Date: Thu, 31 Jul 2014 18:21:29 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Battery isolator question
In-Reply-To: <FEC418A8-DF77-4726-AF70-988EB9B325C3@shaw.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Using a relay tied to the alternator trigger circuit accomplishes the same
thing to keep the batteries separated during cranking. Important if the
connecting wire can't carry starter current. ACR are usually used where
there can be multiple charge sources such as the engine alternator charging
the chassis battery and a shore power charger being connected to the house
battery. With the ACR either source can charge both batteries without adding
additional controls.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Alistair Bell
Sent: Thursday, July 31, 2014 5:27 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Battery isolator question
Hi,
Yeah I installed an aux battery system in my van. Couple of point though.
The van was a seven pass model and I only installed a swivel sea to the pass
side. So under the drivers seat there is clear access. Another thing, I
currently (ha) am using a small 30 Ahr agm battery that fits in battery box
under drivers seat. I'm in the process of upgrading to a big battery located
where spare tire goes.
I like an automatic charge controller (ACR) over a simple relay/solenoid.
And the older model blue seas ACR I have has worked flawlessly for years.
One advantage is that it isolates the batteries based on voltage sensed. So
it disconnects at a user set value, and reconnects at same value. Has over
and under voltage adjustments too. One advantage of this is in the unlikely
case of the aux battery being fully discharged, during starting the van that
battery is not connected right away. So no juice from starting battery is
bled off to fill the drained battery while you are cranking. This might be
an unlikely problem, and really, the drained battery is probably not going
to suck that much power due to internal resistance etc. but still, I like
the feature.
I have schematic of my set up here
http://shufti.wordpress.com/2013/06/24/vanagon-auxiliary-fuse-panel-schemati
c-update/
Alistair
> On Jul 31, 2014, at 12:19 PM, Neil N <musomuso@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> I can't point to specific examples, (check thesamba ?) but I'm sure
> some have installed a charger or similar, in the space under the
> driver seat. Didn't Alistair Bell do something similar? Just my .02,
> but if it were me, I'd want the charger display somewhere I could
> easily see it.
>
> I have 2 aux. batteries. For the cheap group 41 under driver seat,
> I've been using a "can" type solenoid isolator image:
> http://tinyurl.com/plgduwy
>
> w/o any issues. This battery typically sees low current draw.
>
> Neil.
>
>
> On 7/31/14, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>> ..... Anyone been able to install the battery (deep discharge,
>> Walmart standard serial warranty replacement, or golf cart), a smart
>> isolator, and a charger under the driver's seat? Or is it best to put
>> the charger under the sink where the now unused fridge outlet already
>> exists?
>
>
>
> --
> Neil n
>
> Blog: tubaneil.blogspot.ca
>
> '88 Westy http://tinyurl.com/c8rlw6p
>
> '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco" http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/
>
> Vanagon VAG *Gas* inline-VR Engine Swap Group:
>
> http://tinyurl.com/d7gd5ej
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