Charging of camper trailer batteries

Hi Cobes,
the first thing I must point out is don't be fooled by cable sizes as cable size standards are in a bit of a mess and you don't always get what you ask for.
I nstalled a system to my caravan (I have a Trojan DCB mounted on my drawbar) Upon advise I was told that I needed 8mm auto cable to do the job. This size is completely inadequate for the service. I have now ordered some 4ASG cable from Altronics which will be installed during the week. This is rather heavy cable that is 10mm outside diameter (the plastic) but has a 18.8mm2 core which amounts to almost 6mm diameter and of cause will have to go through an Anderson type plug. This cable will run straight from the main battery via a soliniod. I have been advised by my local auto electrician that as long as you have sufficient size cabling that the fancy gissmos sold for battery control are a wast of money and not neccessary. Think of me wiring up this week
Ray Bates

Cobes,

I looked into using a PL20 recently for a similar application, but decided against it - only cause i couldn't justify the cost & complexity. I also didn't like the idea of having high current "Live" wires running through the vehicle. Instead i have bought a great (& cheap iePL20 caravan setup with solar

I believe it is neither elegant nor efficient to run an inverter to run a charger to charge the batteries.

There are numerous posts here & also on the overlander forums discussing how to wire in 3rd batteries & also batteries in trailers. use the search options on each site & you will find heaps of info - beware there is a lot of confusion re wire size. Read Colin Rivers excellent books, posts & web site for clear info on 12v electrics.

Also have a look at alternative power sites like rainbow power company & marine shops such as whitworths. They are also a mine of good info / products.

FYI, I bought Anderson Plugs cheaply online from FARNELL
Part no's
397-4017 red
397-4029 grey
both of which are $6.98 + GST per connector including terminals.
Order two of either part no to get a pair for about $16

Cobes,

In my haste to send my response I stuffed up some HTML coding of a link which meant that the first bit of my reply doesn't make much sense. Sorry for that.

Have a look at this site for something similar using a PL20

The charger I bought is a 7.2A switchmode charger made by "MeanWell", model PB120p-13c from Computronics in WA. It doesn't do an equalisation charge, but does have a "soft start" for flat batteries as well as 13.8v float & 14.4 v boost.

Also find out the specs / info on your batteries from the manufacturer or distributor so you can program the PL20 accordingly. The PL20 manual can be found here, while the technical manual, is here.

Cheers

Crozdog