Need help planning aux battery setup
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 627
Likes: 0
From: NY, NY
If set up correctly, Deep Cycle batteries are charged by the alternator safely.
Deep Cycles are recharged slowly. Solar is one way. 110 V chargers (through shore power connections at campsites) is another way.
My Aux battery had a Solar trickle-charger as the main charger, with solar panels on the roof. Plus at the time, I had a Controller Device which did several things a- maintained correct charge for the Deep Cycle, b- switched power over to regular battery feed if the voltage on the Aux Battery dropped to 11 V c- recharged the Deep Cycle, which took some time. If I recall, yes, it used the alternator to recharge, but I suspect the Box had a voltage regulator piece inside. This device also switched the power back on to Deep Cycle.
Some people do no rely on these Devices for switching, but use a manual switch, which is fine. I had a hybrid -- I would switch to Deep Cycle before I was turning the vehicle off, but needed power for whatever I had set out to.
I bought this from recommendations at Offroading forums a few years back. Search those forums for more info. They also have diagrams and vendors' lists.
Deep Cycles are recharged slowly. Solar is one way. 110 V chargers (through shore power connections at campsites) is another way.
My Aux battery had a Solar trickle-charger as the main charger, with solar panels on the roof. Plus at the time, I had a Controller Device which did several things a- maintained correct charge for the Deep Cycle, b- switched power over to regular battery feed if the voltage on the Aux Battery dropped to 11 V c- recharged the Deep Cycle, which took some time. If I recall, yes, it used the alternator to recharge, but I suspect the Box had a voltage regulator piece inside. This device also switched the power back on to Deep Cycle.
Some people do no rely on these Devices for switching, but use a manual switch, which is fine. I had a hybrid -- I would switch to Deep Cycle before I was turning the vehicle off, but needed power for whatever I had set out to.
I bought this from recommendations at Offroading forums a few years back. Search those forums for more info. They also have diagrams and vendors' lists.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,015
Likes: 131
From: Maryville
The boat outfitters have a device that will cut the charge amperage back, but it's pointless as you'd need to run your engine long intervals and still not get it to 100%, you need to plug a battery charger up and slow charge at home. I had this setup 4 years, the voltage required for my wheelchair lift could not be recovered by the alternator unless I was on a long trip. I have a 200+ amp alternator, but a deep cycle battery will only accept a slow charge, result was burning them up, yet not getting to full charge. Solar panels are improving but still aren't perfected to the point to be worth their high cost, deep cycles charged slowly by a 110 outlet charger is your only choice.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 627
Likes: 0
From: NY, NY
My solars recharged the battery very well. Only once, after several hours of driving at night, the controlled switched power to the OEM. I even had my car Stereo on it. On the other hand, I had many 2-3 hours trips, sometimes up to 4 hours and never had any problems.
I had this setup a few years back on my '95 and at the time, I think I paid about $ 200 for solars: 4 panels at 12" by 24" each.
I had this setup a few years back on my '95 and at the time, I think I paid about $ 200 for solars: 4 panels at 12" by 24" each.
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