Currently have an Orion-Tr Smart 12/12 18A isolated DC/DC charger between the main and leisure batteries. Also a solar panel via a Smartsolar charge controller. Looking at installing the Ablemail AMT12-2 battery maintainer to trickle charge the main battery as the drain is substantial enough to cause a flat main battery in the winter (rather than use the plug-in charger). The DC/DC charger has 2 positive connection points and 2 negatives providing separation between both batteries. The battery maintainer has 2 positive connection points and 1 negative. Positive connectivity is straightforward, however, been advised to link the negatives together (obs using the same csa cable size as the battery cables) but then the DC/DC charger is no longer isolated. Measured 335 ohms across the DC/DC charger negatives. All threads that I can find are regarding non-insulated DC/DC chargers with the single common negative connection which I’d use. Is there any reason why the starter and leisure circuit negatives are isolated? Can the negatives be connected together at the DC/DC isolated charger without any detriment to safety? Any advice greatly appreciated please? Thanks
Ablemail trickle charger connectivity to an isolated DC/DC charger advice
- Thread starter Ian Watt
- Start date
If this it's a T6,
Just conn both dc-dc charger negs direct to chassis with short cable.
And make sure your LB is direct to chassis.
Then install the ablemail like normal
Just conn both dc-dc charger negs direct to chassis with short cable.
And make sure your LB is direct to chassis.
Then install the ablemail like normal
Here's my Orion isolated....
.
New units are in........
Thank you @travelvolts
Here you see the first BCDC1250D in the UK, apparently.
.
A quick look at the Victron showed a instant firmware update....
But seemed to have no VE-direct for lithium temp and battery monitoring.
*******************************************************
First unit on test is the Victron Trio 12/12/30.
I've swapped out the Redarc BCDC1240LV and fitted the 12/12/30 so we have a like for like test . . .
its a bit busy down there , , , , but basically the 12/12/30 is massive compared to the 1240...
Thank you @travelvolts
Here you see the first BCDC1250D in the UK, apparently.
.
A quick look at the Victron showed a instant firmware update....
But seemed to have no VE-direct for lithium temp and battery monitoring.
*******************************************************
First unit on test is the Victron Trio 12/12/30.
I've swapped out the Redarc BCDC1240LV and fitted the 12/12/30 so we have a like for like test . . .
its a bit busy down there , , , , but basically the 12/12/30 is massive compared to the 1240...
.
And AMT12/2 here.
.
[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...
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...
.
Yes a T6.1
LB is currently not connected to chassis and it should be?
Yes, in a standard LB install the van chassis is used as a common NEG.
The isolated chargers are used in boats etc.... with no chassis, and something called galvanic isolation.
Anyway, in a van just use the common chassis.
Post some pics of your install and we'll take a look.
The isolated chargers are used in boats etc.... with no chassis, and something called galvanic isolation.
Anyway, in a van just use the common chassis.
Post some pics of your install and we'll take a look.
just connect the SB,LB,DC-DC to the chassis and the AMT will work as expected.
the SB is already to NEG chassis. .
so add chassis NEGS for the LB & DC-DC and your good.
maybe even use a NEG bus bar at the back and connect all the NEGs to that + Ground.
the SB is already to NEG chassis. .
so add chassis NEGS for the LB & DC-DC and your good.
maybe even use a NEG bus bar at the back and connect all the NEGs to that + Ground.
Thanks Dellmassive
Just come across this thread, I have the 2nd batt low issue on my T6.1 . I have a big solar panel on top of the pop-up but it’s only connected to the liesure battery not the main engine battery. Is this Ablemail AMT12-2 battery maintainer a solution for me, or do I need something else as well to go with it
Yes, it is perfect for your needs.
If you want to DIY, there’s loads of info, yours for the searching. There’s a comprehensive “How to” by @Dellmassive in a post further up this thread if you take time to read it.
Similar threads
