Leisure Battery, Split Charge or Towing Electrics?

Nodge68 said:

A Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery can be charged quite safely in the car provided the correct procedure is followed.
They need to be charged via some kind of current limiter to prevent gassing, particularly when they are discharged. The charge current should be kept at a maximum of 1/10th the battery's Ah rating or 0.1 C where C is the Ah figure. This can be with a complex charge controller if you are willing to spend on it. Or if you would rather spend the money on a bigger battery, a simple 12 Volt light bulb works well. Choose a bulb that has the current flow of just under 0.1 C. This could be a tail light, brake light or headlight bulb. Whatever keeps the maximum current flow under spec. Charging at 0.1 C will charge a discharged SLA in 14 to 16 hours.
In my D3 I have a 36 Ah SLA changed via a voltage sensing relay and 2 X 21 Watt brake lamp bulbs in parallel. This gives a charge current of 3.6 Amps which seems to be fine for such a large SLA battery.
I've not had any issues for the 6 months I've had this system up and running.

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NDavies said:

Well, I can safely say it is all working very well

when the volts on the main battery peak, the relay switches and it starts to charge the leisure battery.

All my plugs in my box I have made work well, the volt meter works, every thing works

I might have to post a few pics

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B34R said:

Good idea, but I guess that means the bulbs generate heat while doing a deep charge? Do you just keep them away from stuff and vented?

Also, where are you guys hiding the batteries, or just building boxes to hide them in?

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Nodge68 said:

Most Freelander auxiliary batteries end up in the boot cubby. Me, now having a Discovery 3, have an additional battery box under the bonnet.

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NDavies said:

here are some pics

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Leisure battery in it's box.

Constantly charging a jump starter box and a high powered torch.

it has got 7 cigarette sockets, 2 at the back, 3 on the side, and 2 at the front.

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Exterior rear lights that are powered by the leisure battery.

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Leisure battery volt meter, cigarette socket and 2 USB ports above passenger glove box.

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terr said:

wye cant i see any pictures

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NDavies said:

I don't know why, I can see them :s

I have tried adding them again

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