CTEK Battery Charger Install

kiteman wrote:

You might want to go for the MXS5 or 7 as they will provide more power than the 0.8 that I went for

Thanks all. I've ordered the MXS5. I'll let you know how I get on.

I've got the 3.8 which doesn't have the Recondition mode , The MXS 5 I'm sure will suit your needs HH.
Good piece of kit , glad we invested in one of these.

Eddie's been at Brand Autos for a couple of days having a pre Kaper tune up. Whilst there I asked Paul to install the CTEK charger unit. It is now permanently wired to the leisure battery and connected to a mains socket inside the van. The control unit is attached to the back of the wardrobe. You'll notice in the second picture that there is an orange connection which means that an extension wire can be attached to charge the starter battery.

Looks good. Would it have been possible to wire it straight to the EHU point, freeing up a mains socket?

This wouldn't have been easy as my EHU is situated underneath the van. I was advised that this was a good place to put it although in hindsight I would have preferred it in the engine bay like everyone else.

Next up on my list of things to install in Bella is one of these CTEK battery chargers.

As I understand it the hookup charges the leisure battery initially, but Bella has a smart split charger relay that will top up the starter battery too?

Just checking that I should connect as Kiteman has above - i.e. between the starter battery and the hookup socket?

My CTEK was installed to keep the starter battery charged, I didn't have a charging system on my hookup all the charging was done from the alternator before the install. My split charger charged the main battery first then topped up the leisure battery. By fitting the CTEK the way I did worked the same way as charging everything frommthe alternator

BMac wrote:

Next up on my list of things to install in Bella is one of these CTEK battery chargers.
As I understand it the hookup charges the leisure battery initially, but Bella has a smart split charger relay that will top up the starter battery too?

Just checking that I should connect as Kiteman has above - i.e. between the starter battery and the hookup socket?

Sounds like you already have a charger in your setup along with a split charge relay, no need for another?

Thanks Tallulah, I will look at the split charge relay that is already installed. Ian from Brazilian Kampers seemed to think the CTEK would be good in addition to the split charge relay. Need to do some more investigating at my end I think.

We have a ctek that we use independently to recondition the battery (ies) occasionally. At some point I will swap it with the charger already installed but haven't got round to that yet.

Need to sort one of these now!

You'll probably be able to recondition your leisure battery with one of these Tim. It'll save buying a replacement.

TimV wrote:

Need to sort one of these now!

You're welcome to borrow mine as I STILL haven't got round to swapping it for the charger already in Tallulah.

Tallulah wrote:

We have a ctek that we use independently to recondition the battery (ies) occasionally. At some point I will swap it with the charger already installed but haven't got round to that yet.

We also have a stand-alone trickle charger that we use to charge first the starter battery and then the leisure battery, but I like the idea of a charger that will trickle charge both batteries (and therefore also power the fridge) while on EHU.

I'm looking for something that would also be able to work off solar power, as a future install; perhaps the set-up that Surfwagen Stan has already covers this?

Must check the stuff he sent through.

P.

Max has had one of these CTEK XS 0.8 chargers connected for the last 7 weeks. Because the leisure battery is charged via a SMARTCOM unit, by fitting the CTEK connectors to the starter battery, once that was fully charged, the leisure battery then received a maintenance charge too. Result on my return is that Max fired up instantly and the leisure battery was showing a full charge.

I'm going to install this device somewhere permanent in the near future, within the cabin.

Hi, how do I know if I have a split charge relay?

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Use the Search facility to find the topic Flat Battery
There is a lot of information about what may already be fitted in your camper and about whether charge would reach either the leisure or starter battery or both at the same time.
For Danbury's, much depends on what hook-up unit was fitted during that year of manufacture.
Our 2008 model has a Waeco 915--12TB which charges the leisure battery but also provides a trickle charge to the starter battery - ideal for occasional use to keep both batteries topped up during the winter spent off the road
osg

Thanks osg

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osg wrote:

Use the Search facility to find the topic Flat Battery
There is a lot of information about what may already be fitted in your camper and about whether charge would reach either the leisure or starter battery or both at the same time.
For Danbury's, much depends on what hook-up unit was fitted during that year of manufacture.
Our 2008 model has a Waeco 915--12TB which charges the leisure battery but also provides a trickle charge to the starter battery - ideal for occasional use to keep both batteries topped up during the winter spent off the road
osg

Thanks OSG - I have the same one but for some reason the starter battery was never connected. It's just a case of running the line to the starter battery and wiring to the correct terminals, right?

fat_pastor wrote:

osg wrote:

Use the Search facility to find the topic Flat Battery
There is a lot of information about what may already be fitted in your camper and about whether charge would reach either the leisure or starter battery or both at the same time.
For Danbury's, much depends on what hook-up unit was fitted during that year of manufacture.
Our 2008 model has a Waeco 915--12TB which charges the leisure battery but also provides a trickle charge to the starter battery - ideal for occasional use to keep both batteries topped up during the winter spent off the road
osg

Thanks OSG - I have the same one but for some reason the starter battery was never connected. It's just a case of running the line to the starter battery and wiring to the correct terminals, right?  

I've got this charger in Tango too - similarly without the starter battery being connected. Seems reasonable to assume that if you run a wire to the correct terminal, it ought to do the job.

Ok guys - if you hear a bang from West Sussex....

fat_pastor wrote:

Ok guys -  if you hear a bang from West Sussex....

I'd stick a fuse on the circuit for good measure.

Tim, I was about to get a CTEK charger like the one that you recommended, but if I get this line in to the starter right, I shouldn't need one should I? I'm trying to avoid having two cables to plug in the house! Sorry to have so many questions, I am on a steep learning curve!

Agreed. If the 2nd output of the Waeco successfully charges the starter battery then you won't need the CTEK. My first BraziBay doesn't have a Waeco unit, hence my plan to install the CTEK on a permanent basis. Which I have yet had time to do!!

No issues about asking questions. Helps us all learn.