Update on Maplins splitter and battery charge

[Guest]

A while ago I posted that I had finally sorted the Maplins charge splitter and two battery bank.

After field use and checks ........ I can say that it performed well and batterys were maintained well.

The combination of Maplins Splitter, "normal" car charger and mains timer proved effective.

There was no need to consider the Batt 1-both-2-off switch other than which battery to use at time. In fact I didn't change it other than "both" when engine on. Batts stayed well charged and both capable of either domestic or engine start.

I am very pleased that an economic and effective solution has been found without resorting to expensive "marine" / boost remedies.

The only thing I think could be an improvment would be to uprate the splitter to be capable of taking alternator charge rates .... then it would be even better.

 

[gandy]

Did you find out whether it's a diode, or relay, based device? When charging, is there a voltage drop across the device?

If there's no voltage drop, I reckon you could use it to energise external relays to increase the current capacity.

Its only academic interest just now for me, since I don't have shore power, but it might make sense if I fitted a solar panel for example.

 

[Guest]

Haven't found out whether diode or relay ... its a very small solid box affair about 2" long and 1" wide, 1" deep .....

Charge voltage seems to be ok so no apparent voltage drop...... or at least its only a small drop as batts show healthy levels.

As for solar .... Maplins do a special item for that - so this unit is actually not necessary. The unit they do for solar is a regulator / switch unit that cuts out / in as required.

 

[VicS]

From the description of the unit it can only be a diode splitter. It charges both batteries simultaneously, which a VSR does not do, and it is suitable for all batteries fron 6v to 24v, which a VSR will not be.

description here

Glad it does what you wanted Nigel. Simple, inexpensive and with hindsight pretty obvious!


EDIT: On second thoughts it must be more complex than just a diode splitter as that would not require a connection to the supply -ve. A simple diode splitter made from 2 suitably rated diodes would do what Nigel wanted though.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

[ QUOTE ]

description here
<span style="color:blue">
EDIT: On second thoughts it must be more complex than just a diode splitter as that would not require a connection to the supply -ve. A simple diode splitter made from 2 suitably rated diodes would do what Nigel wanted though. </span>

[/ QUOTE ]

Very true, but then why are there only +ve ouputs and no -ve? (At least from what I can see in the picture)
Could it be that the earth connection is there just for the enclosure ( why? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif ), or is that just a moulding?

 

[rogerthebodger]

Nigel / Vic

A 2 simple checks to determin is diode or relay would be

1) measure voltage between plus + and output 1 and then plus + and output 2.

If the voltage is between 0.3 and 0.7 to 1 volt and if the + to 1 and + to 2 voltage are the same then it is diode if not could be relay.

If you think it a relay disconnect the earth and it should stop working

Also have a look at the supplier web site they do lots of modules that could be useful to us yachtee's

 

[Guest]

I don't have the connection diagram in front of me but as I remember it is :

-ve from charger connects to -ve on splitter which also connects to batts -ve (both).
There is then a +ve lead for each battery.

As to whether it earths the casing or what ????????

 

[Guest]

Checking which ?

To be honest - it works ... so for me it becomes unnecessary technical point.

I agree having looked through the suppliers web-site there are quite a few projects / modules that are interesting .... but you have to buy from a retail outlet - not direct I think. They are trade suppliers only.

 

[rogerthebodger]

Re: Checking which ?

Thats OK I was following on from Vic's comments and I am looking for an item like this for myself. Also being technical and mech and electrical like to know how things work and not being in UK or close cannot check directly

PS I was thinking the Electronic dog barking module with a tilt switch may be a cheep security device for a small yacht

 

[Guest]

Re: Checking which ?

Shed Alarm


This would be better bet ... having bought one - I can confirm - you do not want to be inside boat when it goes off ...

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Re: Checking which ?

[ QUOTE ]
<span style="color:blue">

PS I was thinking the Electronic dog barking module with a tilt switch may be a cheep security device for a small yacht </span>

[/ QUOTE ]

....until some kind soul reports you to the SPCA for leaving a poor little mutt alone on a boat while you are boozing ashore!!! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[rogerthebodger]

Re: Checking which ?

Yes but with the tilt switch as soon as some one steps onto the boat it will tilt and set the alarm off and hope they won't proceed to enter the cabin. A hidden switch to allow you to switch it off before you enter