Dual Batteries for dummies

Re: Dual Batteries for dummies

Postby Beng on Fri, 12 Aug 2016 6:57 +0000

I have a slightly different question on this topic, I have the d250s running my dual battery system and it does everything on the box. Now we just put down a deposit on a camper trailer and I've got thinking about running that. Can I install a second d250s in the camper and run them both off the alternator at the same time. The other option is to hook the camper house batteries to the lux 2nd battery through the d250s. Not sure about this - car has 105ah and 2 x 75ah in the trailer.
Any help on this one will be appreciated.
Cheers,

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Re: Dual Batteries for dummies

Postby martynvella on Sun, 14 Aug 2016 6:17 +0000

The second option would be my choice if the batteries are of compatible types, you don't have a selection choice with the ctek, it will be better than nothing to put something in while your driving, then use an individual solar system maybe to top up the trailer batteries.

I wouldn't run 2 cteks of the alternator at the same time, that's asking for trouble.
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Re: Dual Batteries for dummies

Postby Beng on Sun, 14 Aug 2016 5:42 +0000

Thanks, I'll just run a wire back from the house batt and see how I go for the time being. It'll only be food in the trailer fridge, all the beer will be on the ute and that should stay cold :lol:
This should be pretty common, espically with the caravan towers but I can't find much info anywhere. I have solar, maybe I should wait until I have a problem before I fix it.....
Cheers,

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Re: Dual Batteries for dummies

Postby Richolux150 on Sun, 14 Aug 2016 6:07 +0000

I've experimented with this exact scenario .......Ctek unit in the lux running simultaneously from the Alternator and solar panel to power 2nd battery.....then to a second Ctek in the camper trailer to power the camper battery.....It seems that the camper battery took most of the charge from the Aux battery in the lux, a bit of a surprise and a bit of a fail......but the Ctek unit in the camper when disconnected from the Lux and plugged into a portable solar panel worked a treat......the long and the short of it all was it worked fine while driving and good from solar panel when parked up.....your choice......
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Re: Dual Batteries for dummies

Postby Beng on Sun, 14 Aug 2016 7:28 +0000

So Ricoh, you had the 2nd Ctek wired to the aux battery in the ute not the starting battery? thats good info, I can't really afford to by another unit to just experiment with. I'm not sure about just paralleling the camper batt and the aux batt and using the Ctek to charge while driving. With voltage drop through distance between batts and 150ah in camper as opposed to 105ah on ute will I just drain the aux batt for not too much charge in the camper? I suppose if I'm doing big days driving it will bring everything up to charge, if not I can just try to rely on solar to keep camper batt charged.
Cheers,

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Re: Dual Batteries for dummies

Postby martynvella on Mon, 15 Aug 2016 5:51 +0000

Just run decent size cable such as 8mm twin or 6 B&S to minimize the voltage drop while charging the batteries in the trailer and use an Anderson plug. Voltage drop is relative to current flowing in the circuit, so when the ct batteries are low they will demand a bit more current so the voltage drop will be more apparent, but as the batteries come up there will be less demand for current so the voltage drop will reduce as the current does. Heavier cable just allows more current earlier in the equation.

The only time the ct batteries will drain the vehicles battery prematurely is if they develop a fault.

Would recommend an isolator between the two like a VSR to isolate them from each other when not driving.
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Re: Dual Batteries for dummies

Postby Beng on Mon, 15 Aug 2016 6:10 +0000

Thanks martynvella, makes sense :D

By the way, I'm not buying but just seen d250s in repco catalogue for $319. Seems a pretty good price.
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Re: Dual Batteries for dummies

Postby martynvella on Tue, 16 Aug 2016 5:35 +0000

They have gotten dearer, personally I'd spend the extra and go for a redarc, only because they are local and offer excellent after sales support.

I also agree with your " wait till you know you have a problem before you spend big dollars fixing it" approach.
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Re: Dual Batteries for dummies

Postby Richolux150 on Thu, 25 Aug 2016 4:35 +0000

Yep what Marty said........shorted out the Ctek unit in the camper trailer so simply removed it from the equation for the short term..........nothing too demanding installed in camper so just plug the ute in when driving and when parked just plug ct into the Lux to top it up a bit.......
Cheers Richo
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Re: Dual Batteries for dummies

Postby banksy on Fri, 26 Aug 2016 1:13 +0000

Richolux150 wrote:shorted out the Ctek unit in the camper trailer so simply removed it from the equation for the short term.......


Pull it apart there are 3 x 30amp blade fuses in them.
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Re: Dual Batteries for dummies

Postby Richolux150 on Fri, 26 Aug 2016 1:25 +0000

Ta Banklsy
Yep just had a look..... there are 2 fuses that can be removed and one is stuck in with some plastic type welding......so I can't remove him....probs that one I guess....
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Re: Dual Batteries for dummies

Postby Richolux150 on Fri, 26 Aug 2016 3:12 +0000

Ok so I replaced the 2 removable 30 amp fuses (that both looked ok) with 2 new ones and she is now back up and running.....Lazy bastard Richo.......Ta more Banksy........
Cheers Richo
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Re: Dual Batteries for dummies

Postby banksy on Fri, 26 Aug 2016 3:30 +0000

No Probs,

Some had the fuses soldered in apparently.
Gave you something to do on GC show day.
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Re: Dual Batteries for dummies

Postby Richolux150 on Fri, 26 Aug 2016 7:56 +0000

Yep sure did......Went to the beach first then had to wash the dog cause he rolled around in the sand...ended up the wrong colour.... :shock: :shock: :shock:
Cheers Richo
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Re: Dual Batteries for dummies

Postby LocalFart on Tue, 13 Sep 2016 2:15 +0000

Shut me down and tell me to read the thread... Buuut, I just wanted a yay or nay on the following set-up. mostly if I need a regulator or something for solar panel and if that should last a day or two in good conditions.

Setup
100Ah Secondary battery
Ctek 250s
150ish Watt solar panel - china spec from eBay.

Running
600W 240v inverter normally only running phone chargers and a clock radio, possibly a led light or two
Waeco CF40

Wired
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Re: Dual Batteries for dummies

Postby Richolux150 on Tue, 13 Sep 2016 6:51 +0000

Hey Local Fart,
That's the set up I've been running for about 3 years now......only an 80 w solar panel continuously running my 50 lt Waeco with a 100 AH battery......I recently dropped another 100 AH battery in to run two Waecos for our Cape trip.....still running this as I built a false floor over the second auxiliary (third) batt.... :oops: :oops:
After a long drive the Ctek will stay connected to the crank battery (yellow top 80 AH) well into the evening.......

There is a new wiring diagram which utilises a relay to connect the Ctek to the start battery only when the car is running....not sure why......seems a bit retarded.....hope that helps....
Cheers Richo
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Re: Dual Batteries for dummies

Postby LocalFart on Wed, 14 Sep 2016 7:28 +0000

Richolux150 wrote:Hey Local Fart,
That's the set up I've been running for about 3 years now......only an 80 w solar panel continuously running my 50 lt Waeco with a 100 AH battery......I recently dropped another 100 AH battery in to run two Waecos for our Cape trip.....still running this as I built a false floor over the second auxiliary (third) batt.... :oops: :oops:
After a long drive the Ctek will stay connected to the crank battery (yellow top 80 AH) well into the evening.......

There is a new wiring diagram which utilises a relay to connect the Ctek to the start battery only when the car is running....not sure why......seems a bit retarded.....hope that helps....


Does the Ctek utilise voltage readings from the crank battery to turn itself off? I have tried all the users manuals ect to find out if it switches on/off at like 13v but have had no luck...

So you think that a 100W panel should run the fridge and the inverter with minimal if no alternator charging while camping?
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Re: Dual Batteries for dummies

Postby facemir on Fri, 16 Sep 2016 9:35 +0000

I just did the rear seat "mod" on my 2012 SR5 & wondered what I could do with all that space.
I managed to fit 2 x100amp batteries in there, and would also have room to fit the Ctek D250s , and was wondering if this was "safe"
As long as I hold the batteries in there tight, is there any safety concerns with having the batteries in the cab, behind the rear seat.

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Re: Dual Batteries for dummies

Postby banksy on Fri, 16 Sep 2016 11:40 +0000

Looks like a couple of Fiamm batteries.

Usually used in stationary situation for backup power, eg telecommunication towers.
They retire them after a few years although they have a 10 year lifespan.

What model are they? as some gas & some don't being valve regulated lead acid.

I did run one under my ute tray 10 years ago, was always to scared to put it behind the seat as the one i had put out 1500 of so amps if shorted. :shock:
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Dual Batteries for dummies

Postby facemir on Fri, 16 Sep 2016 1:08 +0000

You have a keen eye Banksy. They are indeed Fiamm batteries. I purchased ten, second hand and ended up using eight. They were out of a Telstra tower.
It looks like they may have some venting hole in between the terminals. (You can see it in the photo)
I could put some 1/4" water filter hose in it and vent to the outside. I would have to make up some checker plate guard and some proper tie downs if I mounted them there.

Mr kick ass sell some exactly the same dimensions but he calls his 120Ah
So what do you think, safe to put behind the back seat. ???
Or better under the tray. I would have to make up some sort of battery tray if I put them under the tray.



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Last edited by facemir on Sat, 17 Sep 2016 3:27 +0000, edited 2 times in total.
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