B2B Advice

andystaffs
andystaffs Forum Participant Posts: 3
edited August 2021 in New to Caravanning & Touring #1

Brand new to campervanning . Have a Vivaro conversion which has a battery to battery charging system .

I'm a bit confused as I thought ,even with this set up ,that I could charge the leisure battery from a hook up at home . I now gather charging  the leisure battery is only done when the vehicle is being driven . This seems a bit short sighted to me but is this common ?

So my hook up cable is just to avoid using the battery when on sites that have hook ups ? .

It would be great if there was a rule of thumb for how long you have to drive to charge the battery but it doesnt look this easy to calculate .

I'm preparing myself for the occasion when I stay of grid for  a few nights,  and a short return home doesn't charge the battery enough . It looks like I can't simply hook it up at home for a few days to get the battery up to speed . I would have to lengthen my 'short'  journey home and go around the block for a few hours to get the battery up to full charge . Verry odd

Advice please

Comments

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited August 2021 #2

    You'll have to provide a bit more info. B2B is usually installed in conjunction with a Lithium battery set-up.

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2021 #3

    It might help if you say what your conversion, model and year of manufacture is.

    In every conventional set up I’ve come across, both batteries charge on hookup but some need manual switching from one to the other.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,856 ✭✭✭
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    edited August 2021 #4

    I I think we need a bit more detail of the conversion in question, It very much depends on the set up. In most circumstances whilst the engine is running it will charge both cab and leisure batteries. From then on it becomes more complicated. The electrical system in the van, when on 230v mains should charge the leisure battery and provide 12v supply within the van via a transformer built into the system, but cab battery charging via this system is far from universal. From what you say you don't have this sort of system. If that is the case perhaps you need to consider a solar panel if you wish to spend time off grid?

    David

  • harry1000
    harry1000 Forum Participant Posts: 78
    edited September 2021 #5

    Simple to check, if you have a meter. Put it across the leisure battery when you park up, note the voltage. Connect to the EHU and again check the voltage and if it is higher than the first reading, then it is charging - it should read around 13.8v, or higher when on charge.

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