OK to leave leisure battery on permanent trickle charge between trips?

If you have a DC DC charger fitted whereby the leisure battery charges up as your driving then providing the DC DC charger doesn't need an ignition on +VE feed you can use the CTEK flying lead straight off the starter battery for charging both...

This is what i do and all 3 batteries charge up with just the mains charger connected to the starter battery....

I've put BM2's on all my batteries so i can see what's going on..... maybe you could do with a BM2 on your leisure battery....

See your other option is leave the CTEK connected to the starter battery and see if your leisure battery stays charged as well...?
 
JasonW said:
If you have a DC DC charger fitted whereby the leisure battery charges up as your driving then providing the DC DC charger doesn't need an ignition on +VE feed you can use the CTEK flying lead straight off the starter battery for charging both...

This is what i do and all 3 batteries charge up with just the mains charger connected to the starter battery....

I've put BM2's on all my batteries so i can see what's going on..... maybe you could do with a BM2 on your leisure battery....

See your other option is leave the CTEK connected to the starter battery and see if your leisure battery stays charged as well...?
Click to expand...

That was my initial idea to be honest, but the converter said it's not possible as the leisure battery would only charge while the van is driven through the starter battery or via EHU.
 
 
JasonW said:
If you have a DC DC charger fitted whereby the leisure battery charges up as your driving then providing the DC DC charger doesn't need an ignition on +VE feed you can use the CTEK flying lead straight off the starter battery for charging both...

This is what i do and all 3 batteries charge up with just the mains charger connected to the starter battery....

I've put BM2's on all my batteries so i can see what's going on..... maybe you could do with a BM2 on your leisure battery....

See your other option is leave the CTEK connected to the starter battery and see if your leisure battery stays charged as well...?
Click to expand...

@JasonW disconnected EHU plug now from the van which has been charging the leisure battery on float for the last few days and during that method of charging all 12v sockets were indicating 13.4v charge (inbuilt Victron charger was showing the same voltage on float).

Now I connected Ctek 3.8a charger to the starter battery via flying leads as you. For the last couple of days it has been charging the leisure battery and it appears that it's also charging the leisure one as well. Initially the graph on BM2 indicated a charge upto 14.5v and then gradually droped to 13.4v and the same voltage line on the graph remained the constant for the last 2 days. Charger is on a float level/program. Although the BM2 is still indicating as charging, but when I switched off the charger it showed charging finished/completed something like that and it indicated 100%. Plugged it back again it carried on charging and entered the float mode on charger but indicated "charging" on BM2 with 13.4v.

Another interesting thing that I noted is that leisure battery socket as well as the dash ones are showing 13.4v while the leisure battery is being charged, which leads me to believe that leisure battery is being trickle charged now this way as you suggested. But then why BM2 monitor is showing as still "charging"? Is it safe to leave it like this, would the charger maintain this 13.4v voltage on float?

I have also noted that battery capacity gage in a little cupboard which is connected to the leisure battery goes to zero when the charging this way starts, you can hear a click/switch from Victron smart charger. Once charging via starter battery stops, soon after that it clicks and the gage goes back to indicate full leisure battery capacity. This is exactly the same when I start the van. No internal led lights can be switched on when the van is running, once the engine is off then they become operational. I was told this is the case when we collected the van from convertors that installed led lights on the ceiling go off when engine is on as a safety feature.

So same thing happens when the leisure battery senses a charge from the starter battery this time via Ctek charger so it could be then accepting a charge like yours do?

Sorry for the lengthy description above, thought just to give you a full update.

I have also ordered another BM2 monitor to connect onto the leisure battery which might confirm the above or might not.
 
This sounds promising @EdH that you will be able to use just the one charge point at your starter battery to charge both batteries...

When you fit the BM2 on the leisure battery this will confirm for sure... alternatively power the fridge on for an hour to take some charge from your leisure battery then switch off.. leave 10 minutes and take a voltage reading from your plug in voltage indicator from the cigarette socket on the leisure battery circuit or the gauge in the cupboard.

Then connect the ctek charger to the starter battery and after a few hours charging recheck the plug in voltage indicator...

it should of gone from low ~12's back to low ~13's... This method will also confirm what we suspect..

Its unusual that the internal lights powered by the leisure battery don't work with ignition on... but it sounds like its the way your convertor has wired them in...
 
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JasonW said:
This sounds promising @EdH that you will be able to use just the one charge point at your starter battery to charge both batteries...

When you fit the BM2 on the leisure battery this will confirm for sure... alternatively power the fridge on for an hour to take some charge from your leisure battery then switch off.. leave 10 minutes and take a voltage reading from your plug in voltage indicator from the cigarette socket on the leisure battery circuit or the gauge in the cupboard.

Then connect the ctek charger to the starter battery and after a few hours charging recheck the plug in voltage indicator...

it should of gone from low ~12's back to low ~13's... This method will also confirm what we suspect..

Its unusual that the internal lights powered by the leisure battery don't work with ignition on... but it sounds like its the way your convertor has wired them in...
Click to expand...

Installed BM2 on the leisure battery which is indicating a charge via starter battery as well. Mistery solved.

Screenshot_20210121-170825_Battery Monitor.jpg

Screenshot_20210121-170859_Battery Monitor.jpg
 
As a true novice I’m looking for clear advice please. I’ve been reading the topics re battery etc and must say that ‘ma heid’s bustin.’

I’m now getting caught out with low charge in my van’s starter battery due to less runs in the van therefore I looking to purchase a battery charger asap that would suit/ be compatible with my set up.

My van is a T6 Transporter T28 with stop start. It is a conversion.
My EHU system has a SARGENT EC155 Power Supply Unit, SARGENT EC50 Control Panel, a Sterling Power BB1230 Battery to Battery Charger and a NUMAX LV26MF 100Ah C20 leisure battery.
Photo is the starter battery.
Starter Battery Photo.jpg
I think that the cigarette lighter points top and lower are both fed off of starter battery. Both still live when the leisure battery is disconnected. They are also still live with the doors locked and alarm on using the key fob.
Would like to have the option to charge the starter battery with my EHU supply via the van’s existing installed 240v 13amp socket and existing cigarette lighter socket as well as directly onto the starter battery using a 240v supply lead.

Your patience and understanding is very much appreciated :thumbsup:
 
You just need to buy a smart battery charger with the optional cigarette lighter attachment. There is a Ctek MXS 5.0 model which will do what you want, and you can buy the cigarette lighter connection.
This will be fine for trickle charging your starter battery.

Pete

C3EE12CD-BE9A-4620-8D4F-5008C9E69EA7.jpeg
 
Hi Pete,

Thanks very much for your quick reply and advice. It's very much appreciated.
When in doubt or in a tight spot someone on this forum will pull you out :mexican wave:
 
as @Pete C says you can charge via the 12v dash socket if you have 240v in the van from EHU.

the CTEK MXS5 is a great charger:






1611504528617.png


heres the 12v plug adapter:



CTEK 40-165 Battery charge indicator with 12 V Comfort connector 22 cm: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike

Buy CTEK 40-165 Battery charge indicator with 12 V Comfort connector 22 cm at Amazon UK. Free delivery on eligible orders.
amzn.to




1611504665005.png



...........


more info on battery chargers:



www.t6forum.com

Battery Chargers - How I Did It -

Battery Chargers - How I Did It - So its that time of year again, cold, rainy. . . . . . . flat battery =[ This time we look at Battery Chargers. Our vans will most likely come with a AGM style starter battery, for this type of battery we need a "Smart Charger" . . . . but what does this...
www.t6forum.com www.t6forum.com




www.t6forum.com

[Guide] Battery Maintainer (for Starter battery) -- How I Done It --

[Guide] Battery Maintainer (for Starter battery) -- How I Done It -- Right so its that time of year again . . . . . . . . Winter & (Lockdown 2020) The van might be layed up not being used, which will lead to a flat battery in around 3 weeks. The cold weather doesn't help the battery's...
www.t6forum.com www.t6forum.com


.
 
Sammy29 said:
View attachment 100263
Goodies arrived and now in use. I'm a happy chappie. :waving:
Click to expand...
You have a similar set up to me but it I use a Noco charger. On mine when I put the charger on it also triggers the Sterling so it actually charges both batteries.
it may be worth a look at the Sterling just to see if the lights are on like mine.
I only mention this as if it is then it takes ages to charge so don’t worry if it still says charging after a days connection.
 
Not sure where best to post this but....

Hi, I’m thinking of putting an old optimate smart battery charger onto my leisure battery so that I can top up the battery level from my hook up while on site. This way my battery should last longer and not go flat while using all the lights, fridge etc over a few days.

In my mind I could charge and use the leisure battery at the same time without the fear of running flat.

I have a sterling B2B set up, and wondering if I could simply connect the optimate smart battery charger direct to the battery terminals. Could I do this? Or am I missing something?

Any advice appreciated.
 
Evobobber said:
Not sure where best to post this but....

Hi, I’m thinking of putting an old optimate smart battery charger onto my leisure battery so that I can top up the battery level from my hook up while on site. This way my battery should last longer and not go flat while using all the lights, fridge etc over a few days.

In my mind I could charge and use the leisure battery at the same time without the fear of running flat.

I have a sterling B2B set up, and wondering if I could simply connect the optimate smart battery charger direct to the battery terminals. Could I do this? Or am I missing something?

Any advice appreciated.
Click to expand...
Just so I understand you say you already have a mains hook up so where does the incoming mains voltage go as it would be unusual to instal a hook up system without a fused distribution unit which usually includes an inbuilt charger.
If you don’t have an inbuilt charger then I will leave it to others here on the forum who are wiser than me to guide you.
 
Nigel W said:
You have a similar set up to me but it I use a Noco charger. On mine when I put the charger on it also triggers the Sterling so it actually charges both batteries.
it may be worth a look at the Sterling just to see if the lights are on like mine.
I only mention this as if it is then it takes ages to charge so don’t worry if it still says charging after a days connection.
Click to expand...
Thanks Nigel, I'll certainly have a look
 
Nigel W said:
Just so I understand you say you already have a mains hook up so where does the incoming mains voltage go as it would be unusual to instal a hook up system without a fused distribution unit which usually includes an inbuilt charger.
If you don’t have an inbuilt charger then I will leave it to others here on the forum who are wiser than me to guide you.
Click to expand...
Hi, my 240 goes to RCD then to 3 sockets.
My 12 v is to a Sterling then battery. 2 seperate circuits.
Cheers
 
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