Member Since: 29 Aug 2008
Location: SW
Posts: 2390
Split Charge Feed
As you all know I'm fitting a second batt to my D3 for my impending trip. I have mailed TFC for a loom for the spotlights, now my concern is how to trigger the charge relay. Is it possible to tap onto the rear of the alt to start the relay or is there somewhere else more practicle to do it. I already have the relay, just need a trigger wire for it.
Any ideas anyone. I have a competent sparky to do the work but he hasn't worked on D3 before and is a bit hesitant to blindly dive in and start tapping into the wrong placeHONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE
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20th Mar 2009 2:04 pm
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20th Mar 2009 2:13 pm
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Ah oh hold on, yoiu're on about the split charge relay.......
I think the general way is to link to the original battery. the alt is capable of delivering charge to both. Not sure how you delay connecting the two with just a simple relay setup.
I have the Traxide SC-80 combo unit which works very well and is easy for people to install
TFC's setup would work well too, just different approaches.......Bodsys Brake Bible
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20th Mar 2009 2:17 pm
MARKW
Member Since: 29 Aug 2008
Location: SW
Posts: 2390
Bodsy
Yes it's how to wire the charge relay in that I'm after. I have it mounted and understand that I have to connect the "+" terminals from both batts together, run an earth either to chassis or back to main batt. But I need a trigger wire which is ign switched.
So I'm looking for a source. Is there a spare fuse slot that will be ign based that I could tap into. I have an XS so don't have all the toys some of of you lot do . So I'm assumong there should be some spare fuse slots. But where?HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE
They shall not grow old as those of us left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condem. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
20th Mar 2009 2:27 pm
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Could you wire it to the internal cigarette lighter or similar from the fusebox? That's only on at ign on. Bodsys Brake Bible
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20th Mar 2009 2:29 pm
MARKW
Member Since: 29 Aug 2008
Location: SW
Posts: 2390
Top idea. Will speak to my tame sparky HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE
They shall not grow old as those of us left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condem. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
20th Mar 2009 2:33 pm
xtc
Member Since: 27 Mar 2007
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 1072
By all means use the cig lighter power to switch a relay for a simple ing. on system, but don't charge the battery direct from the socket. The battery if flat will draw well in excess of the 15a or so available from the socket. The cable linking the batteries via the relay should be capable of 50a min, ideally more. 16mm cable would be fine! Idealy a voltage sensitive relay can be used and that will then detect when the alternator is running and link the batteries. You can get these from caravan shops for less than £20.Off Roading is OK.... But I'd rather be Boating!
20th Mar 2009 3:46 pm
TallPaul
Member Since: 03 Jan 2008
Location: Near Reading
Posts: 1214
You can get voltage sensing relays as well, so they only link the second battery when the main one is charged, lots threads on here about different ways to do it.
I would not recommend connecting to the alternator, it can cause problems with the other electrics and you need to be sure the terminals do what you think, few horror stories around of people getting it wrong.
Ignition switched is ok, but then you link the batteries as soon as ignition is on, and not after glow plugs have warmed and you start the car. Might not be an issue, depends on if you plan to run the second battery flat, and what cabling/fuses you are placing between the two batteries.
20th Mar 2009 3:47 pm
MARKW
Member Since: 29 Aug 2008
Location: SW
Posts: 2390
. Thought I had it all sorted then. I even found an ign live in the fuse box. Where a rely should be there is a ign live term.
So the best way is voltage sensitive relay. All the 1's I've looked at were horrendous money 60 quid plus. If they can be had from a caravan shop for about 20 then that's the best way to go. Right I need to find me a caravan shop now. I have big cables to go between the batts so that's no problem.HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE
They shall not grow old as those of us left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condem. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
20th Mar 2009 6:52 pm
MARKW
Member Since: 29 Aug 2008
Location: SW
Posts: 2390
After a bit of research I can get a 30amp VSR for about 30 quid. Is the 30amp big enough? I only intend to run a Waeco 50l, PC, CB, LF170's. From the aux batt and not all at the same time.
Or can I use the 30amp relay as the trigger to the big 180 amp dumb relay? Or am I making things complicated? HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE
They shall not grow old as those of us left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condem. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
21st Mar 2009 9:47 pm
robsmith
Member Since: 02 Sep 2007
Location: Staffordshire
Posts: 2392
Using a "control" relay as you suggest can be an easy/cheap option if you have the bits, or they work out cheaper than a "fully rated" one. Digging around my garage I found a very shiny winch contactor that I bought years ago, just before my 110 was stolen, so I was thinking along the same lines, it is rated to carry and break 400A, and is 24hr rated, I also found a couple of voltage sensing control relays which should allow me to do some clever things, like only charge the secondary battery when the system voltage has reached a certain level,and do a bit of cross feeding (provided they are the correct voltages, which I think they are as I recall buying them at the same time (so the invoice says....)Rob Smith
Silver rools OK
22nd Mar 2009 9:58 pm
MARKW
Member Since: 29 Aug 2008
Location: SW
Posts: 2390
Rob
Thanks for those reassuring words . But to see what the deal is I have emailed traxide to get the cost of their relay. Looking at their prices it's going to be 50quid before import duty blah blah blah. So I think I'll get a small trigger relay to operate the dumb relay. Right off to find a great deal on VSRHONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE
They shall not grow old as those of us left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condem. At the going down of the sun, and in the morning WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
22nd Mar 2009 10:06 pm
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I'm using a 30Amp relay just for the LF's, (only needs 16.6amp) but would go for something bigger if running that lot.
I have the Traxide unit & split charges + 50amp to the rear + 2 x 12v aux (15amp each). Got the compolete kit from Traxide and it saves faffing aboiut with individual bits and wires etc. This all comes complete. Bodsys Brake Bible
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22nd Mar 2009 10:14 pm
MARKW
Member Since: 29 Aug 2008
Location: SW
Posts: 2390
Power to the rear is sorted. I've run 2 lengths of batt size cable to the rear where I have put a marine spec fuse board in. All the extra power sockets are run individually from there. About a week ago I emailed TF about a loom for the LF's but he hasn't replied yet so I'm now looking at doing it the old fashioned way. I have a few 30amp relays kicking about so will use them for the LF's.
So the 30amp VSR will only act as a trigger for the dumb relay. A bit of a convoluted way of doing it but in my mind it's simple which is what I need.HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE
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. So I'm assumong there should be some spare fuse slots. But where?
. Thought I had it all sorted then. I even found an ign live in the fuse box. Where a rely should be there is a ign live term.
. But to see what the deal is I have emailed traxide to get the cost of their relay. Looking at their prices it's going to be 50quid before import duty blah blah blah. So I think I'll get a small trigger relay to operate the dumb relay. Right off to find a great deal on VSR
