split charge?

[froggy Steve]

A dummy question - my collie has 2 batteries. Does it have a split charge system already, having a normal and caravan electrical hook up on the tow bar? If not, then would one of THESE (scuze the green oval thing!) be any good? Thinking about camp lights, fridge etc
Cheers
Steve

 

[grantw]

Hi Steve,
It's not likely you have a split charge system installed already.

The whole spit charge topic becomes complex very quickly as it turns out the alternator is actually really bad at charging batteries.

Running a fridge for any length of time (more than a day) would also require more than one one battery to keep things running well. If you discharge your starter batteries more than 50% it's going to adversely affect their life ... and given that with with normal alternator charging car batteries are generally only at 70-80% of their charge capacity it doesn't give much running time for your devices.

Cheers,
Grant