2nd battery

[Bambi_Matt]

Our Bambi currently has one small battery. I have a decent car battery lying around, but it's too big to just swap with the existing battery in the Bambi. I know that I could wire this up as a leisure battery with some extra circuitry (which I'll probably get round to doing eventually), but as a quick fix could I just connect the two batteries together in parallel to effectively make one big battery? Or is this a bad idea?!

Cheers, Matt

[Dell Boy]

You could run it in parallel as you suggest & disconnect when you have started the van & keep it as a back up in case the original drains down.
Sometimes the starter solenoid goes "open circuit" which deadens the battery.
If you turn the ignition on & the dash idiot lights glow dimly this can be the cause.

Derek.

[Bambi_Matt]

Thanks Derek, and thanks for the carb - van is running great now! 

I might get a bolt-on battery isolator switch to make things a little easier. Would there be any downside to having them both connected while driving, to keep them both topped up?

[duncanamps]

Connecting them while driving is fine, this is what a split charge relay does anyway. Would it not be worth you fitting one of these? That will give you isolation when parked and charging while on the move, abt £10-15 on eBay.

[Bambi_Matt]

They look perfect, cheers!

[eric.go]

Just purchased a split charge relay 12v 20A is this o.k. for a second 12V battery

[duncanamps]

You will probably be fine with a 20A as long as you don't run the leisure battery down very flat (that's bad for it anyway!!!).  I've got mine on a 20A fuse and it hasn't gone yet...

[old hippy]

http://www.freewebs.com/vwgoatboy/leisurebatteryinstall.htm this should help i have got a 15 amp fused relay doing my 100 amp carbon fibre lesuire battery elcosol