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[Gaffers]

This is a project for the miggy but it would probably apply to any vehicle you would wish to do this for, hence putting it in GCC.

I am looking at converting the miggy for weekend trips to the coast for spearfishing trips, the idea being that it will carry all my gear including the deflated RIB on the wat there and back and double up as a sleeping platform overnight.  One of the requirements is for power.  I intend on having a leisure battery (becasue I already have a few) permanently installed in the back, vented to the outside of course, which will allow me to power a mains converter, charge phones/tablets and some basic lighting.

Obviously keeping the battery charged is a key concern and I doubt it is as simple as just piggy backing the alternator output.  So will I need to upgrade the alternator or install any specific ciruitry to make this happen?  Could I also install a solar panel input through a regulator for while the car is stationary as well as the alternator input?

[aaronjb]

A caravan split charge relay would handle charging the battery, I imagine.. but some backup for when you're stationary might help - solar, wind turbine? Fart powered, of course..

[05omegav6]

Your towbar wiring has the relay and loom for what you require

[Andy B]

Your towbar wiring has the relay and loom for what you require

It just has a supply when you fit the fuse up front (no idea now the number) but you fit your own relay ..... GM didn't fit one 

[05omegav6]

Your towbar wiring has the relay and loom for what you require

It just has a supply when you fit the fuse up front (no idea now the number) but you fit your own relay ..... GM didn't fit one 

For clarity, MG has a tow bar in his possession complete with genuine looms

[Andy B]

....
For clarity, MG has a tow bar in his possession complete with genuine looms

 

I shall stand facing the corner having been considered told ....... 

[Gaffers]

So I can wire the leisure battery straight on to the pos/neg on the towbar outlet?

What about the solar panel?  Put both feeds through a dual regulator?

[steve6367]

This is a project for the miggy but it would probably apply to any vehicle you would wish to do this for, hence putting it in GCC.

I am looking at converting the miggy for weekend trips to the coast for spearfishing trips, the idea being that it will carry all my gear including the deflated RIB on the wat there and back and double up as a sleeping platform overnight.  One of the requirements is for power.  I intend on having a leisure battery (becasue I already have a few) permanently installed in the back, vented to the outside of course, which will allow me to power a mains converter, charge phones/tablets and some basic lighting.

Obviously keeping the battery charged is a key concern and I doubt it is as simple as just piggy backing the alternator output.  So will I need to upgrade the alternator or install any specific ciruitry to make this happen?  Could I also install a solar panel input through a regulator for while the car is stationary as well as the alternator input?

I have exactly this in boot of the 2 estates - VSR using the tow bar wiring, connects and charges the extra battery when underway and disconnects when voltage of main battery starts to fall once engine off. This setup works for me as if I am likely to need to battery in the boot I am normally away and so lots of engine run time to charge. It won't charge very quickly as there is voltage drop to the boot and no 'smart' charge controller.

Works well though and allows portable fridge, charging phones, lights etc. Make sure you size the battery to cope with your intended use and recharge intervals.

Steve

[05omegav6]

So I can wire the leisure battery straight on to the pos/neg on the towbar outlet?

What about the solar panel?  Put both feeds through a dual regulator?

Yup but be sure to use the positive feed from the relay rather than the internal one on the other loom

[Gaffers]

So I can wire the leisure battery straight on to the pos/neg on the towbar outlet?

What about the solar panel?  Put both feeds through a dual regulator?

Yup but be sure to use the positive feed from the relay rather than the internal one on the other loom

ok i will check the docs you sent me 

[05omegav6]

So I can wire the leisure battery straight on to the pos/neg on the towbar outlet?

What about the solar panel?  Put both feeds through a dual regulator?

Yup but be sure to use the positive feed from the relay rather than the internal one on the other loom

ok i will check the docs you sent me 

If you get stuck, I can photocopy the instructions that came with my Gm loom

[Kevin Wood]

I would probably run a feed from the battery or alternator directly, as the pre-wired towbar feed might well have enough voltage drop already that the battery will never reach a state of full charge, especially as the feed to the fuse box will be shared with other loads.

Instead of a caravan charge relay you could just run a conventional relay from the fuel pump feed, oil pressure switch or alternator warning light feed. Any of these go active with the engine running.

Solar panel can just feed the leisure battery directly. If the panel is big enough it might need a shunt regulator to avoid overcharging.

I reckon the standard alternator will be fine. You'll have longish runs to/from the coast to keep the battery topped up.

[05omegav6]

I don't mean towbar wiring via the boot socket, but the relay feed direct from the battery, switched by an RPM signal iirc

[Kevin Wood]

I don't mean towbar wiring via the boot socket, but the relay feed direct from the battery, switched by an RPM signal iirc

Is that part of the GM towing loom? Not seen one of them before, but looks like it'd do the job.

[Gaffers]

Initial inspection of the wire guage suggests so Kevin.  But I wonder how much it would handle if I was powering a towed caravan  (heaven forbid)  as well as charging get the leisure battery