[Simon Trapani]

Hi guys.

I've got a 110amp Leisure battery on a battery to battery charger. It's working fine as you may have seen in another thread on here.

I want to bench charge once a week or so just to keep it fully charged. It's slightly time consuming to remove as it's in a smart looking Pure Freedom battery tray. I was thinking of buying a CTEK MXS 5.0 with a quick connection plug left permanently in place. Would it be suitable?  And would it damage controllers, pumps etc if they're not disconnected whilst charging? Battery to battery chargers and SCR's don't do any damage with everything left connect.

Would be especially interested in Spruce's opinion or anyone that uses a CTEK charger.

Thanks

[duncan h]

CTEK chargers get the best reviews.
Shouldn't damage anything

[dazmond]

i just use the black  halfords battery charger for my leisure battery.£40.ive had it years and charge my battery up every night.highly recommended.

[Simon Trapani]

i just use the black  halfords battery charger for my leisure battery.£40.ive had it years and charge my battery up every night.highly recommended.

That's what I do on my other van, it's just on my new one the Pure Freedom battery cover makes it a little bit awkward to attach crocodile clips without removing the cover. So I was thinking if I attached the below adapter to the battery permanently it would enable me to leave it on charge via my ouside socket and short made up extension lead. Also the actually charger looks so small I could probably leav that in the van also.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CTEK-CTE-56329-CTEK-Direct-Connector-Adaptor-10mm-M10-inc-VAT/182646189255?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

[Simon Trapani]

I currently use this charger below on my other van Dazmond, and alternate the batteries (2 x Banner 110amp Leisure). They're on quick release terminal clamps and easily accessible. But they're physically too long though for the battery tray cover to fit in the new van so bought a Lucas 110 Leisure battery.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HEAVY-DUTY-RAC-12A-12V-6V-SMART-BATTERY-CHARGER-BOOSTER-CAR-VEHICLE-VAN-NEW-/282523119405?epid=24003037389&hash=item41c7b0af2d:g:E-0AAOSwHLNZP9R8

[robbo333]

I have the Ctek 3.8 version and I use it to charge both my 70amp batteries (one on charge, one in the van). Brilliant, never had a problem.

[Spruce]

I take my charger out to the van with my extension lead and just plug the charger in. I haven't removed my battery in 7 years to charge it.

I use a Numax 10 amp Leisure battery charger and leave it on all night or all weekend. Its designed to be left on all winter if necessary.

I made up a 'fly' lead using and Anderson connector. The other van has the same arrangement.

.

[Simon Trapani]

Nice one Spruce. Yes that's what I want to do I think or very similar.

Thanks.

[Simon Trapani]

So Spruce I guess I don't really need a new charger. I could just change the crocodile clips on the charger to an Anderson connector or similar and leave the other half of the connectors permanently attached to the battery?

Is that the best connector for the job and do I just search for it on ebay or something?

[Den68]

This is the charger I use it as quick connector which mine is permanently connected to my battery I do exactly the same as Spruce never remove battery I take the charger out to the van.  Really can't fault this smart charger for the money as excellent reviews

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAYPOLE-Electronic-Car-Battery-Charger-4A-Fast-Trickle-Pulse-Modes-4-AMP-MP7423-/162536247394?epid=1243234456&hash=item25d7ea5062:g:KjsAAOSwARZXoT1U

[Spruce]

So Spruce I guess I don't really need a new charger. I could just change the crocodile clips on the charger to an Anderson connector or similar and leave the other half of the connectors permanentley attached to the battery?

Is that the best connector for the job and do I just sesrch for it on ebay or simething?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-X-ANDERSON-POWERPOLE-45-AMP-ELECTRICAL-CONNECTOR-PLUG-GOLF-TROLLEY-KIT-CAR-/130958253385?epid=1629731041&hash=item1e7db85d49:g:4aYAAOxys4RR977E

If you cut your cable to the crocodile clip and leave them connected, you can fit another connector onto the wire and then use the same charger to charge another battery.



Your link shows the charger as a smart charger so I would stay with using it.

[Simon Trapani]

Spruce, I bought those Anderson connectors in your link but can't get on with them. My crimps wont work with them. I had to crush them with pliers but made a bit of a mess of them & they pull out of the plastic also.

I've ordered some of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-Pairs-45A-Electrical-Connectors-Powerpole-Red-Black-Plug-For-Anderson-DC-Power/152200333800?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I'm hoping my crimps will work with these.

Good idea with the fly lead by the way. I will do that also.

[Dave Anderson]

Sorry if this is going to be a dumb question..... Can I say have one of the ctek type charges with the quick connects attached to the battery .... So question is can I have it all in the van attached and then when I get home, plug in the household 240v into the vans 240v gear? would this be ok.... I have no clue about sparky stuff sorry.

[Simon Trapani]

Not a dumb question but let me get this right... you're gonna leave the quick connects & charger attached to your leisure battery with the normal 3 pin 240 volt house plug attached? All you would then have to do is bring an extension lead from your garage or outside socket or similar into your van. Just try not to get the plug wet obviously. Yes that would be fine. You just never want a 12 volt male live hanging from a positive terminal as it could easily short to the negative via the metal vehicle bodywork/floor etc. 12 volt earth is just a shortcut back to the negative of the battery.

I want to do very similar but I'm not going to leave the charger in the van as it's a bit bulkier. I just wanna leave female ends hanging from my leisure battery. Hopefully these new Anderson connection will do that for me.

[Spruce]

Spruce, I bought those Anderson connectors in your link but can't get on with them. My crimps wont work with them. I had to crush them with pliers but made a bit of a mess of them & they pull out of the plastic also.

I've ordered some of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-Pairs-45A-Electrical-Connectors-Powerpole-Red-Black-Plug-For-Anderson-DC-Power/152200333800?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I'm hoping my crimps will work with these.

Good idea with the fly lead by the way. I will do that also.

You need to solder them - they aren't designed to be crimped.

[Spruce]

Sorry if this is going to be a dumb question..... Can I say have one of the ctek type charges with the quick connects attached to the battery .... So question is can I have it all in the van attached and then when I get home, plug in the household 240v into the vans 240v gear? would this be ok.... I have no clue about sparky stuff sorry.

Yes. Caravaners do it this way. They have an onboard charger which will charge the leisure battery when the caravan is plugged into a power point.

But I would still rather keep the charger inside and plug it in when you run an extension lead out to the van. Someone wired his van up with a 230v plug on the outside the same as when they plug refridgerated vans in when they are stationary overnight.
Here they call it a surface socket and has a protective cap on the front.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Blue-240V-16A-3Pin-Blue-Industrial-Plug-Sockets-IP44-Camping-Caravan-/263035649270

They usually mount them on the side of the van within reach near the driver's door. It should have level 4 protection and will not be subject to water spray from the vehicles wheels.

Inside he wired in a waterproof outside socket like this

http://www.screwfix.com/p/bg-13a-2g-dp-switched-socket/67928

.

[Simon Trapani]

Spruce, I bought those Anderson connectors in your link but can't get on with them. My crimps wont work with them. I had to crush them with pliers but made a bit of a mess of them & they pull out of the plastic also.

I've ordered some of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-Pairs-45A-Electrical-Connectors-Powerpole-Red-Black-Plug-For-Anderson-DC-Power/152200333800?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

I'm hoping my crimps will work with these.

Good idea with the fly lead by the way. I will do that also.

You need to solder them - they aren't designed to be crimped.

I'm gonna try crimping them, if not I'll dig out my soldering iron - but I'm not great at soldering.

These are the same design although only 30 amp & it says crimp or solder: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-X-ANDERSON-POWERPOLE-30AMP-ELECTRICAL-CONNECTOR-PLUG-GOLF-TROLLEY-KIT-CAR-RC/230984430147?_trksid=p2047675.c100010.m2109&_trkparms=aid%3D333008%26algo%3DRIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D44760%26meid%3Dcfaf7bd65cc94081854d27f6927df05d%26pid%3D100010%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D5%26sd%3D152200333800

[Simon Trapani]

Nice one Spruce thanks. All done. Can't say I found them the easiest connectors fitting wise but they seem to work.

I managed to crimp them with my ratchet crimp tool and then crush them with pliers otherwise they were still loose. Actual Anderson crimp tool seem an American thing & are well expensive even on ebay. And like I said, my soldering's not good.

[nathankaye]

Nice tidy set up!!
👍👍

[Spruce]

Nice one Spruce thanks. All done. Can't say I found them the easiest connectors fitting wise but they seem to work.

I managed to crimp them with my ratchet crimp tool and then crush them with pliers otherwise they were still loose. Actual Anderson crimp tool seem an American thing & are well expensive even on ebay. And like I said, my soldering's not good.

I like it. Well done. It looks very neat.  Saves having to remove that battery cover each time you want to charge the battery.  The other good thing is that you just can't connect it charger up incorrectly.