How to trickle charge starter batteries off grid? The options?

[CamperJack]

My van starter battery is flat as a pancake. It was reading 11.4V. I've now got it plugged into a mains charger, to see if I can bring it back to life. How long do you think it'll take?

To be fair, the van has been unused and unmoved for 8 months or so because it's awaiting repair. But it got me thinking about how I could trickle charge the van's starter battery.

I would like this to be done in an off grid way - so probably solar?

I have 340 watts of solar, and 200 ah of leisure batteries. The starter battery is 100 ah.

I was wondering if there is a way to connect the leisure system to the starter system, so the existing solar can charge both the leisure battery and the starter battery?

OR

Is it better (?) or cheaper (?) or easier (?) to get a small solar panel of say 50-100 watts and a cheap controller and have a dedicated system for the leisure battery?

Or get one of those tiny 10 w solar panel charger things that cost like £30, like this one?

Amazon product ASIN B08K3BQTNK
As always, I look forward to hearing all your advice. Thanks!!

 

[Verteuil Man]

Something similar on my ride on mower. It does not have an alternator to charge the battery. You are supposed to take the battery off and charge it before you use it. I have put a small solar panel on the front of the shed then a couple of clips onto the battery. Always charged.

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Just get hold of a battery master and connect that ,very simple ,cheap and will trickle charge the starter battery once your leisure batteries are charged up.
Or you could change your solar controller to a dual battery outlet ,one for the leisure and one for the starter battery.

 

[icantremember]

Easy and cheap ... [Broken Link Removed]

 

[DonA4000]

Battery Master? I bought one a few years back and has been working great, think they still sell them?

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[Bobby-gg]

As above, battery master

Recently fitted one to my ducato pvc and whilst I've never had a problem starting in the past, it certainly makes a difference to starting.

Search on the forum for more information

 

[funflair]

You could keep it charged with a "battery master" or similar but cheaper "battery maintainer" like Votronic unit, that's as long as you don't have LiFePO4 hab battery.

 

[Diabalo]

Yep battery master all day long

 

[CamperJack]

Or you could change your solar controller to a dual battery outlet ,one for the leisure and one for the starter battery.

Do you have an example of a good one?

 

[CamperJack]

Seems battery master is popular! Will have a Google. Thanks all!

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[peterc10]

Do you have an example of a good one?

Votronic MMPT controllers provide a trickle charge to the cab battery. But probably only justified if you want to upgrade your controller. If not just use the battery master, which will be cheaper

 

[Revolvor]

You will get a discount if you buy a Battery Master through the MHF Shop.

Adding starter battery to existing solar setup? Wiring spec question

Sorry all, I do hate electrics. OK, so only had the motorhome (Bailey alliance se) for a few months and it's already got the 100w solar panel fitted and charging the leisure battery. However, I want to wire in the starter battery too just to keep it topped up. Now, while I've been told that...

www.motorhomefun.co.uk

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Do you have an example of a good one?

I don't have any examples ,sorry.It would depend on your set up ,lithium etc.

 

[Barti Ddu]

A CBE CSB2 is a cheaper alternative to a Battery Master, that charges the starter battery from the leisure battery when the leisure battery has been raised to around 13.5v during solar (or EHU) charging.

CSB2 - CBE

Electronics for Caravanning and Boating

www.cbe.it

Not many UK suppliers (try eBay), and be aware that a faulty batch were recently recalled. I'm very happy with mine. Works a treat.

 

[CamperJack]

I don't have any examples ,sorry.It would depend on your set up ,lithium etc.

I use lead acid batteries.

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