Do I need one?

[Pedro_The_Swift]

an SC80 that is,,

I will have two storage batteries in the camper,
with just the starting battery in the D2,,

as far as I can work out,,, the sc80 will only be of benefit if I leave the car attached(?).

This might happen if just staying overnight,,, but thats not what the camper was bought for.

any thoughts?

[incisor]

depends how you use them i would think.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

they're just storage batteries,,
lights, fridge etc

[jik22]

Depends what you're after doing, and how you plan to charge the batteries in the trailer.

You only need a DBC in the LR if you intend to charge the trailer batteries from it, which will only happen while driving.

Unless you have a need to run the two trailer batteries independantly, or have a second battery in the LR as well, then you'd only need an SC40 anyway.

I don't bother, as the battery in the trailer is charged before I leave home, doesn't run anythign while travelling (Fridge is in the back of the LR) and isn't attached to the LR when parked, so it would be of no benefit.

I do have DBC's in both LR's though (An SC40 and an SC80) as they both have dual battery setups.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Depends what you're after doing, and how you plan to charge the batteries in the trailer.

You only need a DBC in the LR if you intend to charge the trailer batteries from it, which will only happen while driving.

Unless you have a need to run the two trailer batteries independantly, or have a second battery in the LR as well, then you'd only need an SC40 anyway.

I don't bother, as the battery in the trailer is charged before I leave home, doesn't run anythign while travelling (Fridge is in the back of the LR) and isn't attached to the LR when parked, so it would be of no benefit.

I do have DBC's in both LR's though (An SC40 and an SC80) as they both have dual battery setups.


yes they will be charged before leaving home and not used untill camped,
yes they will be charged while driving,

[jik22]

yes they will be charged before leaving home and not used untill camped,
yes they will be charged while driving,

Well, if you want to charge them while driving, I'd recommend you use a DBC and not just hook them up to the alternator output or tow socket, as the DBC will isolate your starting battery from the ones in the trailer.

However, if nothing is going to be drawing a load from them when you're driving, I'm not sure I'd worry about doing this if your usual routine is a few hours driving to get somewhere, then using them for the duration of your stay and recharging them onsite or when you get home.

If you were doing multiple short stops on one trip though, and needed to recharge them while driving to the next one as you had no onsite means of recharging, then that's different again! :)

I have them charged before leaving, have now got some solar panels to recharge them and run the load when onsite, and a genny as backup for crap weather or if I really need to pull a heavy load off them.

[LandyAndy]

Hi Pedro
I would fit a dual battery controler.
I also intend running 2 batteries in the trailer with no second battery in the Disco.
I also intend when I get a car fridge to get a portable battery and run it via the controler.The battery would only need to be in the vehicle when the fridge was.
Look at a marine battery switch to link your trailer batteries,they arent too dear.You just turn a dial to get either or both or no batteries.
Andrew

[awabbit6]

Yo could probably get away without a battery controller provided you disconnect the trailer when starting your car.

To save yourself the trouble though, I would fit one.

I have a dual battery setup in my Disco with a battery controller. The anderson plug at the back of the car is attached to the aux battery (via a 50A fuse). That way the trailer and aux battery are isolated when parked and while starting.