Victron smart charger - starter battery?

[sca7fy]

So I played it quite tight apparently, been a couple of weeks since I started the van and didn't have enough juice to get the engine started. I plugged in a trickle charger and started fine after a full charge.

However (and I have read through other threads but didn't see a definitive answer) I want to avoid doing that, or worse, in the future.... I have a victron smart charger which charges the Leisure battery.

If that's plugged into the ehu for instance,will that provide juice for the main battery?

 

[Bav]

Only if you have something like an Ablemail AMT-12 installed, which trickle-charges the SB from the LB.

 

[Dellmassive]

more info here:

[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

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[Dellmassive]

when the van is on EHU, it only charges the LB.

so the SB, starter battery will always go flat.

so you wither need a trickle charger like the above, or a second 5A charger on the SB thats connected to the EHU

 

[Dellmassive]

also look at getting a jump pack - just incase.

Which Jump Starter?

Advice required. Hi guys - I thought it would be prudent to carry one of those small JumpStarter powerpacks about with me as I have an electric lift seat installed for my better half and am a little concerned that with the extra demands on the van battery I might get caught out one wintery...

www.t6forum.com

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[Ayjay]

FWIW I leave my van on EHU most of the time when it’s not being used during the winter. That then allows the Victron to keep the leisure battery topped up whilst I also plug another ‘smart charger’ (a CTEK) into a 230v socket in the van to keep the starter battery chrged via a dash12v socket. Of course that only works if you’ve got a ‘full’ 12v / mains system installed as well as a permanently live 12 v socket available.

 

[sca7fy]

FWIW I leave my van on EHU most of the time when it’s not being used during the winter. That then allows the Victron to keep the leisure battery topped up whilst I also plug another ‘smart charger’ (a CTEK) into a 230v socket in the van to keep the starter battery chrged via a dash12v socket. Of course that only works if you’ve got a ‘full’ 12v / mains system installed as well as a permanently live 12 v socket available.

This seems like a good set up, can you provide info on the ctek charger you use?

 

[Ayjay]

Ctek MXS 5.0 - one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-Battery-Automatic-Temperature-Compensation/dp/B00FC42HAA/ref=asc_df_B00FC42HAA?mcid=58cec425923a3412bbb2f2a42ad24b8d&tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=697259790400&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11357156396608933054&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9207192&hvtargid=pla-303286758601&gad_source=1&th=1

I've also got a Lidl cheapo that was also sold as a 'smart charger' (IIRC £17 but certainly under £20) that I leave in the van to give the starter battery a quick charge when we're on the road for maybe 5 weeks at a time. Basically if the van hasn't been started for a few days and I notice the voltage dropping due to doors being opened etc. I plug it in for a few of hours for a top up. Being so cheap, I've never really had the confidence to leave it plugged in permanently but that's not based on any technical knowledge. The Ctek stays at home keeping the battery in the other car healthy while we're away.

 

[Dellmassive]

See here.

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

I’ve just fitted the AMT12-2 today and hooked up the EHU. The BM2 shows that the starter received some charge back but seems to have stopped at 12.29V. What voltage level on the starter should it maintain / reach? Keeps mine at 12.6, I asked the same question last week and if the AMT wasn’t...

www.t6forum.com

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[sca7fy]

FWIW I leave my van on EHU most of the time when it’s not being used during the winter. That then allows the Victron to keep the leisure battery topped up whilst I also plug another ‘smart charger’ (a CTEK) into a 230v socket in the van to keep the starter battery chrged via a dash12v socket. Of course that only works if you’ve got a ‘full’ 12v / mains system installed as well as a permanently live 12 v socket available.

How do I know if it's "full" and permanent?

I have the 12v socket in the dash, and it's powered when the engine is off and it's locked... Assume that's everything?

 

[ginkster]

I’d really recommend the Ablemail AMT12-2. It’s fit and forget and just does the job. It’s tiny and fits right next to the DC-DC charger and is simple to fit with 3 cables. It also works without EHU by sacrificing some leisure battery power to keep the starter battery alive to certain limits. If you have solar it’s everlasting. No second charger to carry about, remember to plug in and leads trailing about. Cost about £65.