I don't disagree!
Start battery charging mystery
- Thread starter Jake W
- Start date
I totally agree, but also think that the conversion companies should consider something like the Ablemail AMT12-2 Battery Maintainer as an option if not part of the standard fit out.
Does any one know what VW do on their campers?
I agree, but the electrical setup on many ‘professional’ converted vans is awful. They fit old systems that aren’t smart alternator compatible and have little upgrade potential as they are also not lithium capable. Probably because they are cheap but look good to the uninitiated. If they can’t do the basics right there’s no chance of them thinking of an AMT!
Also if you buy from (at a premium) one of the Type Approved converters, you are stuck in the past with whatever was fitted when the converter gained type approval status. Things have changed rapidly in recent years, especially with the advent of cheap(er) Lithium. But the TA converters are still churning out stuff that obsolete. There are cases on here of folks discussing the changes they are going to make to their vans, before they’ve actually taken delivery. It’s mad.
Ah that's interesting, I did wonder why so many converted vans out there seem to have electrical systems from the 1970s.
And back on topic, I quite like the look of this one that I picked up from another thread:
www.wattguardz.com
Having had my brain slightly melted by the set up instructions for the Ablemail thing!
Battery Master - WattGuardz
www.wattguardz.com
Having had my brain slightly melted by the set up instructions for the Ablemail thing!
I’ve had a quick whizz through the threads, but may have missed something, but no one’s asked yet for a picture of your starter battery terminals.
You should have no additional wires (eg LB dc-dc charger) attached directly to the starter battery negative terminal. If you have this, the smart alternator control will not see the SB being discharged to the Leisure battery and won’t recharge to compensate.
Simon
You should have no additional wires (eg LB dc-dc charger) attached directly to the starter battery negative terminal. If you have this, the smart alternator control will not see the SB being discharged to the Leisure battery and won’t recharge to compensate.
Simon
No need to worry with the Ablemail set up! Just leave it set up the way it comes out of the box on setting 4.And back on topic, I quite like the look of this one that I picked up from another thread:
Battery Master - WattGuardz
Having had my brain slightly melted by the set up instructions for the Ablemail thing!
3 wires, as per their picture. Job done.
Don't worry about the instructions to change the settings, unnecessarily complex 'distructions' which you don't need!
We've heard rumours of an instruction sheet upgrade for about 3 years now!
Such a pleasing product when installed.
I totally agree, but also think that maybe the conversion companies should consider something like the Ablemail AMT12-2 Battery Maintainer as an option if not part of the standard fit out.
Does any one know what VW do on their campers?
No additional connections to the vehicle battery negative, the converter has installed and Ablemail B2B and used chassis negative.
So red circle is the factory shunt I assume. If I want to charge the battery can I attach -ve cable to yellow circle, or better going to a body earth further away?
Sorry to OP for the hijack but it's all pertinent.
Sorry to OP for the hijack but it's all pertinent.
Yes, you can attach to the yellow circles area as that is downstream of the shunt. Some later vans have that area covered which is not particularly useful!
Thank you
