Auxillary Battery Switch

[Koala]

I have a refrigerator in my van and have always been concerned about running the car battery flat when the engine is not running. After asking a lot of questions I purchased a little majic gizmo called a Redarc switch and took about 1.5 hours to install it in my car. According to the instructions this little device will send power from the car to the van when the car battery reaches 13.6 volts and will automatically disconnect at 12.7 volts which will stop the fridge from running the battery flat. Alternatively you can connect direct to a second battery in your van so that the car will charge this second battery for you as you drive (run your fridge off this second battery). If this thingo does all as advertised then it is truly a great little device - and easy to install. The switch, heavy wiring, fuse and connectors about $250.

Ken

[Geoff & Jude]

hi koala400au

we have a 12v battery in the van which we charge from the car alternator when the van is connected to the car.
to stop draining the car battery when parked etc, i have installed a 12v relay between the car battery and the van which is operated by accessories power, so when the ignition is off, the power to the van is isolated from the car battery.
it works a treat and besides the cost of wiring, 20 amp fuse and time to wire up, the relay cost about $3.
we also have a van battery monitor that trickle feeds the van battery when connected to 240v, this cost about $65.

geoff 'n jude