Dual Battery

[snow]

After help in doing a dual battery setup in a camper/motorhome, have plenty of room so that not an issue, 1 battery as a starter and the other as a 12v lights and stuff, an diragrams or pics would be great as well, I know that both batterys are to be of equal size, any input would be much appreicated

cheers snow

[ShaneJ]

Where abouts are you located?

Your starter and aux battery dont have to be of equal size. Get a high CCA battery thats enough to start the engine and get the biggest Ah Aux battery that you can find.

Wire them up like the diagram below and you're laughing.

[ben]

thats so simple shane.. thats flippen great!!! now tell us how bigger relay should we be using? i know its only on the ground but still??

and so that will mean everything will run off the second battery when ignition is turned off until you flick over ignition which is perfect, unless you flatten the aux battery like dead dead wont the aux battery drain the starting battery?? or should it stil kick it over?? or is it just the same as like having a set of headlights on while trying to start. like the headlights certainly would drain the batery but you can still start the vechile with them on..

cheers
ben

[ShaneJ]

You'll be wanting the biggest relay you can find. I normally use 180A jobs but that's just what I have access to.

If you dead flatten the aux battery it will draw a lot of current from the main battery once you turn on the ignition, but the engine will start as long as you do it within a few minutes of having the ignition on.

[snow]

Thanks for that ShaneJ, can't we incorporate a switch so that when you stop you can turn the switch to aux and say flatten it and then when starting turn the switch over to the main starting battery and once the motor is going charge both, I use to skipper my uncles reef boat up north years ago remember once anchored up at night i used to open up a section of the floor where the batterys were and turn a switch so it would not drain any power from the main starting battery and other was used for lights and what not and turn it back to main battery to start.

I'am now liiving in Brisbane

cheers snow

[ShaneJ]

You could use a switch like you just explained, but the circuit I posted will achieve the exact same thing without needing to remember to change the switch.

I'm in Brisbane on the north side if you ever need any help with your wiring.

[JOE RYAN]

Shane J and any other Brisbane members

I am at Redcliffe contact on janddryan1@optusnet.com.au with phone number so we can meet up organise a get together with other Brisbane members

[ShaneJ]

My Bedford is at my mates workshop at Redcliffe at the moment getting some body work done. I'll give you a shout once I get it back.

[Joel Oswald]

I just went through the exact same thing regarding the dual batteries. I used a thing called a VSR. Voltage Sensitive Relay, made for this purpose. Does the same as the boat switch mentioned below i.e. ALL, 1, 2 etc but it's all done automatic. Run your starter battery into the VSR plus your house/second battery + wire, earth & you're away...

[shaginwagin]

Shane J and any other Brisbane members

I am at Redcliffe contact on janddryan1@optusnet.com.au with phone number so we can meet up organise a get together with other Brisbane members

Kath and I live in Deception Bay, next door to Redcliffe, would love to meet up with anyone who is interested in Beddies.  We will be going through the rebuild after the Van Nats at Easter, and will be looking for all types of help with it.