Connecting 2 battiers

[garycooper]

Hi guys

Just got my 2000 v reg transit for Karting

What i like to do is connect another battery this will charge from original altanater

but be only used for powering an inverter in the rear of the van for laptops and other small devices for the day

and when i come to start the van at the days end it will still start from the original battery(no more flat battery)

anyone help or now of a guide to do this

thanks

Gary

www.GazTecKarting.co.uk

[johnz]

you can link the batterys so there is still 12 volt coming out and tke amp hour will be higher but thats no problem the only way i one mie mine when i had tv in back staying in van when working long way from home had the pos red wire coming to battery in back and put a isolator switch on and the earth went to the metalhook on the floor for tie downs hope this will be any help just rember to switch over afterwards i did a few times

[johnz]

forgot to say make sure you link the batterys and not bank them as you will have 24 volts two batterys batt one earth to earth batt one and two pos to earth and batt two pos to posie starter or where the pos goes on your van if your battery is under the seat like mine is than not a lot of other wire is needed

[garycooper]

Thats great.

so all i neeed is an isolater and red and black leads and the second battery

Also do i isolate the second battery at all times when starting ?

just turn isolater on when engine is running and off when engine is not running

silly questions i no but want to make sure.

Thanks

Gary
http://www.GazTecKarting.co.uk

[garycooper]

So just to confirm i would need a parallel connection?

red to red,, black to black givin me still 12volts but double amps.

but use a isolater to turn of the second battery while starting the van
then turning on isolater to charge both battiers while travaling

then turning the isolater off again just to use the secind battery to power my inverter?

is this correct

[sc_BK]

Yes Gary, red to red, black to black.

If you park and plan on using power without the engine running you diconnect the isolater switch FIRST as otherwise you would run both batteries down.

Then once you have the engine running again you can re-connect the isolater switch. I personally leave it for a few mins after starting and once i've started driving and got my foot down.


The rest of the time there's no need to touch the isolater switch, just leave it connected and go about your day to day business.

[Max81]

Hi GaryCooper ,

to connect a second battery to be used only for internal services, you should do it in this way:

1) A Battery Automatic Separator like this http://www.simatshop.com/prodotto/Separatore_Automatico_di_Batteria_Parallelatore_per_Camper_e_Barca_CBE_CSB40_SP_55a0ee61-7a59-4120-a4ac-71be65a0b19e.aspx

It will connect the second battery to the engine charger only when the engine is on
The separator works in the way that you cannot exaust the main battery with the services.

Connect Black to ground and red to the Separator

2) Place the inverter near the second battery.... the high voltage can be carried with small section cables

Is tha way that we use in the motorhomes and campers.

[garycooper]

Ok thats great thanks for all your help guys.

[GBBiker]

Won't need any of that if the second battery is running independantly.


All he needs to do is connect the earth to the block and the + to the alternator (the same terminal the main battery is connected to). This will charge the second battery and it will be independant of the vehicles main circuits (ie; starter and ancilliaries). It will be charged while the engine is running and will not affect the other battery.

[Max81]

Won't need any of that if the second battery is running independantly.


All he needs to do is connect the earth to the block and the + to the alternator (the same terminal the main battery is connected to). This will charge the second battery and it will be independant of the vehicles main circuits (ie; starter and ancilliaries). It will be charged while the engine is running and will not affect the other battery.

But, if you use the services while the engine is off, you will discharge also the main battery... won't you?. So the risk is if you forget somethings on, you will not be able to start the engine.

[spikefreeway]

My system is 2 batteries in the engine bay for starting. Two leads pos' and neg' from the batteries with an isolater in the line going to my invertor. Two fly leads from the invertor on to my leisure battery. If you put the isolater before the inverter then you can seperate the starting system. When you have started your van close the isolater so power runs through all three batteries to charge, granted you are your running heater,radio, lighting, etc through all three however the drain by putting all your services on can easily be coped with by your alternator. When you get where you are going close the isolater run what you need from the slave battery without risking you starting power. Its actually harder to expalin than do. I need a biro and the back of beermat for the diagram. Total cost about £10. PM me if I have confused you further.