Hi

I have recently bought a 12v fridge for when I go camping (need to keep the
beer cool), Rather than running it off the Landy battery, I would prefer to
use one or two old batteries that I have lying around, which I would wish to
charge whilst driving and then remove from the vehicle when setting up camp.
I would be grateful for your advice on the following:

Where can I get a suitable diode to prevent the spare battery discharging
into the vehicle electrical system, rather than the other way around?

If I connect the (discharged) spare battery to the (charged) vehicle battery
and/or vehicle charging circuit, what sort of current will be drawn, and
hence what thickness of wire should I use to connect the spare battery into
the system?

Grateful for your thoughts.

Neil
1983 110V8 CSW

Neil Cummins wrote:
> Hi
>
> I have recently bought a 12v fridge for when I go camping (need to keep the
> beer cool), Rather than running it off the Landy battery, I would prefer to
> use one or two old batteries that I have lying around, which I would wish to
> charge whilst driving and then remove from the vehicle when setting up camp.
> I would be grateful for your advice on the following:
>
> Where can I get a suitable diode to prevent the spare battery discharging
> into the vehicle electrical system, rather than the other way around?
>
> If I connect the (discharged) spare battery to the (charged) vehicle battery
> and/or vehicle charging circuit, what sort of current will be drawn, and
> hence what thickness of wire should I use to connect the spare battery into
> the system?
>

Any auto electrician should be able to sell you a splitting diode or you
can buy one here
http://www.yachtbits.fsnet.co.uk/chargers/splitter-diodes.htm

Use wire rated above the maximum output of your alternator - I generally
use 10mm2 cable, but cable the same size as your existing alternator
charge cable will be fine (6mm2 on some wehicles).


--
EMB
change two to number to reply

Hi Neil,
I have a wiring diagram for split charging. Its in Acrobat format if you
want it I could email it to you...

--
Wolverine
Big Red '93 110 CSW

Neil Cummins wrote:
> Hi
>
> I have recently bought a 12v fridge for when I go camping (need to keep the
> beer cool), Rather than running it off the Landy battery, I would prefer to
> use one or two old batteries that I have lying around, which I would wish to
> charge whilst driving and then remove from the vehicle when setting up camp.
> I would be grateful for your advice on the following:
>
> Where can I get a suitable diode to prevent the spare battery discharging
> into the vehicle electrical system, rather than the other way around?
>
> If I connect the (discharged) spare battery to the (charged) vehicle battery
> and/or vehicle charging circuit, what sort of current will be drawn, and
> hence what thickness of wire should I use to connect the spare battery into
> the system?
>

Any auto electrician should be able to sell you a splitting diode or you
can buy one here
http://www.yachtbits.fsnet.co.uk/chargers/splitter-diodes.htm

Use wire rated above the maximum output of your alternator - I generally
use 10mm2 cable, but cable the same size as your existing alternator
charge cable will be fine (6mm2 on some wehicles).


--
EMB
change two to number to reply

Hi Neil,
I have a wiring diagram for split charging. Its in Acrobat format if you
want it I could email it to you...

--
Wolverine
Big Red '93 110 CSW