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I'm not sure I agree with the suggestion that something must be wrong with the charging system. Assuming that you have listed your trips in chronological order, let's do the maths. In the last 10 days you have travelled 60 km or 37 miles. That probably meant a total driving time of 1.5 hours or less. If your alternator was putting out 50 amps to the leisure batteries, that would only restore 75 Ah. You could easily have used more than that in ten days. I'm not convinced even a B2B unit would solve your problem if you want to make so many very short hops between stops. I would suggest that, from Spring to Autumn at least, a large solar panel would be a better option. At this time of year, it is working for 10 hours per day of more, and if you assume an average of 3 amps from the panel, that should give you 30 Ah per day. That should be more than enough to cover your summer use. I have to admit to being a recent convert, having just had a 135W panel fitted. In two weeks away since then, we have been recharged by around mid day, or late afternoon if the weather was cloudy. That was in Scotland and North Yorkshire and is based on the days when we were parked, not moving. (We have 2 x 110 Ah batteries.)
I am surprised that you have had problems with your batteries while doing that kind of driving, stopping with the usage you have given them.
I would think that you have a battery or charging problem.
Hi Jez,
Looking at the last 10 days on the OP's list, he has only covered 60Km, (about 40 miles), ie, less than an hour's driving.
I am no electrician, but after 10 days, without hookup or solar, I'd be expecting my batteries to be in need of charging.
Trevor, what's the likely power consumption of the computer fan, being used to cool the fridge/freezer please? If that is running almost constantly, it must surely have a bearing on the OP's problem.
Cheers,
Jock.
______________________________________________________________ For "Our Mavis."
in the last 12 days you only drove 100 km (60 miles) so the batteries have only been charging for approx 3 hours driving in all that time, and your alternator cuts to 3 amp ish after initial burst .....
3 amp over 3 hours ... calculate AH replenished and that ll probably give the reason ...
in the last 12 days you only drove 100 km (60 miles) so the batteries have only been charging for approx 3 hours driving in all that time, and your alternator cuts to 3 amp ish after initial burst .....
3 amp over 3 hours ... calculate AH replenished and that ll probably give the reason ...
I agree, (and as posted previously), whereas the B2B will pump out 50 amps, even when the engine is idling, ie, a substantial increase in charge rate.
JWW, Most of our touring is done in the UK, where sunshine/bright daylight is not guaranteed, especially during the winter months, however, a good charge from the B2B is always guaranteed.
If most of your touring is in sunnier climes, then solar is a way to go too.
Cheers,
Jock.
______________________________________________________________ For "Our Mavis."
JWW, I use 2 x 135 watt solar and now that my control unit is working properly, I can charge my two 80amp gels from 30% to nearly full in one day.
For sure, you would cope easily with your battery charging if you used a larger solar set up. I didnt buy a 200watt because if it fails thats your lot, but if one fails its not end or world.
For a bit of fun I am thinking of adding another lol
I am surprised that you have had problems with your batteries while doing that kind of driving, stopping with the usage you have given them.
I would think that you have a battery or charging problem.
Really? you think after three days wild camping, that a 10km drive is enough time to charge the batteries enough for another two days wild campin?
Enhanced charging from the engine is more likely to produce better results. B2B are one way.
Coupling up the batteries with starter guage cable (depending on cable length) with a decent 150 -200 amp relay will produce very similar results when driving or on tickover for a fraction of the cost of a B2B
Thanks every one for the input – there’s always a fount of knowledge out there!
pieterv wrote:
Modern alternators charge with a higher voltage then old ones, putting more current in, and so making a b2b less of an improvement .
Ours is a 2007 Transit so I guess it would be the more modern alternator? Something to check up on.
Ian_n_Suzy wrote:
Are you using an Inverter to charge the phones / kindle / laptop or do you use a 12v cigarette lighter type charger?
No Ian_n_Suzy, I use the 12v chargers.
trevorf wrote:
Before doing anything I would get your batteries checked out with a load tester and check the alternator/split charge relay is actually charging at all.
Thanks Trevor – I’ll not be doing anything till after our return to UK so I’ll get that checked out.
JeanLuc wrote:
Assuming that you have listed your trips in chronological order, let's do the maths. In the last 10 days you have travelled 60 km or 37 miles. That probably meant a total driving time of 1.5 hours or less. If your alternator was putting out 50 amps to the leisure batteries, that would only restore 75 Ah. You could easily have used more than that in ten days. I'm not convinced even a B2B unit would solve your problem if you want to make so many very short hops between stops. I would suggest that, from Spring to Autumn at least, a large solar panel would be a better option. At this time of year, it is working for 10 hours per day of more, and if you assume an average of 3 amps from the panel, that should give you 30 Ah per day. That should be more than enough to cover your summer use. I have to admit to being a recent convert, having just had a 135W panel fitted. In two weeks away since then, we have been recharged by around mid day, or late afternoon if the weather was cloudy. That was in Scotland and North Yorkshire and is based on the days when we were parked, not moving. (We have 2 x 110 Ah batteries.)
Yes, I guess I would have gone through 75 amps no problem - I think the fridge fan would probably have done most of that on its own!
JockandRita wrote:
[.. what's the likely power consumption of the computer fan, being used to cool the fridge/freezer please? If that is running almost constantly, it must surely have a bearing on the OP's problem.
I think the fan is about 0.3 amp – if I’ve looked at the correct one on the web. But it seems to be on an awful lot so that might be taking 6 amps in 24hrs?
JockandRita wrote:
spatz1 wrote:
in the last 12 days you only drove 100 km (60 miles) so the batteries have only been charging for approx 3 hours driving in all that time, and your alternator cuts to 3 amp ish after initial burst .....
3 amp over 3 hours ... calculate AH replenished and that ll probably give the reason ...
I agree, (and as posted previously), whereas the B2B will pump out 50 amps, even when the engine is idling, ie, a substantial increase in charge rate.
Is there really that much difference between with and without the B2B – 50 as opposed to 3 amps/hr? Sounds like that might solve my problem, if my 2007 engine works at 3amps/hr.
JockandRita wrote:
JWW, Most of our touring is done in the UK, where sunshine/bright daylight is not guaranteed, especially during the winter months, however, a good charge from the B2B is always guaranteed.
If most of your touring is in sunnier climes, then solar is a way to go too.
Yes, most of our touring is in sunny weather, but we also tour in the greyer weather so need to take account of that too.
PhilK wrote:
JWW, I use 2 x 135 watt solar and now that my control unit is working properly, I can charge my two 80amp gels from 30% to nearly full in one day.
For sure, you would cope easily with your battery charging if you used a larger solar set up. I didnt buy a 200watt because if it fails thats your lot, but if one fails its not end or world.
Thanks Phil – good idea.
eddievanbitz wrote:
Enhanced charging from the engine is more likely to produce better results. B2B are one way.
Coupling up the batteries with starter guage cable (depending on cable length) with a decent 150 -200 amp relay will produce very similar results when driving or on tickover for a fraction of the cost of a B2B
Thanks Eddie – need to talk to someone who knows what they’re doing about this one! Good to get all the different feedback.
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Switzerland
For "Our Mavis."
Really? you think after three days wild camping, that a 10km drive is enough time to charge the batteries enough for another two days wild campin?
