Moving AFT to Leisure Battery

[apole]

Hi guys,

I've moved several things over to the leisure battery this year. I am still wondering if it's an idea to move the electric roof over. I have a zig unit that charges the LB when it's on hook up, it doesn't charge the car battery.

My thoughts are that if I moved it over I could raise and lower the roof (don't leave the roof up when I go out for the day and leave bongo at campsite) without having to start the engine.

Against that I'm wondering when I don't have hook up and start the engine, will the split charge relay give it enough power to replace the current drawn using the roof? I sometimes camp without hook up for several days without using the car. I was thinking about getting a small suitcase genny for these times so I can keep the battery topped up.

Any thoughts?

Andy

[daveblueozzie]

I doubt very much that the LB battery would last long raising the roof, have you ever tried to raise the roof without the engine running, it struggles, and must take a lot of power from the battery to do this. not recommended, its a small inconvenience to start the engine to raise and lower.

[missfixit70]

What he said, bad idea I reckon. Lowering it, isn't too bad as gravity does a lot of the work, but it really does take some beans out of the battery & needs the extra push of the alternator piling some electrickery in to lock it out.
I suppose there's nothing stopping you trying it though, if you set it up so you can just stick it back on main battery if you need, but your zig won't be chucking the same amount of beans into your LB as the alternator, it's a trickle charge.
I guess it's going to shorten the life of your LB though.

[apole]

Hi,

Thanks for the replies, I was thinking it takes a lot, just looking at the fuse ratings. Just thought that when it was on hook up the trickle charge would replace it in an hour or so (it would be on hook up all the time in those cases) and when not on hook up I was hoping the split charge relay may put enough over to compensate.

Not sure it's worth risking the battery for though, maybe I'll check the rating of the charge relay.

Thanks again.

[missfixit70]

I suppose it may cause issues with the zig if it's drawing too much current as well I suppose, duno, don't know much about them

[dvisor]

Glad this was posted. I've been raising and lowering the roof without running the engine It's been struggling to open fully - this could well be the problem. I'll get out and try it when it's a bit drier and less windy! Feel such an idiot!

[missfixit70]

Make sure you leave the engine running for a while to charge the battery up again after starting the engine AND raising lowering the roof. Speaking of which, must air mine when we get a dry day, don't think it's been opened for over a month Not sure if it went away properly dry either

[mobilecat]

Make sure you leave the engine running for a while to charge the battery up again after starting the engine AND raising lowering the roof. Speaking of which, must air mine when we get a dry day, don't think it's been opened for over a month Not sure if it went away properly dry either

Mine went away soaking at Silverdale and wasnt opened for about 6 weeks - its exactly the same as when it went away

[mikeonb4c]

Interesting thread. I've been considering starting one about whether to get a starter battery for my LB in preference to an LB. Before I get shouted down, I understand the different properties of the two, but I'm increasingly suspicous that an LB does not like having a current of any magnitude drawn from it. Also, if I have a voltmeter and / or low voltage protector, I should be able to protect against the starter batteries Achilles Heel i.e. being run completely flat.

My specific reason is that I have a 12v electric blanket and a home made thermostat cut out and low voltage protector. On test with a starter battery the concept worked beautifully and I got 2 nights out of a 75AmpHr starter battery. Went to use it with my LB and from the first moment, the low voltage cutout cut in, if you get me. So I think the current drain was causing voltage drop on the LB even though it was a 100AmpHr one.

It follows that I reckon an LB would be highly unsuitable for raising an electric roof as its not intended for high current drains where a starter battery is.

[bigdaddycain]

but your zig won't be chucking the same amount of beans into your LB as the alternator, it's a trickle charge.

I have a happy content battery... Well, it seemed full of beans when i last checked it...

(already getting my coat as we speak....)

[daveblueozzie]

but your zig won't be chucking the same amount of beans into your LB as the alternator, it's a trickle charge.

I have a happy content battery... Well, it seemed full of beans when i last checked it...

(already getting my coat as we speak....)

well it certainly smells of something as you drive past

[dvisor]

Glad this was posted. I've been raising and lowering the roof without running the engine It's been struggling to open fully - this could well be the problem. I'll get out and try it when it's a bit drier and less windy! Feel such an idiot!

Nope - Tried it with engine running, but still doesn't open that last little bit. Looks like I'll have to take it in and get it looked at anyway

[missfixit70]

Does it go if you give it a push for the last bit? have you lubricated all the moving bits/rams etc? white grease in an aerosol does the trick. Is there anything jamming the mechanism?

[dvisor]

Does it go if you give it a push for the last bit? have you lubricated all the moving bits/rams etc? white grease in an aerosol does the trick. Is there anything jamming the mechanism?

Hi - Tried giving it a push, but no joy . A new problem surfaced today - I was unable to unlock the sliding door from inside (not the child lock, I've already checked that), so its got to go back to the dealer anyway. I'll get him to look at both problems at the same time.