split chargers on motorhomes

are both batteries in parallel when engine running

 
 
 
 
 
 
Norman
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split chargers on motorhomes

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Posted: 09.08.2020  ·  #1
It would appear that split charging means that when my motorhome is being driven the leisure battery and the vehicle battery are in parallel in order that they are both being charged by the alternator.
Does this therefore mean that when I start my motorhome both batteries are drawing power from the starter motor?


JJF
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Re: split chargers on motorhomes

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Posted: 09.08.2020  ·  #2
No.
The habitation batteries only get charging current when the engine is running and the voltage becomes high enough.

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MickyMac
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Re: split chargers on motorhomes

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Posted: 09.08.2020  ·  #3
In my experience, the split charge relay requires a D+ input from the alternator to charge the leisure battery. Once the alternator is up and running, it throws the switch to charge the leisure battery too.


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Re: split chargers on motorhomes

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Posted: 10.08.2020  ·  #4
Most modern Motorhomes have a relay built into the 12V Fuse Board. When the engine is started a 12V signal cable causes this relay to energise and it parallels both the starter battery and the leisure battery. This charges both batteries while the engine is running.

A split charge relay only comes into effect when the van is either on electric hook up or has a solar panel. In either EHU or solar charging priority is given to the leisure battery. When the leisure battery is charged the split charge relay changes over to the starter battery and charges it. If the leisure battery voltage drops the split charge relay then reverts back to the leisure battery.


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Re: split chargers on motorhomes

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Posted: 10.08.2020  ·  #5
Quote by Erazmus

Most modern Motorhomes have a relay built into the 12V Fuse Board. When the engine is started a 12V signal cable causes this relay to energise and it parallels both the starter battery and the leisure battery. This charges both batteries while the engine is running.

A split charge relay only comes into effect when the van is either on electric hook up or has a solar panel. In either EHU or solar charging priority is given to the leisure battery. When the leisure battery is charged the split charge relay changes over to the starter battery and charges it. If the leisure battery voltage drops the split charge relay then reverts back to the leisure battery.


Not strictly speaking correct.
The traditional split charge relay is there to operate as stated in posts #2 and #3.
What you are describing is something which performs a function like this unit when the engine is not running and the source is either ehu or solar.


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Re: split chargers on motorhomes

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Posted: 10.08.2020  ·  #6
Quote by baguette

Quote by Erazmus

Most modern Motorhomes have a relay built into the 12V Fuse Board. When the engine is started a 12V signal cable causes this relay to energise and it parallels both the starter battery and the leisure battery. This charges both batteries while the engine is running.

A split charge relay only comes into effect when the van is either on electric hook up or has a solar panel. In either EHU or solar charging priority is given to the leisure battery. When the leisure battery is charged the split charge relay changes over to the starter battery and charges it. If the leisure battery voltage drops the split charge relay then reverts back to the leisure battery.


Not strictly speaking correct.
The traditional split charge relay is there to operate as stated in posts #2 and #3.
What you are describing is something which performs a function like this unit when the engine is not running and the source is either ehu or solar.


Thats exactly what I was describing.


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