Complete Camper Electrical Setup Help

[kevin baker]

Hi everyone, I am new to the forum and very much still in the early stages of R&D with regards to converting a van into a camper. At this point in time I am just trying to get my head around the electrical system.

I understand the basics but I have a few questions that I am struggling to get the answers to.

I have been informed that new style vehicles have a smart alternator, therefore traditional charging of the leisure battery from the alternator does not work. Having researched this further I discovered the CTEK D250SA, which is a battery to battery charger and also a solar power controller. Having read up on this product it seems ideal for what I am hoping to achieve from the install, and gives me the option of adding solar panels in the future. I will also be installing a 240v system into the camper with a 12v battery charger. The CTEK D250SA automatically detects when the leisure battery is fully charged and switches to battery maintenance mode, do the 240v to 12v charging systems do the same? Also will I need to install a 3 way changover switch to select the leisure battery charging method?

I have attached a schematic with my plans for the electrical system in the van and the above question is in the yellow area of the picture. Hopefully a picture paints a better idea of what I am on about.

 

[Pete C]

I had a similar question when I started out, and got the response that you don't need the 3 way switch. Each of the 3 chargers will do their own thing when all connected to your leisure battery.

Someone more qualified will come along and confirm/deny this no doubt, but at the moment our van has:

An Ablemail B2B charger for when we are driving.
A Victron mains charger when we are on EHU.
I am about to add solar charging with its own controller.

All 3 of these are/will be permanently connected to the leisure battery.

Given the physical way we are configuring these, the likelihood that more than 1 of these will be actively charging at any point in time is very very remote, but if this did occur, I don't think there will be a problem.

As I said above, someone else will add more info to this no doubt.

Pete

 

[travelvolts]

Multiple charging sources are not a problem and there is no need for three way switch.