Have finished the dual battery set up on my Triton (with a bit of mucking around). See what you reckon.

All controlled by a smart start relay under the bonnet. Cuts in at 13.7v and cuts out at 12.8v.


I think they can be fitted under the bonnet by relocating a lot of stuff, but I went for what I thought was the easy way out and mounted on top of the tow bar in a purpose built battery holder. Battery is a 100Ahr Ritar AGM deep cycle (fridge only, not for cranking).


The smart start relay controls three other relays mounted in the rear as well. One 100amp for charging the second battery, one 30amp for the smart charger in the van to charge the house battery, and one 30amp for running the van fridge while travelling. A 20amp self resetting circuit breaker straight from the dual battery supplies the engel socket in the tray.
With spare tyre out.


The solar panel mounted neatly on the canopy racks with a little persuasion.


Tucked in the side of the tray are the solar charge controller, temp gauge, and engel socket.





I also mentioned the temp gauge. I took a hint from Skip and was able to find a wireless remote temp gauge (cost only $30, pretty good I thought considering you pay $25 for a standard digital temp gauge) which gives a readout in the drivers cab to monitor fridge temp while travelling. The beauty of it is, the transmitter being wireless and in a detachable holder I can put it in the van when I want to monitor the fridge in there.


Robbo

OzJeeper wrote on Jul 17^th, 2010 at 7:38pm:



Oh yeah! what about in the event of an accident and gas line is charged, a small crack in the line, some static electricity & goodnight the fox. The gas shutoff at the unit will do nothing to save you then.

All it takes is offroad a stone is deflected onto the gas line & if it fractures all it takes is for the stone to spark when it hits, again boomski.

Robbo , never travel with anything running on gas when your in motion, in fact all the manuals  say to turn the cylinders off at the tap before travelling. Including your insurance company.

Do a bit of googling  on the subject and you'll read it all there
http://www.caravanningnews.com/banka.htm
http://www.nswfb.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=322 ;  (read item No 1 why do you think it's No1 ?)

Also there has been cases where drivers with vans on have been pulled over by police & booked for having the cylinders turned on.

As for your 12v battery job, well done mate. A novel place to mount your electronic units, I've never seen that before. The only thing I reckon you should consider is the solenoid, it will be your weak link under there Robbo.

Will the place you bought it from allow you to exchange it for a plastic coated waterproof job. If not give it a good spray with some Quiksilver Corrosion Guard. They have a habit of playing up if exposed to direct moisture.


Regards Skip

skiproosel wrote on Jul 24^th, 2010 at 2:54pm:


You should be able to arrange one of these for me from your shop for cost less 10% couldn't you Skip?  
Think I might knock up a splash guard of sorts, but it is all pretty well tucked snugly up under the tray.

Robbo

Robbo wrote on Jul 24^th, 2010 at 7:44pm:

PM me your address Robbo & consider it done.

Robbo wrote on Jul 24^th, 2010 at 7:01pm:

Robbo your start battery should be completely isolated and your accessories should only draw from the auxiliary battery. With the unit you have I believe that would be the case anyway. A digital voltmeter from Jaycar is a great way to monitor battery usage when the vehicle is not started for a few days. It's around $40.00

Regards Skip

OK Skip - my bad.  I just wouldn't trust 4 batteries to keep the Chescold running and stay anywhere charged hence the LPG idea.
But an Engel.....