My Eriba is an import, so it doesn't come with a leisure battery. I read a lot of threads from people completely re-wiring the van to just fitting a 7 pin plug straight to the leisure battery.

I'm just looking to do a cheap basic install. I think I know what is involved, but just wanted to check with anyone else experiences.

My van is a mid 90's Famillia. The electrics and the BIP are at the front under the sink. I want to install the battery under the seat next to the wheel arch to keep the weight distributed evenly.

From what I have read it seems all I need to do is remove the transformer from the BIP and wire the battery in its place. The battery then needs to be wired to pin 9 and 13 on the 13 pin plug. I need to also fit a relay to pin 9 to make sure I don't discharge the car battery when stopped.

I'm then just going to use a smart charger I already have plugged into a socket in the van, so when on hook up I can charge the battery. I'll probably fit a solar charger at some point, but one step at a time.

Does this sound correct, or am I missing something?

When I upgraded the electrics on my Troll, I found that this article a really useful read before I started. Your approach sounds about right... Certainly with a battery fitted, you have no need to have a transformer as with the battery on constant charge the transformer becomes redundant..

https://caravanchronicles.com/guides/und...-car-electrics/

hth....

I'm a firm believer of the "Keep It Simple Stupid KISS" brigade and my initial thoughts on your proposal look OK. I am not familiar with your version of the BIP ( mine has allowance for a battery) but I can't see why your proposal wouldn't work at this moment. By connecting your battery to the output of the transformer, you are presenting the BIP with a ready made, smooth 12Vdc supply. I believe the output of these earlier BIPs is not a great 12Vdc supply, somewhat lumpy perhaps but sufficient for inacandescent lights but not, maybe, for charging phones etc.. So, by sticking 12Vdc into the rectification circuit, you will most certainly get a smooth 12Vdc output. Perhaps a purist would connect the 12Vdc battery supply to the output stage of the BIP thus negating the BIP circuitry all together other than the distribution to the various 230Vac and 12Vdc circuits.

In my own case , I have replaced the battery charging circuit with a mains powered Ctek charger. At all times I have kept the original components intact should I need to retract but so far I have found very simple ways to improve the electrics in my Eriba without too much fuss or upheaval.

KISS

OK, it sounds like I'm on the right path. I'll press on and order a battery.