Batteries to run caravan

Mate,
IMHO you would be best advised to have a separate fridge in the van. Suggest you steer clear of Deep Cycle batteries as they tend to not get proper charging from alternator and are really designed for things like scooters and motorised wheel chairs. You will need to run heavy cabling from your patrol's electricals (suggest it be off the 2nd battery you intend to install in there) using a fusible link and an Anderson Plug to connect the patrol to the van.
With the vehicle, a dual battery will be a great asset if you will be running a fridge, radio etc. You only need a relatively simple solenoid system to isolate the 2nd battery.
Check the archives; there has been heaps written about this previously.
Good luck

gday biggy.
i use a delcor marine battery
not quite a deep cycle but 80 amps
we use it in our camper to run fridge.
we use it as a starter battery in the cars.
now using it at work as a jumper battery(4 months)countless recharges
and is still as strong today(takes full charge) as it was 2.5 years ago.
and being a marine battery they dont mind sitting around doing nothing.
pretty sure its a delcor m27.

Hi Biggy,

I'm going against the flow here, but reckon you should use a deep cycle battery in the van.

I run dual batteries in my Patrol (aux=severe service truck & farm) but a deep cycle 115Ahr in the van. My patrol batteries are used for all the normal stuff + winching, so there they need to be able to supply high amps in a short time. But my van battery only runs the light and fridge so a deep cycle is more appropriate here as it doesn't ever need to supply high amps quick.

But you need to have a proper charging system to fully charge the deep cycle. I have a "smart" charger for 240V charging, but only run big cables to supply from the Patrol. The Patrol will never fully charge the deep cycle, but as I am not away from 240V for extended periods the 12V is more than adequate for the times involved.

However, if you were to be away from 240V for extended periods, I suggest you use something like the Arrid twin charge. These increase the 12v from the vehicle to a proper charging voltage (~13.8V) to ensure a full charge. But these units are around $200 and IMHO I would invest in a proper 240V smart charger before a Arrid unit (like I have :)

One other thing, how is your van wired? Mine is such that all lighting is 12V and I need a battery just to turn lights on and run the fridge (compressor - not gas). If yours is 240V lighting and a gas fridge, do you need a 12V battery? If all you need 12V for is to power the gas fridge while driving, then big cables from the vehicle may be cheaper option (should have a dual battery system regardless IMHO).

Cheers

Captain

We run a deep cycle in the Jayco as well. Your Jayco is wired, as you know, so the battery is trickle charged whenever you are on 240v.

You can also run an anderson plug from the car - we don't. We have a dual system in the car and the deep cycle which is charged a van parks or at home.

I am told that if you maximise use of bush camping you get a better experience whist saving considerable funds on your way around the block.

We tried bush camping without the van battery for a while - but ended up adding the battery. Havng to keep the car attached for lights (and stove/HWS ignition) when camping is a pain. If staying a few days and moving aound you have to re-connect every time you come back to the van. (only leave van when others we have met and sussed out are around)

Grant

Hi Biggy,

Would go for a battery in the van and a good automatic or three stage charger for the battery.

As you will be on 240 volt most of the time, you can charge you van battery easily to cater for the few times you do not stay in a park.

There are some nice places to stay that are not in van parks and still have some ammenities and you will certaunly want to try those. That is where you will need your 12 volt system.

Alternarively you can go for a solar panel to replace the small amt of battery power you will be using. A good solar panel, say 40 watt panel, will be more trhan enough to top up your battery if all you are using is lights and the fridge is on gas.

IF YOUR FRIDGE IS NOT GAS, that's a different ball game altogether and a look at the forum archives will provide heaps of advice on that subject. (Caps to emphasise, not shout)

Have fun and enjoy the trip and the planning for it

Cheers

Magnus