[carl stanton]

Hello all,

Is a particular relay best to use or any off the shelf. And would you fit near van battery or is it better in the back?

Many thanks

[Smudger]

I like these best - but any split charge rely will do the job

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/0-727-33-DURITE-SPLIT-CHARGE-RELAY-12V-140A-140-AMP-VOLTAGE-SENSITIVE-CAMPERS/191899198454?epid=24032159398&hash=item2cae1563f6:g:-OMAAOSw-GNb5CQd

I wire mine at the back by the controllers and leisure battery - just so I have all the gubbins in the one area

Darran

[Spruce]

Hello all,

Is a particular relay best to use or any off the shelf. And would you fit near van battery or is it better in the back?

Many thanks

As per Darran but with at least 70 amp cables. I used one of the many clones of that SCR. M- power is was called. What I liked about those was that they were bi-directional. If I charged my leisure battery directly it would activate the relay and charge the van battery as well. I fitted an on/off toggle switch on the earth wire of the relay. By switching the earth wire connection off  the relay wouldn't activate in either direction.

But these relays are getting less popular due to modern diesel engines with smart alternators and some with regenerative braking. For those vehicles you need a Battery 2 Battery charger.

So which relay to chose depends on what van you have.

[robbo333]

I've just had a guy come out and fit me a split charge relay. He charged £100, took about 1 hour 15 mins.

I took a bit of a flyer because my round is really compact so I don't do many miles, so I didn't think it would do much good.
But for £100, I thought I would take a chance.

It was fitted on the 23rd November (haven't changed the battery since) and tonight my battery is reading 12.4. Happy days for me.

PS I have an old Toyota Hiace.

[Ched]

It was fitted on the 23rd November (haven't changed the battery since) and tonight my battery is reading 12.4. Happy days for me.

PS I have an old Toyota Hiace.

Just so you know 12.4 is about 75% charged.  I would keep an eye on it. Ideally test first thing in the morning after it is rested as that will give you the most accurate reading.

[robbo333]

Thanks for the info.

[Simon Trapani]

I think you'll find 12.4v is even less charged than 75%. More like about 60%

https://deepcyclebatterystore.com/how-to-maintain-batteries/

[Ched]

I think you'll find 12.4v is even less charged than 75%. More like about 60%

https://deepcyclebatterystore.com/how-to-maintain-batteries/

The voltage to charge % does vary across different sites and different brands.
I was just trying to ensure the OP realised his battery wasn't fully charged even after his drive home and on a battery that had not been rested.

[Phil J]

We've got split relays on both vans, also have c-tek chargers in the vans. I just run a extension lead to the vans on an evening and charge them whilst the vans are filling up.