langdav Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 I have read somewhere about connecting the + terminals of the leisure and starter batteries together for when the van is not in use, so that excess charge from the solar panel could be passed to the starter battery. There is a removable fuse in line for when the van is on the road. Can anyone recommend if this set up would be safe to use as an alternative to twin regulator wired to both batteries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flicka Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 It would be helpful to know make & model of you van, Langdav Solar panels are generally wired via the regulator so that both batteries should be charged. Scroll down to the "Flat engine battery" thread as there is some info in that which may help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keithl Posted May 4, 2017 Share Posted May 4, 2017 langdav - 2017-05-04 10:16 PM I have read somewhere about connecting the + terminals of the leisure and starter batteries together for when the van is not in use, Clive Mott has a piece on his website about using a bridging fuse as you describe... http://www.motts.org/BRIDGING%20FUSE.htm Keith. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
langdav Posted May 5, 2017 Author Share Posted May 5, 2017 Hi Flicka The dealer fitted system originally had a dual regulator but they only wired the leisure battery. Regulator turned out to be faulty so was changed over but only with a single regulator so was looking for an easier way of charging the starter battery but a way that is safe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandncaravan Posted May 5, 2017 Share Posted May 5, 2017 I would imagine that most of the time the Starter battery will be full, requiring only the smallest massage of a few volts to keep it fettled? So what will happen when the habitation battery is discharged anytime and the Solar regulator starts applying 14.4v to both batteries? Likewise any time the 230v mains charger is used to bring up low habitation batteries, the charger will also feed 14.4v to the Starter battery when it really won't want more than 13.2v. This type of 'solution' requires quite a bit of 'thoughtful' management, hence the reason manufacturers devised safer automatic solutions. It will work, but not the best by a long way. Fitting a £30 dual battery regulator will be more efficient and a lot cheaper than having to replace a fried starter battery every few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ham Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 I use one of theses it as been fitted to the van for 5 years and no problems at all https://www.roadpro.co.uk/product/02e02-battery-maintainers/votronic-battery-master-c8451/C8451 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aandncaravan Posted May 6, 2017 Share Posted May 6, 2017 ham - 2017-05-06 9:04 AM I use one of theses it as been fitted to the van for 5 years and no problems at all https://www.roadpro.co.uk/product/02e02-battery-maintainers/votronic-battery-master-c8451/C8451 Replacing the regulator with a £30 dual battery version will be a lot more efficient, cheaper and easier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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