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Bongo1



Member Since: 02 Nov 2018
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 815

United Kingdom 
luna dual charge
hi i have a LUNS dual charge system fitted and its working ok . But in this cold weather the timed 5 mins for the main battery before the auxillary battery links .

What im thinking of doing is fitting a isolator switch , so that i can stop the charge going to the aux batt and let the main battery take all the charge in this weather and short trips . would it work ok and not upset the LUNA system .
Post #875479 31st Dec 2020 4:47pm
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8021

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
Yep it would work no problem by just adding an isolator.

Personally I switch mine to aux straight away to get charge in both. Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #875508 31st Dec 2020 5:57pm
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Bongo1



Member Since: 02 Nov 2018
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 815

United Kingdom 
I know you answered this sorry , but do you know my system .

So if the gizmo box + solenoid direct power as normal to (now isolator switch) to aux battery , will it damage the gizmo box + solenoid , will it burn them out if power cant flow to the aux battery .

Normally all is fine , but i just feel weather as it is that 5 mins is not enough to replenish after starting , especially with heater etc .

All that's wired to my aux batt is things like the radio , anderson socket . So its not critical that it gets a charge .

But i wanted to even if temporarily cut the charge to the aux .. so when after the 5 mins timer and it links the main + aux , if i cut the feed to the aux by using an isolator switch ,

would the power actually bounce back to the main battery , ?????? .

So if the gizmo box + solenoid direct power as normal to (now isolator switch) to aux battery , will it damage the gizmo box + solenoid , will it burn them out if power cant flow to the aux battery .
Post #875527 31st Dec 2020 7:40pm
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Bongo1



Member Since: 02 Nov 2018
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 815

United Kingdom 
you know your stuff jst . just found on LUNA web page that it WONT allow a connection if 1 a battery is reverse polarity , 2 short circuited , 3 or DOES NOT EXIST ...

i guess if i turn the isolator to OFF that's like a battery missing . so if i fit the isolator on the (Solenoid live feed cable) to the aux battery that should not confuse the intelligent solenoid .


This may not achieve anything and i will end up leaving to connected , but nice to have that option .
Post #875545 31st Dec 2020 8:41pm
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macfrank



Member Since: 05 Nov 2015
Location: somewhere in the north
Posts: 1072

Germany 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
I’ve put a small switch into the Solenoid‘s ground wire to disable it. No need for an isolator in the high amp wires if you want the main battery to be charged only.
I‘ve also added a CTEK connector to each battery to be able to charge each one separately. Problem was, if both batteries have very different charge states, the CTEK can‘t provide enough amps, voltage wont get over 12.7V and the solenoid opens and closes, and opens...
Post #875564 31st Dec 2020 9:57pm
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Bongo1



Member Since: 02 Nov 2018
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 815

United Kingdom 
i have battery connectors i plug into , also 2 chargers and use the ctek for the main battery , and the other for the aux. I disconnect the link high amp lead whilst charging them , do i need to ? , or is it ok to leave linked and Still use both chargers , or just use one .

I like the switch in the ground wire , much better idea , big thanks Thumbs Up . Will the dual batt controller need re-setting after .
Post #875593 1st Jan 2021 12:08am
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Bongo1



Member Since: 02 Nov 2018
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 815

United Kingdom 
Does the solenoid still open/close then , even with the earth switched open . does that mean they are still linked
Post #875594 1st Jan 2021 12:14am
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LandRoverAnorak



Member Since: 17 Jul 2011
Location: Surrey
Posts: 11324

United Kingdom 
If you isolate the ground wire with a switch then the whole thing is effectively dead. The solenoid won't close and power won't flow in any weird way back into or through the unit. Darren

110 USW BUILD THREAD - EXPEDITION TRAILER - 200tdi 90 BUILD THREAD - SANKEY TRAILER - IG@landroveranorak

"You came in that thing? You're braver than I thought!" - Princess Leia
Post #875604 1st Jan 2021 1:54am
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macfrank



Member Since: 05 Nov 2015
Location: somewhere in the north
Posts: 1072

Germany 2015 Defender 110 Puma 2.2 SW Keswick Green
Bongo1 wrote:
i have battery connectors i plug into , also 2 chargers and use the ctek for the main battery , and the other for the aux. I disconnect the link high amp lead whilst charging them , do i need to ? , or is it ok to leave linked and Still use both chargers , or just use one .

Don't connect two chargers while batteries are linked! At best, the chargers would just be confused (they measure while charging; see manual re charge phases). At worst, they get damaged.

If you disconnect the batteries by the suggested ground switch it may be ok to use both chargers. However, I wouldn't trust myself to remember to switch it off before charging Smile

For keeping both batteries trickle charged in winter for example, there's no need for two chargers. Just leave the NL system on and connect the CTEK to either battery (exception if both batteries have a very different SOC, as above).

Bongo1 wrote:
I like the switch in the ground wire , much better idea , big thanks Thumbs Up . Will the dual batt controller need re-setting after .

Great Smile Audible alarm for under/over voltage will be on (off: press SET for 3 secs.) and display will be on (off: SET 5 secs.) No functional resetting needed. The controller isn't required for the system to work (the solenoid has it's own electronics to do that).


Last edited by macfrank on 1st Jan 2021 9:01am. Edited 1 time in total
Post #875616 1st Jan 2021 8:58am
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jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 8021

 2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
It doesn't need resetting no. Cheers

James
110 2012 XS Utility
130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper
90 2010 Hardtop
90 M57 1988 Hardtop
Post #875617 1st Jan 2021 8:59am
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Bongo1



Member Since: 02 Nov 2018
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 815

United Kingdom 
So I can either put a switch into the small ground wire , or switch the hot wire to the aux batt , tricking the LUNA intelligent box into thinking the aux battery is not there .

Simple method or be deceitful mmmm . That's deceitful to LUNA
Post #875622 1st Jan 2021 9:34am
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