Hilux 4x4 Forum

Could someone or all of you help me with how does dual battery systems works for camping trailers, what is the best way of doing it and how did it help you with the electricity towards your trailer?

I just bought a camping trailer and would like to install the system but could do with some help about it.

Thank you all.

Hello Heyn

PLEASE note that this is a journey that will unfold over many camping seasons .....

With that in mind, a bit of reading material :

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=35752&p=427071&hil ... RY#p427071" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

viewtopic.php?f=41&t=37810&p=449858&hil ... RY#p449858" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ChrisF wrote:Hello Heyn

PLEASE note that this is a journey that will unfold over many camping seasons .....

With that in mind, a bit of reading material :

viewtopic.php?f=14&t=35752&p=427071&hil ... RY#p427071" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

viewtopic.php?f=41&t=37810&p=449858&hil ... RY#p449858" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thanks Chris

Plesier.


Hoping this may save you a few cents on school fees along this journey

Ja luister maar vir Chris op die skool gelde, ek en baie ander het skool gelde betaal op die onderwerp.

In n trailer is the hcdp mk 4 box seker die gewildste. Ek het 2 van hulle. Maar die kabel van die voertuig na die trailer moet tenmiste 10 sq m wees anders is die volt drop te groot en die box word nooit geticker om te laai as die voertuig loop. Jy kan die box bestel soos jy dit wil he, met inverter of sonder etc. Dit kan ook 180 watt solar panels hanteer.

Maar daar is ander opsies ook, as jy weet hoe en wat, maar vir n alles in een is die Mk 4 seker die maklikste een.

Johan Kriel wrote:tenmiste 10 sq m

Seker mm^2...

Having bought a Conqueror Courage not too long ago with the power pack etc I've come to the conclusion that the extra R6k was a waste of money. I added a Cteck D250S to be able to handle solar panels and charge from the vhicle whilst driving(also waay overpriced)..so jaaa, one can do it for much cheaper.

If I had to do it again I would either get the HCDP box that can charge the battery & handle 2x 100W solar panels, or just go with a D250S and a 12V power supply.

One could do the Cteck D250S with the Ctek smartpass but that will set you back almost R9k anyway.

So my setup currently:

Conqueror Terradrive II with Meanwell 3 step battery charger,a few bells and 105Ah battery. Also have 220V coming in through the caravan type socket.
Ctek added in front

So basically in the SFA I have the NL dual battery system, running with 50 sq mm cable to the back where I have a 2nd battery, 105Ah. From this battery I run 16 mm sq cable to the Ctek in the trailer. This setup should prevent the Ctek from having issues with the NL solenoid and the 2 additional batteries are seperated(still to test)

Then I have a BH connector on the trailer for Solar hook up.


Everything in the trailer I kept 12V; I will at a later stage wire in an additional 220V socket on the kitchen side, only to use the electric kettle when there is 220V available.

Okayyyy, I will take the bait

I LOVE my Ctek 250S !

But I am immensly impressed with the HCDP Mk4 panel we installed in Ranger - which is now loaded for a trip this weekend


Benefits of :

- Ctek 250 S -
* very easy installation.
* small and compact
* can handle dust, but only slightly splash proof

- HCDP Mk4
* appears to be a more complex installation than the Ctek, but since in includes the complete distribution system the total installation is much easier
* bulky item to install, but with the Ctek you will need a distribution box, switches, 220V charger, etc which ends up taking a lot of space, BUT some of these items could be housed in dead pockets in your rig ...
* only the one 25A fuse, so one fault could knock out everything else ....
* love the built in V and A meters
* does NOT like dust !!!!
* not at all splash proof !!


Negatives :
- Ctek 250 S -
* the temperature probe is certainly THEE most two edged sword ! Yes it protects the battery. BUT in very hot climates it has left people stranded with flat batteries .... certainly the weak point of this item.
* It is a brilliant dual charger, but does not include a 220V charger ...
* some would say the lack of a built in inverter is a negative. To me not a deal breaker ... guess some would feel the same about the 220V charger ...
* going this route means a LOT of extra work for the distribution of power in the vehicle !! This item alone makes up for the small price difference between the two items.

- HCDP Mk4 -
* due to its circulation fan it really should be protected from excessive dust. Depending on the rig this may be a problem ...
* personally I dont like the single fuse .... along the same lines, one fault could leave your complete power system dead in the water. With the 250S one could still hot wire a system that can work for the rest of your holiday - IF you have a basic understanding of electricity and some tools handy ...



All said and done - If I had to rigg out a new setup for myself now - HCDP Mk4 without a doubt !!

Well,

Thank you guys, now I can go in and tell them want I want and why. HEHEHEHE

This blog is helpful and will learn a lot more here it seams.

I can agree with that Chris

If I had known better at the time, I would have done my own thing as far as the power pack goes, but knowing myself I probably would not have had a finished system to date
I would definitely like an Amp meter or kWh in the setup

I personally also do not see the need for an inverter, everything in the trailer is 12V, except for the battery charger, hence I've added Solar for bush camping to replace some of the energy used. And having the Ctek and a built in charger in the power pack is a bit of an overkill, but on the other hand it provides some redundancy.

Ideally I would like something that auto selects between 3 inputs, the 220V charger, solar & vehicle alternator. But then again, where there is 220V I more than likely would not bother hooking up the solar panel anyway...

Heyn wrote:Well,

Thank you guys, now I can go in and tell them want I want and why. HEHEHEHE

This blog is helpful and will learn a lot more here it seams.

What did you buy?

Hi Stef,

Nee ek soek nog, het `n kwotasie gekry vir R11 000-00 maar dit is ver bo my vuur maak plek vir nou.

Het jy dalk enige idees of plekke wat my kan help vir minder.

Is hier nie iemand op die blog wat `n besigheid in Johannesburg of Pretoria het wat dit doen nie.

My trailer is nog daar bo en kan hom eers einde Maart Goerge toe vat waar ek die kwotasie gekry het?

Nee ek bedoel wat se trailer....
Wat is reeds daar in of is daar niks in sover nie? R11k klink amper soos 'n kompleet sisteem.

Hi Stef,

Ek het `n Challenger Bundu Basher gekry met `n kompleet tent.

Daar is geen battery sisteem in op die oomblik nie, so ek moet iets begin doen om dit in te kry.

Ek soek net `n standaard sisteem vir nou, net om vir 2 keer se kamp in die bos en dan daarna sal ek opgradeer na die kompleet sisteem.

So jou onmiddelike behoeftes is 'n battery, paar LED's en 'n plug vir die yskas; moontlik iets om van jou hilux af te charge as jy ry? Dis nie te moeilik nie.

Wat is jou langtermyn doel, wat is jou "kompleet" sisteem?

Hi Stef,

Ja, defnitief die volle sisteem, ek kan dit oor 4 maande doen, maar vir nou net die begin om maklik meer te begin. Ek het die batterye ook, ek het 2x 105mah wat ek nou vervang het by my huis met nuwes. So ek soek net die sisteem in die trailer, die kabel tussen die bakkie en die trailer en miskien `n son paneel om die battery vol te hou terwyl ek in die bos is.

niclemaitre wrote:

Johan Kriel wrote:tenmiste 10 sq m

Seker mm^2...

Ja man sq mm

Heyn gaan jy solar hê aan die begin ?

dalk net eers n goedkoop 'n DC-DC charger vir nou ...

HCDP se 12A charger kan vir jou n paar jaar hou .... http://www.4x4direct.co.za/electrical-b ... -p-566.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
maar nou ja, dis altyd hartseer om soveel geld te spandeer wetende dat jy oor n jaar of twee nog meer gaan uithaal ....


Henk Bannik (sp?) in Johannesburg verkoop treilers en sal jou kan help met "fitters". Ongelukkig het ek nie nou sy kontak besonderhede nie. Glo van die manne hier sal dalk sy besonderhede hê

Baie dankie Henk,

Ja ek gaan vir my solar opsit om meer te begin. Ek hoop iemand hier kan my dan help met die kontak besonderhede maar sal op my eie ook maar soek.
Jammer, ek is baie dom met die goed, wat doen die DC-DC charger vir my?

ChrisF wrote:Heyn gaan jy solar hê aan die begin ?

dalk net eers n goedkoop 'n DC-DC charger vir nou ...

HCDP se 12A charger kan vir jou n paar jaar hou .... http://www.4x4direct.co.za/electrical-b ... -p-566.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
maar nou ja, dis altyd hartseer om soveel geld te spandeer wetende dat jy oor n jaar of twee nog meer gaan uithaal ....


Henk Bannik (sp?) in Johannesburg verkoop treilers en sal jou kan help met "fitters". Ongelukkig het ek nie nou sy kontak besonderhede nie. Glo van die manne hier sal dalk sy besonderhede hê

Ek dink Family-Dog sal Henk se kontak besonderhede hê ....


Vir nou - wil jy eers net van die solar laai ??? Kry dan een van die solar regulators by 4x4Direct - http://www.4x4direct.co.za/solar-power- ... p-1479.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


as jy nou al van die alternator en die solar wil laai .... dan is dit maar daai duurder 12A eenheid, or "bite the bullet" ....

voorspoed met die besluite.

Ek dink Family-Dog sal Henk se kontak besonderhede hê ....

Heyn, I have sent Henk (Metalian Trailers) a PM regarding this thread.


-F_D

Heyn, Henk sal met jou in vebinding kom, ek het jou epos adres vir hom gegee. Ongelukkig het ons nie jou selnommer nie.


-F_D

Heyn het blykbaar reggekom met 'n charger/controller...vir 'n bargain prys boonop ook nog

darem LEKKER as die span so in spring en help !!

+27 609123465

Julle sal moet Whatsupp want ek is oor see.
heyndj@gmail.com

Stef het my fantasties gehelp, so dat ek nou kans sien om dit self te doen. Maar omdat ek oor see is moet ek nou eers uit vind waar om alles te koop.

Ek kort nog,

3 Anderson Plugs
30 Meter 16mm kabel
20 Meter 6mm kabel
kabel ties, maar die wat kan vas plak aan die eenkant, aan die agter kant het hy die vas trek plek.

Ek het die volgende alreeds.

2 105mah batterye
1 110w son paneel
1 30a dc tot dc charger.

4x4Direct

as jy nie naby een is nie - http://www.4x4direct.co.za/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hi Chris,

Ja, baie dankie ek het nou sommer die fuse boksies en circuit breakers bestel. Kom die anderson plugs in male en female, of hoe?

ChrisF wrote:4x4Direct

as jy nie naby een is nie - http://www.4x4direct.co.za/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Heyn wrote:Hi Chris,

Ja, baie dankie ek het nou sommer die fuse boksies en circuit breakers bestel. Kom die anderson plugs in male en female, of hoe?

Nee almal is dieselfde...maar hulle pas net een kant toe in mekaar in so + is altyd op +

Hulle is net 'n pes om te krimp as die draad dunner as 16mmm sq is (die binneste metaal goetertjies waar die draad aan vas kom). Vou maar so paar keer dubbeld om lekker styf in te pas en krimp dan, "hexagon" krimper is die beste (die bekke is die vorm van n 6 kant)

Hi Stef,

Baie dankie. Ek het gister my pa die hele George laat vol ry en hy se dat hy nerens van die Anderson plugs kry nie. Waar kan ek van dit kry en wat kos hulle om en by. Wat dink jy ook moet die sterkte wees van die plug. 50A of 175A?

Henk,

Waar is Klerksdorp bly jy. Het daar groot geword. Het geboer net buite Klerksdorp. Het skool gegaan by President laer en Hoerskool Klerksdorp.

Family_Dog wrote:Heyn, Henk sal met jou in vebinding kom, ek het jou epos adres vir hom gegee. Ongelukkig het ons nie jou selnommer nie.


-F_D

Heyn, Henk is in JHB, ek (Eric) is in Klerkies. Bly hier in Wilkoppies maar was gebore in JHB en het in JHB skool toe gegaan toe Noah se Ark nog op die water was.

-F_D

Heyn wrote:Hi Stef,

Baie dankie. Ek het gister my pa die hele George laat vol ry en hy se dat hy nerens van die Anderson plugs kry nie. Waar kan ek van dit kry en wat kos hulle om en by. Wat dink jy ook moet die sterkte wees van die plug. 50A of 175A?

4x4direct sal hê anders kan jy 4x4 Megaworld probeer en Outdoor Warehouse ; skat enige soortgelyke winkels in George hoort seker te hê. Word ook Brad Harrison plugs genoem

Die 50A is meer as genoeg; kry 3 gryses vir towbar/ trailer en yskas en 4 rooies vir jou solar panel.