DC-DC Trickle Charger

E

emjga

Member
T6 Pro
Apologies I am sure this has been asked 101 times but on looking at various posts , I still not sure.

Have a large solar panel and victron MPPT 100 / 30
Connected to Fogstar 280amp LiFePO4 battery

Have a victron 12 | 12 - 30 dc to dc charger

Thinking of getting a dv dc trickle charger for the van starter battery

There is a large positive wire coming direct from the starter battery to the victron dc dc charger

Can I wire the trickle charger to this cable
Or do I need to run a new cable (I hope not)

Do I need any diodes to make sure the power is going in the correct direction

Any thought and any views on which trickle charge to go for

Van is T5 2011

Thanks
 
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Majority on here go for the Ablemail AMT 12 (I think that's the one I have).

Yes, can connect to the existing positive.

No, don't need a diode, they all have them built in.


Dellmassive

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

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

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

1606304364989.png


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.



1606304290090.png


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...
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The Ablemail would be perfect for your setup. Cost about £65. They are tiny, really simple to fit and very effective. It’s just 3 wires attached to the Victron DC-DC - one to the positive input from starter battery, one to the positive output to the leisure battery and one to the negative. They can be thin 2mm2 ish cables and should fit alongside the existing cables in the Orion.
 
At long last purchased AMT12-2
Company a bought it from confirmed the spade connectors where included

They also sold 1.5mm sq wire black and red

Chopped both to 50cm , could be a lot shorter
So had 2 red's and 1 black
Did add some tape to one of the red ones so I knew which was which.

The good points
It is very small so found a spot next to my DC / DC charger

Seems to work after less than 24hrs1000015176.webp

The bad points
Program the unit is a bit of a pain and the printed instructions did not make a lot of sense but more info online, seemed to work , to get it Program to step 2

T5 with standard alternator
Lithium leasure battery
Lead acid starter battery

Will see what happens over the next few weeks as not planning on been away due to other commitments
 
I have retro fit solar panels and wanted a trickle charge facilty to the vehicle battery, so after readind several threads here bought a Ablemail AMT12-2 trickle charger.

Unfortunately, it turns out the Victron controller i have installed wont allow this to be fitted and the location of the fuse board etc will require a days work to sort this out. So instead i will be looking at a foldable solar panel option.

As a result, i have a trickle charger for sale - say £50?
 
The Wibbler said:
I have retro fit solar panels and wanted a trickle charge facilty to the vehicle battery, so after readind several threads here bought a Ablemail AMT12-2 trickle charger.

Unfortunately, it turns out the Victron controller i have installed wont allow this to be fitted and the location of the fuse board etc will require a days work to sort this out. So instead i will be looking at a foldable solar panel option.

As a result, i have a trickle charger for sale - say £50?
Click to expand...
What Victron controller? I have all victron stuff and the AMT12 if fitted no problems?

Edit: PS. You need to be a VIP member to sell on the forum.
 
Confused .com!

Can you explain in simple terms how and where you fitted it please so that i can understand the whys amd wherefores before i pass the info back to the maintence chap i was speaking to?
 
The Wibbler said:
Confused .com!

Can you explain in simple terms how and where you fitted it please so that i can understand the whys amd wherefores before i pass the info back to the maintence chap i was speaking to?
Click to expand...
There are 3 connections on the AMT-12.
Labelled (something like):

Vehicle battery (starter) +
Leisure battery +
Vehicle ground (chassis) negative.
 
You should have this on the installation guide for the AMT-12 it's simply wired anywhere between the starter battery & Leisure battery

AMT 12 wiring diagram.webp
 
t0mb0 said:
Just in case anyone is tempted to take this too literally, don't forget appropriate fusing...
Click to expand...
Also the appropriate cable size (above minimum thickness) for the length of any run to prevent voltage drop.
 
The Wibbler said:
Confused .com!

Can you explain in simple terms how and where you fitted it please so that i can understand the whys amd wherefores before i pass the info back to the maintence chap i was speaking to?
Click to expand...
Do you have a B2B charger?
 
30w isn't going to cut the mustard.

Common concensus is 50w minimum in the setup you describe

My Leisuredrive setup charges my LB and SB on EHU. Is yours not the same?
 
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