We had a problem with our breakaway battery losing it's charge when the van was not in use, to overcome this we came up with a simple solution using a 10 watt solar panel with its own regulator connected to a lead outside the van using a cigarette lighter socket. This keeps the battery fully charged, problem solved. We still use the 240v charger when on power. Bessie
Used to have the same problem so when I purchased a replacement battery I also bought a trickle charger just for the break away battery now I plug the van into power at home when not using the van and leave it on charge along with the house battery for 48 hours once a month just another alternative that works for us
rockylizard said
04:48 PM Jan 9, 2016
Gday...
As my Breakaway is charged from the vehicle when driving and therefore gets no charge if camped for a fair time I set up this 3-stage 12v 1.6amp Smart Charger. I got it from SuperCheap on the recommendation of an electrician.
If I have been camped for a while and have done very little driving as soon as I get to 240v I just switch this little monkey on and it returns full charge and keeps the batter topped up nicely until I next drive.
[edit: ignore the rolled up extension cord to the right - it has nothing to do with the Breakaway or its charging]
Cheers - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Saturday 9th of January 2016 04:49:56 PM
We had a problem with our breakaway battery losing it's charge when the van was not in use, to overcome this we came up with a simple solution using a 10 watt solar panel with its own regulator connected to a lead outside the van using a cigarette lighter socket. This keeps the battery fully charged, problem solved. We still use the 240v charger when on power. Bessie
Gday...
As my Breakaway is charged from the vehicle when driving and therefore gets no charge if camped for a fair time I set up this 3-stage 12v 1.6amp Smart Charger. I got it from SuperCheap on the recommendation of an electrician.
If I have been camped for a while and have done very little driving as soon as I get to 240v I just switch this little monkey on and it returns full charge and keeps the batter topped up nicely until I next drive.
[edit: ignore the rolled up extension cord to the right - it has nothing to do with the Breakaway or its charging]
Cheers - John
-- Edited by rockylizard on Saturday 9th of January 2016 04:49:56 PM
My Breakaway battery is connected to the house battery so is always charges from that which is always charged by solar or 230v when on shore power.
Cheers Neil