split charge??

Ok a few questions, I am wanting to put another battery on the disco.
i'v just got a small inverter and will at some point put some rear work lights and roof lights on so here go's

1, whats the difference between a regular relay and a split charge relay?

2,what size regular relay would you use? (if thats what you would go for)

and 3, am i right in thinking you would wire the exciter on the relay to the alternator?

any help would be good thanks

Split charge relays only charge the second battery when the main battery reaches normal voltage , and will switch between batteries as needed.

Ordinary relays will just switch second battery connection on when ignition is on...

you need to search the forum mate, this topic had been done to death in both the defender and disco section.

There are 2 main ways to do a split charge system.

and if your gonna do it the way you suggest keep a fire exstinguisher in the motor.

but as bgb says its been done to death

Its all in the frequently asked questions section

neiltce said:

Split charge relays only charge the second battery when the main battery reaches normal voltage , and will switch between batteries as needed.

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One thinks you might be getting confused by a split charger controller and the split charger relay.

A Split charger RELAY can manage high current and can either be activated by a switch or off the ignition and just connects the two batteries together. It has no intelligence to it and is only different to a normal relay by the amount of current it can handle.

Bump said:

One thinks you might be getting confused by a split charger controller and the split charger relay.

A Split charger RELAY can manage high current and can either be activated by a switch or off the ignition and just connects the two batteries together. It has no intelligence to it and is only different to a normal relay by the amount of current it can handle.

Click to expand...

No I know what I'm talking about,

A relay is a relay, a split charge relay is exactly what it says.. It splits the 2 batteries charging one at a time, they are designed to prevent your alternator working itself to death...

neiltce said:

No I know what I'm talking about,

A relay is a relay, a split charge relay is exactly what it says.. It splits the 2 batteries charging one at a time, they are designed to prevent your alternator working itself to death...

Click to expand...

Really?

Splitters: Durite split charge relay

as I say... a split charger relay just connects two batteries together... you need intelligence to monitor voltages, etc.

Split charger relays are also nice and cheap and simple.

I have a charge controller system on the D3 as Land Rover tried to make the power too clever and it self monitors itself too much, so, if you just used a split charger relay and had a empty battery, it would draw too much current and cause the vehicle to start shutting down other important things like suspension air compressors... so... you have to use charge controller system which manages the amount of current a second battery can draw, etc. (although, still doesn't charge one battery then the next battery)
Sadly, that system cost several £100's of pounds

thanks guys yer there's alot of helpful posts just wanted to know the difference thanks very much