can someone spec me a battery/power solution to fit my needs?

Hi All,

I'm getting a bit fed up of dealing with all the rusty stuff underneath, so I thought I'd turn some attention to the work I'd like to do inside my new 110.

I want to be able to run a 12v coolbox (eventually one of those posh waeco fridge/freezers), plus lights, radio, etc... winch PTO, so I have no need for any electrics there.

I've done a lot of research over the past couple of days on here, and on some of the other forums. I keep finding that the other systems people ask about always get turned into £1,000 installs because they need loads of power for the winch!

So, assuming I just need to run simple stuff for, lets say, 2 or 3 days straight (i.e. parked up somewhere) - what sort of split charging system would I need?

I've also looked into solar and wind generators... I thought that it'd be a brilliant idea to have a turbine on the landy which charges a battery whilst you're driving along (lots of wind!)... until someone pointed out that an alternator can do that MUCH more efficiently!

I imagine a small trickle charging turbine or solar panel could be included to provide a bit of extra charging whilst parked up.

I'm also concerned about whether I need battery cut off sensors (for when the voltage drops???) and if you need some sort of smart charging sensor to cope with the power from the alternator. then there's the deep cycle, vs tractor battery debate - which I'm still not fully with.

TIA

FS

wot engine?

Beast o Bodmin said:

wot engine?

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sorry... 300tdi 110 1995 - i'm pretty sure the egr has already been stripped off, not that it probably makes any difference, but just fyi.

get a big feck arf leisure battery from a caravan.upate the alternator if it needs it and fit split charge.

you can run the battery flat and it dont matter so would give you 12-18 hrs of fridge time easy...

Beast o Bodmin said:

get a big feck arf leisure battery from a caravan.upate the alternator if it needs it and fit split charge.

you can run the battery flat and it dont matter so would give you 12-18 hrs of fridge time easy...

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cool - that's a good start.

update the alternator and fit a split charge - they're still both grey areas for me though.... what sort of size/expense split charge unit would I require for my noddy needs? they seem to be anything from £9.99 in maplins to £500 for some swish jobbies. 12-18 hours of fridge time will be "good enough" I reckon - but perhaps I'd look to try and extend it with solar/wind power whilst stationary.

I have a split charge system with 2 batteries on and when I go on long journeys I have a 3rd lesuire battery in the back that I run my fridge off if the car is not moving for a couple of days. That way your main batteries arent affected by the fridge being on. When you set of again you just switch the plug to a different socket and its back on the main battery. You can also get a trickle charger to charge the 3rd battery while you are going along.

Sirus said:

I have a split charge system with 2 batteries on and when I go on long journeys I have a 3rd lesuire battery in the back that I run my fridge off if the car is not moving for a couple of days. That way your main batteries arent affected by the fridge being on. When you set of again you just switch the plug to a different socket and its back on the main battery. You can also get a trickle charger to charge the 3rd battery while you are going along.

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tbh, that was my first thought.... KISS and all that

I'd only have 1 starter batt, as my furthest exped would be brittany or similar - and I have no electric winch to power.

I thought that perhaps I could have an independent leisure battery for running fridge/freezer, camping lights, phone charger, etc - and instead of using the alternator to charge, I could use solar/wind when parked up - AND possibly modify one of those fans that you see you on top of refrigerated vans - I'm sure at 60mph there'd be enough wind force to have the vertical axle turbine running an alternator to charge a battery.

farmershort said:

tbh, that was my first thought.... KISS and all that

I'd only have 1 starter batt, as my furthest exped would be brittany or similar - and I have no electric winch to power.

I thought that perhaps I could have an independent leisure battery for running fridge/freezer, camping lights, phone charger, etc - and instead of using the alternator to charge, I could use solar/wind when parked up - AND possibly modify one of those fans that you see you on top of refrigerated vans - I'm sure at 60mph there'd be enough wind force to have the vertical axle turbine running an alternator to charge a battery.

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I'd just get a trickle charger and charge the battery when your going along. I got one of those big lesiure batterys and it lasted for 30hrs on the crossing from Portsmouth to Bilbao.

Sirus said:

I'd just get a trickle charger and charge the battery when your going along. I got one of those big lesiure batterys and it lasted for 30hrs on the crossing from Portsmouth to Bilbao.

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'scuse me for being a bit simple, but where's the trickle charge gonna get it's power? straight from a spare hole in the fuse box? via split charging circuit? via solar/wind thingies?

thanks