12v car battery

[1975Jas]

Hi all
Just done 3 days camping in our newly converted T6.1 (almost new van).
Has solar and lithium battery for the off grid ‘living’.
Went to set off this morning and wouldn’t start so had to call the AA - he felt battery must have been in poor condition, but converter said it’s not unusual for 12v battery to run out rapidly when van not driven.
I’m stuck here really, as I bought the van wanting to do camping from anything from 1 night to a week in the same place.
Is there a solution to this, I guess I could have run the engine over that last few days, say once a day for a short period of time, but I was surrounded by other campers/motorhomes and I’m sure they would not have appreciated me sitting idling my engine chucking fumes their way.
I kind of thought the lithium leisure battery, solar and 12v car battery would all look after each other - but appears not.
Is there a solution to this?
Thanks
Jason

 

[doncarlyon]

Something wrong there.

What's the leisure battery setup? What else is there? DCDC charger?

 

[1975Jas]

All I know is it’s Clayton LPS, 160 amp hours, 270 watt solar

We use normal 3 pin plug devices for the camping side as it can deliver up to 3kw.

Have to press AC when wanting to use the leisure battery 3 pin plug stuff.

I think lights and water pump run off DC.

Thanks

 

[Anakin]

Most standard setups don’t have anything to maintain the starter battery, which is then easily flattened by things like opening the doors as this wakes up the van’s electrics.

There is a wonderful gizmo called an Ablemail AMT-12-2, which trickle charges the starter battery from a healthy leisure battery. They are easy to install if you are even slightly capable.

 

[1975Jas]

Thank you, I will have a look at that

 

[doncarlyon]

Mine has nothing for the starter battery and never had an issue after 2-3 nights.

It sounds like you might have a draw from the starter when the clayton thingy is in use

 

[doncarlyon]

Is the Clayton only connected to the solar? Or can it charge from the van?

 

[ginkster]

As Anakin says. Central locking, cab interior lights will all drain the starter battery. Each time you open up the a fires up lots of electronics ready to start. This will rapidly flatten the battery. The Ablemail AMT12-2 is awesome and will use the leisure battery topped keep the starter above a critical level. They cost about £65, are simple to fit and really effective.

 

[Pauly]

AMT is great device but sounds like he doesn’t have a true leisure battery and is referring to the Clayton unit as lithium leisure battery ?

Before you go buying anything just clarify exactly what camping electrics you have a confirm the AMT is compatible to connect to your setup

 

[1975Jas]

Is the Clayton only connected to the solar? Or can it charge from the van?

I charges from the van when driving
Thanks

 

[1975Jas]

AMT is great device but sounds like he doesn’t have a true leisure battery and is referring to the Clayton unit as lithium leisure battery ?

Before you go buying anything just clarify exactly what camping electrics you have a confirm the AMT is compatible to connect to your setup

I’ll check with converter, thanks

 

[doncarlyon]

I charges from the van when driving
Thanks

I'd take a guess that it's charging constantly

Or your starter battery is goosed

 

[Drive Wayne]

AMT is great device but sounds like he doesn’t have a true leisure battery and is referring to the Clayton unit as lithium leisure battery ?

Before you go buying anything just clarify exactly what camping electrics you have a confirm the AMT is compatible to connect to your setup

We could do with the definitive answer here, can you throw captain Ablemail at a Clayton system? It is certainly the answer if it can be done!
Anyone with Mr Clayton and Captain Ablemail running sweetly together?

 

[ginkster]

We could do with the definitive answer here, can you throw captain Ablemail at a Clayton system? It is certainly the answer if it can be done!
Anyone with Mr Clayton and Captain Ablemail running sweetly together?

Should be no reason why not if the Clayton is charged while driving - that’s the input from SB. The output from the Clayton is simple as is the negative. That’s all 3 connections sorted. I’m sure Ablemail would give advice if asked as they seem very responsive to emails.

 

[Drive Wayne]

There you go @1975Jas , give Jonathan a ring at Ablemail on 0161 745 7697 and tell him what you have. Ask about the AMT12-2 in your situation. Great product, no more battery anxiety.

 

[Dellmassive]

We could do with the definitive answer here, can you throw captain Ablemail at a Clayton system? It is certainly the answer if it can be done!
Anyone with Mr Clayton and Captain Ablemail running sweetly together?

Yes, but the Caviat is that you need the Clayton 12v side turned on all the time. (Which. In itself will consume power)

Most converters don't fit any charger to the starter battery.... So it ends up flat after a long weekend.

Ask the converter for a rough schematic of the electrical layout... And we'll take a look.


The Clayton will trickle charge the starter, but only when solar is connected and the internal battery is full .


You can look at fitting a AMT12-2 to charge the SB when the 12v system is ON.

And also could fit a small 5A SB charger to the Clayton on the 240v side that will charge when the 240v side is ON.


Also look at getting yourself a NOCO GBX75 to jumpstart your self if needed.

 

[Dellmassive]

You could also look at a 50w dash solar panel plugged into the 12v socket to trickle charge the SB.

Post in thread '[Guide] Mobile Solar Panels ? . . . - How I Did It -'

27 Jul 2019

Here we go..

Solar charging the Starter batter via a 50w small foldable panel...

Folds away into the door pocket when not in use.

A small simple easy solution.

It's a 50w mono foldable panel with a 10a PWM controller, hacked onto a 12v socket.

Pics...

• Dellmassive

• 

.

 

[Dellmassive]

More info.

Thread '[Guide] Battery Maintainer (for Starter battery) -- How I Done It --'

25 Nov 2020

[Guide] Battery Maintainer (for Starter battery) -- How I Done It --

Right so its that time of year again . . . . . . . . Winter & (Lockdown 2020)




The van might be layed up not being used, which will lead to a flat battery in around 3 weeks.

The cold weather doesn't help the battery's either.






This Thread is about using "what you have" to "back charge" the starter battery...

lets look at some options. . . . . . . .

1# Connect a 240v/EHU charger to the starter battery and leave it connected, that's fine if you have a drive way etc, have a look for the...

• Dellmassive
• battery drain dellmassive how to guide vehicle battery
• Replies: 108
• Forum: Electrics, Lighting, ICE, Security

• 

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[Dundee_Kev]

Also look at getting yourself a NOCO GBX75 to jumpstart your self if needed.

I've never used one, so can't comment. But I have the topdon JS3000 and it is brilliant. After me showing off at work with it, my boss ordered one for the workshop and to date has never failed to start anything.

And it's probably £100 cheaper too.

 

[doncarlyon]

Am I just lucky that mine is fine after 3 days?