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Subject:Re: Electrical charging options?
From:Eric Caron
Date:Sun, 30 Apr 2023 14:23:40 -0400

Hi Dan,

I think this Blue Sea unit has that relay for two batteries built in.  So good for Chassie and house. 

I may be confusing things just a little by having two house batteries wired together but I think that may be a fairly common thing people can do.

Eric Caron 

> On Apr 30, 2023, at 2:19 PM, Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> for your 84 I'd think you need a battery separator.. something similar to
> this one..
> 
> https://us.amazon.com/Sure-Power-1314A-Battery-Separator/dp/B00T3724V4
> 
> On Sun, Apr 30, 2023 at 11:08 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
> 
>> Perfect,
>> 
>>        It is a great unit.  That was a excellent upgrade on your part.
>> 
>> I had thought for some reason they had updated it, but it sounds like it
>> still does everything I need it to do.
>>        I will need to leave at least one van outside in the cold in the
>> winter and will feel better with this unit running.
>> 
>> My only concern about the 84 set up is that the house battery currently is
>> two batteries wired together and charging from the alternator.
>> 
>> Eric
>> 
>> 
>>> On Apr 30, 2023, at 1:13 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> The 7605 is the 120 volt AC, with 10A charger and 60A auto relay. This
>> is the one that you have.
>>> It has not changed over the years.
>>> 
>>> Dennis
>>> 
>>> 
>>> From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net <mailto:
>> ericcaron96@comcast.net>>
>>> Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2023 12:39 PM
>>> To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com <mailto:
>> d23haynes57@hotmail.com>>
>>> Cc: Vanagon List <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <mailto:
>> vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>>
>>> Subject: Re: Electrical charging options?
>>> 
>>> Is this the same one on Amazon?
>>> 
>>> 
>> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BV1MSTM/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A30X6C7XOKV1O1&th=1
>> <
>> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BV1MSTM/ref=ewc_pr_img_1?smid=A30X6C7XOKV1O1&th=1
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Eric
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Apr 30, 2023, at 11:56 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com
>> <mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> 10A BatteryLink® Charger (North America) - Blue Sea Systems <
>> https://www.bluesea.com/products/7605/BatteryLink_Charger>
>>> 
>>> Dennis
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net <mailto:
>> ericcaron96@comcast.net>>
>>> Sent: Sunday, April 30, 2023 11:50 AM
>>> To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com <mailto:
>> d23haynes57@hotmail.com>>
>>> Cc: Vanagon List <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <mailto:
>> vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>>
>>> Subject: Re: Electrical charging options?
>>> 
>>> This is why I rely so much on this list and Dennis,
>>> 
>>> Anyone got the link to the correct most up to date unit?
>>> 
>>> It sounds like what I want.  And this choice is still working perfectly
>> in my 85.
>>> 
>>> ERic
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> On Apr 30, 2023, at 11:45 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com
>> <mailto:d23haynes57@hotmail.com>> wrote:
>>> 
>>> The link for this is for the 240 volt version.
>>> For those curious this charger also includes the battery
>> combiner/isolator relay for supporting 2 battery installations. This makes
>> for a simplified installation, one device for shore power and alternator
>> charging. Also, when shore power is provided the chassis battery gets
>> charged first and then the house (aux) battery gets connected as voltage
>> rises. It is also available in a 20AH version. For a marine device it is
>> surprising that this does not a have "low voltage" interlock. If a battery
>> set is drained too low it will still try to charge. A service warning if
>> you disconnect a battery this will still connect both if the either bank is
>> getting charged from any source.
>>> 
>>> While not rated for Lithium type batteries it will work. As it doesn't
>> have a low voltage lock out it will also try to charge even when the
>> battery BMS cuts out.
>>> 
>>> There are many lithium battery choices even in the smaller sizes and
>> pricing is becoming competitive with sealed or gelled AGM. However they
>> really work best with dedicated charging systems and smart controllers if
>> alternator charging is to be used. For the Class B RV's that I see if
>> lithium house batteries are being used engine alternator charging is not
>> provided, shore power (plug in) or solar only. I have also seen an
>> additional alternator added for the house batteries only. These systems
>> tend be very large, designed to replace the need for a generator. Able to
>> run air conditioning (heat pump), 2 burner electric stove and an electric
>> water heater. These systems are going to become more popular as propane
>> gets further restricted along with the use of gasoline or Diesel
>> generators. The RV industry has been working away from propane for many
>> years for the larger rigs.
>>> 
>>> Dennis
>>> 
>>> 
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com <mailto:
>> vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>> On Behalf Of Eric Caron
>>> Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2023 8:47 PM
>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>>> Subject: Electrical charging options?
>>> 
>>> Hi folks,
>>> 
>>>       several years ago Dennis installed a Blue Sea Battery Link
>> charger in my 85.  It serves me very well.
>>> 
>>> I'm interested in a similar option for my 84 so that batteries can be
>> kept healthy.
>>> 
>>> I think it is likely they have a newer model and possibly more options.
>>> 
>>> I also don't know if there is one that also charges likely future
>> lithium batteries.
>>> 
>>> But, also a solid more basic unit is worth considering.
>>> 
>>> What are you folks using these days?  Or more importantly, what would
>> you purchase if installing something today?
>>> 
>>> Here is the unit in my 85 from around 2018.
>>> 
>>> Eric Caron
>>> Blue Sea Systems
>>> Batterylink
>>> 10A Charger
>>> 12V DC
>>> 
>>> https://a.co/d/fpx2jVh <https://a.co/d/fpx2jVh> <https://a.co/d/fpx2jVh
>> <https://a.co/d/fpx2jVh>>
>>