Hi all,
Another techie question. We've got a Waeco Fridge charging unit (RAPS 12R-U2) in the tub of our ute, with a Cigarette adaper (10 Amp) and a Merit plug (20 Amp). It connects power to the fridge when the voltage increases (when alternator's running) depending on a switch on the front.
I've also put together a battery box (100 amp/hr AGM battery) that will live in the tub for running the fridge free camping or down the beach for the afternoon. I'm tossing up getting a CTEK C250S Dual DC-DC charger in the tub, replacing the Waeco unit, to charge the aux battery (and then connecting the van to this battery via an Anderson plug eventually).
However, I'm wondering if I could simply connect the Aux Battery to the Waeco unit using a Merit-Merit style plug (20 Amp) and charging it via the Alternator (I've measured the voltage at the Merit plug as 14.4 volts with all car services on). I'm just not sure if the Merit is up the the task or if Alternator charging will kill the AGM battery. I guess if the Aux battery is dead flat the current to exceed 20 Amps? A local expert advised I need a $400 DC-DC charger (insisting the Ctek and Redarc are no good) and 10mm cable run from the Car Battery to the charger. Surely not?
Any advise welcome.
Cheers.
Another techie question. We've got a Waeco Fridge charging unit (RAPS 12R-U2) in the tub of our ute, with a Cigarette adaper (10 Amp) and a Merit plug (20 Amp). It connects power to the fridge when the voltage increases (when alternator's running) depending on a switch on the front.
I've also put together a battery box (100 amp/hr AGM battery) that will live in the tub for running the fridge free camping or down the beach for the afternoon. I'm tossing up getting a CTEK C250S Dual DC-DC charger in the tub, replacing the Waeco unit, to charge the aux battery (and then connecting the van to this battery via an Anderson plug eventually).
However, I'm wondering if I could simply connect the Aux Battery to the Waeco unit using a Merit-Merit style plug (20 Amp) and charging it via the Alternator (I've measured the voltage at the Merit plug as 14.4 volts with all car services on). I'm just not sure if the Merit is up the the task or if Alternator charging will kill the AGM battery. I guess if the Aux battery is dead flat the current to exceed 20 Amps? A local expert advised I need a $400 DC-DC charger (insisting the Ctek and Redarc are no good) and 10mm cable run from the Car Battery to the charger. Surely not?
Any advise welcome.
Cheers.