blueh20 wrote:
littlebill,
"when the voltage drops under 13v the banks disconnect, in this case using the override switch will allow the relay to connect the banks and start the motor",
I think I am starting to get the picture,
So if the starter battery is under 13v,(lets say I left the lights on), the charging relay will disconnect the house/starter battery from each other so as to not drain the house battery ?correct?
Then, unbeknownst to me when I try to start the van the battery is dead" but also disconnected from the house battery by the relay" because the start batt went under 13v? correct?
Then i go into the back of my van and do the override switch, let the batteries co mingle for 15 minutes or so, then turn the overide switch back OFF and start the van OR leave the override switch ON?
thanks
most of this is correct if you don't factor another charge source like solar, most people leave solar connected 24/7 so if the loads are low enough on the house battery to get it over 13v then it will connect the starter battery, if the solar is powerful enough it may even be able to keep up with the headlights and still charge the starter battery.
this all needs to be tested,
the override technique is correct, 15 minutes should get you enough power, if it doesn't , wait another 15 minutes after overriding and keep the switch in place, if you blow the fuses, you blow the fuses, i don't expect it to happen, but if this is something that commonly becomes a issue, you can replace the fuses with a circuit breaker.
to be honest that kind of load is only going to give you a couple attempts before the house battery is depleted as well..
