power management system

[khisanth]

I have a pms3v/h. Power management system fitted to my bongo.

There seems to be big gaps between me using it and the battery drops low. I have it plugged into the mains 90% of the time. But rarely turn it on to charge. Is there any reason I can't leave it permanently charging or will this kill my battery.

Or is there a better PMS I should be using.

[wonkanoby]

http://www.olearymotorhomes.co.uk/ekmps ... ctions.pdf

[khisanth]

Thanks.

I have read the instructions but it does not really mean much to me am afraid.

[wonkanoby]

if its running of mains it will charge the battery

[khisanth]

Is it ok to leave it running off the mains charging the battery for extended periods of time or will it damage the battery

[wonkanoby]

well a 14 quid charger from lidl can be left on

so i should think as that cost near 200 it should be fine

[g8dhe]

The PMS3 unit is a EHU with a 12 volt power source - it will charge the battery certainly but it is NOT designed as a long term battery charger.
If you are plugging it in a for 2-3 days at a time then that will probably be fine, provided the l/B gets used between these sessions. If you mean to leave it on charge for several weeks at a time then this is not such a good idea and you would be better using a small maintenance charger which will vary the voltage according to the battery state these are often available from Lidl's or Aldi, these are much more suitable for long term maintenance of the battery, but NOT so good for rapidly charging a battery in as short a time as possible. You can plug the charger into one of the mains sockets and then switch the PMS3 unit battery switch to OFF and connect the charger to the battery. When you do go out then disconnect the charger, and put the battery switch to VAN. Whilst out and about then using the inbuilt 12 volt supply to charge the battery is fine.

[Simon Jones]

A good quality LB in working order should not drop voltage too much of its own accord. My van often goes for a couple of months without use & both batteries hold their charge just fine, It may be that you have something left on that is draining the battery & that would be the place to start investigating. If that's not the case, then either the charging is not working correctly or the battery is past its prime.

Is it a proper leisure battery or just a standard starter unit? If the latter, they do not respond well to being allowed to discharge which results in the lead plates distorting which then shorts the cells out so you get reduced performance.

[khisanth]

Its more todo with my sb my leisure battery is connected to a solar panel. Am also cinsidering a dual battery solar regulator to make sure both batteries get a charge from the solar panels.

[briwy]

One option is to fit a Willinton kit and then wire your solar charger into the starter battery. This will keep your SB up to charge (more important than the keeping the LB charged IMO) and then when it's full the Willinton will kick in and charge the LB as well.
We had a Zig unit in our van and gave up with it after forgetting to constantly change the switches over.

[mikexgough]

Its more todo with my sb my leisure battery is connected to a solar panel. Am also cinsidering a dual battery solar regulator to make sure both batteries get a charge from the solar panels.

Just need a CBE CSB2 http://www.cbe.it/en/content/csb2.... when your LB is full from your solar panel.... the capacity is sent to your starter battery....
I have a willinton too and also a solar panel with a CSB2.... works great... in fact it was pushing free charge into my starter battery today.... LB full.... Fridge on 1/3 for iced drinks...