FUTURE-PROOFED

This incredible battery charging system is the last 12V setup you’ll ever need to buy

Here’s the three bits of ultra-clever CTEK gear that are going into this installation. First up is the D250SA Dual DC/DC battery charger, which can receive voltage input from either the alternator or from a solar panel, switching intelligently between the two. It then puts out a steady 14.4V at a thumping 20A, charging all types of 12V batteries. Next up is a CTEK Smartpass 120, which works like a modular add-on onto the D250SA to charge big battery banks even quicker again. For your batteries, using a kit like this means you have the ability to run a bigger battery bank. Get yourself two Adventure Kings 115Ah Deep Cycle AGM batteries. That’s 230Ah of power for all your gear!

Before we get into the wiring, it’s time to think the system through to make sure the install goes smoothly. Both the D250SA and the Smartpass 120 are IP65 rated as splash and dust-proof, and that means they need to be installed inside the cabin or a canopy – not in the engine bay. The best bet is to mount them as close to your auxiliary battery bank as possible. This minimises the amount of cabling that needs to be run from the CTEKs to the batteries, which in turn prevents voltage drop.

The D250SA and the Smartpass 120 work together as a pidgeon pair. Installation is a piece of cake – use the supplied connectors to connect the alternator input and battery output posts on both units together. Run fused power using 6 gauge wiring from your main crank battery into one of the alternator inputs, and then battery cabling from the positive-out and earth posts on the D250SA into your auxiliary batteries. Finally, earth the Smartpass 120 earth cable to the earth post on the D250SA, and you’ve got yourself a functioning intelligent 12V charging system.

12v systems have come a seriously long way in the last couple of years. With more companies competing for your off-road dollar than ever before, there’s an absolutely mind-blowing amount of gear on the market to cater to your every 12v desire. If you’re finding that a single auxiliary battery just doesn’t cut the mustard anymore, then you’ve got to check out CTEK’s gear. When the D250SA and Smartpass 120 are linked they can handle multiple charging inputs (alternator and solar), and can handle charging multiple auxiliary batteries. To keep an eye on everything is CTEK’s beaut Bluetooth-enabled Battery Sense monitor, which connects to your phone and sends you alerts if your auxiliary battery gets too low. That install’s as simple as connecting it to the positive and negative posts of the battery, then downloading the app on your phone. Portable battery monitor, how good is that!