Is there a rule against having the main house batteries as the supply for the break away system. I am contemplating taking the 7AH battery away and hard wiring (via a fuse) directly to the house battery pack (2 x 100AH AGMs).
The way I read the rules is that they need to hold the brakes on for 15 mins should a break away occur, I would suggest the house batts will do that..
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Cheers
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Ex RAAF, now retired. EX Electrician/Teacher.
Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
The problem with using house battery is that the brakes will be on a lot longer and over heat. The recommended battery will go flat and stop the heating.
Plus......AFAIK... there is (I think) a regulation that states that the breakaway system has to be totally independent of the van,s normal elecrtrical system....so tying it in with your house batteries just could be a tad illegal hey.
They are direct to the van batteries on my Lotus. As delivered from the manufacturer. Why would they overheat ?. If the breakaway was in use it means the van has left the tow vehicle and there would be more to worry about than battery problems. The brakes would need to stay on.
Bazza44 I think what weedpharma is saying is that the electric actuator in the brakes would over heat not the shoes and drums, as I doubt that that were designed for constant application like a hand brake if this over heating of the coils in the brakes did indeed go on fore quite some time it in its self could become a fire risk unlikely but stranger things have happened I'm sure
Woody
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When the power of Love becomes greater than the love of power the World will see peace ! 24ft Trailblazer 5th wheeler n 05 Patrol ute and Black Series Dominator camper trailer ( for the rough stuff)
Phil,if your van and tow vehicle are registered in NSW and your ATM exceeds 2t From memory,you must have a visual and audible warning device fitted in the cab of the tow vehicle to monitor the state of the breakaway battery.This item is included in the annual rego/ pink slip inspection. Having said that,your suggestion of connecting to the house battery has merits providing you leave the breakaway battery in situ and you don't have to comply with the NSW regulations. Hope this helps your situation.
-- Edited by patrol03 on Monday 19th of September 2016 07:29:09 PM
Thanks for the input folks. We are South Australians and not subject to that NSW rule. However, I will connect to the mains as they have a monitor on it.
The overheat problem will not be a problem because if it disconnects I will sure know about it and re-insert the bung in the switch.
Thanks again folks.
__________________
Ex RAAF, now retired. EX Electrician/Teacher.
Homebase is Murray Bridge Tourist Park (in a cabin). New Horse.. 2020 Ford Everest Titanium, Jayco swan for touring.
Phil, Our Traveller Caravan Registered in SA and purchased new, has the Break away switch connected to the 2 House Batteries. Probably just as well that low life's do not know about the Break away switch because pulling out the pin when we are away from the van for any time could be a low battery problem.
The brakes will not over heat if wired from house batteries and operated for long period accidentally.
I know a friend that proved this by connecting a pair of electric brake magnets for a 24 hour period, to 12vdc supply and the result was not even warm magnets.
Friction causes electric brakes to develop heat while braking, not the magnets.
Our last van had the break away connected to the house batteries also, with no issues.
My van built in Victoria has Breakaway power from house batteries. Legal in Vic. apparently. I don't see a problem as batteries constantly charged Re overheating surely the fused circuit would protect from overheating
Hmm ok So I just might have to check how mine is hocked up, if there is a second battery then I sure don't know where
Thanks for the thread made me think .
Woody
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When the power of Love becomes greater than the love of power the World will see peace ! 24ft Trailblazer 5th wheeler n 05 Patrol ute and Black Series Dominator camper trailer ( for the rough stuff)
The bulk of older vans made in Victoria.
Mostly the larger ones have the breakaways wired to house battery.
My Roadstars and Compass have. as do most who we talked about it do.
I've actually YET to see one with own battery pack apart from the one I've fitted to this van
Under 2 ton. Just. But peace of mind.
Mind you I wired it through the van battery....(Backup???)
My van built in Victoria has Breakaway power from house batteries. Legal in Vic. apparently. I don't see a problem as batteries constantly charged Re overheating surely the fused circuit would protect from overheating
Cheers
A fuse protects from excess current, not excess heat or time. Overheating may damage the insulation and short the wires then blow the fuse. Then it is all too late to protect the coils as they are burnt.
