Smartcom Split Charge

[Horness]

Has anyone here used a smartcom to split charge a leisure battery?  I've seen loads of methods etc., and various prices, but the "Smartcom" system seems have good things said about it.

I have a Hella 70Ah battery for the engine, and another on order for "aux" equipment like lights, fridge, DVD player etc.

As always... help me Obi Wan's... you're my only hope.  :lol:

Horness

[Damonski]

That is all that kit is suitable for split charging a leisure battery.

If you connect it up to your second battery, and then turn on the items connected to the second battery you will fry the precious smartcon in no time.

Best to by a big whoppa relay like mine :)

http://members.mud-club.com/profiles/Damo/gallery/SplitCharge

[Bush Tucker Man]

I installed a 'Smart-Com' in the 12S wiring when I sorted out the 12N (& fitted 'S') in my Discovery after buying it.
It alleviates the requirement for a  voltage sensing feed from the alternator, as it automatically senses alternator output.

I made sure mine was fused sensibly on the input side (15amp??), it then provides output feeds for;
Fridge
Permanant live
Battery charging.

It ought to handle a leisure battery okay, as that's surely its intended purpose, mine feeds a 110amp/hour in the BWSOW

[Damonski]

yes I have one also on my 12S socket, but its not beefy enough to charge a battery whilst a current is also being drawn from the charging battery.

[Horness]

Thanks guys for the feedback.  As I'm hoping to fit another Hella 70Ah battery in the space available, I may end up running a winch in the future, however no plans yet.

The X-Eng X-Charge kit looks like a good future proof bet.  This is the one I had planned to order, but just wanted to be sure before handing over my hard earned cash. ;-)

Horness

[Damonski]

Thats the beasty I have  :D

[Range Rover Blues]

I'm not even sure the smart com is up to the job it's designed for.  Out of interest I left a small light on in the 'van coming back from Whaddon, modern 'vans are now wired up with only 2 feeds, live and fridge.  When the fridge (ignition or voltage sensitive switch) comes live, an internal relay switches the live feed off and connects it to the battery in order to charge that.  the theory is it limits the currect drain from the car as modern 'van fridges use a lot of power, this also prevents large 'crosstalk' effects into the car's wiring loom, apparently.

Anyway, the 'van looked like a disco and I don't mean big tyres and a snorkel, the light was flashing on and off, or it just stayed on, so something is not right.

I think I'll use the smartcom to drive a power relay that is up to the job.