LifePo4 Leisure battery discharge (& Charging) - got caught out this weekend

[Jayzee]

Hi All

I'm new to the van scene, and my leisure battery discharged too much to power the fridge & control panel this weekend. It's the first time I've been on a site without EHU..
I have:

LifePo4 TN-LFP12110 battery - 110ah
Victron energy Orion-Tr Smart 12/12-30 DC/DC Charger

I ran the normal fridge and a separate cool box from Fri night, and Sat morning it said low battery. We originally hadn't planned on driving anywhere on the Saturday, so ran the van for about 45mins which did very little to charge. I'm guessing this is because the van has a smart alternator, and only charges with the starter battery needs a top up.
We then took it for a drive, which was 30 mins and 30 mins back later in the day - I had thought that fully charged it but never turned the fridge off to check.

Sun morning it was totally flat. It did come on once the engine was running, and the 2 hour drive home seem to have charged it. It's now on EHU at home and seems to pulling 120 watt (on a smart switch so that's 230 volts).

Going forward, is there anyway to force the alternator to charge the battery? I can only think I should have put in the cool box on the starter battery, which would deplete some charge so the alternator kicks in when I run it.
Is it an idea to get a charger off a cigarette lighter to charge the leisure battery (probably blow a fuse I guess - so maybe wire something in), so I can just run it (without moving the van) to top up?
Or should I bite the bullet and get a solar panel? Not sure what's involved with that to be honest.

Also, am I correct I can fully discharge and the battery is ok?

 

[Dellmassive]

Run the engine while stationary, but turn n blowers to LV2 or turn headlights on.(To get higher alternator voltage)

You can also tweak the Orion charger settings.

You also add a IGN feed to the Orion.


But best bet is add solar and add a second battery.

 

[Sackmycook]

Those electric coolboxes really eat energy. I've had a flat battery in France leaving one plugged into a car battery before for 6 hours.....

 

[Salty Spuds]

Those electric coolboxes really eat energy. I've had a flat battery in France leaving one plugged into a car battery before for 6 hours.....

Exactly. The problem is the thermoelectric cool box, not the setup.

 

[Jayzee]

Ah, ok. Might only use the plug in cool box for drinks then, and only plug in when driving.

if I got solar, would that work with the equiptment I already have?

 

[Deaky]

Ah, ok. Might only use the plug in cool box for drinks then, and only plug in when driving.

if I got solar, would that work with the equiptment I already have?

You'll need to add a solar controller as well as the solar panel.

 

[ginkster]

I’d say go for solar. Since adding my 200w panel I’ve not used the DC-DC or EHU. I haven’t even bothered putting the mains charger in the van. I don’t use an inverter so just 12v fridge, lights, USB, diesel heater etc. as mentioned you need a panel (suggest 200w or bigger) and a solar controller (MPPT is best and suggest Victron to keep everything in one app). Relatively easily done DIY and can be done for around £200-300. Loads of info on here about rigid vs flexi, how to attach them, how to route cables etc.

Does your battery have Bluetooth so you can monitor it? If not a shunt is very useful to allow you to monitor the system properly. Again, go with Victron to keep everything in one app.

With a panel you will probably be able to keep using the portable fridge 24/7.

Also, have a look at an Ablemail AMT12-2 to keep the starter battery topped up. Essential when camping so unlocking, opening doors etc don’t flatten the battery. Also great if you leave the van stood for a while between trips. Again, loads of info on here regarding the AMT.

 

[Pauly]

but you still need to ditch the coolbox !

 

[Jayzee]

Thanks everyone. I would like Solar but further upgrades to the van is something I will have to do over winter for now. At the moment the most we will be doing is two nights at a time this summer!

I think the main reason is I find sites that don't have EHU better as it's usually a case of park where you like. I think I will just have to not leave the coolbox plugged in unless driving!