I was so disapointed, with the instalation of my batteries in the previous van, that when I ordered our new one, I deleted the requirement.
The new van has now arrived, and the battery when installed will be used to mainly power the Dometc fridge when we are rolling. My understanding is that it will draw 10 amps at 12 volts.
On the tow car, I have a piranha DBE 150S MK2, which previously on a days running, would fully charge the two 80 amp hour deep cycle batteries, in the van. As we only have three 10 watt and two 20 watt globes in the new van, and to also reduce weight, I was going to fit a single 80 amp hour battery in the new one.
I intend to run two heavy wires, from the anderson plug at the rear of the car, and take them direct to the battery. I was going to hook the fridge and lights, through fuse protection direct to the battery.
I was also going to fit a low voltage cut out at 11.6 volts, to protect the battery, if for some reason it discharges that low.
My electrical man, who is going to do the final instalation, has suggested that instead of running the fridge on 12 volts, that it would be better to purchase a inverter, which should come with low voltage protection. This would mean that the fridge during transit would run on 240 volts and at 120 amps, which should give better performance. As a large inverter would not be needed, say 400 amp, the instalation should not be that much more expensive.
He has also suggested that instead of a wet battery, that a Mat/Gel battery would be a better way to go. However I have heard that they do not like being in the same circuit as the wet battery in the car. However my instalation is in series, and maybe this comment only applies when wired in parrel.
Before I plonks down my money, does any one have any feed back.
Thanks
Col Tigwell