Simple leisure charger setup?

[WillC]

I’ve trawled through a number of threads on here re. leisure battery charging. I think I’ve decided:
- it’s a good idea to be able to hook up your leisure battery to mains when on a campsite (won’t run out after 2-3 days)
- better to fit a mains battery charger than plug in my fridge direct (has a mains lead option) which is the main current draw (in the boot, means leaving tailgate open to feed mains feed in, and obvs this doesn’t then provide for other leisure circuit devices.

So… I’ve found the Victron IP65 12/15 which people seem to like. I could permanently fit this to my leisure battery (under driver’s seat) but this leaves two questions:
1. Where to site the charger? Side of driver’s seat exposed? Under passenger seat (would it heat up too much, and how long are the cables & would they reach the driver’s seat?)
2. How do I get the mains into the van? All sort of options here, my favourite is the under the bonnet fix, but for something truly simple, I could just pass the mains feed through the passenger window, which I generally leave open a smidgeon anyway for air. I already have a commando to 4-gang uk cable.
Oh and a 3rd… would I need any onboard circuits breaker for this? Threads on here suggest the campsite feed already provides this. So just mains cable through window, plug in charger, done?
Thanks
Will

 

[ben5560]

I have just installed my leisure battery with a Victron DCDC charger under the driver seat (the OEM thick red unused wire under the seat was perfect for this.

My plan is to install a mains charger under the passenger side, but one of the IP larger Victron ones. This should reach to the battery under the driver side. I would then have my consumer unit under the bonnet next to the battery, not an expert but I would always have circuit breakers in the van for anything 240V.

 

[WillC]

I have just installed my leisure battery with a Victron DCDC charger under the driver seat (the OEM thick red unused wire under the seat was perfect for this.

My plan is to install a mains charger under the passenger side, but one of the IP larger Victron ones. This should reach to the battery under the driver side. I would then have my consumer unit under the bonnet next to the battery, not an expert but I would always have circuit breakers in the van for anything 240V.View attachment 316771

Nice and tidy. Where have you stuck your fuseboard for the various 12v outputs?

 

[ben5560]

Nice and tidy. Where have you stuck your fuseboard for the various 12v outputs?

That will get routed closer to the devices, so in the kitchen area probably.

 

[jimc91]

you don't need to permanently fix in the charger, I don't, I have a fly lead (the victron charger comes with one) connected to my LB and one to the starter battery, that leaves me free to connect the charger to either battery when required, use on another vehicle or use in my garage on the bench. If your going to just run a cable into the van through a window get a camping lead with a built in RCD. I assume you are fitting a DC-DC charger to charge the LB when driving?

 

[WillC]

you don't need to permanently fix in the charger, I don't, I have a fly lead (the victron charger comes with one) connected to my LB and one to the starter battery, that leaves me free to connect the charger to either battery when required, use on another vehicle or use in my garage on the bench. If your going to just run a cable into the van through a window get a camping lead with a built in RCD. I assume you are fitting a DC-DC charger to charge the LB when driving?

Yeah I was wondering about whether to fix or not. Current thinking is as you suggest, fix the wires to the LB, leave them available to hook up to the charger when on a campsite with hook up. DC-DC setup (Victron etc) already sorted. Just want something to stop my LB going flat when on a campsite for 2/3+ days (and not driving to a shop). I think you are right about my hoot up lead too, the four-gang UK socket end does have an RCD. So all is well I think.
The only improve,ent might be to fit a proper hookup socket, under the bonnet say, to avoid the ‘through the window’ bodge. This is quite a bit of work though, and I think a bit of fresh air, except when in midge country..

 

[MikeWillmott]

I have this setup!
I have charger Velcro strapped to a ply base at the front of the driver seat. I can take it off easily for use elsewhere.
I have a commando plug for the EHU on a short lead tucked in the seat base pocket and run the EHU lead (with inline RCD) through the door shut at the top of the wheel arch. In this position there is enough space /flex in the door not to cause any cable damage.
I’ll see if I have any pictures!

 

[MikeWillmott]

In the 2nd pic you can see the EHU plug in the pocket.

 

[WillC]

Nice! Is the second isolator for the inbound main battery feed? I’ve been reading pros and cons for this. Pro, it isolates the whole LB setup, cons, it creates a bit of heat. Dunno.
Would like to see a photo of your wire/door flex transit too. Hadn’t considered that approach.

 

[MikeWillmott]

I’m away at the moment but will do when I’m back next week.
I fitted the isolators after a meltdown of a wrongly fitted midi fuse holder. Now if I smell burning plastic I can just isolate both batteries and investigate later instead of having to tear things apart in a remote part of rural France!
It was a schoolboy error.. which caused a high resistance connection and P = I^2 x R so it got a bit warm!

 

[WillC]

I’m away at the moment but will do when I’m back next week.
I fitted the isolators after a meltdown of a wrongly fitted midi fuse holder. Now if I smell burning plastic I can just isolate both batteries and investigate later instead of having to tear things apart in a remote part of rural France!
It was a schoolboy error.. which caused a high resistance connection and P = I^2 x R so it got a bit warm!

Yeah I do like the idea of being able to cut off the whole LB thing. I just have the isolator on the single output to my 12v fuse box, which is great for faffing about if fitting a new light etc. I might read up a bit more.
And my charger has just an arrived so it’s time to get the driver’s seat off again, fit the two Victron charging wires, and also a marine mega fuse to the LB positive. Maybe this time I’ll remember not to start the engine with the seat off and get the dreaded dash airbag warning…