Charging my battery.

[John4tvs]

I want to put a battery in my van. No solar. Would like the battery to charge while driving. How can I wire it so that the battery is not electrically connected to the ignition system while the van is not running?

Thanks in advance

 

[B and C]

Using a continuous duty solenoid will do the trick.

https://vanlivingforum.com/attachment.php?aid=25870

https://vanlivingforum.com/showthread.php?tid=40284&highlight=continuous+duty+solenoid

 

[tripper]

You could put a simple disconnect switch in, like one of those dc circuit breakers on Amazon, only about $10.

 

[bullfrog]

You could just disconnect the the charge cable going to the house battery.

 

[wayne49]

Circuit breakers are not made to be used as on/off switches.

Disconnect the charge cable, and insulate and secure the now loose hot end.

 

[tripper]

They aren't for sure, but if you get one of the cheap ones made for 200 amps and your running much less current thru them they will work fine as a disconnect switch,  I've been using one that way for years, works ok. The cheap dc breakers actually suck as real breakers tho, fuses are  lot better.

 

[Sofisintown]

Disconnect switches are cheap and they are made for this purpose.
https://www.amazon.com/1-2-Both-Off...lator-1250Amps/dp/B07HT44MP5/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?

 

[John4tvs]

Thanks everyone. Very helpful suggestions.

 

[eDJ_]

In my first Van rig I added a second battery and used a "knife switch" on the house battery.  On the engine battery I  replaced the terminals with a couple of marine terminals which had secondary wing nut fasteners.  Then I purchased regular cables with battery terminals at one end and flat terminals at the other for the wing nut connections. 

Like so.

The marine terminals went on the engine battery and the knife switch went on the negative ground of the house battery.  Then the flat metal ends of the jumper cables connected to the wing nut connections of the engine battery.  The negative cable mounted to the knife switch post and the positive cable to the positive terminal with the flat end to the positive marine wing nut connection on the engine battery. 

With a flip of the knife switch the house battery could be disconnected from the ignition system.  I've seen those knife switches for as little as $9 dollars.  Shop around for the jumpers with the flat ends at one end and lead terminal connectors at the other. 

Then tie a ribbon on your steering wheel so you'll remember to connect or disconnect the knife switch when in camp for the night.  LOL    To use my house battery for 12 Volt DC stuff,  I used an extension cord with large alligator clips at the ends to connect to the battery.   Then I used a 3 way adapter so I could use up to 3  12 volt items.  The main things I was using was my AC/DC AM FM SW radio and a Sony AC/DC TV which had a 12 volt dc feature.  I also had a 12 volt coffee percolator but I only used it for hot water.  Drank instant coffee while on the road.