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Dual Battery Problem

For all things Electrical.

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Posts: 74
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:52 pm
Location: Darwin NT

Dual Battery Problem

Post by Moonman »

Having a slight problem with my dual battery setup. For some reason the control box that senses when
the engine is running or stopped is intermittantly not seeing the engine turn off. A small LED on the
box indicates when the battery is being charged and only turns on when the engine is started. When
the engine is then turned off the light should go out and the two batteries should no longer be joined.
For some reason the connection between the batteries is not being released and the light stays
on. If I then disconnect the earth from the chassis/body etc the light goes out and the connection is
dropped. As far as i can see there is nothing shorting, so im thinking its one of the components in
the control box that is faulty? Any ideas?

Cheers!
Moonman
Posts: 522
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2005 7:40 am
Location: Melbourne, Vic

Post by Toy80Diesel »

Is it controlled by:

a) connecting the batteries when the engine is running or

b) when the main battery has a voltage higher that say 13v? or

c) when the ignition is not in the ON position?

Mine has a voltage sensitive relay that links the batteries. It stays on after I turn off the engine because the main battery still has high enough voltage. When it gets down a little the unit disconnects the two batteries.
Shut Up, Get Out, & Start Digging...
Posts: 74
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:52 pm
Location: Darwin NT

Post by Moonman »

Hmmm... Never thought of it that way? Its either A or B but B sounds like it could be the case. I will have to do a
little more investigating. If I use a multimeter on the main battery I should be able to tell what charge it is
at right? So lets say it is above the 13v when I have shut down the engine. All I should have to do is hit
the spotties/winch and the voltage should drop therefore dropping the connection between the batteries right..?

Moonman
Posts: 522
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2005 7:40 am
Location: Melbourne, Vic

Post by Toy80Diesel »

Moonman wrote:Hmmm... Never thought of it that way?
All I should have to do is hit the spotties/winch and the voltage should drop therefore dropping the connection between the batteries right..?

Moonman
Yep, once the voltage drops the controller will split the batteries.
Thats what mine does anyway. Some systems work off the ignition or running engine.
Shut Up, Get Out, & Start Digging...
Posts: 74
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:52 pm
Location: Darwin NT

Post by Moonman »

Ok all tested and this is the case...
Once the voltage drops the batteries disconnect! Thanks for the help!

Cheers!
Moonman
Posts: 522
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2005 7:40 am
Location: Melbourne, Vic

Post by Toy80Diesel »

Moonman wrote:Ok all tested and this is the case...
Once the voltage drops the batteries disconnect! Thanks for the help!

Cheers!
Moonman
No worries... means the batteries are in good condition if they are holding their charge too!
Shut Up, Get Out, & Start Digging...
Posts: 74
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:52 pm
Location: Darwin NT

Post by Moonman »

Seems I still have a problem with my dual battery control box..? This time it might actually be a real problem!?
Since running my old mans fridge off the second battery to the point where the fridge has stopped, (wanted
to see how long it would last) I start the cruiser and the control box goes mental flicking on and off??? It will
stop for a bit then continue clicking even when driving. The clicking of it switching is easily heard even in the
cab. Not sure what is causing it as the main battery is new and fully charged, possibly a bad earth???
Maybe the sensors are buggered???

Any suggestions
Cheers!
Posts: 522
Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2005 7:40 am
Location: Melbourne, Vic

Post by Toy80Diesel »

Moonman wrote: Maybe the sensors are buggered???

Any suggestions
Cheers!
Is it wired the correct way around? I mean, main battery and aux battery correct way around?

Maybe it is buggered. Not sensing correct voltage.
Shut Up, Get Out, & Start Digging...
Posts: 74
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:52 pm
Location: Darwin NT

Post by Moonman »

Yeah sure it is. Red wire to starting battery, white wire to aux battery, black wire earthed.
Says clearly on the box that's the way it's supposed to be? When I opened it up the
solder seems fine, nothing is loose. Suppose the sensors are on the way out. Will change
the earth wire tonight and see what happens. Never did this before i ran down the aux
battery so don't know if its a coincidence or what?

:bad-words: Need this to be working by Monday!!!

Cheers!
Posts: 74
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 10:52 pm
Location: Darwin NT

Post by Moonman »

Ok got it sorted now...
Earthing problem

Cheers!
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