A beginners guide to leisure battery charging and wiring.

Do you want to convert your own camper? Does the prospect of wiring scare you? Watch and learn about split charge relays and the basics of leisure battery wiring to help you build your dream camper.
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WEB: www.combevalleycampers.co.uk
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🎥Filming and Editing: Ali Jassim / just_jassim
Disclaimer:
Due to factors beyond the control of Combe Valley Campers Ltd, I cannot guarantee against improper use or unauthorised modifications of this information. Combe Valley Campers Ltd assumes no liability to property damage or liability incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. Use this information at your own risk. Combe Valley Campers recommends safe practices when working on vehicles and or working with tools seen or implied in this video. Due to factors beyond the control of Combe Valley Campers Ltd, no information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss the may result from improper use of these tools, equipment or from the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not Combe Valley Campers Ltd.

[@TheDawnofVanlife]

Thank you for doing this on a table. I have a helluva time understanding it when people are jumping all around a vehicle.

[@newnew5194]

Hey everyone, the best success that I have had was by following the Gregs Electro Blog (i found it on google) definately the most helpful info that I've tried.

[@project-overland]

100% agree

[@haroldhirhalin1493]

@@newnew5194 will this system charge two auxiliary batteries??

[@itslloyd123]

Exactly this!

[@willsgetoff1157]

Nice to see a simple explanation for the split charge kit, see so many people on chat groups struggling with this and others who think they should know so making complex answers. Thanks for giving us somewhere to point them that gives a concise explanation.

[@huckleberryfinn9675]

Absolutely the best explanation I've seen and kept it very simple at that ,awesome job THANK YOU

[@ronzomass]

Enjoying all your video's and the very clear comments, guides and demonstrations. Great work as ever

[@angelairvine4526]

Thanks so much for this. It was really well explained. You had me at one point thinking I might even be able to do this on my own!!!

[@richardharris2162]

I'm at the very start of my T5 conversion journey. Your videos are REALLY helping me! Sometimes we need things explaining in very basic terms! I'd love to see a video on how to fabric cover (not carpet) ceiling and side panels. I've got the most amazing 1970's fabric and plan on using that in place of auto carpet for my camper ceiling - Think *really* groovy!

[@Irelephant]

Thank you so much for making these videos, they are really inspiring. Keep up the great work!

[@stephensmith4240]

Brilliant explanation. Simple, informative and very helpful. Thanks very much.

[@allisonreynard7930]

Thank you for explaining that so well, I’m sure I can do this for myself now instead of taking my T2 to the garage yay 🙌

[@daisyclelland9492]

I've just bought a new van and this video is so helpful! Thank you!

[@jabbadal1507]

Brilliant. Thank you for this. Clear simple explanation without being patronising and exactly what I needed! Will check out your videos now. Thanks! 🤗😊

[@montistiltskin7594]

Bloody hell, didn't realise the split charger system was that easy! We've recently bought ourselves a T4 and it needs a bit of love, which is gonna be happening over the winter months. Knowing a lot of things really isn't rocket science now, really does help! Cheers man!

[@milanstefanovic3854]

Very good explanation. Especially with open and closed relay contacts. Funny, but, very informative. Thanks.

[@davidtunnicliff5442]

well, I have just watched about 15 of your videos and I have to say 'well done' . Easy to follow and you talk nice and slowly. Im still looking for a van, hopefully in next month or two I shall find something suitable to start to convert. Thanks again.

[@claredougan8481]

Thank you so much, your explanation makes total sense and I’m confident enough to have a go at fitting this myself now!

[@TheSailorboy74]

Thanks for making it straight forward. now ill get my relay.

[@Madders23]

You are a diamond. I want to go round Europe in a motor home but not knowing how the electrics work has me scared but I love how you make it so clear, for us laymen. Thank you soooo much. Keep doing these videos and I’ll keep saving them for when I need them x

[@lindadouglas5972]

This is by far the best video I've listened to so far for a complete beginner like me to understand, I shall be following your videos throughout this process, Thank you

[@rockingrugger]

Fantastic video, really appreciate you guys making it

[@CamperVanya]

I'm not fitting one but am in the market for a camper and wanted to understand the split charging system. This video did the job. Thanks!

[@itslloyd123]

Man this video is perfect, great visual with the parts laid on. Just bought a 2002 chevy express and it has solar charging only so upgrading the system with this! Super informative, thank you.

[@Nicos89]

Great video, excellent teaching material, very easy to follow.

[@colauty2598]

Simple and informative, doing the table with batt's on display is easy to follow, oh and thanks for not using 12 words when 3 will do, so not boring and not fed up listening, well done fella 😉

[@gemma3924]

Oh my god, thank you! I have been so worried about this and was debating paying an auto-electrician £150 to fit it, I feel like I can actually tackle this myself now, this is the best break down I've seen. Thank you!

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Glad we could help!

[@RuthDerrow]

Thank you! Thank you! makes it much easier the way you discuss it

[@emmaess9958]

Fantastic, thanks so much. Ive seen several similar videos but this is hands-down the best.

[@valbristowe2222]

Very good at explaining, and straight to the point.Thank you.

[@jackcochran6670]

You've literally made me so much more chill in relation to the electric side of my self build. Cheers dude!

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Im so glad Jack. It is why we make the videos. Leigh

[@donner101]

@@CombeValleyCampers I have bought a van with a leisure battery connected via relay to the van battery alternator etc. Its is also connected to a 1000w inverter. The leisure battery is located under the passenger seat. If I want to charge it from the mains can I just put my ac charger clips onto the pos and neg while the battery is still connected to the van battery set up or do I have to disconnect the terminals. Also can I use the leisure battery for lights and other 12v stuff etc when it is still charging via the mains. Thanks

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Hi Donner. Yes you can connect the clips for a temporary set up, however if the charger will be living in the van I would for a permanent termination for the leads on the battery terminals. Yes you can use the battery as normal whilst being charged via mains. Hope that helps, Leigh

[@bardothodol4472]

Saving money for this! Looks easy!

[@muukadventures3629]

Simplest and best explanation I’ve heard to date 👏👏👏

[@SineHacker]

Excellent video, thank you!

[@baggsofadventures2838]

Probably the best video I’ve seen on KZbin well explained for the for the everyday man 👍

[@rogerstarkey5390]

Best description I've seen.

[@sebsingh1423]

nice to see uk vids ..top job pal 👍🏼👊🏽

[@susanlewis5340]

Thanks guys just aimed at my level. Excellent

[@stuartmills299]

What a bloody great video....made it easy!!

[@bostedsprocket6708]

great video, i just bought a t4 and feel like a rabbit in the head lights when it comes to the conversion but i want to do it myself and im trying to learn as much as i can so thank you for this.

[@TheGazmondo]

Bloody brilliant explanation !!

[@tomjones8019]

Brilliant vid dude.keep them comin.

[@romeowhiskey1146]

Great explanation that EVERYBODY can understand.

[@craigheron9961]

Great vid. guys. Looking forward to one covering solar panels and charging. 🌞😎👍

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Hi Craig, its in the pipeline! Thanks for your comment :)

[@krismalde7994]

Excellent video. I don't have a campervan but looking to get power into the back of a Suzuki Supercarry for surveillance equipment. Very informative, thanks

[@gerrybyrne5060]

Clearly explained and very informative

[@Moz2407]

Just starting my journey in converting my Skoda Yeti into a mini camper and was clueless about how I would get myself a leisure battery installed. This video has really helped simplified the whole process. Thank you

[@jamescampbell379]

Doing the same with a Fabia estate. Just created the sleeping area and was looking for a way to set up a leisure battery.

[@robertlange5346]

Spectacular introduction... thanks!

[@CARROLLNIALLO]

Really excellent video , thank you

[@mattscamp7974]

Thank you for making this video👍🏻

[@bellecasa9748]

Finally a simplified explanation of how this works.

[@Diaryplan]

Brilliant video. Makes it clear. Thank you

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Thanks for the feedback

[@mikemay1200]

This is awesome. Thanks

[@MAD_DOG-MUDHOUND]

Best video so easy and not made complicated

[@paulmills1605]

Great video!

[@UnrestrictedIsle]

Simply put - Thankyou! Currently trying to figure out what system is in my ambulance - it’s not closing the circuit to charge the leisure battery. Now I understand what should be happening 😁

[@bardothodol4472]

Thank you very much! Signed 👍😁

[@Jensjourneys64]

Simplistic, thank you for explaining ,

[@khiggins7231]

Turns out you are a good teacher as well👍

[@user-charlieccchong]

Excellent presentation

[@jimmysqueezyronin5623]

Very clear and understandable ✅

[@kyleclark2370]

your amazing my guy

[@WHIZZER86]

Very informative, subbed 👍🏼

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Hi Whizzer, Thank you for your sub, and glad you liked the video

[@truckerdaddy-akajohninqueb4793]

Thanks. I'm working on a split-charge for my minivan

[@detectndig9619]

Great videos...I also would like to see a full wiring vid please :-)

[@BeccaLovesGleee]

Well explained thanks 😊

[@grahamfrear9270]

Thank you I'm sure you've helped a lot of other people two complicated for me thank you anyway

[@Rich-ls5mm]

Thanks! This will help me to get to this stage and feel like i could get the leisure battery set up. Could you please now explain how you then would wire parts in for e.g little led spotlights, plugs, usb ports As i don't know how you would then connect these parts to the leisure battery?

[@delodelo5628]

Nice one great help 👍👍🍺

[@CaffeineJogger]

Hei Matey, I second Peter Biggadike. This would be sensational . Thanks.

[@HellNwheels]

Oh Thanks for this ive just found you and i neeed education lol gunna followwwwnnow and hopefully learn 😊👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@kittylife5589]

Great thanks, very well explained! It fkn easy lol 😂happy days

[@patrickpirelli7897]

I fitted a manual split charger where i flick the switch when i want it to charge and run it through a big fuse, works great

[@demochamp7]

great video.

[@bdeithrick]

Wanted to know for so long. Being an electrician. My brain superseded it’s simplicity.

[@Energy_69]

Keeping it simple ,..always wins ,…thanks

[@jeanette6510]

Thank you SO much for this video. I wish you had been my physics teacher 40 years ago!! I finally understand. One request, in the Q&A videos, is it possible to name what you are covering in the title please? I'm a total beginner and get a bit overwhelmed. Thanks

[@kevinmarchesi3317]

Really helpful vid 👍👍 nice meeting you down cooden.. The chap with the new t4 👌 keep the vids coming

[@davidphilp490]

Fantastic video again, bought a T6 and a full wiring loom from Rayne have you done an install video on any van for this? And thanks again as your videos have been a god send. David

[@peterbiggadike8068]

You’re doing a great job with these videos. Well done. They’re all really informative, simple to follow and quite inspiring! I’d like to see a full wiring vid if possible. How do I fit the split charge to a T5. How does the 240v plug in work, how do I add solar , how does it switch between the three, how do I wire the roof lights before I put the roof lining up, And also, do I fit the electrics before I carpet the back? That should keep you busy. I think they call this being a victim of your own success? Keep up the good work!!!!

[@CaffeineJogger]

why is there no replies to your questions Peter?

[@rebeccahare897]

240v needs some sort of charging system (i.e. battery charger). Some battery chargers come with reverse polarity protection, some do not. Check your charger specs, it should say whether it needs to be electrically isolated or not - if it doesn't say, it probably needs isolating. I'm not an expert on solar but I should expect that the controllers are similar to 240v battery chargers in that some will need isolating and others won't - check the specs! The charging system providing the highest voltage will win - though this might not be the charging system with the greatest current - the thing that actually charges batteries. Depends what roof lights you want but it is generally best to fit the wiring first (1st fix) then put the lining up and then attach the lights (2nd fix). It is advisable to run cables through some sort of trunking as this protects the cables, allows them greater heat dissipation (not going to go into why that's important here, just know it is - and that it is a legal requirement), and is easier to fix when (yes, when) something goes wrong or you'd like to upgrade or alter the wiring. Similar things can be said for gas and water pipes too. If the lights are 12v, you only need a positive (red) lead (with a suitable fuse!) connected to the positive battery terminal (or distribution unit) which can then go into a switch and then to the lamps. The negative (black) leads just need terminating and connecting to ground (van chassis). Anything I missed?

[@rebeccahare897]

@@CaffeineJogger Because I only just got here! It's not even my video...

[@redyellowpink01]

This is a great video. I've been trying to get my head around electrics for ages. For me this is missing 2 crucial pieces of information: fuses (where, what rating...); how to wire stuff to the leisure battery so you can actually use it

[@rebeccahare897]

Fuses - one fuse should be on the primary battery positive lead, one should be on the second battery positive lead. Fuses always go on positive leads, otherwise shorts to ground may bypass them. Good practice also states that it should be as close to the power supply as reasonably possible, as the lead leading to the fuse always has a potential difference and any short to ground along that wire is not protected. As for wiring to a battery, connect the positive lead to the positive terminal and the negative lead to the negative terminal or to the chassis (ensuring a good electrical connection)

[@beaniedean3021]

Thank you so much for explaining this in perfect lamen terms 👌 Finally, I understand. 😂

[@MrTomparvin]

Another great video. Really appreciate the content and I'm sure others do 🤙 I'd like to see some videos on solar; recommended solar panels, mounting them, feeding them to the leisure battery, panel size vs battery size.

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Hi Tom, thanks for your comment, its in the pipeline

[@angrybuccaneer]

Great video thanks, you explained it so simply even I understood it! - Can you tell me does the system work the same the other way, if you are hooked up to the electrics at a campsite or have solar panels charging the leisure battery when it reaches 13.8v does then pass the charge to the vehicle battery?

[@andyhart9238]

hi just started watching your channel after deciding to convert a ford transit custom, I'm going to get as much info as possible and collect a lot of the materials before hand but one thing that im still a little confused about is the smart battery 2 battery and how that links in with the rest of the wiring for everything else, would really appreciate an explanation or clip on how this is achieved. have to say your videos are spot on and have given me much more confidence to do my own van knowing I can just pick up my laptop and have a look at how its done, cheers great job.

[@CombeValleyCampers]

We shall cover smart battery chargers in a future channel. Thanks for watching :)

[@thomasohara9470]

Your videos are amazing. Really clear and well presented!!! Could you please help me. I have fit the split relay charge to my VW T4 and I am now starting to fit a 240v hookup to the van. How do I connect it to the leisure battery so the battery can be charged by both the alternator and the 240V hookup, when it's plugged in? Thanks again

[@maxcopeland1354]

Absolutely great presentation video, but with my deep cycle battery in back of vehicle have gone with the dc-dc charger because of having a smart alternator my battery always gets the full charge.

[@HelenBradley]

Thanks for this! I keep hearing people talking about spirit charge relays and I’ve just gotten no freaking clue as to what they’re talking about. Any chance you can cover DC to DC chargers at some stage? Cheers!

[@colewallace2970]

Great vid thanks. Have you managed to do a video on the 2nd option? Just to be able to charge it off mains/from at home without vehicle battery/ split system

[@nobbyteixeira4392]

Nice vid. How's your T3 renovation going? Looking forward to seeing the transformation. You mentioned you got some friends to help you paint the van years ago. The paint job still looked decent all these years later.

[@derekfromtauranga6012]

Very informative and simple. Should you still incorporate a kill switch in the circuit and where would you fit it?

[@CanadianLadyVanLife]

I have join your channel TY for very simple information. Growing my channel living with Fibromyalgia doing foraging and fishing. I hope to hear from you . I need to get away from the cold in Ontario.

[@julessenior924]

Thank you! Do you do a video to cover setting up lights / connections from this leisure battery set up?

[@solarrover9575]

Like to see anything T4🤙

[@Naksinandi]

Great video, very informative and easy to understand, thank you! Just a question , if i install a 2nd leisure i need to eire them paralel no extra relay or fuse needed between the two? Thank you.

[@craigcrallan15]

Great Video, Well explained for those like me who have no scooby when it comes to batteries and electrics. Thanks. On a slightly different point I recently bought a Crusader J220 Uk Mains Converter Lead from Amazon to charge my leisure battery from a main socket in my garage while my T6 camper sits idle on the driveway. I have had it pluged in for over 24hrs with the charger switch on my Sarget EC155 'on' but on the control panel (sargent ec50) have not moved from the low amber light. Would you know why? Love to hear your thoughts

[@allisonreynard7930]

Thanks for the very explanatory guide can you send a link to where I can get the split charge kit from please 🤘🏻

[@alanwootten4942]

Hi thanks for the clear description of the split charge relay system. My camper has a leisure battery which I presume is topped up from the alternator, still looking for the relay or split charge relay!! Question: ( hopefully not a daft one!!) I am putting a solar panel onto my camper for the leisure battery. Do I need to disconnect from the engine battery to charge from the solar or can both sources be used? If so have you got a video showing how this is done please!! Cheers in advance.

[@dougiereid4493]

I probably know the answer but just to confirm please...it’s possible to have all three methods going to one leisure battery yeah. So, split charger whilst travelling, plug in charger when home/camping, solar on the roof working when sunny 👍. Superb videos, looking to buy & concert my first van soon

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Hi Dougie, yes it is. As long as its wired up correctly and safely.

[@bensmith4838]

Good video, thank you. How would this work with a 24v system? I have two batteries on my Transit, would I just attach to one battery and would it matter which?

[@izma4322]

Hey mate, that was an awesome video tutorial!!! I just want to ask, if my split relay does have a led light, how do I know it’s charging? Any way I can test it while the engine is on ? Thanks ! !

[@reesaoldyear7763]

Thanks for your videos. I find them beyond helpful. I've a question though. Is it possible to implement a split charger, a solar panel system and a mains charger all for a camper van with two batteries ( vehicle+leisure)?

[@DonaldTrumpton]

I have a split charge setup from the days of caravan towing, also a permanent 12volt supply for caravan lights. I intend to use the circuit through the relay to charge the leisure battery. Is this in order. I also have a 90 amp alternator.

[@yousseff7308]

Excellent video... In my van I have the old 13am relay connected to the main battery charging the leisure one,would you recommend to replace it with the new one ? Thanks very much