Ok here I go. I know this is a pandoras box but I'm half wayround on my trip and have had a flat battery once. My own fault I know now. Didn't unplug the 7pin plug while stopped. I feel it would be good if I had a dual system in the car as well as extra battery in the van. I have portable 120w solar panels with me as well.
If I were to do this what would be the significant differences I would notice. a girlie question I know but worth asking I feel.
Unlike others on the road I do not pull out the panels every stop and plug them in. If I were to stay a few days yes. They are a little awkward and depending on how long I have driven and where I am stopped and how my back is determines this.
I have an Anderson plug on the car and I must admit I thought this stopped the power being dragged from the car while I was stopped. After i had the battery go flat on another car and van I had I got the Anderson plug fitted and it didn't happen again. I have the anderson fitted on this new car and it hasent happened till this one time on this trip. Any suggested reasons please?
Thank you for you information and patience in advance.
You could look at an isolator between the car and van: This would cut off your car battery when the engine is stopped/car battery getting below a critical voltage, depending on the type of device you choose. A post on the Techis section will get you more useful information.
Basically you need the second battery set up with a solenoid so when the battery charge drops below a set voltage and it then isolates the cranking battery so you don't drain it.
If I recall correctly the solenoids are around the $100 mark and probably able to find cheaper around the traps. I have been told though that the Redarc one is one of the best available for quality and price.
You can also have a DC to DC charger fitted which will aid in charging the batteries closer to 100% charge than the alternator will. That can also incorporate the solar panels as well depending on the model, but would have to bypass the controller on the panels. A little harder to get your head around than a solenoid and more expensive but supposedly more effective.
