug on the 240v input side is also fused as normal.

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[Hoovie]

There is a man who revels in his randomness I reckon. I am disappointed not to see a few short length of wires joined together by twisting and secured by clothes pegs just to finish it off
Could also save on some wiring by connecting the battery -ve to the 240V PE. Then wire the charger -ve to the chargers mains lead PE pin and only need one croc-clip . There's something to try after coming back from the Pub?

There is a saying ..... "if a job is worth doing, it's worth doing ....." Well? Properly? Badly? Down to the individual to chose his own path I guess.

 

[Spriddler]

I am disappointed not to see a few short length of wires joined together by twisting and secured by clothes pegs just to finish it off

Funny you should say that, but I tend to keep the manshed door closed when I'm prototyping my amazing innovations in order to keep them hidden from the Chinese industrial spies lurking in the rhododendrons.