It is important to ensure that the starter battery is isolated so the engine can always be started, but you also don't want the leisure battery to be accidentally drawn upon when starting the engine because dedicated leisure batteries are not designed for high current output over short periods of time and can be damaged.īefore we look at connecting batteries for split charging, it's worth taking some time to understand how a battery obtains charge from the charging source.ġ2V batteries typically provide a voltage output in the region of 12-13V, depending on their level of charge, and when a charging source is attempting to deliver current to a battery to re-charge it, it must actually provide a voltage higher than that output by the battery in order for charge to flow into and be accumulated within the battery.
Modern split charge systems typically have a device that connects the starter and leisure batteries only when a charging source is operating, and electrically isolates them otherwise, ensuring that the use of one battery does not draw current from the other.
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On vehicles and boats this charging source is almost always the vehicle alternator which is in turn powered by the engine, but there can also be other charging sources not related to the engine such as a mains powered charger, solar or wind powered re-charging systems and portable generators. Split charging is the term used to describe the simultaneous charging of the vehicle starter battery and the leisure battery (or batteries) from a common charging source. But once you have a second battery installed, how do you keep it charged up in the same way that the starter battery is? This is what split charging is all about and this article will give you an overview of the various technologies commonly used, as well a some pointers to consider when specifying your own system. So the common solution is to fit one or more auxiliary batteries (often referred to as leisure batteries in vehicles or house batteries on boats) that are used purely to power those items not related to the starting of the engine. If you try to power these from your engine starter battery without the engine running then before long you'll have flattened it, leaving you stranded.
These can be simple, low consumption items such as 12V sockets and LED lights through to more power hungry items such as a water pump, coolbox/fridge, navigation equipment, fan, laptop, TV or sound system. If you own a motorhome, campervan or boat then you'll almost certainly have electrically powered equipment installed that you'll want to run when your engine is off.
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