Can Leisure battery top up engine battery? if so how please?

[Zentex]

Hi the Solar panel on my roof is keeping my 2 leisure batteries topped up nicely- however my engine battery keeps draining flat.
Is there a way of simply connecting the leisure batteries to the engine battery when it is not being used?

 

[AdrianChen]

Vanbitz Battery Master or similar will do the job, dead easy 3wire connection

Similar devices from Ablemail AMT12, CBE csb-2, Votronic standby charger.

 

[poppycamper]

Plus 1 for battery master.... or you could fit a solar charger that will also trickle charge starter battery as well as main charge to liesure battery.
I.e. Votronic duo MPPT

 

[GeoffnDee]

If you decide on a Vanbitz battery master to do what you are looking for , you will find one you can purchase in the classified section/Motorhome fun shop,

 

[andyjc]

If you decide on a Vanbitz battery master to do what you are looking for , you will find one you can purchase in the classified section/Motorhome fun shop,

https://www.motorhomefun.co.uk/forum/classifieds/categories/motorhomefun-shop.7/

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[tonka]

I recently had the same question.
Opted for the CBE after chatting to a few other funsters who had them and were happy with operation.
The battery master was also highly recommended..

Been out today to check my van after all the cold weather and engine battery is showing full charge..

Pardon our interruption...

 

[oldiesontour]

If you may(or already have lithium hab power and therefore want to store your lithium's at 50%tthis needs to be taken into account,I achieved this with a changeover switch

 

[Zentex]

If you may(or already have lithium hab power and therefore want to store your lithium's at 50%tthis needs to be taken into account,I achieved this with a changeover switch

I havent upgraded to lithium yet but thanks for the tip

 

[the2ofus]

I've had an AA battery maintainer on my engine battery for about 7 years and it's always fully charged. Easily connected and only about £30.00
from Amazon. Highly recommended.

 

[Zentex]

I've had an AA battery maintainer on my engine battery for about 7 years and it's always fully charged. Easily connected and only about £30.00
from Amazon. Highly recommended.

I was just trying to avoid cables going back into the house and make some use of the solar panel when I am not using it but thanks for the suggestion

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[Zentex]

Vanbitz Battery Master or similar will do the job, dead easy 3wire connection

Similar devices from Ablemail AMT12, CBE csb-2, Votronic standby charger.

I have just found this worrying information on a Govt Website ;
Product: CBE CSB2 / CSB2-LT Battery Chargers

Hazard: The product poses a risk of fire as the device can be damaged by voltage peaks in the vehicle environment and overheats. This presents a serious fire hazard for people driving the motor-home or people inside/outside the motor-home due to fire or smoke inhalation.

Corrective action: The product has been recalled from end users. (See below for more information)

 

[tonka]

I have just found this worrying information on a Govt Website ;
Product: CBE CSB2 / CSB2-LT Battery Chargers

Hazard: The product poses a risk of fire as the device can be damaged by voltage peaks in the vehicle environment and overheats. This presents a serious fire hazard for people driving the motor-home or people inside/outside the motor-home due to fire or smoke inhalation.

Corrective action: The product has been recalled from end users. (See below for more information)

That was some time ago and i think the affected serial numbers are listed:

Batch No

From 05-21-xxxxxxxx.xxx to 02-22-xxxxxxxx.xxx (marked on the device)

Took delivery of mine a few weeks ago and it was the CBE CBS3.....

 

[Zentex]

That was some time ago and i think the affected serial numbers are listed:

Batch No

From 05-21-xxxxxxxx.xxx to 02-22-xxxxxxxx.xxx (marked on the device)

Took delivery of mine a few weeks ago and it was the CBE CBS3.....

good news- did yours have the 2 fuses built in?

 

[AdrianChen]

I have just found this worrying information on a Govt Website ;
Product: CBE CSB2 / CSB2-LT Battery Chargers

Hazard: The product poses a risk of fire as the device can be damaged by voltage peaks in the vehicle environment and overheats. This presents a serious fire hazard for people driving the motor-home or people inside/outside the motor-home due to fire or smoke inhalation.

Corrective action: The product has been recalled from end users. (See below for more information)

Yes mine bought in late 2022 was a later corrected batch - the dealer had separated all the stock and showed me the ones that were being sent back. I had forgotten about that - Good to see from tonka that they have changed to CSB-3, which should end the confusion. Still, always worth buying from a decent source.

We actually changed ours for an Ablemail because I liked some of its functionality, and I can to a limited extent control it remotely.

 

[nicholsong]

I have never really understood these questions about any charging system which does not charge both Habitation and Engine battery.

Even our charger fitted to our 2003 N&B Arto charges both sets of batteries and the controller fitted with our solar panel has the ability to do so, without buying any separate unit.

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[AdrianChen]

I have never really understood these questions about any charging system which does not charge both Habitation and Engine battery.

Even our charger fitted to our 2003 N&B Arto charges both sets of batteries and the controller fitted with our solar panel has the ability to do so, without buying any separate unit.

Me too! The Carthago stuff will only do it when the leisure battery is charging/above 13.5v, and the panel is switched on - can't understand why someone decided the panel needed to be on.