I have just fitted my new CTEK, and wonder what I can realistically expect to see on my volt meter. I am running 2 off 85AH hybrid Exide Extreme N70EXL batteries, and have connected my CTEK (alternator terminal) to my starting battery. and the CTEK (battery terminal) to the aux battery.
I am not sure that I have done the right thing here. My thinking was that the second battery would be at its best possible charge condition, when I got to my camp site. At this time I have no other option to charge my camping battery other than the alternator. I did seek advice from CTEK, but found the service I got was minimal, and it seemed to me that I was annoying them, and did not get all my questions answered as I would have liked.
Any feedback from those who have a similar setup would be greatly appreciated. My primary requirement is to be able to free-camp as long as possibly. Ideally I am starting to think I really need a much larger second battery and/or solar panels to keep me going for a few days. I run a 38 litre Engel in the car (fridge setting only), plus minimal van power requirements for 12V TV/Versa light/Truma gas heater fan/Radio. None of these use a lot of power, and are not always on at the same time anyway. The Engel is near new, but would use the most power (at 3.5 amps I think ). I have no battery in my van.
Thank you, Barry
PS, One question that was not answered was, Is it normal for my CTEK Alternator and Battery indicator lamps to remain on for approx 1 hour after I turn the engine off.??
jetj said
11:05 PM Oct 10, 2013
I spoke to a seller at a camping show a year ago and mentioned that I had seen some negative comments and her answer was that it may be wrongly set up. I can't help with any info. I do plan to get one eventually.
Hi,
I have just fitted my new CTEK, and wonder what I can realistically expect to see on my volt meter. I am running 2 off 85AH hybrid Exide Extreme N70EXL batteries, and have connected my CTEK (alternator terminal) to my starting battery. and the CTEK (battery terminal) to the aux battery.
I am not sure that I have done the right thing here. My thinking was that the second battery would be at its best possible charge condition, when I got to my camp site. At this time I have no other option to charge my camping battery other than the alternator. I did seek advice from CTEK, but found the service I got was minimal, and it seemed to me that I was annoying them, and did not get all my questions answered as I would have liked.
Any feedback from those who have a similar setup would be greatly appreciated. My primary requirement is to be able to free-camp as long as possibly. Ideally I am starting to think I really need a much larger second battery and/or solar panels to keep me going for a few days. I run a 38 litre Engel in the car (fridge setting only), plus minimal van power requirements for 12V TV/Versa light/Truma gas heater fan/Radio. None of these use a lot of power, and are not always on at the same time anyway. The Engel is near new, but would use the most power (at 3.5 amps I think ). I have no battery in my van.
Thank you, Barry
PS, One question that was not answered was, Is it normal for my CTEK Alternator and Battery indicator lamps to remain on for approx 1 hour after I turn the engine off.??