VW camper van leisure batteries.

[Vic]

Please can someone offer advice.
My stepson has bought himself an old VW T4 hightop camper van. It is quite basic, but ideal for a surfer dude.
It has a fridge, sink (cold only) and two traction liesure batteries. Presently the only way to charge the liesure batteries is by a small motorcycle battery charger that needs to be plugged in when on hook up. On his first night out his batteries discharged.
What I would like to do for him is to fit a system where he can charge the liesure batteries whilst driving and ideally fit a solar panel to keep everything topped up when not on hook up. I suspect the current batteries are dead so they will need to be replaced anyway
Therefore I am starting with a clean slate.
What do you recommend? Thanks is advance.
Vic

 

[Nasher]

This guy is really helpful for VW electrics

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[TheBig1]

I recommend to replace the old split charge system and the batteries for a start. The alternator will top up the batteries quickest. Then fit a 20+amp mains charger, minimum of 10% of the battery total capacity. Followed up by as much solar as he can afford/find space for on the roof