12volt setup options

[fullthrottle]

Sort of 4x4 related as I'll be hauling the caravan around. However before I can do that, I need to finish rebuilding it.

So I wanted to work out the ideal 12volt setup. I've spoken to a few of you and have some ideas, but any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Idea so far....
2 x N120 batteries to feed all lighting
An inverter for those 240volt devices

Now charging... Was thinking that when the caravan is at a powered site, I could charge the batts with the site power supply whilst using it.
Also solar has been mentioned.

Will need to make sure the whole setup is safe and easy to control and monitor.

[niblik]

http://www.nzmotorhome.co.nz/

[skidmark]

At work we usually set up the tow vehicle with a vsr and decent cables to charge the caravan while the tow vehicle is charging..as for the house batterys, you really want deep cycle batterys,as too n120's are not the cheapest(nor are deep cycles though.....)as using n120's for house battery will reduce life prematurely....

[fullthrottle]

At work we usually set up the tow vehicle with a vsr and decent cables to charge the caravan while the tow vehicle is charging..as for the house batterys, you really want deep cycle batterys,as too n120's are not the cheapest(nor are deep cycles though.....)as using n120's for house battery will reduce life prematurely....

Thanks
Out of interest, how big are your cables running from the VSR to the caravan batteries? That was one thing I was steering away from as I was told the cable size doesn't make it worth it.

With regards to the deep cycle bateries, I've been reading that the AGM types are the best for these purposes.

[skidmark]

You don't need monster battery cable or anything, somethinh like 6.0mm twin core cable is good.which isnt excessive cost wise

[mike]

At work we usually set up the tow vehicle with a vsr and decent cables to charge the caravan while the tow vehicle is charging..as for the house batterys, you really want deep cycle batterys,as too n120's are not the cheapest(nor are deep cycles though.....)as using n120's for house battery will reduce life prematurely....

Thanks
Out of interest, how big are your cables running from the VSR to the caravan batteries? That was one thing I was steering away from as I was told the cable size doesn't make it worth it.

With regards to the deep cycle bateries, I've been reading that the AGM types are the best for these purposes.

AGM's are good in that they accept 4x their capacity in current for charging but shit in that if you can't give them a full charge quite often they will not last for very long. On yachts they barely last 2 years compared to gel cells that last 8 or more. There are a lot of yachts that jumped on the AGM band wagon and got burnt.

[skidmark]

Gell batterys are fantastic for house battery, except can blow your budget really quickly..other way us to go for a couple of 6v in series.

[skidmark]

The other thing i thought of, is lead acid battery need to be sealed off and vented from you living compartment as they gas when charging..

[skid]

Can sell you new 750cca spiral batteries the same as red top optimas for 400 each

[mike]

Can sell you new 750cca spiral batteries the same as red top optimas for 400 each

hope your not trying to pedal shit to ore members as a business their skid

how do those spiral wound jobbies stack up in amp hr ratings? short burst ie cca is different to amp/hrs

I would be going gel cell as they are sealed and maintenance free, no need to worry about doing a equilisation charge on them ever as you can't really do it on gel cells (you can but its a bit tricky so wouldnt bother).

ultimate would be the new lithium but they are expensive and tend to have a few issues at the moment.

[skid]

Can sell you new 750cca spiral batteries the same as red top optimas for 400 each

hope your not trying to pedal shit to ore members as a business their skid

how do those spiral wound jobbies stack up in amp hr ratings? short burst ie cca is different to amp/hrs

I would be going gel cell as they are sealed and maintenance free, no need to worry about doing a equilisation charge on them ever as you can't really do it on gel cells (you can but its a bit tricky so wouldnt bother).

ultimate would be the new lithium but they are expensive and tend to have a few issues at the moment.

Cant comment sorry

[meatc]

For charging my caravan i'm looking at one of these,

http://www.cteknz.co.nz/tabid/319/CategoryID/572/ProductID/2037/Default.aspx

Cheaper to buy out of Aussie, but will smart charge caravan battery, including upping the voltage for sealed batteries that require 14.7 volts to charge. Also has built in solar regulator, and off that will charge caravan bat and if required and connected the vehicle batt as well.

[waza4x4toy]

[quote="fullthrottle"]
Idea so far....
2 x N120 batteries to feed all lighting quote]
as mentioned these are truck starting batteries, unless its an N120 deep cycle? If start batteries - new these are still expensive and will fail in deep cycle use. They do survive and people use them due to being big start batteries so take longer to fail. Good Deep cycles are expensive but when installed and charged correctly are worth it.

AGM are good but expensive and there are Chinese and American brands in NZ, you get what you pay for. Lots of chap Chinese standby AGM coming in but these are for back up systems not deep cycling so careful what you are buying in these look for cycling versions

Gels and AGM are expensive because there are fewer made and hence less competitive then common wet or flooded batteries

Keys to a deep cycle set up there are three dimensions, usage/amps drawn, battery size/amps stored and replenishment/amps charged. Get one of these wrong and you will have battery problems poor life. You need to know how many amps per day used, how many days used, and size battery to this. industry standard says deep cycle should be used to 50% of its capacity - this means have 50amps usage you need a 100amp/hour battery

Bang for your buck is flooded deep cycle is best. a lot of Cheap flooded deep cycles are only semi cyclic despite saying deep cycle you would be best find brands that are fully deep cycle.

Solar needs to be equally specified - mid level to good panels, defiantly need good solar regulator, or could end in tears as expensive batteries could become over charged.

that my 2c worth of opinion if it helps!

see this sites like this for more info http://www.batterytown.co.nz/#/content/203

[callum007]

If you tow it to dunedin, I'll do the whole lot for you..
I currently able to do Ritar RA-120's AGM batts for about $275 each... depending on where you are.. the postage is the killer.

I just sold 4x to a fella to put in his caravan, he also had 250w of solar and a built in 50amp mains charger. More than 4 batts and its getting heavy. But depending on use, Id suggest its about right for a full time user.

A vsr is a good simple way of charging the van from the tow vehicle. for the most part, your cable size will limit the charge the van draws from the car as its will turn the rest to heat if you do it wrong.
I have used 8 gauge as a minimum rule of thumb, I think thats 10mm sq? but you'd get away with 6mm in most cases as unless your going to use the vehicle as the primary charger for the van!

I'd also say if your serious about things, a low voltage disconnect set for 1.8vpc minimum is a must. 1.8x6=10.8 volts to keep from destroying your batteries prematurely.

[fullthrottle]

If you tow it to dunedin, I'll do the whole lot for you..
I currently able to do Ritar RA-120's AGM batts for about $275 each... depending on where you are.. the postage is the killer.

The offer sounds great. If the dam cook strait wasn't in the way, I'd bring it around.
How do those Ritar RA-120's AGM batts stack up against the new hybrid batteries?
A bit of research has still confused me, but they seem to something along the lines of a colloidal poly-silica gel been developed and this in combination with AGM technology has given rise to Hybrid Gel technology.

Some prices I found for Toyama/Synergy from battery direct...

AH CCA Price
75 620 370.00
100 900 531.30
150 1300 707.25
200 1550 917.70
260 N/A 1201.75

I won't overkill the setup, but just enough to get it started and I could add to the battery bank later. My main thing is keeping them in good condition.

[fullthrottle]

Hmmm, that 6volt idea sounds good.

Can get 2 x 225 AmpHour Hybrid, 6volt batts for around $493 each

So put them in series to give me the 12volts, but they will not have the problems of equalization under drain. I could then also replace just one battery as one becomes faulty without the issues you have in a 12volt battery bank.

Wonder if they do 3volt batts

[skidmark]

$493 each? or for two?

just for reference, we sell the r232 (232 amp hour,the one i posted the picture of) for around $360..but it is still best to change them as a pair if one fails.

[fullthrottle]

$493 each? or for two?

just for reference, we sell the r232 (232 amp hour,the one i posted the picture of) for around $360..but it is still best to change them as a pair if one fails.

$493 Each 6volt batt. Actually, I did find some 6volt, 200AmpHour Gel-AGM Hybrid ones that have been reconditioned for around $120 each.

Just thinking how I got to this Hybrid stage.....I think because of their technology and tolerance to heat etc. I was told they are not much more expensive that pure AGM's.??? I'm not expert though.
One problem that may contribute to the decision is that they will sit in the caravan in excess of 30 degrees.

Is that r232 sealed? Where I plan on sitting them, they cannot be vented.

[skidmark]

no not sealed..wont be any good for you then.