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Re: Dual - dual battery system??

Posted: 10 Sep 2014 06:06
by Grant
Dirk,

Go for the D 250 Ctek. I have installed one looking after 2 x 95 am hr batteries and it work very well. Originally had the National Luna system only because there was not other available.

As for the connection of solar panel I still suggest a regulator with a digital display. This give you the ability to see what input you are getting from your panel. The Cteck route is almost a blind connection. No ability to see how well the panel is performing. In addition I also use the regulator to manage the power being used. Simply scrolling through the functions you can see the state of the batteries and also what power you are drawing.

Re: Dual - dual battery system??

Posted: 10 Sep 2014 06:16
by Tinus lotz
Please stay away from deep cycle batteries as they are not designed for outomotive use....there are better out there

Re: Dual - dual battery system??

Posted: 10 Sep 2014 06:42
by Grant
offroadbiker wrote:Question - can our Patrols (altenator) cater for the normal crank battery as well as 2x deep cycle batteries in the vehicle?

If yes, what would the best setup look like?

Tx
Dirk,

Standard alt on my troll could not cope with the additional battery so it was upgraded to 65amp. This did reasonably well but as I have said, take the plunge and install the Dc to Dc system. I have it looking after two 95 amp batteries and it works very well.


Last thing you need on an overland trip is to worry about batteries and are they charged or not.

Re: Dual - dual battery system??

Posted: 10 Sep 2014 07:21
by offroadbiker
Tx for the input.

Now need to go and look where to install the third battery as there is definately not place under the hood for 3 batteries :redface:

One more question, would it be a problem if the Ctek is then installed close to the second battery but "far" from the third one as that would have to go somewhere inside the vehicle?

Was thinking of removing one of the backseats for long trips, so that battery would be in the vehicle on a long trip, otherwise in the offroadtrailer.

Re: Dual - dual battery system??

Posted: 10 Sep 2014 12:04
by Tinus lotz
Dirk its never n good idea to put batteries far from each other. ...

Re: Dual - dual battery system??

Posted: 10 Sep 2014 12:58
by biggles
As I understand it the Nat Luna solenoid will let the alternator charge the main battery by itself for 30 minutes before switching to charge both batteries. This ensures that the main battery gets the charge it needs to start the car.

Does the ctek do the same or is it a straight DC to DC charger?

I have the Nat Luna setup in now but wondering how to deal with the newly arriving caravan with its own battery. I am of half a mind to just isolate the caravan with a solar panel. And a back up that can connect to the vehicle if the caravan battery is down on a rainy day.

Re: Dual - dual battery system??

Posted: 11 Sep 2014 20:51
by Grant
Hi Steve,

Would recommend you go for the 250s charger. I had the same National Luna system for over 12 years and it was very reliable. Problem is that it does not fully charge the batterys.

Now I have the DC to DC system and wow, it works so well and boost the charge up to 20 amps. Attached is the manual for your perusal.


http://www.ctek.co.za/au/en/chargers/D250S%20DUAL

Re: Dual - dual battery system??

Posted: 12 Sep 2014 06:53
by offroadbiker
Tinus lotz wrote:Dirk its never n good idea to put batteries far from each other. ...
So I am going to keep the national Luna system with the battery under the hood as is for now, BUT will then get the HDCP for the third battery in the back as a seperate system on its own elimenating the problem of having two batteries far from each other :thumbup:

Will at a later stage change the National Luna to a more effective system as well.....

Re: Dual - dual battery system??

Posted: 12 Sep 2014 09:01
by IanT
Did not see it on this post :think: Is it possible to charge 3 batteries from the standard alternator? I have my one charging 2 (no problems) but I would like to charge the battery in the off road trailer as well? Is there such a thing as a 3 stage spliter (running Nat Luna at the moment which is a 2 way spliter) or should I just fit a swop over switch which would isolate my second Battery in the Troll and send charge to the trailer battery???? :think:

Re: Dual - dual battery system??

Posted: 12 Sep 2014 13:29
by biggles
So how is 12 V 20A better at charging a battery that 13-14V at +20 A direct from the alternator? I heard that deep cycle batteries do not charge below 13V

I know that when hooked up to by 12V 10A cteck charger both batteries are topped off no problem, I am just conffuzzed

P.S. I am an electro ignoramus.