I have a VW Crafter 35 Panel Van. It has a factory Varta 100A starter battery (under the passenger cab floor) which is connected to several factory 12vdc internal lights and factory 12vdc sockets. All running on the factory 12vdc bus bar/fuse box. This model crafter has a factory option to add a second battery (in the engine bay), and also add a second alternator (factory starter alternator is Bosch 180A NOT Smart) which could be another 12vdc or perhaps a 48vdc separated from the factory 12vdc circuit for AC inverter consumption.
I'm wanting to add that second 12vdc battery to help my starter battery with the camping load on those lights and 12vdc sockets, one of which supports my 40L Engel fridge. Adding a second battery the factory way would integrate the second battery into the starter battery circuit.
My concerns are
- Should I add the second battery to the starter battery circuit or keep the second battery separate from the starter battery circuit. In other words install a separate bus bar/fuse box to support those internal lights and 12vdc sockets?
- The quality of the factory circuit elements (isolator, etc) when adding a second battery to the starter battery circuit. Can I do a better job adding some Victron parts instead, and what should they be, based on value for money criteria? I'm thinking a Wakespeed here might be a tad overkill.
Later, I plan to add the second alternator to support the 240vac circuit for kitchen appliances and maybe an air conditioner. I have diesel powered stove top (Wallas) and furnace (Eberspaecher) for hot air heating and hot water.
My concerns are
- How do I get all that alternator power to support both 12vdc and 240vac circuits?
- How do I get the future solar and inverter charger to support both 12vdc and 240vac circuits?
I'm trying to design the system to support the above and build it incrementally as funds allow. I'd appreciate any ideas to draw a complete electrical diagram before implementing the design.
Cheers
