Camper Van Wiring diagram CTEK

[sand010]

Hi guys, Just wondering if anyone would like to comment/improve on my wiring diagram for my mk6 LWB conversion. In particular how to wire all the 12v negatives from lights/sockets etc to a neat single earth.

Thanks in advance

[ake]

Looks tidy, although your cables seem to be very oversized, 16 would do for all the main cables, even 10mm would be ample and I don't think you need 16mm for the fridge, even 6 would be over kill.
A bus bar, or terminal block is the best way to combine earths

[Kedishen]

Connect your negatives using terminal strips and bring back to one negative.

Also, the top CTEK unit also performs the job of the bottom CTEK unit. Unless you want the higher charging current of the smart pass (80amp compared to 20amp from D250S DUAL) it is not needed.

http://www.ctek.com/au/en/chargers/D250S%20DUAL
http://www.ctek.com/gb/en/chargers/SMARTPASS
http://www.nasamarine.com/proddetail.ph ... -1_Battery

Original diagram
http://myselfbuildcamper.co.uk/wp-conte ... ASTER1.gif

I notice you have a range of 12v diagrams on your photobucket account. You are trying to find something suitable for your needs? Here is my opinion. Looking at the original diagram, it is a very expensive setup (unless of course you are happy to pay £700-800) and from what i can see, the only reason they used both CTEK units is because they wanted the auto switching DC power source and protection features + the 5 stage charging ability. You would get these features on a much cheaper MPPT solar regulator (also benefit from solar panels in series rather than parallel).

To be honest, the power you will gain with the 5 stage charging; whilst superior, will be negliable. You'd be better off with a much cheaper electronic split charger like a TEC2/3 wired directly to the leisures (presuming Mk6 can use one of these), then use a couple of 12v DC desulphators to keep the batteries sweet.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-BATTERY-D ... 3a92cfd9d5

The "emergency jump start" switch is also a bit pointless. You'd be better off having a voltage sensing relay from the leisure batts, using something like this:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/kemo-lead-aci ... dule-n73au

[Kedishen]

Since I can't edit my first post, just wanted to clear up what i said.

The only reason they used both CTEK units is because they wanted the higher current capacity from alternator charging.

If you were to use both units, the power you will gain from the alternator with the 5 stage charging + 80 amp capacity; whilst superior, will be negliable. You'd be better off with a much cheaper electronic split charger like a TEC2/3 wired directly to the leisures (presuming Mk6 can use one of these), then use a couple of 12v DC desulphators to keep the batteries sweet. If you want higher current, use several TEC2/TEC3's.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/30-AMP-SELF-S ... 23396a2978

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-BATTERY-D ... 3a92cfd9d5

The "emergency jump start" switch is also a bit pointless. Your engine battery will never get that flat, and if it does it has most likely reached the end of its useful life and will only flatten your leisure batteries. You'd be much better off having a voltage sensing relay from the leisure batts, using something like this and it will keep battery fully charged (not allowing it to become drained) and not affect your leisure batteries.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/kemo-lead-aci ... dule-n73au

For solar charging, I won't recommend any particular unit, but I have always liked MorningStar. A very reliable make, but quite
expensive. I couldn't afford one of their 20amp MPPT units and I went for a cheaper chinese built unit - which surprisingly still works almost a year later and has served me well thus far. Also came with as handy remote monitor.

[sand010]

Already have both Ctek units as i bought them a few months ago i think they were about £450 so whilst expensive it thought they seemed like a good option. As i did want i boost the charging.

"To be honest, the power you will gain with the 5 stage charging; whilst superior, will be negliable." Could you please expand further sorry what are the limitations?? will i not expect anything close to that.

Point Noted about the emergency jump start, as the Ctek will constantly make both battery banks are topped up. I guess i will exclude this from the setup

Ake about the cable size- i know its overkill but will it not make for a more efficient system?? i.e. less voltage drop

thanks for the comments

[Kedishen]

Overall the CTEK system is far superior and since you have bought it already, there is no reason to complain.

Most of what I said is irrelevant if you have already bought the CTEK units. I was basing my arguments on you not having already bought the system. I would prefer to have the CTEK system if I could afford it.

The main difference between your system and one using an MPPT charger is that the alternator will be able to fully charge the battery whilst traveling and can also be maintained by alternator current. This is a huge benefit if you are living in the van or use it mainly in winter. 200watts of solar just isn´t enough in England during the winter, especially for 330ah capacity.

However, I can´t see how the chargers will differentiate between the leisure batts and the engine batt. There doesn´t appear to be any extra terminals for 2 battery banks so you will be missing this function, even if you kept the emergency jump charge switch. Won't take long for door lights, electric doors, alarms and radios to run down the engine battery if you are parked somewhere for a few weeks.