Split Charge Relay (1 Viewer)

[TDH]

At the moment my leisure battery is completely independent of the van's charging system - I just top it up before I go out and it usually does me fine.

I want to put it into the charging system and I'm thinking of the Brocott self Switching Relay. Has anybody any thoughts on this - is it as simple as it seems?

Thanks.

 

[Terry]

Hi relays are around £6 single or 8 quid for the twin ie l / batt and fridge, that sounds like a posh one at 14 quid and yes it is as simple as that :thumb:
terry

 

[scotjimland]

I would say it's worth the small extra cost .. :thumb:

This intelligent self switching split charge relay is used for charging a second battery from your main vehicle (crank) battery. This relay is different from other standard split charge relays, in that it monitors the main battery voltage and monitors the second battery voltage and only switches the charge to the secondary battery on when required, so no over charging can take place and also ensures that the main battery charge is maintained and wont leave you with a flat.

and yes, it's that simple ..

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[VMax666]

This is easy to fit, comes with instructions. Link Removed VMax

 

[hilldweller]

I would say it's worth the small extra cost .. :thumb:
and yes, it's that simple ..

If you think about it for a minute, which your message allowed me to do, I think it pure bullshit. Correct me if I'm wrong.

The leisure battery, as with the main battery can never be overcharged ( ignoring an unlikely alternator failure ).

If switched by the alternator D wire the main battery can never be flattened.

Have I missed something ?

PS:

More....
The relay controls the charge rate to the second battery to maintain a fully charged state.
===================================
A relay can never ever control charge rate.

 

[scotjimland]

This is easy to fit, comes with instructions. Link Removed VMax

Also a good one.. :thumb:


it just dawned on me oh:

the Brocott bumff says it can never overcharge the second battery ...
but that's nigh on imposible to do with a vehicle alternator anyway, it only puts out 13.8v

Both however are better than a bog standard relay

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[scotjimland]

Looks like we were both thinking along the same lines Brian ..

 

[Terry]

Looks like we were both thinking along the same lines Brian ..

SO HOW IS THIS BETTER THAN A BOG STANDARD RELAY ?(OOOOPS sorry for caps ) this may realise that your vehicle battery is on it's way out and divert all the energy to the said battery letting my fridge defrost melting my ice cream,burgers and sausages
terry

 

[pappajohn]

bear in mind 99% of converters will use a bog standard split charge relay and its unusual to hear of any charging problems, in particular over charging.....apart from the odd relay failing ton work at all.

just another marketing ploy for the uninitiated oh:

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[hilldweller]

Looks like we were both thinking along the same lines Brian ..

At least the price is reasonable for the kit.

I think it's real advantage, which they don't stress is you don't have to find and splice into the D wire.

Which could be it's disadvantage. If it's voltage sensing then it kicks in at 12.5v ( guess ) and all is well. You turn off. The relay is still in. The relay stays in 'till it's drop out voltage, so in effect it discharges the main battery a little ( or a lot depending on drop out voltage, age and temperature ) before the relay opens.

However the D wire method does fall over if the crank battery is weak and the user is doing a lot of stop start, so instead of a good boost to the crank battery the alternator is feeding both batteries.

>> and yes, it's that simple ..

Who said that ?

 

[scotjimland]

SO HOW IS THIS BETTER THAN A BOG STANDARD RELAY ?

terry

I knew you would ask ...

They were commonly fitted when I was a tugger, the reason given was because it prioritises the chassis battery charging .. that's all ...

then some tight northen git said it wasn't needed , a bog standard Poundland relay would do

 

[TDH]

Thanks for all of that - I think!!

Something to spend our Roadpro vouchers on then (if she'll let me)!

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