up to date volts and amp test results

trax · Feb 12, 2015

you can hook up two batteries in parallel which just increases the ah/charge they hold. lots of yank cars do that. very simple system. however, you want to make sure they are the same battery and age, else you can get one pulling the other down.

it also wouldn't separate the battery, so you couldn't drain just one down like going camping.

if you want to drain one for camping then the easiest way is to use a voltage sensing split charge like CAMPER VAN SELF SWITCHING, SMARTCOM VOLTAGE SENSING SPLIT CHARGE RELAY-12V / 30A | eBay

this only turns on when the alt is kicking out juice. one thing to watch out for is if the battery is drained right down it may wish to draw more than 30amps and will burn out the relay, but you an just use the split charge to trigger another higher relay like 12V Heavy Duty Split Charge/Winch 200A Relay - Car Van Boat - 200 Amp - 4 Pin | eBay but you may want a better make, like durite.

so, if you aren't going to drain your second battery all the way down then the 30amp voltage sensing relay is probably fine, fit a 20/25 fuse to protect it. if you always blow fuses because you drain too much juice, then add a 200amp relay triggered by the voltage sensing relay.

oh, and use a leisure battery. it's designed for deep discharge.

hope that makes sense

gstuart · Feb 12, 2015

trax said:
you can hook up two batteries in parallel which just increases the ah/charge they hold. lots of yank cars do that. very simple system. however, you want to make sure they are the same battery and age, else you can get one pulling the other down.

it also wouldn't separate the battery, so you couldn't drain just one down like going camping.

if you want to drain one for camping then the easiest way is to use a voltage sensing split charge like CAMPER VAN SELF SWITCHING, SMARTCOM VOLTAGE SENSING SPLIT CHARGE RELAY-12V / 30A | eBay

this only turns on when the alt is kicking out juice. one thing to watch out for is if the battery is drained right down it may wish to draw more than 30amps and will burn out the relay, but you an just use the split charge to trigger another higher relay like 12V Heavy Duty Split Charge/Winch 200A Relay - Car Van Boat - 200 Amp - 4 Pin | eBay but you may want a better make, like durite.

so, if you aren't going to drain your second battery all the way down then the 30amp voltage sensing relay is probably fine, fit a 20/25 fuse to protect it. if you always blow fuses because you drain too much juice, then add a 200amp relay triggered by the voltage sensing relay.

oh, and use a leisure battery. it's designed for deep discharge.

hope that makes sense

thks so much

saw this leisure battery , the 85 amp one

http://www.leisurebatterysystems.co.uk/contents/en-uk/d20__leisure-marine-battery-12volt.html

see they also do double terminal ones , but know I have to read quite abit so I can then ensure I've got it right and understand it 100% as can't afford to get it wrong

my new car battery is a varta 85 ah with a 800 cca ,

here comes another daft questions ,I know it's been mentioned the batteries have to be the same , with regards to the leasure battery so do I just match the AH and cca with the varta one I've just bought ??

sorry being dim , but something's I can't get my head round straight away then the penny drops,

but I just thought the leasire battery wouldn't have a cca as it wouldn't be starting anything , doh

thks for ur patience , lol

trax · Feb 12, 2015

gstuart said:
thks so much

saw this leisure battery , the 85 amp one

Leisure and marine batteries 12 volt.

see they also do double terminal ones , but know I have to read quite abit so I can then ensure I've got it right and understand it 100% as can't afford to get it wrong

my new car battery is a varta 85 ah with a 800 cca ,

here comes another daft questions ,I know it's been mentioned the batteries have to be the same , with regards to the leasure battery so do I just match the AH and cca with the varta one I've just bought ??

sorry being dim , but something's I can't get my head round straight away then the penny drops,

but I just thought the leasire battery wouldn't have a cca as it wouldn't be starting anything , doh

thks for ur patience , lol

batteries only need to be the same if you don't split charge them. you are, so they can be different ratings.

just go find the biggest ah leisure you can fit somewhere that doesn't cost the earth

gstuart · Feb 12, 2015

trax said:
batteries only need to be the same if you don't split charge them. you are, so they can be different ratings.

just go find the biggest ah leisure you can fit somewhere that doesn't cost the earth

ah , bless u, , it's my old grey matter not working again, lol lightbulb moment

now it's making more sense

bless u for that

longdog · Feb 14, 2015

Get your old battery, charge it up, then stick it in the boot with a £10 Maplins solar charger hooked up to it.
I sometimes suffer from a flat battery, I drive 10 miles to work Monday, then home Friday night/ Sat morning, and it can sit till Monday again.
My spare solar charged battery has never let me down for a jump start.

Alibro · Feb 14, 2015

I have an old car battery in my wifes ancient horse lorry (12V) just for lights. It works a treat as the two batteries have some kind of system to keep them separate when the engine is off. If you have a battery then use it. No need to spend a fortune on a leisure battery until the one you have is completely useless.
If the battery was 75Ah when new then even if it is down to 60Ah it will still run a couple of caravan lights for 30 hours or so.
Don't forget a 12W light will draw 1A per hour so would last 60 hours, ish

Probably

gstuart · Feb 14, 2015

cheers guys about the old battery

daft question and embarrised to ask but what does halfords use to test the battery and its condition plse

apologies about asking such a dim question

plus wondering if I should put my new battery on charge first before it gets installed

englishbullterrier · Feb 14, 2015

Normally a battery load/drop tester.

New batteries are supplied with enough charge to start a car, however they will have been on the shelf for some time.

If it starts your vehicle, simply use that vehicles charging circuit to do the job whilst driving it.

You could meter it though. A lead acid battery, fully charged but at rest (under no load) would normally be 12.8v.

DuncanS · Feb 14, 2015

I have a split charge system on mine (durite) running through to my rear auxiliary roof rack battery in the boot.

up to date volts and amp test results

trax

.

gstuart

D3 Grandad

trax

.

gstuart

D3 Grandad

longdog

Active Member

Alibro

Well-Known Member

gstuart

D3 Grandad

englishbullterrier

Active Member

DuncanS

Active Member

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